Sat 19 Mar 2016 Brisbane Suburbs

Post date: Nov 2, 2016 4:25:51 AM

Leader: Babette Sutherland

Reporter: Stan Piper

Only five of us made the train journey to meet Babette at Yeerongpilly Station. We walked through landscaped gardens to the Pat Rafter Tennis Complex stopping for an early coffee on the way. The complex is undergoing renovation at the moment, having a new clay court installed. Babette kindly arranged for us to be given access to the site to see the interior layout and the partly completed court. From there it was on through the leafy areas of Graceville and Chelmer generally following the course of the Brisbane River to the well-known Walter Taylor Bridge, famous for once having incorporated accommodation for the Toll Collector. From there we turned south, still following the River through leafy streets looking at the beautiful period homes. We were fascinated at one point by the girth of massive cedar laurel trees which must have measured some 4 or 5 feet across. Our final point of interest was our lunch stop in the Sherwood Arboretum. Our thanks to Babette, who was not feeling the best, for giving her time and for the constant interesting commentary, despite sometimes almost losing her voice.