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RuthsArc

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Monthly Archives: February 2018

Tassie Wildlife

28 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in days out, one with nature

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

animals, Tasmania

It is always a pleasure to have visitors and show them some of our favourite places in Tasmania.

My cousin arrived yesterday so I met her at Hobart airport and introduced her to this delightful sculpture of Tasmanian Devils, by local artist Ruth Waterhouse.IMG_2200

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Later in the day we met real live Devils at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. We also saw wombats, koalas, echidna, blue tongue lizards, birds, kangaroos.IMG_2230

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“All of our animals at Bonorong are survivors and have a story. We operate a 24 hour rescue service. Our army of hundreds of volunteers brings aid to thousands of suffering animals every year. The service is funded entirely by entry fees. Bonorong is not a zoo. All of our animals are with us for a reason. All of them undergo meticulous assessment to ensure they are happy and healthy. We never compromise on this. Many other animals are released back into the wild after their recovery.”

Since my last visit, Bonorong has opened a unique wildlife hospital, with vets on hand to operate as needed.IMG_2285

Floatation Tank

27 Tuesday Feb 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in 52 challenge, all about me, more to life

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

me

I’ve just ticked off one of my “18 things for 2018”. I’ve experienced a floatation tank and I loved it.IMG_1135

“Floatation therapy helps calm the mind and body with the experience of zero gravity.”

The floatation pod was like an enclosed bath, but large enough to lie in a star shape without touching the sides. The water was at body temperature and contains 500 kg of Magnesium Sulfate in 1,000 litres of water, replicating the sensation of floating in the Dead Sea.

The pod can create a sensory deprivation environment once the lid is closed. Soft music played for the first ten minutes and restarted during the last five minutes, while the remaining time of the hour-long float was silent. There was a button to switch off the soft coloured light leaving the pod in darkness.

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Just wearing ear plugs, I naturally floated in the water. As my ears were below the water line, I was conscious of my heartbeat. It was easy to relax, follow my breath, switch off my mind, let thoughts just float away.

The benefits can be physical, spiritual and mindful – easing pain, lowering blood pressure, alleviating stress or anxiety, improving sleep, increasing concentration levels, improving consciousness, eliminating effects of jet lag.

After a shower to wash off the Epsom Salts, a cup of green tea in the lounge area helped me acclimatise back to the outside world. It was certainly an experience to relax, reboot, recharge.IMG_1139

Changing Seasons – February

26 Monday Feb 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in 52 challenge, remembering / musing

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

seasons

February has continued to be a month of leisure. We’ve enjoyed drives to remote beaches, bush walks, just being in touch with nature.

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But also, the joyful experience of live music in the city, jazz evenings, Symphony Orchestra concerts, marching bands.IMG_1441

The Botanical Gardens were less colourful in these late weeks of summer. Still a delight to explore, to appreciate the paper daisies, the Japanese Garden. Flowering gum trees have been beautiful but there are now hints of autumn in the city parks.IMG_1522IMG_1576

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It has been a busy month for cruise ship visits. Some days it seemed that these huge floating hotels were jostling for a “parking space” alongside navy and Antarctic ice breaker ships on our waterfront, even though I know it was all carefully choreographed.

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The Urban Art Festival has ended. The variety of new art, the vibrant colours and designs have brightened up this back lane.IMG_1933

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This is my contribution to the “changing seasons” theme, hosted by Su.

More Faces in the Crowd

24 Saturday Feb 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in creativity, days out, weekly photo challenge

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Hobart, music

A local Jazz Festival has been running all week, with free twilight concerts at various parks and a foreshore boardwalk.

Due to predicted inclement weather, the weekend events were moved to a marquee. We spent the afternoon and evening listening to three different bands, with differing music styles and sounds. We joined others to be faces in the crowd.IMG_2150IMG_2124IMG_2143IMG_2108IMG_2142

A Face in the Crowd

Weekly Photo Challenge – A face in the crowd

23 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in days out, weekly photo challenge

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

boats, Hobart

Earlier this month, the Australian Naval ship, HMAS Hobart, visited her home city. The crew paraded through our streets, for a “freedom of the city” presentation. IMG_1447IMG_1458IMG_1455

The hundreds of people, in identical uniforms, as well as the crowd of supporters, were all faces in the crowd.

