Weekend Wanderings...

I have to say we are having some terrific weekends in Tassie...I think we knew we would, but so far the fact that we can get to such great places so quickly is equally as exciting as it is convenient. Especially with a 2.5 year old who, let's face, isn't known for her patience or ability to want to sit in a car seat for any great stretch of time. Who can blame her?!?

Saturday was such a lovely day so we decided on a whim to make our first trip to Launceston (pronounced Lon-cest-on or just Lonnie to the locals). It is a comfortable 45 minutes drive from Latrobe, some 90km down the Bass Hwy to the SE. Dual lane and 110km p/h for the majority of the way means we found ourselves in down-town Launceston in no time. With our earlier obtained tourist maps we looked up the main and relevant streets. It was quite funny to see on a map, "City Park & Monkeys". Lindsay and I thought this might be a misprint. We pulled up at the City Park thinking this would be a good spot for Olivia to have a run and play on some very fun looking playground equipment. A trade-off for having to sit in the car for the past 3/4 of an hour. The park itself sprawls out just adjacent to the main CBD and is next to The Albert Hall Convention Centre. Built in 1891, Albert Hall  is home to the Brindley Organ, Australia's largest organ pre-dating 1860's and was originally constructed to host the Tasmanian Industrial Exhibition in 1891-92. This building is an icon in Launceston.

  

City Park is an amazing spot. Beautiful manicured lawns and tended garden beds, rotundas, sprawling lawns, a duck pond, great playground and BBQ/picnic facilities, the John Hart conservatory (that was filled with lush vibrant orchids this visit) and well, yes...monkeys! Since it was on the map I had to investigate and we found the Japanese Macaque monkey enclosure. This is a completely free exhibit and we were amazed to say the very least! Olivia thought this was pretty cool but Mum and Dad were quite literally gob-smacked...monkeys were not on our "animals-we-might-see-today" list. It really took Linds and I back to when we were kids, visiting Taronga Zoo, it was so nostalgic. Say what you want about animals in captivity but these cute, playful and cheeky creatures were a highlight of the day.

From there we knew we really wanted to visit Cataract Gorge, or the Gorge as the locals call it. We took a few wrong turns and ended up unexpectedly in the hills of Launceston which was great as the views are spectacular. We also ended up at the Trevallyn Dam which is part of the original Hydro Electricity scheme for Launceston. Did you know that Launceston was the first city in Australia to be lit by hydro electricity and also had the first underground sewers in Australia? 

Trevallyn Dam, Launceston

Anyway, we made it to the Gorge and parked on the First Basin side to the south. The Gorge is a natural formation and the southern side or First Basin provides a swimming pool (it was empty this visit), picnic and BBQ area and cafe all surrounded by lush bushland and a chairlift that spans across to the north side. The chair lift span is one of the longest in the world. We took the short walk around the basin that allows you to go over the Kings Bridge, a suspension foot bridge that was floated there in 1867. There is also a well equipped childrens playground that Olivia enjoyed...I think I might need to change the blog name to Play-mania as we seem to be visiting all and any playgrounds on offer down here...but what else can we expect with a toddler!

Kings Bridge at The Gorge, Launceston

View of the First Basin from the Kings Bridge

Cataract Gorge from the Kings Bridge

Another great Tassie play ground!

On our way back from Launceston we decided to take a different route. We headed out to the north east on the East Tamar Highway and followed it up until we had to cross over to the western side on the Batman Bridge. Along the way are a large selection of wineries, orchards and a few berry farms all only 30 minutes drive out of Launceston. Looking forward to getting back there when we have a) more time and b) a more willing and capitulating child. We headed back toward the west and Devonport via Beaconsfield and Beauty Point, past the Narawntapu National Park and Bakers Beach. As it was getting late in the day we just stopped by the National Park quickly to check it out for another day. We were pleasantly surprised to see 4 or 5 large wombats just grazing near the rangers hut. They were so placid that we got some pretty good shots. We will definitely be back, this is only about 30km from where we live.

Wombat at Narawntapu National Park, NE Tasmania

It has been a fun weekend for the Notleys. We even popped over to Don to the Sunday morning markets and picked up the vegies ($18 for a good selection) for the week and Avro Park Orchard at Spreyton for a week's worth of apples ($3.80/2.5kg). I will be back to Avro often as you can select your own apples and pears, various types, from what has been freshly picked and left in the bins. Honesty system in place.

We got some chores done around the house and even had time for a visit to the Bluff and playground and a coffee by the beach for Mum. Topped of with a roast chook and vegies and a few vinos we are ready to head into another tasty Tassie week!

x Katie

Mid Week Mental Health Day...

