Our plane was on time and as we walked down the stairs onto the tarmac we were reminded that Tasmania is much further south than Queensland. So much cooler.
The walk into the terminal seemed rather long for such a small airport. The security guards were ready for us with questions about covid. Have we been in high alert sites? No. Do we have any symptoms? No. Were we carrying any fruit or vegetables? 😅No. They are just as aware of passing germs to their fruit as much as covid to their people.
We were cleared and stepped outside to a warm welcome from Ginetta & Stephen. We haven’t seen them since before their 2020 year spent in France & Italy. We were meant to catch up in Edinburgh last year but no such luck.
We had a little tour of the docks and things are looking beautiful down by the water. Through Battery Point and along the waterfront to Sandy Bay.
Their house is beautiful. Newly renovated since I was last here. After the downstairs flooded they had to replace floors and carpets and have rearranged rooms. It’s lovely. Ginetta is a collector and has lovely pieces from her travels. They also have a library! With a bar and a sunny corner. We might not want to leave here.
After a delicious Italian style lunch the boys went into Hobart to visit the Mawson Hut and the Lark Whiskey Distillery. Ginetta & I had coffee with a friend from ADFAS. The arts society we are members of.
When the two Stephens arrived home it was Aperol time.
Sitting with a beautiful view we are very happy to be in Hobart
Amid the covid lockdowns in several states of Australia , we in Queensland are fairly safe so we are permitted to enter Tasmania. At the moment!
We are heading to the island state of Tasmania to visit friends Ginetta & Stephen. They moved there about 5 years ago and love it.
After spending last year in France & Italy dodging covid they are back in covid safe little Tasmania.
We plan to fly into Hobart, spend a day or so there before heading to Bicheno and then progressing in an anti clockwise direction around the island.
We were meant to be driving our MG all the way down. Through NSW, Victoria onto the car ferry and arrive in Devonport. But those states are closed so w we are flying.
Tasmania is beautiful. It’s cold, clean and has great food and wine. So follow on for some armchair travel.
The road to Roma was great. The landscape is different to the landscape of the past few days.
A coffee break at Mitchell for the best bakery yet kept is going
Today is sales day in Roma. We heard this was a must. And today was to be a huge day of sales.
What an experience.
The cattle are all penned in groups. The auctioneer moves down one side shouting out prices at a cracking pace. The stock agents are on the other side bidding.
Auctioneers. Agents for the owners bid. Pen after pen.
The cattle are weighed and priced.
Check out the prices. It is amazing how quickly it all happens.
The interactive centre on site explains everything that happens. Wonderful displays.
I needed to get my cowgirl look happening.
I needed a check shirt,❌ warm padded vest, ❌ jeans ✔️pearl earrings ✔️ sturdy slightly muddy boots ❌ ( mine were too clean ) cattle hat ❌. Mine was a sheep style narrow brim. 😬 cattle hats are wide brim.
Definitely would be identified as a non local. A blow in!
Cattle hat. Wide brim.
Feeling slightly dusty we stopped at the wonderful sculpture exhibition by the side of the road. Local sculptors made some great work. It was up for sale. Between $2000 and &12000.
Loved this wooden one titled Family Tree
Visiting the Roma bush gardens helped us identify local trees.
Though slightly amused when we had to move off the walking track for a police car
Back in the car. Y 5pm for a visit to the Big Rig. Oil & gas show.
The story of gas & oil rigs in Roma The big rig.
Interesting show interesting story but slightly underwhelming.
Tomorrow we explore the Main Street area of Roma before heading to stay on our friends cattle property at Drillham.
Our morning started out very chilly! It was 0% here last night.
First stop was the bakery recommended by Sue, the mental health nurse we met in Thargomindah. She was right. It was great. the Sun was out and we sat and enjoyed both it and the coffee.
Across the road – nothing is far here , we went to the Historic House Museum.
