B living

I've been too otherwise engaged to start on a History of the Second Bluff but I was delighted when a Triabunna friend recognised the Esmond Dorney house just down my Esplanade.  I have been thinking of submitting a short article on this house to the Bellerive Historical Society newsletter.  We'll see.

You may be surprised to hear that since my last post I have taken up Fitness in the Park and ballet, both on a Friday.  Saturday of last week I met friends in Bellerive Village and we dined at Marlo Singer.  This turned out to be just my kind of eatery - lots of small and very different dishes, many of them based on seafood.  I strolled home in a very contented state of mind and, as I turned the corner to my unit, was confronted by a wallaby.  I had heard that a wallaby visited my neighbour's garden at night but had been sceptical...  

I think I have mentioned the teeming bandicoots before.

from my kitchen window

this may be Brunetti

not sure if this is Boudica, Bridget or Bardot

Sunday was Mothers' Day.  A friend was singing with her choir just outside the Ninja Stadium (formerly the Blundstone Arena) to uplift walkers in a Mothers' Day Fun Walk.

I walked down about 10.30am and caught the end of their performance.  They had been bravely singing since before 8am in bracing conditions.  

I also passed this bass and sax combo, their Mum sitting by, quite rightly proud.  Not being inundated with gifts and visitors, I decided to watch And God Created Woman in the afternoon.  I thoroughly enjoyed the film - Bardot and environs absolutely stunning - until the end when Bardot as Juliette just needed a good slap around the face to make her a dutiful wife.  I was hoping she'd take off with Carradine for a good, though likely short, time.

Tuesday saw the last VDB Lunch Box concert for Autumn

a couple playing so harmoniously together and a guitar player looking just like Steve

then a drive to Triabunna for Bond at the Tivoli.

Not a film I would make an effort to see elsewhere.  I enjoyed the casino and M scenes but find the action scenes laughable in their implausibility.  And how quickly injuries heal!

I've mentioned the wayward cardboard bed previously.  I was notified that it had returned from WA and was now on its way to Sydney.  I was incredulous by this time.

So imagine my  joy on returning from ballet class on Friday to find a parcel had been left, albeit looking a little coffin-like.  After a celebratory cup of Earl Grey, I tackled the instructions.

the instructions

I stayed calm and, to my joy, my new phone can scan.  A deft and nimble young man proceeded to show me how to lift the bed out of its box, unconcertina it and lock in the braces.

not like that you idiot

like that

He found it much easier than I did.  Lifting it out of the box on my own was a struggle, as was getting the construction correct.  When I studied psychology in the 1970s, the lecturer in Perception used to refer to Just Noticeable Differences.  I think I understand now.

Anyway, I did it.

The blood bank had requested my plasma so Saturday saw a trip to Hobart.

a choir singing in the mall

new interests...

old loves

No photos from the blood bank.   They only managed to get 200ml of plasma from me.  We were aiming for 400ml.  But they kindly said anything over 100ml is useful.

Feeling slightly old and decrepit on the bus home, I noticed through the window these boys at the Eastlands bus stop.  I was struck by the different branding on their very similar clothes, their preoccupation with their phones and total lack of interest in catching the bus.  They brought to mind Venice's 'baby gangs' in the Brunetti book I'm currently reading.

And then the calming walk to my lovely home.

a blast

First snow on the mountain and looking beautiful from my driveway

My new mattress arrived today exactly as the store had promised.  The bed, sadly, has gone rogue and may be heading to Western Australia.  But this took a backseat when two Triabunna friends dropped in totally unexpectedly.  They were on their way to lunch with other former Triabunna friends.  I declined an invite just in case there was news on the whereabouts of my bed.

And then another burst of pleasure - a housewarming card from the Floosie with a blast from the past photo.  This was a bit of a coincidence because I was on the verge of telling her that our Good Works in establishing the Bellerive Historical Society were useful to Alison Alexander, a big name Tassie historian, in a 2003 tome she wrote about the Eastern Shore.  It is lovely to see our research referenced in this book.  They were our Glory Days, as the enclosed photo - taken at the Bellerive Fort - indicates.

Yesterday I achieved a strategic coup getting the microwave of my dreams from Target in the city, home to my kitchen.  It's a superseded model so not available online.  Target doesn't do 'click and collect' and doesn't deliver, so I had to devise a cunning plan - parking near the bus stop at the end of Wentworth Street, catching the bus in, carrying the boxed microwave to the checkout (I had done my homework and knew I could carry it and that it weighed 10kgs), continuing with a few rest stops along the mall, then a man about my age helped me carry it to the bus stop.  A welcome rest and gathering of strength on the bus, and then a short struggle to my parked car.

very pleased with the result

Tuesday also involved a trip to the city.  This time it was all pleasure - the VDB lunchtime concert.

Xenos played Balkan music with Sabine and Anne singing in Roma, as well as playing their instruments.

I have to say I fell in love with this woman.  Loved her hair.  Loved the way she dressed.  She sang!  She played sax!  She's Sabine's mother.

I think this guy is her partner.  He wandered off stage at one point and took up position in one of the alcoves at the back of the Town Hall.  They were such fun, trying constantly to get us to dance but we were staid and a bit too packed in to easily access the aisles.

Monday was Bellerive Historical Society meeting night.  Wayne Smith, a former BHS President and nearly 90 years old, talked of bushrangers and nomenclature.

He produced a town map of Bellerive which he had found on Trove.  I took a photo of this part, ie Second Bluff where I now live.  I feel a bit of research coming on...

Today's take

This morning, brimming with good vibes after the election result, I walked to the bakery the long way round, ie starting by going up Wentworth Street to the tip of the Second Bluff and then taking the coast path to the right, ie westerly.

camellia lined driveway of a house on the edge of the bluff

view of Bellerive Bluff, Hobart and the mountain

approaching Bellerive Beach at a low tide

plenty of joggers and dog walkers.

This motley crowd about to descend steps to the beach.

this section of the beach open again after completion of great stormwater upgrades

Of course I had to walk along Queen Street to check out our old house and the changes at the Cottage School.  It is looking most impressive.

I had a bit of an altercation at the bakery with the young assistant who put my croissant in a plastic bag with a twist tie and tried to charge me $4 instead of the usual $3.  Not to worry, I've got my lovely house to go home to, chomping croissant on the way.

the front lawn is now cleared

and some inspiration from Rupit in Spain installed - although they had red geraniums which I must admit were far more arresting

sunset over Mt Wellington / kunyani from my bedroom window on May Day night