Well, here we are again...the middle of another week in Tassie. I cannot quite believe we have been here almost a month, the time has flown! This week has seen the start of a little more structure for Olivia (and also for Mummy!). Let me tell you it is sorely needed! Monday was supposed to be our playgroup day but that didn't quite happen as I anticipated as when I arrived at the advertised location, I was told by an admin person that there was no longer a playgroup there...WHAT THE ??? Anyway, undeterred we found The Playhouse, a not for profit community run kiddie gym/play centre in Devonport. Pretty reasonably priced at just a total of $4 for a 3 hour visit. I must admit I was a little unsure whether this was exactly our thing...not sure I can put my finger on the exact reason, call it Mummy instinct! Anyway, we stayed and played and also got some info about Monday Mummys Playgroup at the Community House also in Devonport. We will give that a go next week. Tuesday saw a library visit for story time and some craft and that too was very much welcomed. Olivia even managed to sit through the stories without climbing the walls or chucking any of her very recently trademarked Miss 2.5yo tantie-pants-wobblies. Mummy had a great time channelling her inner crafter constructing a reasonable likeness of a duck from a paper plate.

This week has also seen the departure of dear dummy, with Daddy making the decision to cut Olivia off cold-turkey last Saturday. She has done so well, with only a few requests for it when she has been tired or not getting her way. We have just replaced it with extra cuddles from us and her favourite soft toys, IE "Snurf" and "Snoopy-Von-Schnitzel-Berg".  As a small compensation I took her to Kmart, a place I have barely shopped in recent years until moving here, and I purchased a stroller for her dolls...for $6!!! I couldn't believe it...moreover, it is the biggest hit and needs to be taken almost everywhere with us....mmmmm, maybe the dummy wasn't so bad afterall!

At the library (LINC Devonport) with the $6 doll stroller from Kmart

So here we are at Wednesday...honestly, the day I had been looking forward to all week given that it is Olivia's full day at her new daycare or "school" as we have taken to calling it. Now believe me when I say I LOVE my little person, I truly adore her even during the cranky moments (hers and mine). Olivia's excitement could barely be contained  this morning at drop off, as she practically RAN in, giving me a happy, quick peck as I signed her in and skipping off amongst the other little people. Is it bad to admit I nearly skipped of equally as pleased in the other direction? I think we both sensed that we each needed some space...it was time to see other people...for one day a week at least!

Walking at the Bluff, Devonport TAS

Where did I skip to you might ask? I drove the few streets across Devonport to the Bluff, where Olivia and I have been frequenting the newly finished playground and Bluff beach, but this time with only one thing on my mind. A lovely, mind clearing, solitary walk beside the ocean. A decent walking path winds all the way from the CBD up to the Bluff interspersed with easy parking areas, exercise equipment, play and picnic areas. It was just what I needed. I even checked out the most terrific sculpture by the breakwater, a very recent addition being dedicated in March 2009. Called the Spirit of the Sea, it is a breathtaking (don't think my pics do it justice) piece that was created by Aden and Karena McCleod to reflect the connection of man, the sea and the land. There are also great views back into Devonport and further out to the Bluff and Bass Strait. A must see if you find yourself in the North West of Tasmania.

Spirit of the Sea

Devonport from the Breakwater

The Bluff Lighthouse from the Breakwater

As for the rest of my day, I had some much needed and great adult conversation and coffee with a lovely new friend (you know who you are) and just some time to do a few things without my dear sweet shadow. And as for Olivia's day...what a terrific feeling when hubby and I went together to pick her up. We snuck in and watched her playing and giggling with the other kids before she spotted us and ran beaming towards us, flinging herself into our arms in lovely fits of giggles. Here's to mid week mental health days, for both  Mums and kidlets, and the wonderful feeling of rejuvenation and sense of reinvention that they offer!

The end of a happy "school" day!

x Katie

Some like it hot...

This morning when I popped down to the weekly Latrobe markets for some fresh veggies the sun was shining and the sky was a brilliant blue. It was a far cry from the horrible blustery and wet conditions just a day before! In fact it was, I thought, a great taste of Spring with maybe just a gentle touch of coolness in the breeze. I stopped by one of only the two stands selling veggies at the market and spoke to the vendor. He was a very congenial bloke in his 70's, I mention this only to illustrate that he has been around for a while and most likely knows what he is talking about when it comes to life and Tasmanian weather. He commented on how lovely the weather was and added that Summer has come early. I smiled and agreed, paid for my selection of veggies and went on my way. 

It wasn't until a little later that morning as I hung out some washing and watched Olivia playing in the sunlight bathed garden that it occurred to me...this day, this weather, the weather that I thought of as Spring, is perhaps considered as Summer in Tassie! My ears suddenly rang with the words from the smiling veggie man! Oh dear, does this mean cardigans and jeans will be a 12 month affair? Does a potential 30 degree Celsius day deem cause for warnings from emergency services down here? Surely a taste of Summer will at least present opportunity for the wearing of decent strappy sandal??? 