I am humming “Waltzing Matilda” as I post these photos, remembering the parade.IMG_1459

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A Face in the Crowd

Artists at Work

20 Tuesday Feb 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in creativity

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

art, Hobart

This week, Hobart is hosting a “Vibrance Festival”. Seven days of live painting in a back lane in the city centre.IMG_1894IMG_1891IMG_1867

As well as the artists, there will be live music and DJ’s, local food, coffee van and a small bar.

Wander down the lane or take a seat and watch the images come to life. I’ll visit again in a few days to share the finished art.IMG_1893IMG_1865IMG_1880

Weekly Photo Challenge – Sweet

16 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in weekly photo challenge

≈ 11 Comments

Tags

photos

The taste of … fresh fruitIMG_1223

The smell of … gum trees after the rainIMG_1045

The sound of … live musicVersion 2

The touch of … familyIMG_3679

The sight of … a favourite placeIMG_910226th - Version 2syd 5

Sweet

#babylife

14 Wednesday Feb 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in all about me, remembering / musing

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

family

This is a “guest post” written by my daughter.

As background, our first grandchild is almost six months old and he is now on the move! Since birth, he has thrown back some of every feed, just like his mother, his auntie and apparently, his NanR!

I had a message the other day, “I now have a mobile spewing machine!!!”

Then she posted this ….
You know those mornings when the only option is to cry or write a poem…
#babylife
#poeticgenius
#thiswasbefore9am
#pleaseletmefinishmyteatoday

Version 2

He spewed with the sparrows
In the bed, on the floor
He spewed while she weed
And then twenty times more

He spewed while she cleaned,
Spewing and smearing
Then looked in her eyes
Somehow endearing

He spewed while she changed him,
Once then again,
He spews with a dummy,
Still comes out all the same

But there she thought
“How lucky am I?
To have this little boy”,
With a tear in her eye

How he laughs and smiles,
Cuddles in for a pat,
And watched as he…
Shat on her thrice cleaned yoga mat!

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She’d placed him on his play mat, facing the opposite direction. Oh the memories, I’ve been there, done that, worn that t shirt. But I don’t remember writing a poem about it. Love my kids!! xxx

Flower Festival

12 Monday Feb 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in one with nature, photography

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

flowers

St David’s Cathedral in Hobart hosted their 50th annual flower festival this weekend. There is something majestic seeing beautiful flower displays within a church setting.IMG_1368IMG_1357IMG_1350IMG_1335IMG_1371

Here are just a few of the exhibits.

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I chatted to this lady, spinning her own yarn whilst overseeing the kid’s corner, with crafts and colouring pages. Her tapestry chair was just wonderful.IMG_1336IMG_1337

Welcome to Hobart

11 Sunday Feb 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in my place, weekly photo challenge

≈ 29 Comments

Tags

Hobart

This week’s photo challenge is “Tour Guide” so join me for a peak at this delightful city at the bottom of Australia.

Let’s stroll along the waterfront. Fishing boats, cruise ships, yachts, cafes, bars and restaurants, history and links to the Antarctic.H waterfront 1
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The waterfront leads to Salamanca Place, old sandstone warehouses from the 1830’s. More restaurants and a special Saturday market.IMG_1286
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There are parks, coastal paths and local beaches to explore.
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We could drive to the summit of Mount Wellington or Mount Nelson for stunning views.IMG_0985IMG_8254

Or we could take a tour bus, horse and carriage, ferry or tall ship cruise.

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Hobart is the capital of the island state of Tasmania, sitting at 42°South and 147°East. The city nestles between Mount Wellington and the River Derwent estuary. The population is approximately 222,000. The city is home to art, theatre, museums, music, festivals, regattas, farm markets, delicious locally sourced food and drink. There is always something going on, which is easily accessible. Hobart is a perfect place to live or visit.ORG_DSC01182

Hope you enjoyed this virtual tour. Join me, in checking out these Tour Guide posts from this global blogging community. Enjoy the tours!

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