sunset, sunrise

 

sunset Saturday

The previous Saturday we had met at the boat shed at Raspins to consider the plan for the next day's solstice fundraiser swim.

The approach to the beach needed cleaning up, particularly because of the seaweed on the sand and in the sea.  There was an ice bath option for anyone who thought the sea too unpleasant to swim in.

In addition to the seaweed there was potentially a lot of run off from all the rain we'd had.

The golf club opposite was closed for days.  But, as you know, the swim went ahead with most souls braving the seaweed.

I have lifted this photo from the Spring Bay Suicide Prevention Network facebook page.  I think I'm the person in about the middle of the mob.

Today it was on again.  But this time a private sunrise swim for the Sunday swimming group, some of whom had participated in the Mona Foma nude swim at Sandy Bay last Tuesday.  These bods had the uniform.

Some of us just dressed best we could - it was a nude swim after all.

It was glorious.

We emerged with the sun rising in the East and the moon still visible in the West.  Magic moments.  We breakfasted at the house of one of the swimmers with the sun pouring in the windows and Maria Island rising before us.  I had a nip of Baileys, berries and yoghurt, and a glass of bubbly.  Perfect start to the day.

Winter Solstice Swim

Yes!  Solstice time again.  And that can mean only one thing:  

the Spring Bay Suicide Prevention Network annual (excepting 2020) Winter Solstice Swim.  Registration at 7.30 am for an 8 o'clock immersion, and pay $10 for the privilege.

Sunday Swimming stalwart, Pan, prepares to take to the sea and patrol for sharks.

This is not Steve and I emerging from the waves.

I couldn't carry my camera / phone while taking a dip but, once out, I could snap away.

the beautiful pre-sunrise clouds

the beautiful people

the sun rose a little later than anticipated, taking a while to get over the hill

the barbie sizzled on

the Maria Voices sang,

 while Jordy willed Phil to drop his hamburger

and the lovely Riley waited patiently for his Dad

We raised over $1300.00!!!!

and so it goes

Last Monday Her Majesty drove Mrs O Henry and me to the cutely named Mum and Me cafe, just north of Tribes.  Mrs O has not been well and was getting a little stir crazy so we ventured a little further than usual for the après tai chi coffee.   

The view from the cafe is soooooo Australian

It has rained ever since,

such that Jill PD and Steve went into lock down as well as Rock Down.  I've never seen Jill read a magazine before.  The rain has been perfect for the garden - mizzling.

the Luise Augusta rose - last for the season, I suspect

the dichondra is doing exactly what I hoped it would

a keen eye may just be able to spot the newly planted Silver Wattle in the foreground

broad beans coming up in the chippings / mulch pile

2 correas planted and so far survived being stomped on by Jill PD

rain on the drooping casuarina

myrtle berries which freshly picked taste a little like blueberries

And so we come to Sunday.  Jill and I had a romp on Spring Beach while the swimmers gathered at Raspins to avoid the waves.  They soon left because Raspins is currently under seaweed, presumably a result of the weather.  The fickle swimmers decided on coffee at Wattle Banks in lieu of a dip.

Later on Sunday, Mr O Henry drove Mrs O and me into Hobart on the dreaded Weilangta Road, our only route into Hobart with the Rock Down on the Tasman Highway.  The W is a dirt road and, with all the rain, is really only suitable for 4WDs.  It's a tricky road at any time but Mr O is blessed with a 4x4 and also used to work at council, so knows the road pretty well.  He was appalled at the state it is in.

Anyway, we made it to St Mary's Cathedral where His and Her Majesty were singing Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem with the Singers of Southern Tasmania and a huge orchestra.  It was amazing!  Parts Bolero, parts 1812, parts Flower Duet.  Golly gosh.

I was looking forward to seeing the cathedral as much as the performance.  They were both stunning.

Today is a public holiday in Tasmania.  I worked at the Pop Up Book Stall until just after 2pm then hot-footed (actually I drove, though I was hoping to ride my bike) to the site of our newly installed Friends of Triabunna Reserves interpretation sign on the bank of Vicary's rivulet.  Today was the day of the Great Unveiling.  Mel and Val set things up while Bruce tried out the chairs.  The Big Reveal went to plan, and then we gathered for bubbly and wonderful platters prepared by Val.  The wind and rain held off as the forecast said they would, and then, as the guests were leaving, the sun broke through.  The first time we had seen the sun in days.  Wild rejoicing.

the light was amazing

the portents included a rainbow,, pelican, white egret and black cockatoos

A perfect ending to our little do.

Absolutely unrelated, but Steve found this photo on the Cottage School website:

children reading in what used to be our dining room aka The Margaret Preston Room.  Our former Bellerive house is now part of The Cottage School.  We always hoped it would be used this way.  The school is currently advertising for a Principal, if you're interested.

Tomorrow is brekky program at the Triabunna School, then zumba.  It is a good life.

Same old Sunday

Only 3 for swimming today.  This isn't them.  A fourth - a man - turned up a little later.  I took Jilly and parked in a different cliff top access.  In all the excitement organising leash, poo bags, etc, I forgot to get the camera.  May be next week...  Spring Beach was, yet again, beautiful, and the water not too cold.  Admittedly I only paddled and fetched the stick for Jill PD.  I was pretty sure the dog I called Brodie but whose name, in fact, is Jordy would be there.  And he was.  Though he and Jill paid scant attention to each other, and my vision of them chasing each other endlessly along the beach fell short.

I met 2 couples who live in Queensland and spend winter in Tasmania.  I had not heard of this phenomenon but it stands to reason to some extent.  Many Orford / Spring Bay residents fly north to the Gold Coast for winter so there must be a lot of accommodation / house sitting opportunities here.

Came home to housework, washing, etc, and then sprang into the garden.  Sundays are bliss because Steve and Jill PD go to The Village for 3 hours.  It's amazing what you can achieve when you don't have to throw a ball all the time.

One of the many joys of a self-sown garden is the chance of colour combinations that I would never think of.  Interestingly, Monty Don is not enamoured of Giverny because it is not a planned garden as such but a palette of colours using flowers.

I would never think to grow snapdragons and broad beans together, but these self sown bods are getting on famously.  I have planted my 4 free tulips among them, and am watching that space.

The Silver Princess, definitely not self sown, looks fabulous against the sky turned grey.

I am mostly ignoring the vegetable patches at the moment and letting them get on with their own thing.  I did spoil them with some sheep poo earlier in the week.  I have turned my attention back to the archaeological dig and the development of a winter / spring garden, ie lily of the valley, solomon's seal, and hellebores.  I see foxgloves across the rise - but there's a lot more grass cutting, excavating and soil improvement to do first.

looking west

looking east

Some may think I have taken gardening too far, but that would be patently(1)  ridiculous.

The big news is that Georgia has flown into Sydney.  After 2 weeks quarantine, she will fly to Tassie  and hopefully take residence up the road soon after.  More garden to play with.

(1) Talking of which, the top photo is a Roxy ad from Yen, Issue 40, 2009.  The last photo comes from Textile Fibre Forum, Issue 3, No.95, 2009.  Magazines take a while to get to Tribes - possibly because of Rock Down.