Whatever the case, today's taste of sunshine...Spring or Summer-like, was wonderful. Poor hubby unfortunately has far too much Uni workload happening at the moment so he did miss a beauty of a day as he slogged away, head buried in lap top and books. Liv and I on the other hand had a great time at the park playing and checking out some great spots for many future picnics by the beautiful Mersey River at Latrobe. The smell of people barbecuing nearly drove us both crazy as it neared lunch time and Olivia even tried her charms on one group of picnic-ers in the vain hope that they might spare us a sausage sanga! Most parks around Tassie seem to have free electric BBQs which is a great thing to see. Perhaps we will post soon with our own experience with one. We even had a chance to knick up to Devonport via River Road on the way home to see the boats on the shimmering sapphire water. It really was stunning and I get goose bumps every time I see the giant Spirit of Tasmania boat(s) docked. I wonder when/if that will wear off?

Looking for Platypus, Mersey River, Latrobe

The rest of the day we just pottered about the house and in the kitchen. I cooked one of the two bunches of rhubarb I bought this morning (2 for $5). It is, like so many acts in the kitchen, more of a technique than a recipe, but I like to roast rhubarb for 15-20 minutes at 180C, cut into short lengths and tossed with a little sugar, vanilla and orange zest and juice. I managed to get my hands on some blood oranges the other day so this was an ideal use for one. I also added a little of the thick and strongly scented local honey I bought this morning as the rhubarb still seemed on the tart side after roasting. The honey also added a little extra syrup to the tender pink stalks. I also always cover the roasting pan with a damp piece of baking paper so there is some steaming action happening. This retains the roasting juices and ensures the rhubarb doesn't caramelise to much or too quickly. Here is my sous chef in action.

Thick local honey called "Garden Variety"

Liv tucking in the rhubarb before roasting.

Roasted rhubarb.

It did cool down quite a bit as the afternoon wore on so this roasted rhubarb and its' juices paired with a thick lemon-scented custard were just the thing for dessert tonight. Still, I am looking forward to Summer raspberries on our pav!  Plenty more to post very soon!

x Katie

Finding our feet...

So last weekend we took some time out from unpacking (and study break for my hubby). Mostly it was just a few short car rides (you have to love Tassie for that!) to the beach, farmers markets, new parks and playgrounds. Here is a taste of the weekend.

Tasmania...why not?

So, picture this...you wake up one morning, the sun is shining, birds singing and life for you and your hubby and 2 year old is pretty good. Well, certainly it's not perfect but you're starting to achieve things, to create a life, make progress on projects to our home, establish some excellent friendships, feel part of a community...then your hubby comes home with some news.

Actually, he calls and tells me that the cement manufacturing plant where he has worked for the past 7 years is closing *GULP*.We were naturally shocked but perhaps not surprised that this happened, the closure of the NSW plant had been discussed before. His job there is effectively over *DOUBLE GULP*, but that the company has offered him a job at another of their plants...in TASMANIA! Simply as that, all in one day.

To be honest we made the decision pretty quickly, it seemed like eerily good timing with a very small child and we had recently discussed what might happen in the near future if a job ever came up at this particular plant in Tasmania...but it was truly just that, a discussion. And here we were with the actual option before us. Sure there were going to be some cons, though nothing seemed like a deal breaker at that stage. We very quickly made a first trip down from the mainland, our first EVER trip to Tasmania, to see what we think. We fly home 4 days later, the lease to a new house signed and the newly cut shiny keys pressed firmly in my pocket.

Then a few weeks of planning and packing and a few back and fros for hubby. To be honest, it all seemed too easy until it came to the crunch and on the day of the removalists arriving to load the truck and hubby 1,500km away in Tasmania, our 2 year old is rushed to hospital with suspected pneumonia. That put everything into perspective. With our whole life in limbo and our only child so sick and in hospital life seemed to have shifted into overdrive. Husband promptly arrived, and together we worked it out, one day at a time. Our dear daughter spent about 5 days in hospital and the stress seemed like it might never end. Even after she was discharged we flinched and worried with every cough, any sign of laboured breath. It.was.horrible.
The amazing thing is how resilient kids are and how strong you can be as a parent, even when you think you are about to break.

So we set off on the long journey to our new home and a new chapter in our lives. I won't go into all that now but here we are, 3 weeks into our Tassie adventure. Lots has already happened and I will certainly post on all of those things soon. I won't post every day as I want to be out there, living this taste of Tassie. Posts will be often enough though and they will be just that, a real taste of our life in Tasmania. I hope you will join me and share this unbelievable experience and give me your thoughts, ideas and tips. Until next post xxx.
Katie