Tasmania From Launceston to Freycinet

The day begun with breakfast in one of many of the great bakery of Tasmania. And after a short stroll around the book shops we headed out on our next full day of Tasmania senery.

The day begun with a walk to another waterfall. Get use to this, waterfalls become an important part of our Tasmania trip. They are amzaing things. So this day we head to Ralph's Falls. Where we find this breath taking view and made a friend.

The view from Norm's Lookout


Ralph's Falls


Grasshopper


This was follwed by a outstanding walk through the Mount Victoria Forest where I came arcoss a Tiger Snake, going the other way. With some relief on my part. And a walk to Saint Columba Falls.

Mount Victoria Forest


Saint Columba Falls


After a fun packed morning we found a ture Australian, homely pub to have a cold beer and refill our stomachs. Whislt sharing a cold one with the local pig.

The Pub in the Paddock


With our stomachs full and our feet well rested, it was time for a gentle stroll along the bay of fires. It was out of the this world. And the sea was so blue. Sue and I got into the hoilday spirit and had a paddle. Mark informed us, as he dose that we didn't have time to swim. The whole time we were there I had to pick myself. As I never thought I would be walking on a beach with such blue sea and white sands.

Bay of Fires


A lovely relaxing day was finished at Freycinet Lodge where we enjoyed walks along the beach, a good meal, wiskney tasting, twilight walks with many Australian animals. I think my best moment was resting on the beach watching the bright stars and listening to the waves. It took me right back to the evenings I spent on the beaches at home with my greatest friends.

Freycinet Lodge


Claire at Freycinet


Sunset At Freycinet

Tasmania Day One

After a full fun packed few days on the Great Ocean road. I begin to see once again how amzaing this Country really is. If anyone wants a tourist guide for the great ocean road. I would be happy to take the position.

My next Challenge was my first ever over night trip on a ferry to Tasmania. The roughness crossing in Australia. I was told. Which is not what I wanted to hear as me and ferries have never seen eye to eye. I have to say though the crossings were not as bad as I was expecting and defendently worth it.

When on the boat we head straight to the deck to help me find my sea legs.



We say godbye to Melborune en route to our 2 week hoilday in Tasmania.



And when the ships captin wake us up at 5.45am. We were welcomed by Devonport welcome at 6.20am and our Tasmania advnture began.



Once we had found breakfast our journey around this amzaing place began. We head to the Liffey falls for an early morning walk.







This was followed with a drive through the Great Western Tiers, a walk along Pencil Pine lake and then a drive to Launceston, a bit of bird watching and an evening stroll up Cataract Gorge.

Pencil Pine Lake


Central Okateau


Sue teaching Claire the skills involved in bird watching


Sue I've found something.


Cataract Gorge

The Great Ocean Road

After working hard for 10 months, and welcoming our first UK visitors to our home. We head out on our first Australian trip down the great Ocean road and around Tasmania.

We drove down the great ocean road over 3 days before getting on the ferry in Melbourne. Our first days travel found us in Robe.

On the way to Robe we went along the Coorong and came upon a salt lake.



Robe



The second day we headed to Warnamboll. On the way Mark showned us some of the azaming places he has found on his work trips.

Cape Douglas



Mark taking photo at Cape Douglas



A Farrell photo



The third day we head to Lorne, recommended by a work mate of mine. It is a place I would fully recommended. It serves the best Paella that I have every tasted, with a great atomphere.

Claire at Port Fairy



London Bridge



The 12 Apostles

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Claire at the twelve apostles



Rainforest at Melba Gully



Erskine Falls

Christmas down under begins

I know before you say anything, I need to blog about the holiday we have just had to Tasmania and down the great ocean road. I promise I will once Mark has sorted all the photos, but I really wanted to tell you about the beginning of our Christmas down under. It’s something I will never forget.

The weather outside maybe in the mid 20’s to low 30’s and the local radio stations don't play christmas music 24/ 7 from the 1st December, there was nothing that was going to stop us getting inro the christmas mood. So the last few weekends we have been busy writing cards, wrapping presents, making a christmas cake and getting a really Christmas tree.

I think the christmas tree has to be the best part of it. We found a Christmas farm on the internet and headed to the Adelaide hills to select one. When we arrive we are welcomed by a young girl from Manchester. She handed us a saw and said, have a drive round and chop your own tree down and then come back to me.

