A Bit of 19th Century Architecture

I really am not sure where the last four days went but they flew by and here we were on our last day in Tasmania heading down to the waterfront for the Salamanca Market which was Australia's biggest and brightest outdoor market. There was so many different items for sale and I was tempted more than once to make a purchase.  I was keeping an eye out for a sausage roll but broke down and got something else.  I had fallen in 'love' with the sausage rolls of Australia.  They were sooo yummy...sausage inside of a pastry bread...yum!!  Now if only I could find those here in the U.S...trust me I've been looking but may be forced to find a recipe and make my own...maybe Natalie has a good recipe?!  Natalie...do you?!

After roaming up and down all the aisles at the market we headed back up the hill for the last time (I wasn't going to miss the uphill march that's for sure) we picked up our luggage and the rental car and headed out to Richmond where both the oldest bridge and the oldest Catholic church still in use were located.

We had passed by the sign for Richmond the day before on the way to the tour and Port Arthur but I hadn't paid all that much attention so I was looking forward to wandering the town.  Richmond is a small town that has more than 50 19th century buildings and a population of around 800.  It was quite amazing how they had retained so many of the older buildings...something that I find we haven't been so careful about in the U.S. and I fell in love with the 1800's architecture in both Victoria and Tasmania. 

Oldest bridge in Australia

We arrived in Richmond and Natalie drove us straight to the historic Richmond Bridge.  The sandstone arches have straddled the Coal River since its completion in 1825 by convicts.  Interestingly few significant changes have been made to this bridge through its 186 year history...truly an amazing example of bridge architecture and so very picturesque!!

St. John's Catholic Church

Not far from the bridge was St. John's Catholic Church which is the oldest Catholic church still in use in Australia built in 1837.  It has had three different spires with the last being placed in 1972.  It was very much like stepping back in time entering the church.  It had the simplistic lines similar to the country church I grew up in but was on a much smaller scale as you could have probably fit this church twice into mine.  The stained glass windows were absolutely amazing and it was just peaceful to sit inside for a while.  But I couldn't stay there forever...there was still more to see before we made our flight back to Melbourne that evening.

Until later...wherever you are have a great day!!

If you would like to see more pictures of the Oldest Bridge in Australia here is a link to that photo album on Picasa:  Play slideshow

If you would like to see more pictures of St. John's Catholic Church here is a link to that photo album on Picasa:  Play slideshow

On a personal note here...I lost a good friend today who had struggled with cancer for the last year.  I hope that you are now finally at peace Tom...I will miss your smile, your laugh and most of all your friendship.  Take care my friend... you shall be sorely missed.

Remnants of a Past

After the morning adventure on the Tasman Sea it was time to step back into Tasmania's past at Port Arthur and on to solid ground!!  Port Arthur started out as a settlement and timber station in 1830 but it would soon become known as Australia's largest penal station.  From 1833 to 1877 some 12,500 of the hardest and baddest British and Irish convicts were sent there along with re-offenders and rebellious type individuals that had already been in the Australian penal system. 

The peninsula where Port Arthur is located was a natural fortress of sorts that was easily fenced and guarded against escape attempts by armed guards, vicious, half starved guard dogs that were chained along the isthmus and the rumors of sharks in the bay which kept most prisoners from attempting to escape.  Even so a few did manage to escape though George "Billy" Hunt did not succeed.  Seems Billy tried to disguise himself as a kangaroo by covering himself with a kangaroo pelt and tried to flee across land.  Some of the half-starved guards, upon seeing a 'kangaroo' tried shooting him to supplement their meager rations.  When Billy saw them sighting in on him he allegedly threw pelt off and surrendered.  Instead of a bullet Billy received 150 lashes for his bizarre attempt.

worn to keep silent

As the years 'progressed' Port Arthur started to go from a physical punishment to a reward type system for convicts and became known as a 'model' prison.  Prisoners were rewarded with additional rations for good behavior and bad behavior was 'rewarded' with bread and water, silence and isolation to name a few.  Ironically an insane asylum was built near the prison and there was more than one convict that went insane from the mental punishments being put in play then...is there any wonder?!

