Juice Bar Art

Watermelon carvings outside the juice bar in the Brisbane Square markets.

Fenced In Cows

The old ABSOE building in Boundary Street, West End, has hosted some great weekend markets, a couple of music venues, bars and art studios for the past couple of years but all that has come to an end now as developers move in to bulldoze the current buildings and build 1350 luxury flats spread over seven 15-storey towers. Much of the local community is against the development.

It was an unceremonious end to the last markets on Friday night. The developers were worried the community would start protesting so they cancelled the event, erected some fencing and employed some security.

Then they had to put a fence in front of the original fence which is causing more controversy...

The artist, Stewart, is back again today to do some repainting. He's going over the cows with native birds. We'll see how that one pans out..

Rummage!

Brisbane's regular Suitcase Rummage at Reddacliffe Place went on location for the Home Festival. You could pick up some real bargains! 

 

Take Me Home...

Last Saturday I ventured out to Kangaroo Point for a free festival called the Home Festival. It was a great day out with loads to do and see. Here's a few shots...

 

 

 

 

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.

Heritage Tomatoes

These are also called Heirloom tomatoes. I suppose $10 a kilo a bit more expensive than the bog standard tomatoes you can buy in the supermarket but they taste better too. And if you like, you can save a few and squash them into the ground for your own home grown! The difference between these and the normal hybrid varieties is that these seeds will produce top quality fruit season after season. 

I am still working on that possum-proof enclosure.

Abba Cadda!

I'm a bit of a tough audience when it comes to humorous tshirts but I reckon this one's pretty good!

At Boggo Road Markets.

Boggo Road Markets

The splendidly named Boggo Road Gaol first opened in 1883 and closed in the early 1990s. It was known for its overcrowding and poor conditions which lead inmates, during the 1980s, to riot and go on hunger strike.
Since then, the site has been redeveloped into the Boggo Road Urban Village which includes housing as well as a huge Ecosciences Precinct. They recently started up a market on the site every week which I went along to for the first time on Sunday. There was plenty of live music, kids running around, people lounging about on the grass stuffing their faces with all sorts of interesting food and drinking coffee and juices. Without those huge red brick walls, it would be easy to overlook the site's dark past.

If you haven't been and are thinking of going, I went on an overcast day and it was fine but if you plan to go when it's sunny, get there early as there's not much in the way of shade.

I just love the name Boggo Road.

Northey Street City Farm

Aside from the organic market that's held here every Sunday, Northey Street is home to a City Farm where you can go and volunteer in the gardens and learn all about permaculture. They have tours every Tuesday morning at 9am. Their website is here.

At Northey St. Organic Market This Morning

I'm ashamed to say that this morning was my first ever trek (15 mins in the car) to Northey Street Organic Markets. Compared to other markets in Brisbane, this one feels more relaxed. There is more space to move around, less people and everything there is organic. It is set amongst a city farm with fruit and vegetables growing all around you as you wander around. There are activities for kids and a rope swing incase you feel the need to release your inner Tarzan.

Three of a Kind

Brisbane is definitely going a bit ukulele mad. This trio provided some great background music while selecting fruit and vegetables at the market last week.

The Urban Grind

With the weather warming up a bit now, by about mid-morning you can sit out in the sun quite comfortably. This one was taken on Saturday morning at the West End market. It's primarily a fruit and veg market but you can buy other stuff there. You can get your eyebrows threaded and your back massaged, you can buy crafts, clothes and a wide variety of snacks from all over the world. While we sat and relaxed, sipping our flat whites (and strawberry smoothie) a pretty lady sang suitably mellow guitar songs. Tough life, eh?

Koalas on Brunswick Street Mall Yesterday...

Suitcase Rummage!

The first Sunday of every month is the fantastic Suitcase Rummage at Reddacliff Place. Vendors register and then haul their wares down here in a suitcase and set up shop. It's brilliant. Vintage clothing, accessories, home-made crafty things that you would never find in a shop... and all at knock down prices. I picked up two dresses, two hand made brooches and a bowl made out of an old Dionne Warwick record (I got there late) for $14. Bargain!

Read more about it or even register to be a vendor for next time (spots cost $10) HERE.

Arty chokes

I haven't cooked with them before but they are very pretty to have hanging around the kitchen.  $3 each at the market this morning.

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.

Simon Says Gimme A Pancake

I was taking some pictures for The Sneaky Cafe at the Powerhouse market yesterday when I met a dog called Simon. Just looking at him makes me laugh. "Hurry up and take this bloody picture."

His owner gave him a little Dutch pancake as a reward for his patience and restraint while I faffed around with the camera.

Persimmons $3 a kilo this morning...

It must be nearly winter!

Trendy Market Threads

Vintage clothing stall bathed in early morning sun at the West End Markets.