So off we went in Larry the Freelander in search of the best 6ft Christmas tree we could find. We drove to the top of the hill to find what lay in front of us under a clear blue sky and a bright shining sun was row upon row of Christmas trees, surround by eucalubts trees, yellow grass, and grape vines.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.555730547263.49144.289200057&type=1&l=4e8079e35d
check out the above website for mark's photos of him cutting the tree down.

After satisfying Marks need for off road driving we selected our perfected Christmas tree. Once I’d checked that I could reach the top, so that I would be able to put the star on the top. Mark demonstrated his muscle and cut the tree down. Once home the Christmas music was playing and the tree decorating began, that is once we had rid the Christmas tree of Australian bugs, a Ground Assassin Bug.

http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_assinsinbugs/GroundAssassinBug.htm

Outdoor writing session

Well the weather is improving this side of the world, so much so that I am sat outside writing this in the garden at our new table under the sun umbrella. I am having a day off today as I am off to Guide camp this afternoon and had a few last minute things to sort out before the arrival of the in-laws on Monday morning. I didn’t think I would be in any state to do the last minute things on Sunday evening when I return from camp.

I have to say I could get used to this life, I am feeling so relaxed at the moment. Well I won’t keep going on about the fantastic weather as I know you don’t want to hear that when you will all be watching the grey clouds and rain. You wanted to hear about what Mark and I have been up to, don’t you?

Life is becoming very normal over here and I like that fact. We are beginning to feel part of the community and that we have some true friends over here, which is a lovely feeling after so long, feeling lost.

So since I last wrote what have we been up too? Let me consult the UK calendar which was given to me as a Christmas present last year from Kelly Webster (Thank you), it has been a great help with keeping up with holidays and special days in the UK which are different to here. Where was I? Oh yes what have we been up to?

Well the weekend following the gentle bike ride to the McLaren Vale in 30 C sun shine we had a lovely weekend catching up with friends. A phone call from the UK started my weekend off, from Danny. This was followed by drinks and pub a meal with Jen on Friday night. Saturday was a last minute dash to get items needed for the visitors and a lovely catch up meal with Evie. Evie worked with Mark in Bangor for a while and is currently over here for a few weeks with work. It was so lovely to catch up and talk to someone who knew Bangor and Anglesey so well. Sunday I managed to get Mark to help in the garden putting together the new table and BBQ. Whilst I did some weeding, before we head out to Jon and Liz’s house warming BBQ. And I have to say the table and BBQ have been used already this week.  We are becoming true Aussie, BBQ meals most evenings.

Oh I almost forgot last week I participated in a game of Boccie with work colleague, during Tuesday lunch time. It’s like playing bolls. We are in a 6 week league playing against different companies in the city. It was great fun we walked to the park and played in the sun. We didn’t win but we had a very relaxing lunchtime. Though I have to say this week they did win 12-2. I was not playing because I was giving a presentation up North but I hope to keep up the winning trade next week.

Well I think I should wrap this up as it is almost becoming too hot to be out here. This weekend as I said I am off to Guide camp. Mark will be out with Evie on Saturday walking at Deep Creek and on Sunday he is off out on his bike with Jon and somewhere between everything he will complete the list of things that I haven’t had time to do. Before his parents arrive on Monday morning.

If either set of parents are reading this we hope you all have safe journeys and I hope my parents have had a great time away. Love to all the family. Claire and Mark.

The sun is out, winter says goodbye

Well yet again we have been busy since the last blog.

On the 16th October I attended a Sangam birthday party (one of the girl guides world centres in Indian). It was a great day there were girls there from 7 to 14 and all girls seems to have a great time.

The week was filled with busy jobs and a great evening at the girl guides meeting. As I had planned a crystal palace wide game, based on the 1909 Boy Scout Rally. This was followed by a little party for Dayan as it was her last meeting before moving back to New South Wales. You will be missed Dayna.


The last A Team photo



Wide game played, girls have all gone, time to party


Judy as Baden Powell at Crystal Palace


Sandy sporting the present from Dayna.

On Friday night we watched as Australia bet Wales in the world cup match. Though did you see how George North defended a try from Australia? Dayna and Nick joined us for dinner, drinks, amazing mars bar slice and a game of National Trust Monopoly. We had a great evening. Thank you Dayna and Nick, we hope you have arrived home safely.



