The Triumphant Return of Mrs History

As befitted her megastar status, Mrs History was awaited at Hobart Airport by her chaperone and host, Ms History.

Mrs History was a little fazed to learn that her chauffeur's car looked like this:

and was currently stationed in Triabunna.  However a late night taxi ride to Bellerive proved exhilarating, and a supper of cakes calming.

Naturally, sans voiture, many walks were the order of the following days.  To some extent this had been planned to allow Mrs History to assess and reacquaint with Bellerive, but the high velocity winds transformed them to forced marches.  An unexpected invitation to attend the 60th Birthday Celebration of Eastlands Shopping Centre gave respite from the wind and introduced Mrs History to the local bus service.

the Mesdames de Histoire and 3 lovely chaps...

captured listening to this chap, presumably the CEO of CCC

Mrs History was engaged to address the Bellerive Historical Society later in the day and the wonderful BHS President stepped up to offer us a most welcome lift.  I was on standby during her  presentation and foolishly forgot to take any photos.

However the following day the Society attended an afternoon tea at Government House to celebrate the Society's 35th Anniversary, and there were photos galore.

proof we were there

Some have questioned why I wore  my dressing gown.

Mrs History is presented to the Governor of Tasmania, Barbara Baker

I had been called up just previously and nearly died of shock.  Neither of us knew we were to receive a gift from Her Excellency and make a short speech.  I have  no idea what I said.

here we are with the addition of Mike, current BHS President

here's the whole gang, including Clarence City Council luminaries

It should be said that Jill and I started the Society in 1990 and were thus being feted.  Above is the manager of the Clarence Cultural Centre and Kathy, our current BHS newsletter editor.  I suspect there will be photos in the next newsletter.  The event is also well covered on the Governor's Facebook page .

And here's the gift with which I was presented.  Mrs History's is also Huon pine but with an orangey / amber inset.

The following day we rendezvoused with Mike and Daniel, the treasurer, at BHS HQ at the Community Arts Centre in Bellerive Village.

We are pretty good at starting historical societies but here's what we do best:

celebratory cocktails at the Italian restaurant

What a wonderful time we had.

For fuller coverage of Mrs History's stay see her blog