Hobart to Port Arthur

Today we set off on a 12 day Adventure.

When we discovered that Outback Spirit did a tour of Tasmania, and it was on sale... 

We didn't hesitate to  book our next adventure.

After all - the best way to Tour is to get someone else to do the driving! 

Without stops it will only take an hour and a half to drive to Port Arthur. 

We will be taking all day with stops at Dunalley, Pirate Bay and Eaglehawk Neck.

(Picnic Lunch at Dunalley)

Between 1832 and 1870 The escape route from Port Arthur at Eaglehawk Neck was protected by a line of (up to) 18 Ferocious Dogs - Chained close enough to touch but not fight each other.  Known as "The Dog Line" it was an early warning system and an effective and Cruel deterrent. 

Port Arthur is possibly the most well known Tourist Stop in Tasmania. 

 

We spent 3 hours in the Peaceful Quiet wandering it's well kept grounds - reading many Plaques that reminded us of its Convict Past.

The Convict Settlement here didn't change Australia - It closed in 1870.  

Today I stood at a Memorial for an event 22 years ago that shattered the quiet of Port Arthur and changed Australia forever.

A day when a lone youth with too many guns senselessly murdered more People, than in any event in Australia's history.

35 including 2 Children, and wounding 23 others.  

It was the event that shocked a Nation - 

It was the event we said "NEVER AGAIN" and led to the Gun Reforms that we have today.

Exploring Hobart

We have Friends and Family living in Hobart, and it was time to make good on the 

"When we come to Tassie - We will catch Up" promises.

So Coffee with a Friend (ex-Colleague of DH) 

and Dinner with my Niece.

(Stowaway Frog was a bit shy but came out of my pocket long enough to check out the menu.)

We went to the Museum where we could touch actual Antarctic Ice. 

 

And learned that unlike the North Pole, which is all frozen Sea Ice.

 

Antarctica has solid ground under it with Mountains, Plains, Valleys and Lakes!

We Strolled along the Famous Constitution Dock

- Finishing Point for the Melbourne and Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races.

...and home to some pretty awesome Restaurants.

And we are off...

... well, we will be eventually.

Today's flight from Melbourne to Hobart was delayed because QANTAS didn't want to send us off in a defective aircraft.

Then, when we were all onboard the replacement, the Pilot tells us that they can't leave because "We have no Snacks and Water" and so we waited until ..

The Pilot announces "Hey, you know what?  We have sat here long enough.  We can live without Snacks - we are going...." 

2 Minutes later ... (very dejectedly)  " they won't let us go without Water.... ".  

So Our 75 minute, 11:40 am Flight Melbourne to Hobart finally touched down at 6:09 PM

Just as well 

(once we arrived in Hobart) 

We had nowhere to Go and All day to get there!

Gone Forever ...

It was once a New Home in a New Housing Estate.

Built with Hopes and Dreams of a Family to share.

The elderly owner - All alone when we moved into the street, taught me how you can live your Senior years with Grace and Good Humour.

She eventually moved to be with her Son in Queensland and I missed those conversations at the Gate.

Today, The heavy equipment came in and reduced it to a pile of rubble - to be taken away and Hopefully, Recycled.

More of Our Street's History - Gone forever.

Another pair of 2 Story Townhouses are taking it's place.

What Hopes and Dreams will come and share our Street? 

We may never know, because Unfortunately, these Homes no longer come with Conversations at the Gate.

More Work ...

March was mainly spent plodding along with the Repairs at DD's.

An important part of this exercise was allowing the Children to Help. 

Showing GD#1 (Miss A) to paint the wall was something she quickly lost interest in.

But GD#3 (Miss P) was certainly not going to miss out -  2 years old and ready to Pitch in and help.

Encouraging her older Sister by example!

And once the Flooring Contractors were finished - It was decided that Grandpa needed help to measure up for the Skirting boards ...

I am sure DH really didn't need the help of a 6 foot long hand puppet but - Sometimes Memories are more important than Measurements ..

(Especially when you always measure twice!)

Starting Work

Back in May - DD had a problem with a thirsty Rat who caused a considerable amount of  Uninsured damage to her Kitchen. You can see the Original Post Here * What Happened in May

It has been a Nightmare - 

Physically, Emotionally and Financially.

Repairing the mess started with the Pantry Repairs and Re-fit.

(Unfortunately we can't make it any bigger - Just more efficient).

In the meantime the floorboards they have, are no longer available 

SO, instead of a small repair... 

the entire ground floor now has to be replaced.

(Taking the opportunity to remove some truly awful Carpet)

And amid all the mayhem - 

GD#3 made sure that Grandpa got ZERO work done!

Look Mum - No Hands!

I love this Photo - It shows TOTAL TRUST

Life Goes on

Introducing Grand daughter Number 5.

Another impatient lass who obviously wants to see as much of 2025 as possible.

Flora Nadalin

18th January 2025

2 weeks early 

7 lb 5 oz  (3,400 gm)

Little Sister to GD #2 & #4 

(Miss H and Miss I)

(With 5 Little Girls maybe it's time for that Embroidery Machine????)

Hello 2025

Not the best start to the New Year.

Yet, Somehow Snoopy always knows what to say...

We didn't know that Miss P's 2nd Birthday was the Last time we would talk.
The Diagnosis was brutal and They Lost Him Four Days before Christmas

Four Days after New Year we said our last Goodbyes.

Our SIL lost his Dad

Our Grandchildren lost their Abeulo

All too soon.

Rest Easy Carlos.