Nostalgic Mornings & Social Nights

We decided, quite spontaneously, to spend a morning in Wynnum. Wynnum is a coastal suburb of Brisbane, a forty minute journey from the city on the train, where we grew up for five years of our childhood.

I’d been back several times already, on my own, and more recently with my parents, but it was beautiful watching the bayside revisited through my sister’s eyes. After a coffee stop, we walked through the centre to revisit our old school, getting flashbacks of school fetes and conversations in the playground. 

She was overjoyed to see the same, basic – but meaningful to us – landmarks of the area: the Whale Park, the wading pool, the bandstand. We sat at the Pelican’s Nest fish and chip shop and got some long time favourites: Solo, mint choc chip ice cream, cream soda. There was live music and sunshine and a pleasant Sunday atmosphere. 

That afternoon, after a lunch made in the hostel kitchen, we headed out to meet some of my friends at the Suitcase Rummage in Brisbane Square. A Suitcase Rummage is exactly what it claims to be, but also not. Traditionally, people rock up to the square with suitcases brimming with secondhand clothes to sell. But, with the craftiness of humanity, this one has evolved into a selling of all sorts: antiques, books, jewellery, handcrafted goods, and more. We rummaged, as one must, and Grace and I came away with cheap rings, fully aware they would probably turn our fingers green.

Whilst my friends went home to get ready to meet us later, Grace and I mooched about the city and the Botanic Gardens before catching a City Cat at sunset. We got off at Riverside and walked along the water to Felons as Story Bridge glowed rainbow. There, Grace and I ordered dinner and had to shout to be heard over the excited chatter and clinking of glasses. 

As the time approached 7.30, we headed to the Barrel Hall where we had a table booked to watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final. I’d been in the same place to watch the Matildas play the Lionesses the Wednesday before, when the venue was packed to the brim. Now, there was still a decent turnout, but the atmosphere was clearly different. 

Despite this, we had fun watching the game. My friends from earlier joined us and we drank pints and placed vague bets. None of us saw what was coming, though. Two hours of suspense and anxiety, unable to stop ourselves shouting out and throwing our hands in the air – sometimes at other people in the room who managed to stand in the way of the ginormous television screen. Although the result wasn’t what we were hoping for, the game was fun and when we left we were satisfied with a good night’s entertainment.

This was Grace’s third night in Brisbane, and her latest night yet! It already felt like she’d been her for a while, and she was already a quarter way through her visit.