Rediscovering my Stamping Ground

I am going to see what has changed around this place I call home.

I have been away almost 9 months, so this morning I will walk the streets of my stamping ground.

I live in a small street, only 14 houses and in that time 3 houses have changed hands and 2 are having a major make over.

But the dog park at the end of the street is still the same.

The dog walking park

At this time of the morning it is deserted, notice how brown the grass is. We desperately need a good rain, then it will all spring back to life.

In the late afternoon it is busy. People bring their dogs and children for some social interaction.

Taking the dogs and family for play time.

 

Over the far side there is a fenced off playing area, a basketball hoop and those piles of dirt are a mountain bike track. The trees behind the park are the Burleigh Knoll conservation area.

But back to the morning walk. Let’s take a pleasant stroll around the conservation park.

Burleigh Knoll Conservation Park

This area is small, only about 5 acres but the track wanders around and, apart from the traffic noise, it feels as though you are in a world of your own.

These marks give this gum the name “Scribbly Gum”

Pelican Lake is across the road, part of the extensive canal and lake system of the Goldcoast. Occasionally pelicans can be seen cruising around, but not today.

Pelican Lake

Round the corner and into the semi-industrial area and now I see the changing face of this area.

Down a lane behind one of the businesses I spot some interesting looking graffiti.

Or could it be Street Art? The owner had commissioned this, but I have no idea what it says.

( I have to admit I played around with this and enhanced it to bring out the colours)

It looks much tidier than I remember. Neatly clipped hedges make a big improvement

Then I see that the café culture has moved into this area.

Small, almost hole in the wall coffee shop. I love the rough, workman like tables and the corrugated iron sheets on the walls. Gives a semi-industrial, pop-up feel. Next door the theme is the same but it is a bridal boutique.

I like the Asian style door

The enticing aroma of coffee is drifting along this street, now include the rustic, mouth watering smell of bacon and I just have to go into the next café. Come on let’s see what is on the menu.

It is obviously popular, look at the queue

 

The Chef is very busy. The eggs are free-range, the sour dough bread is baked on site. Look how the meal is served. Notice the boiled eggs in the egg carton! Bacon, scrambled eggs and herbs in a cardboard box. All very trendy and down market.

I order mushroom, cheese and a fried egg on a sourdough bun with home made tomatoe chutney and served on a bed of rocket in a cardboard box. The mushroom was the size of the bun and the perfectly cooked yolk of the egg oozed out on to the mushroom when I cut into it. The coffee was locally sourced organic beans freshly ground as you ordered. I was in foodie heaven.

Time to sit and people watch

Things certainly have changed. This is a back street and I only found it by accident when I went for a morning walk. Originally this was a run-down, rather dilapidated old house. Just look what they have done with it now. The Paddock is well named, it has a rural feel in the middle of town and I felt totally relaxed, and a little bit guilty, as I ate my breakfast, I hadn’t intended to eat out.

Jack will be wondering where I have got to, so I complete the circuit home via Christine Avenue, one of the main streets of the area and back past the dog park home.

Near the beach surf board shops are every where.

Another small café, but not so trendy or popular

Busy Christine Ave

Later I went back to Pelican Lake just as the sun set for another photo session.

***************************

“Restless Jo” organises a cyber walking group and I love to go along and see where every one is taking us. Maybe you would like to join in.