Kyogle to Brisbane
Trip Start
Dec 28, 2007
1
9
27
Trip End
Dec 01, 2008
Brisbane,
Australia
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Convict Graham
. Liz and family went for a swim in the creek running through the farm. Andrew and I kept watch out for leeches and water snakes from the bank. I mean, Andrew and I were just a little too chilly to swim. After exploring the farm from the flatbed of Paul's truck, we headed off for the main Teakle mecca in Brisbane. Again Andrea was the navigator, so we were a few hours late arriving at Aunt Kathy and Uncle David's house. Graciously Aunt Kathy was still watching for us when we arrived, and Uncle David and cousin Christopher were waiting inside with fresh cookies and tea. (Kathy had to hide the cookies the next day - yumm they were good). Kathy and David's house is great. Built sometime in the late 1800's, the ceilings must be 10 meters high. They bought it soon after returning as husband and wife to Australia (they met in Berkley) and raised all four of their children there. Talk about a house full of history and love. We could not have asked for kinder, more gracious hosts, and we truly enjoyed being with family.
The next day we met Christpher's wife, Maria, and their kids Roberto, Isabelle, and Nicky. They live only a couple blocks from David and Kathy. It was much hotter in Brisbane than it had been in NSW. That day Graham guided us all on a bike tour of Brisbane with the destination being the Museum of Modern Art and the Andy Warhol exhibit. Brisbane is a bit like Portland, with the Brisbane river running through it and several bridges crossing into downtown. Kathy and David loaned us their fold-up bikes, which we unsuccessfully tried to stuff into our backpacks on our way out. (kidding, David. but they are great bikes.) On the way home from the museum we rode through the university and saw the Hartley Teakle building
Kyogle, Australia
. (David's father). It's rather understated in architecture, but quite an amazing tribute to Mr. Teakle. After the long ride, we were welcomed home to the aroma of papoosas Maria was making. Andrew was drooling for some authentic latin food. (quite hard to find in Australia).From Brisbane we headed north with David at the helm to Mt. Glorious to see cousin Bruce and his family. Bruce and Ericka and their kids live an enviable life, away from most civilization. They truly make the most of what this world has to offer. Their farm is completely solar powered, they grow the majority of their food and use less than 1 kilowatt hour of power a day. (We were told the average American household uses 28 kilowatts a day. Not us, of course. Just the average American.). Kathy and David bought the Mount Glorious property in the 1970's and their kids got to enjoy many days exploring and learning about nature up there. Bruce mostly built the house on the property and has lived there, after many subsequent re-models, with Ericka for many years now. We had a pizza party - making it from scratch and cooked in their outdoor stone pizza oven. Andrew's first attempt at pizza making was turned into a breadstick, but he got the hang of it after a bit. Bruce said mine was very good. I think I must get my talent from Mary and Nina.
From Mt
Lake Cootharba
. Glorious we headed north to a very cool beach town called Noosa Head. I went for a run up in the national park and was almost acosted by the biggest darn goana (aka dinasaur) you have ever laid eyes on. Luckily for it, I wasn't in the mood for a rumble, so we parted ways. From there we travled on to meet Rhona and Graham at her parent's house in Boreen Point. The lake at Boreen Point was the site of Graham and Rhona's wedding, which was great to see since we were not able to make it to the actual wedding. The lake there is tea colored because of the tea tree roots. It actually looks a bit rusty, but doesn't taste too bad. Andrew and Graham stayed up way too late - male bonding, I suppose. Oh, and Rhona was able to fix Andrew's Ipod. Extreme crisis diverted. It was them time to pack it up and head back to Brisbane. We went out to dinner to celebrate David's birthday, said goodbye to Chrsitopher and Maria and kids, and got ready for our flight the next morning to Tasmania. After cuddles (Aussie hugs) from Kathy and David and Graham and Rhona, we hopped on the train and headed to the airport. (Okay - with two backpacks, two suitcases and a duffle, "hopped" may be a bit dramatic.). But we made it there nonetheless.
A heartfelt thank you to all the Teakles for taking such great care of us. We had a wonderful time with you all.
Comments
Really nice photos
It must be so nice to have such an accommodating family! Looks like you are having a blast, traveling all over the place.
Louise Brown
TravelPod Community Manager