The afternoon was sunny after the mixed bag of weather we had on the Tasman Sea.  A tour was included in our package so after grabbing a bit of lunch...yes I actually had some lunch but can't say the appetite was quite there after the cruise.  As we waited for our 2 o'clock tour we had each been given a card that we could match up with specific convict and take a walk through a series of rooms to find out who they were, why they were and what happened to them.

My 'convict' was a 9 year old boy who had been sent to the Boy's Prison at Port Arthur for the 'horrible' crime of stealing food to live.  The only thing that he benefited from was learning a trade while incarcerated and he did survive to leave Port Arthur but what happened of him after that is any one's guess.

Did I say it was a sunny afternoon?  Well, as Natalie would say more than once, just wait 15 minutes and the weather will change and change it did to a downpour and, unbelievably, another hail storm.  But, true to Aussie weather, it wasn't but 15 minutes and we were back to partly cloudy weather and sunny soon after. 

The tour guide was a pleasant gal who we followed around the open areas of the ruins as she told us some of the history of Port Arthur and stories of convicts that had been there.  After 30-45 minutes we were all on our own to venture throughout the grounds going in and out of most of the ruins and the reconstructed sites.

There is a sadness that hangs over the grounds...so much wrong had happened there and it wasn't all in the past.  A sad chapter of Tasmania's history occurred in 1996 when the Port Arthur Massacre took place on April 28th.  Out of respect for the victims I will not name the perpetrator of this heinous act but on that Sunday in the late morning and early afternoon a 28 year old man with a sports bag of semiautomatic weapons murdered 35 people and injured another 37 more around the Port Arthur Historic site before taking one person hostage in a local guest house.  After an 18 hour standoff with authorities he killed the hostage and set the guest house on fire before surrendering.  This incident precipitated Australia's strict gun law controls that they have in place today.


Memorial marker

There is a garden set aside in remembrance of those people who lost their lives and it is solemn just to be near there let alone walk through it.  What I have read is that his name is never spoken there by employees... many lost friends, family and coworkers that day and my heart goes out to those still affected to this day from this senseless act of inhumanity.

"Man's inhumanity towards man crosses continents and decades." 

 Anthony Venutolo 2009

Until next time...wherever you are...have a great day!

If you would like to see more pictures from Day 4 - Port Arthur in Tasmania here is a link to that photo album on Picasa:  Play slideshow

Riding the Waves...Part II

This evening as I was getting ready to edit more pictures for tomorrow's post I went back through the pictures from the Tasmin Island Cruise and found more pictures that I liked and thought I'd share.  As you will see a good majority of them are of the Australian and New Zealand fur seals but they showed such personality I couldn't resist adding more of them so here's part II of more pictures from the cruise.  I hope you enjoy!!

If you would like to see more pictures from Day 4 - Tasman Island Cruise in Tasmania here is a link to that photo album on Picasa:  Play slideshow

Riding the Waves...

The cancellation of the Wineglass cruise was a bummer but this morning would hopefully see us off for a Tasman Island Cruise.  We walked down to the wharf from the hotel and I do mean downhill.  The location of the hotel was not the most ideal as we were located up towards the top edge of the CBD of Hobart and everything that was 'happening' was down the hill.  But no time to worry about the walk back up the hill this evening...we just needed to find the office and make the tour bus.

Once again Natalie zeroed us in quite quickly on the Tasman Island Cruises office down along the waterfront and we were there with ample time to look amongst what I call all the 'trinkets and trash' items that supposedly attract tourist dollars.  Not wanting to carry anything more than I already was carrying I would wait until after the day's events to see if there was anything I wanted to add to my backpack.

One of Jeff's favorite lookouts

Soon we were off on the tour bus...all three of us...Natalie, myself and Jeff the driver (at least I think that was his name and if not--who's gonna know?!)  I have to admit being the only two on a bus that had the capacity of carrying 25 or so people did not leave me feeling keen on how good this tour might be despite all the accolades and awards posted on the Internet.  But, as we traveled along the highway, it soon became apparent that we once again had someone who loved what they did and did what they loved.  Jeff was coming up with this or that tidbit of information and history practically the whole way to our cruise destination and even made an unscheduled stop along the way at one of the lookout areas on the coast line that was one of his favorites.  Though it was threatening rain and overcast it is amazing what one can do with pictures to bring out the beauty you're seeing.