Dating back to 1887 the building was purpose built as Charleville’s first national bank, before it went onto become a private boarding house until the 1970’s when it was purchased by the Charleville and District Historical Society. It then became the museum it is today. Filled to the brim with treasures of yesteryear, some dating back as far as the 1800’s.
I particularly like some of the old magazines. I once wrote a blog post on how to pack for a holiday. This magazine gave timeless suggestions on packing including some hints about gloves. Something I had overlooked!!
Visiting country towns I like to support the arts and crafts done by locals.
When I had young children I did various arts & craft and used to sell at markets. I did screen printed t shirts, mosaics, painted pots, folk art painted timber boxes , watercolour paintings – just to name a few. so I like to buy local.
In the store I bought a wooden truck for my little boys, a painted lady beetle for the garden and a metal chook to guard the cubby house.
Lovely back garden of the buy local shop.
Next stop was out of town. We had booked on the secret WW2 tour. How many people knew there is such a site here in Charleville.
We discovered why over 3500 United States Army Airforce personnel were stationed in Charleville during WWII. Julie our guide led, in convoy, a tour to discover; aviation history, romance stories, living quarters and the extreme measures taken to keep one of the most sought after secrets of WWII, safe.
That secret, still not written about in the brochure was the Norden Bombsite. It is a piece of top secret machinery used during the war to pinpoint bomb sites during the day.
It’s housed in this bomb proof shelter.
And when I show and tell you this you have to keep it secret! Shhhh
The actual Norden bomb site.
From there we stopped at other areas.
A more fun one especially for the local girls. Particularly necessary facilities
During the tour we got in and out of our 4wheel drives – again we were so pleased we had left our white BMW at home!
The other tourists were mostly caravaners. A man crazy about things military, from Ballarat. A singlet wearing man and his wife with their two dogs , a younger man in the area filming the Channel 7 show Opal Hunters. such a diverse group.
Next stop was the Royal Flying Doctors. Such an interesting museum. They do so much to support the people who live in these remote areas. Please donate if you get the chance.
Heading back to town we stopped at a park which had the most unusual sculptures. They were actually an invention. What do you think they are?
Did you guess? Read the text on the next picture.
What an idea. One that didn’t work.
Back to the motel to read the papers before heading to the Historic Hotel Corones
Built in 1924 it is quite a landmark. Wonderful timber staircase
Dinner called so we inquired. Bob the owner suggested Malaysian. Not what we expected. They had the usual pub fare. Burgers. Pizzas etc. but he said they were trialing Malaysian curries. We decided to live dangerously.
Not bad at all.
However the lovely people we met on the way in didn’t feel so adventurous and opted for pizza.
We met these two couples from properties in Moree. What lovely fun people.
We’ve exchanged contact details and I’m sure we’ll catch up. They have kids in Brisbane so often come up. Hope so. They were great fun.
We couldn’t spend too long chatting as we were booked at the Cosmos Centre. Back out of town near the Secret WW2site.
After these indoor photos we went out doors and for an hour and used powerful telescopes and learned about and viewed several stars, a nebula, and finally the best view of the moon I’ve ever seen. Quite amazing.
Our guides for this were 17 year astronomy nuts. They were so professional. In the dark it was impossible to see what they looked like but they sounded so knowledgeable. we’ll done to them
By now pretty close to freezing we wanted to get back to the hotel. Tomorrow Roma.
It’s good to get away for a road trip – especially during these random covid lockdowns.
We decided to stay in Queensland to avoid border closures.
Looking at the ‘What’s On’ on Queensland website and the dates we could travel, we came upon the Thargomindah Channel Country Music muster.
2 Days of Bootscootn’, Toetappin’, Bush Poetry , Country and Western music.
Thargomindah is a long way from Brisbane which means a couple of nights along the way.
First stop – one of my favourite country towns, Goondiwindi. This is primarily cotton country. As you drive from Toowoomba you start to see little cotton balls along the roadside. And rolled bales in the fields.
