ISLAND IN THE SUN

Russell Island charmed us. How often does it happen that you go for a walk and complete strangers stop to ask if you need a lift? After the third offer I started feeling guilty and accepted the lift and so ended my walk.  How often do people just wave you at a Saturday market and ask you to sit at their table to join them for a coffee and bacon and eggs which the Lions’ Ladies supply? And it is this making people feel good and welcome and part of something more,  that  is so endearing  and that is what we try, and hopefully to some extend succeed, to give to the guests of our B&B.

When you step out of the passenger ferry (you can take your bicycle on the ferry) or drive off the vehicular barge on Russell Island, you inevitably follow High Street along which you find most of the island’s businesses. Not to mention the swimming pool, the police station and the supermarket (with mainland prices) and speciality shops.

What a change has the shopping centre made to the island. No more going to the mainland to do the “big shopping”. No more carting around shopping trolleys and shopping bags on the ferry and on the mainland, where islanders were recognisable in any shopping centre – resembling more camels than humans – with everything from microwave ovens to lamb chops and anything in between packed one atop the other in a most imaginative way.  Mind you, old habits die hard and there have been more than a few laughs in the supermarket when you fill your trolley up to the rim and then realise that it is not necessary, that you can come back anytime, that the supermarket is on Russell.

Russell Island is about 9km long and 3km wide. It has a population of over 4000. There is a Bowls club and a RSL, which both serve really tasty meals and have courtesy buses running from Wednesday to Sunday. And there is a lovely picnic area at Lions’ Park, where you can also swim and marvel at the small crabs hurrying along doing their daily chores.

Russell Island is only 55 minutes from Brisbane city centre by car and only an hour away from the Gold Coast. And yet, when you mention Russell Island, so many people have no idea where it is.  So near the city of Brisbane and yet so far in its tranquil laid-back lifestyle.

Imagine sitting on a balcony overlooking water, watching boats go by: sailing boats, houseboats, yachts, tinnies, runabouts. Watching also the blue sky, where you can see eagles, hawks and kites circling and swaying in the gentle breeze that seems to be a permanent phenomenon every afternoon. And closer by there are lorikeets, galahs, cockatoos, pheasant coucals and many many others. Every now and again you can see a bandicoot carefully making its way , minding its own business. You might also spot a monitor lizard on its way to check the gum trees for food.

And the weather, it is just lovely. When it is very hot and humid and unbearable on the mainland, the weather on Russell is always less hot, less humid with a breeze. You feel the difference every time you come from the mainland to Russell.  The weather is quite mild all year round.  For me, coming from Scandinavia, it is still almost unbelievable. A gift to be enjoyed and cherished and appreciated. And the traffic: no queuing bumper to bumper. Heavy traffic on Russell means you have to wait at crossroads for another car to pass.

I know I am being partial but even so, it is all worth experiencing: The Island In The Sun.