A Stylish 'Mess' in New Farm
the officers mess
50 Oxlade Dr, New Farm,
Brisbane, QLD 4005
Ph: (07) 3358 8188
Web: www.officersmess.au
'Out at Coffee'
21st September 2024
Stephen looks at his watch and says; “Oh crap!... the boat to New Farm leaves in three minutes! We need to run!”
I look at him in disbelief! I’m sure we left home with plenty of time. But when I check my watch, blow drying my hair had clearly taken longer than I’d thought... and we tell Pete he’s the excessive groomer of the group!
As we rush around the side of Southbank Piazza heading towards the CityCat terminal, we’re suddenly met with a wall of bodies. Hundreds of runners slowly creeping their way to the start of the weekend Southbank Park Run.
Now it’s my turn to say ‘Oh crap!’, as we merge into the crowd, and weave our separate ways through the throng of excited, early morning joggers. At one point I lose sight of Stephen, and I have visions of me being carried helplessly across the race start line, but thankfully my strategic jostling keeps me on track and I emerge out the other side.
Phew! … that was close! But we’re not there yet! Stephen’s ahead of me, sprinting towards the ferry terminal, his long arms flailing in the air like an inflatable tube man, trying to attract the attention of the CityCat crew who’ve already pulled the boarding ramp up.
For a second time this morning I look at him in disbelief and respond; ‘What!’ And then I think to myself; ‘MMM… funny that! When we left the apartment this morning, he said he’d shout me breakfast!’
As I tap on with my ‘Go Card!’, a crew member beckons Stephen onboard and in a ‘happy-go-lucky’ Kiwi voice, he says; ‘Don’t stress mate! It’s all good!’, No need to pay this time!… An act of goodwill that was gratefully received and saved a trip back home to get his card!
This week’s coffee meetup is at ‘The Officers Mess’ and we enjoy the relaxing journey as the CityCat glides effortlessly downriver to the Sydney Street ferry terminal.
As the boat docks, Lee, Pete and Coco, are waiting to escort us along the river to our coffee venue, located next to the New Farm Bowls club.
The building originates back to World War Two, when the USA Navy leased it to accommodate military personnel.
Back then, the ‘Officers Mess’ was a safe, respectful space for their service people to gather, share stories, and forge lifelong relationships.
After eating, we move spots and sit under the imposing jacaranda tree... the undercover speaker music a tad loud for the eardrums of these fifty somethings!
Suddenly, Coco gives her customary bark to get going and as we take a slow walk back to the ferry terminal on Sydney Street, she’s unleashed on the small beach.
It’s great to see her jump about in the water, so canine happy and far removed from the anxious greyhound Lee and Pete took on three years ago… they’re such good parents to their long-legged fur baby!
It’s been a wonderful, relaxing coffee outing this week and as Stephen and I board the return ferry home, he uses my credit card to pay for his passage upriver. We're greeted by more friendly CityCat crew and it makes me reflect on the positive interactions we’ve had with people this morning. How your attitude can make a huge difference to your day and someone else’s. So, remember to be kind to yourself and others’, and soak up the good vibes that generates… you may just find it’s returned tenfold.
I love sharing our coffee escapades with you, so please help me share the joy of coffee and friendships. Like, follow and share the ‘Out at Coffee’ Facebook page. And if you have suggestions for a great coffee venue in or around Brisbane, please drop us a line via the Contact page, we’d love to add it to our caffeine calendar.
Allan
I'm proud to state that all content on this Blog is written by me and all photos are originals taken by our group.