New years resolution

My news years resolution- to try and keep the blog updated at least with photos and at least monthly. So here goes. Our first full week back at work. Weather a mixed bunch but we managed a walk up Mt Kau Kau with Alison and John,  a walk round the harbour, some summer city events (Beat Girls and Sean Preston), Mary Poppins and Elaine Page. Also managed to clean the front deck ready for staining and a bike ride (only to Tawa due to strong northerly). Glad it is a long weekend- need time to recover from a very enjoyable week.

On Sunday we went to Alan and Angela's house warning.  Left early to head to a art show at Otaki but traffic was backed up to Whena tapu due to an accident - I don't think a major one well here's hoping. We decided to turn around and spent an enjoyable 2 hours at Plimmerton. There we enjoyed a sunny and breezy walk and saw a near disaster unfold. 3 young boys being pushed out to sea in a rubber inflatable. A man swam out to rescue them while the parents watched their 3 young boys with no life jackets float out to sea.

Another weekend we stained the deck and it looks pretty impressive. 

Home from Tassie

Our drive back to Hobart was uneventful.  Long straight roads edged by dry fields- it was here that we saw the drought at it's worst. 14 hours later we were opening our garage door - one of the first times our arrival was marked by warm dry weather. It is good to be home.  We missed our Tabby cat standing on the steps waiting for a welcome home hug.

The first week has been a tad busy. A bike ride to Miramar where we stopped for a coffee and to see a pod of dolphins enjoying the harbour. Some staining of wood work around the garden and cleaning of the front deck.  We caught up with Cheryl in Featherston and went for a walk around biggy Pond and a barbeque at Rebecca and Nylans. Tuesday was a tad windy so we wandered up the steps at Mount Kau Kau and down the other side. Lovely walk in sheltered bush.

Last day in Launceston

We thought we would have a "no car" day for our last day in Launceston. But after breakfast I  suggested we headed off to Franklin house. A two hour walk wasn't that appealing. Have a car will travel and in we hopped.  The house was built for Britton Jones an ex convict, brewer and inn keeper. The house later became a prestigious boys boarding school. Lovely old house with impressive cedar door frames, doors and shutters - apparently ballast for ships arriving to pick up meat and food.

Then it was in to town to see the umbrella shop. The array of historical umbrellas was a bit limited.  Perhaps it was because they were all collapsed and so looked like any other umbrella. We didn't stop long but enjoyed wandering along George Street admiring the Georgian and art decor buildings. One of the things that makes  Launceston special.

We then headed off to Clarendon house down a dandelion edged road. A national trust property the house is closed on Monday's but the grounds were open. An English paradise built for an English gentleman and his family. Gardens lovingly nurtured by volunteers, the house standing proud amongst the 150 year old elms since 1838.  A home away from home - we even felt nostalgic for England.

It was lunch time and we couldn't resist the little historical village of Evandale for a wander and tea and cake.

It was now around 27 degrees and late afternoon so we came back to our accommodation for a rest. I am really enjoying the heat and after a bit of r and r we wandered back down to Cataract Gorge to do the zig zag track. Chinese for dinner and then another climb up the 200 odd steps and steep slopes to begin packing for the long journey home tomorrow. We have had a great holiday but both feel it is time to go home. Alison went round to our place and said we have some great veggies waiting for us. We can only guess how big the zucchinis are.

We found a rail trail ...

Scottsdale is an hours drive from Launceston. We stopped in the little town yesterday after discovering a rail trail sign. We found the bike shop (closed this afternoon and Sunday - half expected a sign saying "gone mountain  biking, back sometime"). After lunching in a little park and making some small talk with a local we went up to the visitors centre to see where we could hire a bike. The first notice said open from 9 to 5 but the second notice said "closed early". That didn't happen in Dolly Parton's song. The local watched us try to open the door and then signalled to come over - she had closed early because it wasn't busy. She thought we could hire bikes at the art gallery but had some doubt in her voice. The gallery was just down the road and besides selling some lovely glass ware and jewelry also sold coffee and cake and yes hired bikes. All arranged for the next day.

We were driven to the start of the 25km trail. First 75% was down hill - I kid you not! A great opportunity to enjoy the tree fern glades and the occasional pine forest. When the slight hill started towards the end of the trip the trees no longer sheltered the path, the sun was out and the wind came up. We were longing for some exercise and got it. My unreliable pedometer on the phone suggested I had walked 11000 steps - not bad for going down hill with no effort.

We were told we might see wallabies (we did) and snakes (we didnt). Bird life also seemed a bit scarce as were other humans (I think we saw 6 over the 25 km stretch).

I always find rail trails are a time of reflection. Men spent their lives building tracks which open up huge areas of countryside and provide a life line to the residents of communities. I am assuming the workers thought they would last forever. Then there is little demand for the rail transport and they are all torn up, flattened and enjoyed by cyclists thanks to local community groups like rotary.  Ironic really since I am a strong advocate of rail for safety and economic reasons.

We stopped at Bridport for a cup of tea. It was a tad windy and we found a new hobby "tea bag flying". 

 There appears to be a lot of road kill around here and the main victim are little creatures from the kangaroo family.  Interesting thing is there are very few scavengers around to clear up the mess.

Our final stop was Grindelwald- a must see according to locals. We pictured a little swiss village lining the road with lots of cafes and novelty shops. Not so - a bit more like an amusement park with cafes that close at 4 (we arrived at 3.58 to late for our waffles and strawberries) and amusement things like paddle boats, jumping pillows and mini golf. All the buildings were swiss style including many of the surrounding houses.

Dinner was at a Thai place - 6 minutes by car says Mr Google - we took a tiki tour and it took about 30 minutes.