Sheffield Murals
February 15, 2008
Public art is more popular in Tasmania than i realised. Here’s a whole town that devoted itself to supporting local artists by painting murals on every available surface (Sheffield, slightly East of Cradle Mountain).
And i caught a picture of this very strange dog. I thought it must have been an elaborate kind of poodle. “Look at this dog,” i said to Tim. “You idiot, that’s an Alpaca,” he replied. Oh, yes i see that now.
Plus, this little valley called Wilmot, on the way to Cradle Mountain, has an abundance of Gorgeous Quirky letterboxes; and even a mural, celebrating said boxes.
(image links to larger version)
You’ll see on the map, that Sheffield is right near a place called Promised Land.
photos from Tasmania
February 5, 2008
Here’s my collection of photos from Tasmania (selected). Or, view via flickr (slideshow).
Oh this flickr slideshow might be better..
comments welcome
kthxbye
Murdunna Mur-what?
February 1, 2008
i’d never heard of Murdunna, but now i know it’s a beautiful part of an unbelievably gorgeous world. These Tasmanians have got something really special going on, i’m telling you.
Well it’s on the Tasman Peninsula, so like the rest of us Australians they’re not always 100% imaginative with the naming. But “Murdunna” that’s .. experimental innit?
Thanks so much Julie and Annie for hosting me and my tent. Really lovely to hang out with you and the kids.
World’s best fish and chip shop – who would have thunk it? Huge tubs with exotic fish swimming about. No photos, darn!
Wineglass Heaven
January 17, 2008
i’ve been waiting a long time to visit Freycinet. Such is my geographical ignorance, i thought it took up most of the Eastern coast of Tasmania; thankfully i am more knowledgeable now.
The trek across the hill to Wineglass Bay is sumptuous and rich. i was so excited i almost ran up the hill, but had to remember the injured ankle.
Lucky me, i got to visit my lovely cousins in Dolphin Sands, Swansea; the most wonderfully delightful people whose humour and grace kept me thoroughly nourished. Highlights were:
- Fi’s brilliant cooking,
- Tim’s voracious bike-riding,
- Mikey’s killer bowling,
- Lucy’s competitive edge,
- Martin and Polly’s bathroom stories and
- Richard’s Slivovitz.
Yum! Thank you all.
Cradle Mountain Joy
January 15, 2008
What a breathtaking experience! Cradle Mountain is jaw-droppingly beautiful; i’m so glad i went there. And very happy that i wound up with a flat tyre at the very summit (no, the carpark really) meaning that i had to stay overnight and get more walking joy in the morning.
The walk around the lake was strenuous enough for me, with my flat-tyre-style ankle (mild recurring sprain); interesting how the whole thing has been made into a boardwalk, so that plants can continue to grow underfoot. Maybe one day i’ll do the five day overland trip.
Driving down the next day was unnerving, as i was driving my wonderful sister’s car with one of those strange ’space-saving’ pretend tyres instead of the real thing. “Don’t go over seventy,” i was warned.
So it turned out that Fiona was giving birth to Son Number Two in Halifax just as i was walking through the fields of joy. Yay for Fiona, Paul, Sasha and the New Thing. That Sociology Lecturer, she is a Legend!
Love youse all for reading,
michael
Big Tassie Penguin
January 13, 2008
Stepped off the ferry at six am, and the furtherest (sic) i could travel was the wee hamlet of Penguin, twenty minutes away. Largest indoor sunday market on the mid-north coast of Tasmania; how could i resist?
Postscript: how many penguins can you see in this picture?
Do they serve penguins to the folks with age-related issues, or do they bring meals to the elderly penguins?
(More penguin photos over on flickr; eg slideshow.)
Still waiting to hear how Fiona and Paul are going in Halifax with their current adventure. Hanging out for some news. Sending out the positive wishes, prayers etc.
airport disco adventure
April 3, 2007
Sam and Tim went to Tasmania. i went to the airport. That was fun too, especially when we rocked up the first time, and there was serious disco playing in the car as the kids got out. Tim says, “You can’t go til the song’s finished.” But i was mean, and i drove off, dancing in the driver seat.
It was a great mix, on 3RRR, song after song of goodness. We heard a full on version of oh, what was it, with Siouxsie on backing vocals .. remind me Tim.
mm, take a look at Uncle Paul’s view, on the Ratty Blog. i wanna go to Tassie already.