Before we knew it we were at our morning tea destination and Jeff dropped us off while he went to check on more passengers that would be joining us.  We sat down to have a yummy muffin each, Natalie had her usual latte' and I had a 'long black'.

Now I really couldn't tell you without googling it what a 'long black' really was but I didn't want to sound completely ignorant on the ways of coffee so I stuck to 'long black' which sounded close to what I would order in the U.S. which is just to say 'black'.  Upon looking up what exactly 'long black' was later I did get a chuckle when I read it was known in other countries as an 'Americano'.  Leave it to the American to order an 'Americano'. Also found out that the ingredients of a 'long black' was a shot of espresso mixed with half a cup of hot water.  Knowing this now, it made perfect sense why I felt jolted with that first sip or two of coffee...it must be close to a hot energy drink in caffeine amounts...not that I drink any of the energy drinks on the market these days.  I'm a hard core Diet Coke person...period. 

Jeff came in to get us after about 15 minutes and we were off to the Tasman Island Cruises office there and joined what turned out to be 9 other people and we all listened to a little spiel and got outfitted for the adventure.  Yup...I do mean outfitted or as they might say in Australia, rugged up.  We were each given a bright red Goretex coverall and it started to make you think what exactly were you getting into.  Bright red would make you easier to spot if you fell overboard and the Goretex material the coveralls were made of, as we all know, is a water repellent type material.  Just what kind of a wild tour had I got us booked on?!

We all shuffled out like the red teletubby 'Po' to the bus and climbed aboard to our short 15 or so minute drive down to the dock.  We had also gained one of the 'captains' of our boat 'flip flop' Damian who entertained us with his knowledge and wit on the trip.  It was a bit humorous as here we were all rugged up in Goretex coveralls and Damian had on a jacket, tshirt, jeans and flip flops.  We were soon to find out that he was pretty much impervious to the wind, cold and rain we would 'enjoy'.

Once at the dock we waited only a few minutes before we were soon boarding the 41 foot boat which was amazingly equipped with three 300 hp Mercury outboard motors.  Having once owned a boat with a mere 35 hp Yamaha I knew there was a lot of 'horses' propelling this boat and we would be able to 'scoot' as I called it quite quickly across the water.

Joining us was a second 'captain' and he, too, was Damian which was a bit comical.  We would soon find out how knowledgeable and personable these two guys were.  Just like in a jet as you taxiing down the runway we were getting the quick tour of where the life jackets were located, where the toilet facilities were down in the cabin and where to sit for a smoother ride.  I jumped at sitting in the back (the smoother ride) as, per normal, I expected to be taking lots of pictures.  After getting splashed a few times Natalie also joined me in the back and away we went.

It was exhilarating to me to be going out into the open seas.  I'd never been out on the ocean so this was an entirely new experience for me.  Soon 'flipflop' Damian was taking out several litres of water and small cups and started going from person to person offering ginger tablets to each of us which would help if we started feeling woozy with the wave movement.  All of us took a couple each and I never really gave it a thought...just figured it couldn't hurt and might just help...if I needed help that is.



Waterfall from
cliffs



Outcropping

The water was fairly smooth, much like what one would experience on one of the larger lakes here in Minnesota.  That is until we rounded a point and then the waves started to get a little bit bigger.  We were also experiencing some rain, some sleet, some snow and even a bit of sun as we headed along the coastline.  To say it was beautiful would be an understatement with the towering Jurassic Dolerite cliffs and rocks...it was simply breathtaking and amazing and all points in between.



