Our Blog No.11

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March 9th 2011

Published: March 9th 2011

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Grumpy Gramps

Barry caught in the act!

Hi all
At last our next blog.

From Friday 4th March to Wednesday 9th March 2011

Friday was a lazy day and we did some local sightseeing and a bit of shopping as Barry had to get some trousers as he hadn't packed enough long ones for our stay in Australia.

Saturday and we went into Hobart and the area of Salamanca where they have the most incredible market on a Saturday. The weather was very warm and sunny but not as hot as Perth! A whole street is taken over with hundreds of stalls selling everything imaginable. It was great sauntering around seeing so much available. Big temptation to buy lots of wooden items but can't transport it so resisted the temptation. In the evening we went to Merren & Richard's house for a barbecue which was great. They have an amazing view over the Derwent River.

Sunday was again another lovely day and we went to Home Hill Winery foran outdoor concert in aid of the Queensland Flood Relief Fund. Really great and some excellent groups playing and singing. They did a pig roast as well wich was excellent. A lovely drive back to Hobart

Cousins together

Gill and Nicky together

stopping for coffee at a lovely quiet spot besides the river. The sun shone all day.

Monday and after a lazy breakfast we went to the Hobart Museum and spent a good few hours wandering around enjoying a lot of Tasmania's history. In the afternoon Barry went with TasBaz towatch him play petanque. Gill and Nicky came down later and we had a stroll along the beach before giving in to another coffee stop.
Tuesday was something special - we drove to Port Arthur to see how the early convicts were treated in Tasmania. We stopped on the way at some interesting places including the Tessellated Pavement which is quite stunning from above. It is where the elements have eroded between rocks to give a pavement effect. We also stopped at Eaglehawk Neck to view the Tasman Blowhole, Tasman Arch and The Devil's Kitchen - all rock formations caused by the erosion of the sea. Quite stunning sights. We then drove to a town called Doo. It was wonderful as all of the houses had given names all with Doo in the name such as - Doo F**k all, Doo Little, Darrell Doo, She'll Doo, Doo Nothing, X-ana-doo and

DSC01107

The grapes of wrath

lots more. Really funny to see.
We then arrived in Port Arthur itself and began out tour of the convict route. We had an excellent guide who made it clear that Tasmania dealt with convicts quite differently and Reform was the word not Punish. If you did as you were told you improved your life. Fires in the prison buildings to keep the warm, hot baths, training for jobs, education and so on. Quite an eye opener as we believed it was all punishment. We then did a short boat tripround the bay past Island of the Dead (their burial place) which was quite moving. There are some excellent buildings being restored or conserved and no doubt more work will continue over the coming years. It is certainly worth a visit.

Wednesday and after breakfast we went to the Royal Hobart Botanical Gardens which are so beautiful and peaceful. We enjoyed them so much we have asked to go back again to take more in. We have also had some excellent drives out to see various other beaches and even a Shot Tower (where lead was poured down a huge chimney type building and by the time it arrived

For private discussions

At Richmond Jail

at the bottom it was cold and perfectly round ready to be used).

Tomorrow we are hoping to go to MONA an art gallery with a difference where we can expect to be shocked!!

More to follow.

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