University of Queensland Field Trip

Shock awakening yesterday at 7.45am by of all people Nicole getting back from her night shift, and me having to be at the University of Queensland at 8.30 for the field trip for my little Pich Course.

Bolted down a cup of coffee and some cereal and legged it. Slightly concerned that Friday's camera drenching would leave the whole exercise futile and pointless, but to some relief only the displays seem to be knackered, the actual pich-taking mechanics appear to be in order and several hours of fan-assisted ventilation appear to have cleaned the fog from the lens.

Got to UQ on time (shockingly), and pitched up along with probably sixteen other folks all of whom are laden down with cameras, tripods, monopods, bags of lenses, filters and other accoutrements. I am feeling underequipped with my camera, although I do have a couple of crafty filters stuck on the front of it. My feet are probably the most bizarre; as my trainers are still damp from yesterday I have on my enormous walking boots, in which I cut quite a figure with my scruffy shorts and t-shirt.

Dr Nicole led us off first of all to a big lake where we milled around taking pictures of birds, trees, reflections, de-activated fountains, buildings, each other, rubbish bins, sewage outlets etc for an hour or so. The weather is a litte grey and bleak. In some ways this is welcome as I forgot my sunscreen. Naughty boy.

Then we toddled up the road, somewhat strung out as a group, with Jeff wandering along 100yds behind the rest of us.

The lake is lined on one side by colleges which, it was theorised, are demarcated along religious lines, with all the Catholics together presumably, all the Protestants likewise. Don't know how they cater for Jainists though.

The buildings seem quite old by Aussie standards, and there are nice little touches like dwarf bell towers. On the other side of the lake is the campus proper which I assume has evolved over time which the "Great Court" at the centre, a large green area surrounded by collonaded Victorian buildings made of very appealing brown stone, and around that ghastly concrete buildings from the 60s and 70s by he look of them, which in turn give way to more modern buildings then the ultra-modern Nanotechnology building, which we wander around taking pictures of.

We then descend on a little courtyard nestled in the arms of a tall building. There are tables and chairs shaded by trees and ferns. The breeze is pleasant and punctuated by click-click-clicking. And not a fat person in sight.

Coffee is most welcome. We share tips on how you actually work all these posh cameras we've all bought.

The Great Court is then toured which is very pleasant. The sun has come out and things are very green (the trees and grass) and brown (the buildings).

Then we amble out to the far side and observe the Victorian edifice of the Law School reflected in the expansive glass of the Art Gallery, snap snap snapping away at trees, flowers, water features, glass, buildings, each other, the sky, etc.

And that wraps it up; for hours, ninety photos, and eight of us remaining at the end.

I get home at 1.30 to find all quiet in the house. Everyone is asleep.