Cradle culture

I went dogless to the last Wu Tao class, dropping Jilly off at Georgia's and then up the East Coast and along Lake Leake Road to Campbell Town and on to Launceston.

It's a long time since I've had to wait for sheep crossing the road

I stayed at the Areca Launceston.

the room reminded me of a place we stayed in Hanoi

very posh

lovely views out of my window by day

and by night

It was a short, but steep, walk down from here across the park to the Wu Tao class.  Which is what I did the next day, and then drove to Elizabeth Town to rendezvous with Georgia for the drive to Cradle Mountain.

photo of a photo of Cradle Mountain

Despite now having been to Cradle Mountain, I have never actually seen Cradle Mountain.  The drive there is long and tortuous. I'm surprised tourists make it!  Just on the drive to Triabunna most tourists seem to sit on their brakes.  Anyway, I just followed the swift and sure Georgia and glimpsed the glorious countryside.

We were there to dismantle her very successful exhibition.

view from our room

I was hoping to take a night photo too but sadly didn't.  George said she woke in the night and the room was bathed in moonlight.  I love a good moon bath.

I should have taken a photo of the exhibition... but Georgia has done this many times before - art intelligence - and was on to it straight away.  We had it packed up in no time.

With an afternoon to while, we went to the Devil Sanctuary

well worth the entrance fee

In addition to blissed out Tassie devils

there were lovely quolls.

my favourite

In addition to two glorious nights of luxury, great food and wine, I acquired this book:

an excellent read

And then back to Tribes to pick up Jilly who was brimming with youth after a materteral (!) stay with her niece and nephews.

Lovely Launnie

My Wu Tao days are done for now but here's Jilly and my photo album.

I like Launceston's attitude

somewhat grand in City Park

curious on Cimitiere Street

heritage on Cimitiere Street

classy on Cimitiere Street

at least preserving the facade while building huge behind

the church garden Jill liked to do a wee in

the church itself

the hotel in which I spent 2 weeks covid quarantine is no longer operational

I happened to pass Boags Brewery on its last day of operation

buildings viewed from the bank of the North Esk River

multiple foot / bike bridges spanning the river to the uni

This photo doesn't really capture where three bridges intersect.

a photo taken for Georgia, and a good idea...

very taken with these rusted suitcases outside a hotel

That's Launceston for now.  On one occasion Jill PD and I stayed at the Hadspen Caravan Park and discovered this lovely reserve area.

rapids on the South Esk

a young man abandoning his trout fishing but pleased with the peace it instilled (we talked)

we make Kempton a pitstop.  Jill likes the dog park

The Long Way

You may recall that I practised Wu Tao in Adelaide when I lived there in 2006.  Wu Tao means The Way of the Dance or The Dancing Way.  I have searched for classes everywhere I have lived since.  And I finally found one.  200 kms away in Launceston.  And just for October.  So far I have been twice, and I'm off again tomorrow.  Previously Jill PD and I have driven up and back in one day but tomorrow we will stay in Hadspen for the night and rock up bright-eyed (me) and bushy tailed (Jilly) on Wednesday.  It's definitely an adventure, but so worth it.  I'll do Launceston photos in another blog post.

These trips are one of the reasons for the long time between blog posts.  It takes me a while to recover from a Launceston trip in one day - getting up at 6am and leaving by 7am.  I'm also immersed in researching and writing stories for Bellerive Heritage Volume 5.

But I have been doing other stuff.

I have been to Triabunna a cuppla times.

a new vase design by Georgia on her dining room table

the wisteria bower that I love

  

the rose gate that Georgia is beastly careless about

And I stayed a cuppla days at the Tandara, over the road from George's, while her place was booked out with children.

I came up for the Spring Market at The Village and also the Dogs' Breakfast.

my appropriate room at the Tandara

Village Community Garden beds looking good

a glimpse of the lovely Rob on the Native Plants stall

a beautiful plant that I think Mel and Rob planted in memory of his wife

Jilly and I at the Dogs' Breakfast

and with shrinking violet Fiona

Two pictures of Maria Island from different trips:

Some reading:

not for everyone, perhaps, but Hayley Mills was a central figure in my childhood

wow! thought provoking

Korean food is not my favourite but this feast with Oakie, Jake and shy Sarah was magnificent

the banksia rose and Jasmine opposite Aunty Pat's place.

Pat is Jilly's new grandma.

I could relax at this magnificent production of Carl Jenkins 'The Armed Man' knowing Jill was safe and happy with Aunty Pat.  The photo doesn't do the performance justice - taken while some of the orchestra warmed up, and before the arrival of the huge choir.  Having the words projected on the screens was a stroke of brilliance.  And I wangled a great seat.  There are so many advantages to going to shows alone!

Opossum Magic

I caught up with my friend Penny who told me she's living in Opossum Bay.  As you  know, I'm blissfully happy with my unit but Opossum Bay is glorious and the idea of a vast expanse of glass overlooking the sea was, briefly, hugely attractive.  Well it still is, actually.  Naturally, the next day I drove down to check it out.  

It's so Southern you'd swear Kunyanyi was a stone throw's away

best pig face I've seen for yonks

appealing curiosities

quirky

and truly beautiful

It is soooo Penny (apart from the pig face).  Her previous house burned down and it took a while for her to decide what to do / where to go next.  I'm so glad she's found here.

Many years ago when Steve and I were living in Tasmania the first time, Steve applied for a job in Woy Woy or Dee Why, can't remember which.  He didn't get the job but I spent happy weeks imagining what life would be like in a place defined by sea living.  I get the same feeling in South Arm / Opossum Bay.  So today I checked out the South Arm Community Market, and felt totally at home.  Took some photos but they didn't do it justice.  Absolute best find:

https://www.italianmarket.com.au/

Had great chat with the guy, remembering The Etna in North Hobart.  He also went to Adelaide Uni and knows Mercato, my favourite Adelaide shop.   So I'll be following his van around.