"Flipper"

 As we continued on sneaking in and out of the cliffs and rock formations the waves were starting to increase in size.  Not to be disappointed we started to see dolphins coming around and following the boat and it was thrilling to see them though I felt like I was getting a bit of motion sickness trying to catch one as it surfaced with the camera.  But I succeeded in getting a few pictures of the dolphins and even more of the Australian and New Zealand fur seals as they were congregated in bachelor bands up and down the rocky coast.  We also had a few albatrosses fly over the boat and came across several groupings of Black faced cormorants.

As we rounded the outcropping point we found ourselves heading into the Tasman Sea and that's when you really knew that you were out in the ocean starting to get tossed about like the "Minnow" on Gilligan's Island on their three hour tour.  Well, we were on a three hour tour but I hadn't any doubts that we would make it back in one piece.

The further we went along the seas were getting rougher and to novices (at least me) the waves were getting way bigger!  Damian took us up one wave and we went airborne for what seemed like an eternity but which probably was only a second or two before we came crashing down into the trough of the wave with a slam!  He guesstimated the wave was probably 5 metres (16 feet) but to me it seemed much, much higher...a roller coaster ride was starting to feel a bit mundane to me. 

At one point he idled the motors and allowed the boat to wallow from side to side in the waves as he was telling us one more thing about the trip.  What that one thing was I'll never be able to tell you as the motion sickness I thought I had had for a bit with the dolphins was really making me notice each sideways motion of the boat.

We started to head back to port and, as a true landlubber, my morning tea didn't make it back with me.  I had no time to hit the dunny (facilities) but managed to hang my head over the edge.  All I could do was laugh about how I didn't have any sea legs and after a bit 'flipflop' Damian came over and offered me a few bacon biscuits (flavored crackers) and against my better judgement I took a couple.  All was well for maybe ten minutes and I found myself once again hanging over the edge.

By this time we were pretty much done with the scenic part of the trip and Damian was heading fairly fast and furious to port.  I had pulled the hood of my Goretex coverall over my head and was huddled up trying to stay warm and as dry as possible.  At times you'd think a bucket of water had been tossed right at you from the waves coming over the boat but I, as I'm sure the others might have been thinking, was glad for those waterproof (resistant) coveralls.  They weren't entirely waterproof but we came ashore much dryer than a group of people who had left along with us on a different tour without any protection from water.

As we docked and I was walking up to the bus Jeff met me and asked how I was feeling.  It took me back a bit and I asked if one of the Damians had radioed in that I got sick on the trip.  Jeff said 'nope...I've seen that look before'.  I don't know if I was greenish looking or what but I was feeling better even if I was embarrassed to be the only one of 11 to succumb to the wave action but if I had the chance I'd do it again...just maybe not eat much before hand.  Even so it was a blast!!

But we were not done for the day...we still had Port Arthur to go to which was a former convict settlement from the 1800s...but I'll save that for the next blog.

Until then...wherever you are...have a great day!!

If you would like to see more pictures from Day 4 - Tasman Island Cruise in Tasmania here is a link to that photo album on Picasa:  Play slideshow

The Real Reason Why GPS Was Invented!!

Day 3 found us heading to the Cataract Gorge Reserve which is a river gorge in Launceston.  Or at least we were attempting to find the gorge.  I found myself anointed as the official map reader and was soon wishing for a GPS system. 

I have been driving 35+ years and have driven myself from North Dakota to Virginia to Georgia to Arkansas to Wyoming to Canada and hundreds of points in between and yet I found myself incapable of reading a frikkin city map and being able to tell Natalie where to turn next.

In my defense I have never found a city to have such horribly marked and, many times not even marked, city streets in my life.  Plus...if the street happened to be marked you found yourself doing a split second search as we went through intersections to find that sign as there didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for street markings in Launceston.  The normal, standard place where they were should have been which is on the corner in any normal city I've ever traveled through obviously wasn't relayed to whomever marked the streets there. Nope!!  Nada!!  Just not that easy!!  Some were on posts...some were on buildings...some just weren't there. 

