The Queen's visit

Queen Elizabeth II has been visiting Australia. On Monday, October 24th, she came to Brisbane. She "sailed" down the river from Brett's Wharf to South Bank where she met with several hundred Queenslanders who were affected by the summer floods and cyclone. We walked down from Kangaroo Point to the river bank and joined thousands of people to wave and welcome her.

We have enjoyed visiting some of the interesting churches here in Brisbane.

This is Albert Street Uniting Church on Albert and Ann Street downtown.

The pipes inside are beautifully

painted. Anyone want to see the pipes in the Tabernacle jazzed up? Maybe not.

St. John's Cathedral was begun in 1906 and only recently completed. This Gothic Cathedral has intricate wood carvings,

stained glass windows, needlework, and the only fully stone-vaulted ceiling in Australia.

Bloomin' Brisbane

We thought Brisbane was beautiful in winter, but it has really blossomed in springtime. People were telling us "wait 'till the jacarandas bloom". Well, they are blooming now and they are everywhere!

Thanks to President Langeland, we have a new professional sign replacing the old chalkboard sign.

We love our new sign!

The temple was closed for cleaning and repairs for two weeks in October. We still managed to keep busy, but our most entertaining repeat visitor was this kookaburra. He came every day the last week. The two green birds have a nest at the temple and they were not very welcoming to

our visitor.