Day 237-238 Port Arthur

I had visited Port Arthur with JJ, seven years ago and although we did not have bad weather during the day we had the worst weather during the Ghost Tour with rain and sleet coming at us from right angles...well Stephen & I got the rain pretty much all day, but that's the nature of the place...it all adds to it's dismal past. Having said that, it does have a beauty and atmosphere all of it's own....I have never been the best in churches, feeling that they are sometimes over the top...this one is great the sky is the ceiling and all of nature to behold.
Bearing in mind that this is still an area that is being restored and a huge tourist attraction, it is a credit to the organiser's with this huge area being a pleasure to explore.
Were the buildings are in disrepair, they have made areas safe and still kept the original look, none of this replace and you can't get a feel for what it was like...bearing in mind that the Government tried to get rid of as much of the area of Port Arthur because of it's past.
This is just above the old Military Station.
Looking through some of the buildings with only the ruined walls and ghost's of the past around you....eerie and very poignant.

Day 237 Richmond

We pulled away from Hobart and headed down to Port Arthur, we could not fit a trip into the town of Ross, so on my previous visit to Tassie I had stopped at what I think is a much prettier town of Richmond. While there we went into the miniature village, which was of the start of Hobart, you can see from the photo above that the detail was incredible... not bad for a visit but boy do they know how to charge!!!!!
There is the Old Gaol there and Stephen still has this yen to get me into compromising positions.... didn't et him tie me to the flogging pole....I would like to point out that he took this picture while sitting on the old privy!!!!
The original gaol courtyard, with the original gaolers residence still in use and not available for public viewing...naturally!
The convicts actually built this beautiful bridge on the way out of Richmond..the detail was fascinating but you can't really see it on this picture... onwards to Port Arthur.

Day 236 Hobart

This is from Constitution Dock, lovely sculptures in the fore ground of penguins & sea lions.
As you can see this is the Steve Irwin she was raided by the Federal Police as soon as she berthed, probably as a result of the "Conversation" with the Japanese Scientific whaling boat,that is obvious on the side !!!!!!!
I believe this is one of the Huon Pine vessels that was built down @ Franklin on the Huon River at the Wooden Boat School in a previous lifetime, when it was a Ship building factory.

She is the oldest one still in use.
Alison in her element. This is a wall of Headstones from the St. David's cemetery that they made into a park. There are hundreds of them. A much nicer idea than removing them all! 

Bruny Island

The sun rise at Bruny Island where we had been advised to go to by Jan & Mike from Melbourne. We had a fabulous time at the caravan park at Adventure Bay, and Chris the owner did a no fish no pay charter.....we left extra early and Stephen caught this beauty.
Then we caught these beauties.... we caught enough Squid, Flathead, Cod and Sea Perch for 20 meals...and yes I out fished him but only by a couple....( Bollocks !!!! S.D)
Going across the island we discovered an old mill area with the old machinery still in evidence.
Then on down or up to another lighthouse on the south point of the Island.
The views are amazing and still awe inspiring.

Day 227-230 Air Tree Walk

This was on the Air Walk that Alison had done with JJ, 7 years ago. I think that this is the nicest of the 3 that I have done, with superb views along the river & over the beautiful forrest.
Yours truly 60mts. above the river.
What a river, just magnificent.
A view in the vertical from below the Air Walk just enormous.
I've always wanted to have a go at Hang Gliding, & at my age I guess this is close as I'll get !! 2 goes which was a rush !!!!

Day 227-230 Franklin Wood Yard

After leaving Mt. Wellington we headed down to the Huon Valley & came across the "Wooden Boat Building School" in Franklin. What a treasure, they teach the students to build a boat in the traditional way! Fantastic !!
This beauty is not far from being launched !
A view from the jetty outside the school (shed ) ! This is just upstream from where our friend Sally is moving to.

Day 227-230 Mount Wellington

My Girlie on the top of Mt. Wellington, notice the direction she is facing, vertigo is a wonderful thing!
Yours truly above Hobart.


If you look hard you can see Turtle waiting our return.