On the Coast – Over 55 Issue 34 I March/February 2020 | Page 25

C
onfession. I don’t believe in Friday
the 13th. Superstitious nonsense.
But there’s always that nagging
feeling. It’s the same reason I don’t
deliberately walk under ladders. Or go
out of my way to frighten black cats.
In penning these ‘adventures in
dentures’ everything is dandy. But this
time we’d booked flights to Brisvegas
on Friday the 13th. I recall my mouse
hovering over the Jetstar booking page
like a wasp, before clicking to confirm.
Of course, Friday the 13th Jetstar pilots
decide to strike – apparently $228,000
per annum is not enough dosh for these
impoverished sky-jockeys. Anyway,
we simply re-book on Virgin. Jetstar
fully refunded us. No biggy. So if there
is impending industrial action hovering
over your holiday like the Sword of
Damocles, I suggest you simply re-book
on an alternate airline (sure, it’s more
expensive) but you should be refunded
(maybe check first). So, aside from this
hiccup, I had a great trip.
When my Uber driver drops me off
at Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane,
reception can’t find my booking.
However, it’s explained there are two
Adina Apartment Hotels in the Brisbane
CBD. Who knew? So I wheel my bag
down to the Adina where I’m staying. No
biggy. It’s still Friday the 13th, I shrug.
Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane,
George St, is a stunning
heritage hotel. And regular readers will
glean that I do love a heritage hotel. They
have a kind of soul. With its biscuit-
coloured sandstone facade, the hotel was
the erstwhile Queensland Government
Savings Bank. Today, it’s one of the major
heritage buildings of Brisbane.
The lobby features the original
timber entrance doors, marble stairs,
marble paneling and a detailed plaster
ceiling. There’s a great cafe to find a cake
downstairs and a serene lap pool to lose
it upstairs. Moreover, it’s in a spanking
location for seniors. Everything is in
walking distance. If you have a suite,
there is a Coles Express and BWS on your
doorstep. And there is the Boom Boom
Room in the basement: a night-club for
which I’m too old and too unfashionable
to attend. But around the corner, a
charming antique centre and
second-hand bookshop, which is
more my speed.
Post brekkie I go for a stroll over
to Southbank. Threading through
the scrolling bougainvillea,
I happen upon City Beach.
Remember Brizzie is set on the
river. The beach is miles away.
So clever types created a man-
made beach at Southbank. It’s
rather wonderful, with its gentle
soundtrack of squealing children
and chirping tropical birds. I
regret not bringing the togs but
console myself that I look crap in
bathers.
I keep strolling until I find
what I’m looking for: The
Maritime Museum (located at
the far end of Southbank – psst!
for less mobile seniors, the ferry
stops almost at the doorstep).
Regular readers may note that
I am somewhat of a maritime
buff. Indeed, I’m currently
restoring a vintage putt-putt on my front
lawn. The museum is excellent, with
a superlative display of old lighthouse
paraphernalia and yarns about their
keepers. They have even shipped an old
lighthouse to the museum. I love the
displays on immigration (my wife and I
are descendants of British immigrants)
and the lives of people who lived and
worked on these ships. I could easily
spend a day at the museum.
However, the highlight is visiting the
WW2 frigate HMAS Diamantina (or The
Dementia as I call it because I can never
recall the name). HMAS Diamantina
is the world’s last remaining River
Class frigate from WW2 – and one of
Australia’s three remaining naval vessels
to have served in the global conflict.
Interestingly, it’s one of the world’s two
remaining ships to have hosted surrender
ceremonies (the other is USS Missouri
which is on display in Pearl Harbour)
when the Japanese finally capitulated.
I thrill in weaving through the maw of
the shark-grey ship and exploring the
cabins and various inner workings of the
old vessel – savouring the nautical aroma
of rust and ageing diesel. I spy signs
everywhere warning of asbestos. But I’m
sure sailors were more worried about
torpedos in the early 40s.
Embarking the Diamantina I explore
HMAS Forceful – a steam-powered
sea-going tugboat. She worked at her
homeport of Brisbane between 1926 and
1970, berthing ships and assisting nearby
casualties during World War II. She was
commissioned into the Royal Australian
Navy in early 1942 as HMAS Forceful, until
returning to commercial service in October
1943. Preserved as a museum ship, she was
sinking until some kindly fund-raising folk
saved her from the riverbed.
continue on page 27
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