Ida Bay railway

Ida Bay railway, a photo by gillitas on Flickr.

SUPPORT IDA BAY RAILWAY, PUT IT ON A TO DO LIST WHEN VISITING TASMANIA, AUSTRALIA

gillitas' photostream

gillitas' photostream on Flickr.

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Tasmania: Australia's Hidden Jewel

Tuesday 9th June

I can see Mount Wellington from my lounge, so it is safe to think that conditions in Hobart Town are fine.

10oc was the forecast for today. The rain seemed to have gone away for a while which is good.

My next article for my course will be about The Breakfast Culture in Hobart, focusing on the IXL complex to start off with. This seemed a good location, to start off in a complex which was possibly once the biggest Jam producing plant in Australia, possibly the world.

WATCH this space :)

Tasmania: Australia's Hidden Jewel

Well Tuesday 2nd was a beautiful day and I made my seemingly usual drive down to Franklin.[I have now submitted my first article for my Journalism course so hopefully Franklin will not need to see so much of me. Meaning to say I can drive straight through moving onto other small locations in the Huon Valley. I do have to stop there once more though as 2 places had merchandise for MS Awareness week and I will need to collect that.

These two shots will show you how calm and lovely it was by the Huon River in Franklin

Then came Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of almost constant rain ! sigh !
We had visitors here from South Australia and I felt really bads for them. Still they will now be back having seen Tassie in rain they want to experience it in sun :) The rain did not stop them doing things. They went to the Tahune Airewalk and also Port Arther. A visit to the latter certainly made them realise how dreadful it must have been for the convicts who had to live down there in the 1800s.
We took the visitors to Salamanca markets Yes in the rain. First they filled up with one of Hobart's great breakfasts and then they went out and braved the weather to enjoy exploring and spending. They will be back.

Tasmania: Australia's Hidden Jewel

This time of the year, now that winter is officially here does mean temperatures get lower BUT the sun still shines. Where I live we now often experience the Bridgewater Jerry. Rathr than try to explain myself I have found this quote on google.

''The 'Bridgewater Jerry' is a fog which occasionally affects the Bridgewater–Hobart area. At night, in cooler months, cold air drains down the mountains of southern Tasmania as katabatic winds and collects in the Derwent Valley. Fog will form if this invading air is moist and cool enough. It drains out of the valley in the mornings, blowing the fog with it. The fog mainly affects the Derwent and the northern and western suburbs of Hobart, but occasionally reaches the Eastern Shore.
The most likely explanation of the term 'jerry' is that it came with convicts from London, where it was thieves' slang for 'fog' or 'mist'. In 1821 Governor Macquarie, staying at Austins Ferry, could not leave for Hobart until 12.30 pm due to thick fog – probably the first recorded Bridgewater Jerry. ''

So Monday morning started out foggy, I couldnt even see the hill which is just across the road. But as the morning progresses and the sun breaks through then the fog lifts and one needs sunglasses. I must admit when I first moved into my house I was surprised, all of a sudden I was having memories of my childhood in England. Now I know that quite often if I leave home and head down the hill then the fog will be gone.

I did this Monday and headed to the shops. I drove along the 'old main road' which runs by the Derwent River. I stopped to take a few photos as I wanted to show the World a special Memorial site.

Here are celebrated Dogs. Dogs that went to war, to Antartica, search and rescue. All manner of special dogs. It is a lovely site on the bank of the river. Inlaid into the path are dog's names, units and people associated with the dogs. There is a nice spot to sit and think about 'man's best friend'

Tasmania: Australia's Hidden Jewel

Been a bit chilly here, I should have gone to Salamanca Markets yesterday to take just ONE photo BUT the light wasnt good. Well that is my excuse and it is true :) Iwill go next week and whether the light is good or not I will take some photos.
We have had some light drizzle but nothing of any real use. As I sit typing this I can see the tree line very close and the land below it is looking very dry. The boys next door are out in their footy shirts so it is obviously not too cold. Just a whimp here :)
The real reason I didnt go to the markets had nothing to do with the weather really. I have MS and yesterday didnt feel strong enough to battle the crowds. The constant having to change ones direction is very taxing. Lol so now you know. But next week we will be taking visitors from South Australia so I will really make an effort.

I have recently received a request for info about Tassie from someone in Spain who has seen my blog. I am more than happy to help out in this respect. So dont be afraid to ask.

Tasmania: Australia's Hidden Jewel

Thursday 28th May

Wooden Boat Centre, Franklin.. I just wanted to mention this location which sits right on the banks of the Huon River in Franklin. Here you can view a good display all about wooden boat building and also see students involved in building boats. Recently a lovely 36foot motor cruiser 'Harvest Moon' was launched from the yard. She was built for owners from NSW who were regular visitors to Franklin while she was being built. The picture is of 'Harvest Moon' which I didnt see launched. This shot was taken 2 weeks before.