Finders Keepers at the Old Museum

 We've been having some beautiful crisp days in Brisbane recently. The air is dry and cool but the skies are sunny and clear. It reminded me of this time last year when I was at the Finders Keepers market at the Old Museum in Bowen Hills taking some photos for a local cafe. There are all sorts of stalls selling really beautiful home made stuff from craft to clothes to food stalls, a cafe and a bar. There's a stage with bands playing... loud enough to hear but not loud enough to drown out any conversation... and an area where you can just lounge around in the winter sun. I looked up the Finders Keepers Brisbane blog and it turns out they are having another one on the weekend of July 7th/8th so mark it in your diaries if you're in the area.  Here's a flavour of the event. All photos taken 2.7.11...

   

...and that's just outside! I didn't take any shots inside of any of the clothes or other bits and pieces. I'll save those shots for this year.

Smoothie Operator

This is another shot from the Finders Keepers market. At the smoothie stall, you gather all your ingredients in the mixing jug and then attach it to the base - which is connected to a stationary bike. Then you hop on and go for a ride - which powers the mixer! Genius!!

Having Your Cake And Eating It

I was taking photos at the Finders Keepers market yesterday morning in the Old Museum at Bowen Hills. Inside, it's a crafty type of market with lots of hand made stuff including some really funky clothes. Outside in the beautiful gardens, the sun was out and there was a stage set up with bands playing. When people weren't browsing, they relaxed and took things easy in banana lounges and on picnic blankets. And they call this winter! Nope, nearly 6 years here and the novelty hasn't worn off.

It's on again today if you are in the area. You can check it out here.

Ekka!

Every year at this time, Brisbane puts on a big show that goes for about 10 days: formally known as the Royal Agricultural Show, it's now most commonly known as the Ekka (a strange derivitive of "Exhibition"). It is an institution in Brisbane. People young and old love it. It is a source of nostalgia and there is even a public holiday in its honour. It's when the country comes to the city.

As the old name suggests, it is first and foremost an agricultural event. You can watch sheep being shorn, parades of prize cattle, competitive wood chopping, horse show jumping, feed baby farm animals and you can check out prize poultry, fruit and vegetables. With a less agricultural emphasis, you can watch monster trucks, jousting, whip cracking, a man picking up a car battery with his nipples (see above), acts of magic, feats of strength and skill, theatrics, motorcycle stunt riders... and lots more. You can do cookery classes, wine appreciation or even beer appreciation (at the bar). You can visit all the fairground attractions...and stuff your face with Dagwood Dogs and Strawberry Sundaes. When you've decided on one of the gazillion showbags that you're going to buy you can collapse in a heap at the grandstand and gaze up at the fireworks wondering where all your money has gone.

:-)

I have successfully avoided the show now for 5 years. This picture was taken by my brother who is visiting at the moment and got roped into it by my daughter. Next year, I've got a feeling, I'm going.

Balcony Sunset

I was looking up at the sky on Monday evening while I was at a friend's house thinking - why didn't I bring my camera?? Luckily another friend on a balcony in Bowen Hills had his to hand. That's the Old Museum in the foreground. Thanks Garry!

This picture is part of Skywatch Friday. People from all over the world post a picture on Fridays of the sky where they live. Check out some more here.