Adding to that I typically am the one driving and someone else reads the map and I am now a firm believer that map makers in the Southern Hemisphere somehow do it different as I seemed to be telling Natalie to turn left when it should have been a right or right when it should have been left or just not saying anything cause I couldn't find where we were on the map though I had just seen it two seconds ago.  Good Lord!!  I really could have used a GPS about then and it dawned on me that my inability to read a map is the real reason why GPS was invented.  Yup...who knew that A in Geography back in 5th grade for map reading was truly a farce?!  Course I wasn't trying to read a Launceston, Tasmania map back then.

Alexandra Suspension Bridge over
Cataract Gorge

But, despite all my help or rather lack of it, Natalie found Cataract Gorge and we were soon hiking over to the Alexandra Suspension Bridge at the First Basin.  It was a gorgeous sight to see and the morning was bright and sunny with calm waters in the First Basin below the bridge.  I did feel a flutters in my stomach standing on the middle of that suspension bridge from my dislike of heights but survived even with a bit swaying.

There is also a chairlift crossing the Gorge that is the longest single span chairlift in the world and I know I had bravely told a friend back in the U.S. before I left that I would tough it out and ride it.  So much for conquering fear of heights...upon seeing that lift it reminding me way too much of the one I rode up a mountain in Wyoming down hill skiing years ago and it just wasn't going to happen today.  Walking the bridge had squelched my appetite for heights for the day.

Wallaby

But off Natalie went to ride the lift and I headed down a few trails to see what I could find.  I had stopped at a trail crossing to figure out which way to go when all of a sudden there were wallabies coming up out of the trees and crossing a trail.  It was if they came out of no where as you didn't hear them and then they were just there!!  Three came out and crossed the trail and went up just a bit into the trees and I was able to get a couple pics before they headed off into the forest.

Chair lift

I took a look over to see if Natalie was on the chairlift yet and, not seeing her, I walked up a trail overlooking the First Basin and found a nice stopping point to wait for her.  Isn't wasn't too long before I spied her coming up on the lift and when I got her attention she gave me the unofficial 'secret' Aussie salute as she passed overhead.  I do have a picture of the salute but as it is 'secret' I won't publish it here!!  Ha Ha!  Have I ever said Natalie was a character in any of my previous posts??!!  If not I'm sure you all have picked up on it by now!!

A fishing boat on the
Esk River

After wandering around the gorge we decided on taking a river cruise into Cataract Gorge.  It was a lovely day to do this and we cruised up the Esk River for a ways hearing about the history of the riverfront and then followed the river up into the gorge.  As with all the other tours we had done thus far the captain was delightful and full of tidbits of the history of Launceston and the river AND vindicated my frustration of the street signs.  He relayed he'd heard many a complaint about the signage and more importantly lack of signage and it made me feel just a bit better about my lack of map reading ability.

Fortunately, I think Natalie has an internal GPS as she had little trouble in finding our way to the Heritage Highway that would lead us from Launceston back down to Hobart for our last two days in Tasmania.  As we headed out we were not 'disappointed' that the prevailing winds of Tasmania once again picked up to accompany us to Hobart...she was a happy camper all the way!! 

If you would like to see more pictures from Day 3 in Tasmania here is a link to that photo album on Picasa:  Play slideshow

It Just Wasn't Meant To Be...

Breakfast was delivered to our motel rooms bright and early on Day 2 and it was scrumptious...eggs & bacon and all the fixings!!  They could have easily charged twice the amount and no one would have complained.  I ate as quickly as possible as the tour we had both been waiting for was today...the cruise to Wineglass Bay!!

Love this sign!!

We loaded up, checked out and headed back to Coles Bay.  On the way I saw what probably is my favorite road sign of all the different ones I saw in Australia...it just made me laugh and I was tickled to get a pic of it as we zoomed by.  Natalie was being very gracious about my excessive picture taking but I think I might have been pushing it if I had asked her to stop for, of all things, a road sign.  So...I was honing my skills at 'fast' photography and I wouldn't have been surprised if Natalie thought to herself many a time "What in the 'world' is she taking a picture of now?"  At least if it were me that's what I probably would have thought.

