J1 and J2

I write in praise of the J1 and J2 bus services.  The Js were buses that I could catch from the O-bahn bus station near Mum's place to town.  They also continued on to the airport, something I found very useful once I moved back to Tasmania.  I hadn't realised that they continue on to Harbor Town, conveniently stopping by Pearl's Resort.  I love the idea of a bus link direct from Mum's to Pearl's.

To catch the J2 from Pearl's to the City is a joy for me.  I can imagine it's wildly frustrating for commuters to have to take the detour to the airport, but I love seeing who's just arrived and listening to their excited conversations.  We return to the main drag, pass the garden with the bountiful lemon tree entwined with purple bougainvillea, pass the jute shop where I bought my bag, pass the old church where the Spinners and Weavers Guild meets, pass the private school where the students were just as obnoxious as at any other school and I'm jubilant that I no longer have to go Relief Teaching, over the railway where you catch the interstate train and into the city, through Light Square and the arts education precinct, over King William Street and into the shops and a short walk to North Terrace.

I also love North Terrace.

I was there on a Sunday.  This is North Terrace, possibly on a Sunday but back in 1888 (from memory).  The old library building opposite the war memorial was open and housed a number of displays, including this photo of the railway station  area.

There was a Democracy Exhibition and I particularly liked this quote.

There were works from students exploring ways Australians have connected over generations.  Audrey's entry resonated with me, from blue airmails, hand written envelopes to SMS.  What a lot we've seen!

And then there is the actual old library.  Whooooooosh off to Hogwarts.

Leaving the hallowed library and out to North Terrace,

for years I have been impressed with the landscaping on the civic side.  I was very concerned some time ago when they started rejigging the Terrace but I think they've done it beautifully.  I would never have thought of featuring agapanthus and dianella together.

Over Frome Road now and past what's left of the hospital.  This stretch is so much more elegant these days.  Beautiful buildings revealed and inspiring landscaping continued - kangaroo paw and (difficult to see at back) strelitzia.  Who'd have thought.

This poster outside the Museum says it all.  Perhaps that's why I remember this holiday as sparkling.