Saturday I continued to prepare for our visitor, whilst Mark went out to help with mountain biking trail building. In the afternoon we had a relaxing visit to Semaphore beach, which involved reading my book in the sun, fish and chips and an ice cream, great evening.

Sunday we visited Jon, Liz and Elenor and cycled to Mclean vale for a lovely lazy lunch. On our ride we rode passed some amazing views and baby lambs (still not quiet used to seeing lambs in the field in October). It has been a fantastic way to spend a sunny day and my mother’s birthday.


Elenor and I chilling out at lunch


HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM was great to speak to you on the phone. I wish I could be there with the rest of the family. Love you xxxxxx

The beginning of September started well with some good rugby and a fantastic day camp with the girl guides during the second weekend. Where the girls had to make a three course meal on a camp fire, this ended with a camp fire, singing, hot chocolate and marshmallows. I even knew some of the songs.


Left to right Sandy, Fi, Dayna, Me and Judy.

The third weekend was a quiet affair with a good walk along part of the Hynes trail. This weekend was followed by me having a car crash, when someone went into the back of me. When driving for work. I am alright just a little bit of wipe lash, which is still lingering 2 weeks on. During the same week Mark headed to Perth for 2 weeks for work conferences, which meant that Mark had a weekend in Perth and I had a girlie weekend.

Just a few things Mark saw on his trip between going to 2 conferences.




I need to look this one up


This is a Kangaroo Paw.

The last week of September Mark was still in Perth and I went to the Yorke Peninsula for work, visiting clients and presenting the RSB at a field day. This week seems to have been a great suggests. I have double the caseload. Below is a picture of the sunset at Port Victoria. Beautiful place and worth the drive.




The last weekend in September was another quiet one as Mark came back and collapsed in front of the TV and the rugby. However last weekend we had a Public Holiday so Monday was spent walking again, this time in the Barossa.


October has begun and Mark and I are now on count down till our first visitors come and stay from the UK.

A birthday downunder - Mark still not use to having his birthday in the winter or the fact that there is no bank hoilday

August ended with a grown up visit to the tax man and Mark’s birthday. As the Australian tax system works slightly differently we decided it was best to get someone in the know to sort out our yearly tax contribution. I have to say that I felt very odd and really old. It dawned on me that my childhood is miles behind me now.

Mark’s wish for his birthday was some new bike wheels and breakfast and dinner out. So after being a child on Christmas day, with his bike in the garage, we headed out to the ‘Tin Cat Café’ for an alfresco breakfast (I would fully recommended it, if you find yourself in Kent Town, Adelaide). The afternoon was spent in the Greenhill Park, watching the city below, in the warm winter sun, accompanied with a good book and a delicious slice of stout chocolate cake.







For our evening meal we visited Maximilian’s (Adelaide Hills) for some European food. It was an entertainment evening as the restaurant is like stepping back to the 1980’s. My starter of salmon and green salad was fantastic, though it was a downhill experience from there. My main course was chicken wrapped in bacon and cheese. It was very tasty expected for the drowning it was given in beef gravy. Which I am sure went very well with Mark’s peppered steak. Desert was lovely but I don’t think there was any need for the frosting of icing or for the disk to be served on a doily. This was shortly followed by Mark jumping out of his skin when the chief appeared from behind him, wearing the tallest chief’s hat you have ever seen (By this point I was laughing so hard, by sides were hurting). Our bill arrived with a strawberry covered in levels of sugar (oh my god sugar over load).

September has begun with a family Diamond wedding anniversary and a number of birthdays. We wanted to wish Les and Gladys many happy returns, and we hope you enjoyed your celebrations. We are sorry we could not be there it share in them. We also hope that all the friends that have had birthdays recently, have had a great day. September work wises has come with its ups and downs for both of us, but we are working through them and hope that things well improve. Mark is currently preparing for a few days in Mount Gambia, followed by 2 weeks in Perth, so this weekend is being spent in front of the rugby world cup. I will also be running a day camp tomorrow with the Girl Guides to complete a 3 course meal on the camp fire. The waterproofs are ready as the rain has set in over Adelaide this weekend.

Last weekend we ended up going for a drive around the Adelaide Hills and the Murry River. Below are a few of our favourite photos.