Raby Bay after Dark and a Visit to QPAC

Often on a Monday I like to reflect back on what I did over the weekend, especially if it’s something new and different. This weekend I did a few things that are new and different to me, which is quite an achievement considering I’ve lived here in Brisbane for nearly 9 years now.

Let’s start with Saturday.

The Twilight Makers Market, Raby Bay

I’ve been to Raby Bay before, so nothing new about that. This is Raby Bay…

But I’d never been to Raby Bay after dark before, so this was definitely new and different for me.

Raby Bay is about 30 minutes drive east of Brisbane CBD, but does not come under Brisbane City Council. Raby Bay is a man-made canal system which was built in the 80s and is part of Cleveland, which is in Redland City and therefore part of Redland City Council.

The Twilight Makers Market takes place in Raby Bay just once a month, usually the last Saturday of the month, and sells only handmade goods by local artisans.

I’d never been to the Twilight Makers Market before, so this was definitely new and different for me.

When we got there at about 6:30 in the evening the place was buzzing..

There was live music, of course…

The food court was bustling…

And the restaurants overlooking the marina were very busy as well…

Even the chip shop had a 30 minute wait for fish and chips. So we didn’t eat there, we went down the road to a pub in Cleveland.

Grand View Hotel

I’d never been to the Grand View Hotel before, so this was definitely new and different for me. I am not a doctor though, so I didn’t go in here…

I wanted to go to this bar, the one that had one of my favourite ever beers on tap…

Yes, Old Speckled Hen.

Cheers!

Drinking this beer definitely wasn’t anything new and different for me, I’ve certainly had a pint of Old Speckled Hen before and I do hope I have another one again sometime soon. The Grand View Hotel probably has some grand views, but I couldn’t tell you, it was dark.

Let’s move on to Sunday.

Queensland Performing Arts Centre

I’d never been to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre before, so this was definitely new and different for me. Mrs Bob, on the other hand, has been to QPAC (pronounced q-pack) as it’s known quite a few times. Mrs Bob, along with Stacey and the three girls, Elizabeth, Millie and Jasmine have all been to QPAC many times.

They’ve seen Mary Poppins, Angelina Ballerina, Mamma Mia, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Sound of Music.

Perhaps that gives you a little insight as to why I’ve never been before.

This time though the occasion was slightly different, Stacey’s daughters Millie and Jasmine were appearing in Brisbane Sings 2016, a congregation of choirs who were, yes, singing in Brisbane.

Can you spot them? They are in here somewhere and you can click on any one of these photos to enlarge them if that helps…

No? Well then you won’t spot them in this one either, they are disguised as ABBA…

650 choir singers and 3 hours of solid singing isn’t normally my thing. This concert was surprisingly good though, at one point I almost clapped in tune with the music along with most of the rest of the audience.

But I didn’t.

It wasn’t just 650 choir singers though, it was 650 choir singers plus The 7 Sopranos…

I’ve heard they are currently riding high in the classical music charts with their latest CD.

That just leaves Friday.

The fire pit

I’d never sat around a fire pit with a small group of friends drinking grog in Stacey’s back garden before, so this was definitely new and different for me.

Here is the ceremonial first lighting of the fire pit…

Soon after that, the fire was well established…

Yes, there are less elaborate ways to keep your feet warm, like staying in the house in the evening instead of sitting in the back garden during winter. But really, where’s the fun in that?