We got to Coles Bay and found Wineglass Bay Cruises.  People were already gathering at the dock and I was sooo looking forward to cruising beneath the ruggedly beautiful pink granite cliffs, or maybe see some dolphins or seals as we cruised to Wineglass Bay.

I went up into the office and couldn't believe what I was hearing...the cruise was cancelled.  What?  This couldn't be happening but happen it did.  They were expecting high winds and rough seas to move in in the next several hours and they would not take any chances with anyone.  Heavy sigh...both of us were sorely disappointed and I know I was really looking forward to anchoring in Wineglass Bay and sitting back and having some wine. 

Tasmanian Devil

So after taking a few pictures we started out for Launceston.  As we were heading back up the coast we stopped at the East Coast Natureworld which is a park of about 150 acres (65 hectares) which had a variety of free ranging Australian wildlife and...DEVILS!!  Yup...the Tasmanian Devils were out and about...well definitely within contained walls and we had just missed feeding time but some of those devils were a bit full of it and still running around their enclosures.

We wandered around taking in everything and I was looking forward to seeing a koala and, as we approached the koala enclosure one was out...on top of the green tarp that I suppose was providing sun shade.  You could make out it was a koala and I imagine it would have been a bit funny taking a picture of my first koala but I passed.  S/he wasn't much into moving as when we came back that way later it was still sitting on top of the tarp.

Curious Emu

One of the emus was particularly funny and was following on the other side of their fencing and started pecking at my camera.  I had a lens filter on so (probably against better judgment) I held the camera closer to the emu and it started to peck at the lens so as it pecked I took pictures.  Amazingly one of the pics did turn out and is now a favorite of mine!







Soon it was time to get back on the road and after a quick stop at the Blowhole in Bicheno we were finally heading cross country for Launceston.  As we headed up into the mountains we came to Mt. Elephant Pancake House and stopped for lunch.  Now this wasn't your traditional pancake house like IHOP or Pannekoeken...these pancakes reminded me of crepes stuffed with whatever you wanted.  I had mine stuffed with ham, cheese and hashbrown type potatoes and talk about yummy!!!  Even cooler was the fact that a group of bikers on Indian motorcycles were stopping at the restaurant and of course I had fun walking amongst the cycles taking pictures.  They were doing a Indian motorcycle tour around Tasmania.  Come to think of it as I write each blog Natalie really was showing a fair amount of patience with me for all of the pictures I was taking.

Franklin House gardens

One last stop before getting into Launceston found us at the Franklin House that was built by convicts in Franklin Village in 1845 by a former convict and successful businessman Britton Jones and is known for its extensive use of imported Australian Red cedar.  In 1960 the house became the birthplace of the National Trust in Tasmania.

It was a long day with lots of miles traveled and we saw some things that we hadn't planned on because of the cancellation of the cruise and even though it was calm in the morning the winds did pick up quite a bit and Natalie once again had 'fun' driving and surviving the crosswinds but survive we did and made Launceston just in time for dinner, drinks and off to sleep.

Until later...wherever you are...have a great day!!

If you would like to see more pictures from Day 2 in Tasmania here is a link to that photo album on Picasa:  Play slideshow 

Off to Tasmania!!

Off to Tasmania!!

We were off to Tasmania!!  I was pretty excited and I think Natalie was too as it was someplace new for her.  I had wanted her to think of someplace she'd like to go instead of the same old places she'd been to umpteen times before and was seeing once again as my Tour Guide.  I had kind of thrown out New Zealand as an idea but Tasmania sounded great to me!  After all...who hasn't heard of the Tasmanian Devil and I was looking forward to seeing one of the critters!!

First sights of Tasmania

The flight wasn't very long at all and soon you were starting to see glimpses of Tasmania.  About the time we got up to cruising elevation we were starting our descent.  Tasmania is only about 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of the mainland separated by the Bass Strait. 

Tassie is about 6.5 times larger than Hawaii at 26,410 square miles (68,401 square kilometres) and has a population of approximately 500,000 of which around half of them live in and around the capitol city of Hobart in the southeast part of the island where we were flying into.  The island is 226 miles long (364 kilometres) from the northernmost to southernmost part and 190 miles (306 kilometres) from east to west which doesn't seem very big and that you'd be able to cover all of Tassie in five days.  However, something like 37% of the countryside lies in preserves, national parks and World Heritage Sites so getting from point A to point B isn't always the most direct route.

