I’ve spent a relaxed time with girlfriends, enjoying High Tea at the local Riversdale Estate. The setting was delightful.
The food was delicious, presented on tiered cake stands. Sandwiches, savoury pastries, scones, with jam and cream, various cakes and desserts. We chose different teas, some black, some fruit or floral.
Have a sit down, on the bench or on one of the kayaks. These two photos are of the same bench at Kingston Beach here in Tasmania, on different days. Always a lovely place to rest and watch the world go by.
This is my contribution to XinfuMama’s “Pull up a Seat” challenge.
A delightful beach day today as it was a public holiday here. Blue skies, sunshine, warm weather …..
…..And the essentials for a visit to the beach (Tasmania October 2021). Face masks are mandatory outside of our homes. So yes, people were walking on the beach wearing one. Hopeful this restriction will stop tomorrow (fingers crossed).
I’m linking this post to Becky’s October Squares for the theme “perspectives” and “blue”.
Ross is a small town established in 1824 as a garrison town, home to several regiments of the British Army for thirty years, when Tasmania was a convict settlement.
Today it is a delightful town, known for this beautiful stone bridge, sandstone heritage buildings and wide streets.
The first photo is my contribution to Becky’s October Squares theme of blue.
This time last year we visited Table Cape Tulip Farm in northern Tasmania. This fits perfectly for the past theme of “In the Pink” for October Squares hosted by https://beckybofwinchester.com
Border restrictions and lockdowns in other states and territories within Australia are having big impacts on our hospitality and tourism businesses.
However, Tassie folk are enjoying our beautiful island without the crowds of tourist and are doing our best to support local business. The State Government has helped with a $7.5 million Travel Voucher scheme. Anyone could register to receive $200 towards accommodation and $100 towards attractions. All entrants were put in a ballot and we were fortunate to be successful.
So last weekend we went on a road trip, staying in Launceston to explore the northern part of Tassie.
We stayed at Peppers Silo Hotel, an unusual building repurposed from grain silos built in the 1960’s. The hotel overlooks the city, the Tamar River Basin and the North Esk River and Riverbend Park.
We explored the city on foot, appreciating the architecture, the history, art and culture in QVMAG (Queen Victoria Museum and Gallery).
We drove to a couple of vineyards, tasting the wines in on the deck on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
We also visited Beaconsfield Gold Mine and Heritage Centre. Gold was first discovered here in 1847. Underground mining began in 1879 with considerable investment and expansion. However, the mine closed in 1914 due to constant flooding. Many of the original buildings now in ruins. In 1980 work began to reopen the mine and the first ore production occurring in 1998. It remained operational until 2012. A 2 week rescue mission to reach 2 miners trapped after an earthquake induced rock collapse made international news in 2006.
Another point of interest, in 1953 Beaconsfield was the first town in Australia to add fluoride to its water supply.
Tasmania continues to be one of the safest places in the world. I’m very grateful that I live here.
We had an initial lockdown when the pandemic began but restrictions eased in June last year.
We are covid free here. There have been no community transmission cases since May 2020. A few arrivals have tested positive, but the virus has not spread locally.
So, life is relatively free and easy.
The only places where we have to wear a mask are airports and ferry terminals, on flights or on the ferry to the mainland. Also, at festivals and some sport events, where gathering limits still apply.
Everything is open as usual, retail, restaurants, gyms, night clubs, cinemas, theatres, casinos, weddings, household get togethers. Hand sanitiser is everywhere and actively encouraged.
We have to use the “Check In Tas” app when entering any shops, businesses, events, a taxi or public transport. It is a new habit to scan the QR code with our phones or write our name and contact details in a book at the entrance of any establishment. If or when covid does come to Tassie these track and trace capabilities are ready.
The main covid impact still in place are our border restrictions. Everyone travelling to Tasmania must complete an entry form before the journey. Travel from “high risk areas” within the country is denied. Anyone breaking this rule is fined and immediately placed in hotel quarantine. Tasmanian residents travelling from medium risk areas are allowed to return but must quarantine at home for 14 days.
Australia’s international borders remain closed. More about that in my next post.
It’s many months since I posted here but as today is the 7th anniversary of starting this blog, it seems a good time to reconnect, review and post anew.
It is also 7 years since I took redundancy from my old London city banking job. My husband and I sold our home, packed up our UK life and travelled to Tasmania for an “adult gap year”. We fell in love with this beautiful island at the bottom of Australia and made friends here. After the extended gap year, we found jobs here, bought a house and we continue to call Hobart home.
So, to begin a “Month of Gratitude” here is a photo of snow on kunanyi/Mount Wellington taken from Bellerive Beach. I am grateful that I can walk on a beach on my way to work.
This festival took place in Hobart over the weekend. A wonderful collection of wooden boats from tall ships to kayaks, historical vessels to brand new.
Here are just a few photos from the weekend.
The HMB Endeavor, a replica of James Cook’s ship when he charted New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia between 1768 and 1771.
From Cook’s cabin looking at “James Craig” built in 1874 in England, abandoned in Tasmania in 1930’s, restored in the 1970’s.
You must be logged in to post a comment.