Blogs from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, Oceania - page 26

On Saturday 9/20 we wrapped up at Port Arthur and headed to Hobart. We spent the day wandering around the city, including Salamanca Market. This is a famous street market for this city. In the late afternoon Dean and Kirsten headed up to Mt. Wellington (about 4500 ft), which is just on the outskirts of the city. The wind was blowing at least 50-60 mph, and it was snowing quite hard. They headed down the mountain in time to avoid getting snowed in up there. That would be a bit of an irony—Australia, summer at home, nearly the first day of spring here, snow, etc. We have been told that if we don’t like the weather in Tasmania we should come back in ten minutes as it will have changed.... read more

Tasmania - Arrived Tasmania and hit the ground running getting another run along the water. Hit the fresh market for some local grown produce and then toured the city. The city offered many churches and public parks with fountains, as usual. The history of the city is fascinating with buildings still existing from their settlement days. They fishing boats sell their catch on little barges moored in the harbor. The pub action is always interesting as last night a group of guys were in costumes of some cartoon characters and there was lots of lively conversation. Well tomorrow is something different as hiking the trails of Mt. Wellington is on the schedule. Tasmania - Well today is the first day of bad weather. Went to church and prepared for my day of hiking. Already to go ... read more

Well..it’s never happened before, but I guess it was going to happen sooner or later...Yesterday, I did the running section of the ‘Winter Challenge’ at Franklin, 30 mins south of Hobart. I was asked several months ago if I would take part in that section and, at the time, thought it would be a good thing to motivate myself to get back into running post-birth. Anyway, the running has not really happened (as the time frame to run is evenings after school which are dark and cold......and I have to wait for Ivor to get back to look after George before I can go out running. “Take him with you” I hear you cry, but it is actually quite hard when there are the occasional pavements to contend with.) and as a consequence, I was no ... read more

Only 3 weeks left and Spring begins !! It never fails to amaze me how mild the Winter is here. No gritting of roads, no salt on the windscreen, no de-icer, no freezing dark Winter mornings...........................though I will always miss Gas Central Heating. It might not be as cold here, but it does get cold. The houses are very badly insulated (no double-glazing) the hot water tanks are outside (can you believe it?!) and heating is restricted to plug-in radiators and electric fan heaters. Getting up in a warm environment is now a distant memory. Coming home to a warm house.................a distant memory !!! At least it is a lot warmer in our present house than it was in the log cabin on the mountain in Fern Tree where we lived before!!! Ah well - one ... read more

Well..............George is almost 6 months old. Where on earth did that time go? He is a hefty 9.5 kilos/22 pounds ish and is becoming more entertaining by the day. It is only 5 months until we go back to the UK for a visit...........I can't wait for him to meet all his cousins,aunts,uncles, grandparents etc (though obviously my mum has already seen him and she misses him lots!)My sister (all being well) is having another baby in November (another boy- 5th grandson for mum - no grand daughters) so that will be very exciting to see him too. I am also looking forward to Christmas in the cold. It really doesn't seem like Christmas when it is hot and light..................though not so keen on the UK Winter as a whole. Fortunately the weather here is still ... read more