One fact that was going to become obvious to us (and very obvious to Natalie as she was driving) was that Tassie is right in the pathway of what is called the notorious "Roaring Forties" wind that encircles the globe which is found between the latitudes of 40 to 50 degrees.  I'll admit that until I looked up some particulars on Tassie I didn't know this fact until today but I sure could have told you it was windy there from time to time and was actually glad I wasn't driving.  I know I would have had problems remembering which side of the road to drive on and with the crosswinds maybe blowing me across to the wrong side of the road I don't think it would have been pretty.  Besides, I could tell Natalie enjoyed driving, especially in Tassie so I didn't want to take that away from her!!

John Deere tractor in a Tassie field

After a bit of a circuitous route in finding the car rental place we were off on our Tassie adventure and set out for Bicheno where we were staying the first night.  As we were heading across the Wielangta State Forest to connect up with Highway A3 (the East Coast Escape Touring Route) I had to chuckle as we passed someone out working in a field driving an all too familiar tractor...yup...John Deere.  These days I find myself chuckling (at least to myself) and smirking when I see a John Deere tractor cause mom's famous comment I heard many a time was "if it wasn't green it never got fixed on the farm!"  Poor dad!!  He did have such an affinity for those John Deere tractors...right down to the 'his' and 'hers' riding lawn mowers!!  Anyways...

Walking down to Kelvedon Beach

It didn't seem very long before we started to get glimpses of the Tasman Sea and with every twist and turn on the highway we were getting closer to driving almost along side it.  Natalie pulled in to Kelvedon Beach and we got out and walked down onto the beach and took in the beauty surrounding us...it was just gorgeous with the sun shining brightly and the wind blowing in your hair listening to the waves coming in against the shore.  Natalie even danced a step or two on the beach which I did catch with the camera but if I ever hope for an encore visit I shall resist including that picture!!

But we needed to keep going so once again we were off on our way to Bicheno to check in.  After arriving and unloading the car we again climbed back in and headed to Scamander.  For some reason I had had it in my mind that we were going to Scamander on the second day to visit Natalie's cousin Sheridan but it really didn't matter either way.  The drive seemed quick from Bicheno to Scamander and after a couple of phone calls Natalie had us heading to Sheridan's home.

Sheridan was great and had some friends visiting so there was much chatting, a bit of wine drinking (I was starting to kind of really like the wine part!) and before I knew it it was time to head back to Bicheno but not before I pulled my camera out for a few pictures (what a suprise!) and one of Sheridan's friends was kind enough to take a picture that included me which really is a rarity as I much prefer being behind the lens...must have been a weak moment after a 'few' glasses of wine?!


Spiky Bridge built
in 1843 by convicts.

 On our way back to Bicheno...or maybe it was on the way to Bicheno...I don't recall exactly when we stopped here but does it really matter?  I'll blame the wine for my memory loss!!  Anyways...we pulled in to take a look at Spiky Bridge. Tasmania has an amazing and sometimes horrifying history of convicts and there are many, many buildings, bridges, etc. that were built in the 1800's by them. 

Spiky Bridge was built in 1843 by convict labor with field stones without the use of mortar or cement and is still able to be used to this day.  The spikes supposedly were put into place to keep cattle from falling of the bridge but that is only a claim...who knows if it is true or not but it sure was an interesting looking bridge.

After arriving back in Bicheno we decided to treat ourselves to a wonderful dinner of fresh seafood caught that day at a nice restaurant on the beach.  I'm sorry but all the scrumptious seafood I had while in Australia has forever spoiled my taste buds for Red Lobster here...there is just no comparison...Red Lobster isn't even second best now. Anyways...

Until next time...wherever you are...have a great day!!

If you would like to see more pictures from Day 1 in Tasmania here is a link to that photo album on Picasa:  Play slideshow