Arriving in Gundi – as it’s known – we are staying for the third time in the motel just off the Marshall Street. Just near the New Dynasty Chinese restaurant, where we are meeting friends for dinner tonight.
I headed straight out for a walk down Marshall St. I love the Art Deco buildings.
The Main Street has beautiful buildings and a good selection of shops. Nutmeg with its homewares, Audrey has beautiful clothes and just off the Main Street is the Goondiwindi Cotton Company. I’m headed there tomorrow!
We met up with Sandi and Mike Henderson, parents in law to our friend Lauren Harrison- now Henderson. We love catching up for a drink and tonight a meal at the Chinese. Lauren& Nick have two little boys. Beautiful boys – and George 3 is mad about everything farming. we had a great meal and shared lots of chat and laughs before the two little boys needed their beds!
We headed to our motel in time for some TV.
Tonight is State of Origin night and this town so close to the border of NSW is torn about who to support!
Tomorrow more exploring along the art & sculpture trail before heading to St George.
Our fifth & last day has arrived and we are keeping our fingers crossed for some fine weather.
It started out cloudy and a little drizzly so after breakfast we braved the conditions and did a reef walk with Jacinta.
She’s a marine biologist and has lived here for 3 years. She was able to fill us in on all we could spot on the calf high water of the lagoon.
We handled a sea cucumber – lovely and slimy and not as prickly as they look.
We headed over the runway to the light house and made our way along the beach to enter at the coral garden. The wind has changed and it’s a little windy at the lighthouse ended today.
I’m writing this sitting in a white moulded deck chair. I had the loveliest snorkel in the coral garden. Aptly named it’s a real garden of blue tipped coral with so many beautiful fish.
We haven’t spotted a manta ray except through the glass bottom boat. But not while snorkelling. The fish life more than made up for it.
The sky is blue and the sun is out. Perfect for our last day.
We stay at coral gardens until at least 2.30. We skip lunch each day having had a great breakfast but today I’m feeling hungry. We eat some cheese then still dresses in my wetsuit Steve & I head to the lagoon out the front of our cabin.
It’s been very windy there all week but Jacinta, our guide this morning, convinced us it would be worth snorkeling at high tide.
In we went. It was windy but underwater was another world. It’s just deep enough to kick along so you are very close to the reef.
We spotted and swam with three big turtles and a black tipped shark. Lots of colourful fish. An octopus…….
Such a great way to finish.
Dinner tonight: salmon, potato bake, salad and fresh vegetables!
The beauty of Queensland is there are so many great places to visit close to home.
It’s school holidays so eldest son Peter is home and invited us to have a day out on his boat. He keeps it at home and trailers it to boat ramps for a days outing.
Today we headed south towards Dreamland. Just behind there is a boat ramp and today, a Wednesday, it wasn’t busy.
In no time the boat was in the water and we were away.
We were heading towards South Stradbroke Island. I’ve written an earlier blog on North Stradbroke- go back and read it.
Today South Straddie. We headed into the wind so it was a little breezy !
Ollie didn’t like it much! He pulled his hat down and listened as I sang in his ear.
Happy but hiding from the breeze
We passed the lovely Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove. We’d stayed there a few times when the boys were young. It’s a lovely resort.
There’s a beach where you can pull up and jump out onto the sand. The minute you arrive it feels like a holiday.
There is a restaurant with indoor and outdoor tables. all very casual resort style.
We made ourselves comfortable in the shade, waiting for our lunch to be delivered and were entertained by a watching a large lizard roaming around.
Ollie watched from the safety of Didi’s arms.
Our lovely lunch came – nice salads, sandwiches and fish & chips. Ollie liked his kids serve contained in a pirate ship!
Good to look at!
After lunch along came a wallaby! So much entertainment.
Standing up for a better view!
Following the wallaby show we played in the sand and the shallows until time to go.
El and I walked along the path to find the camping ground. It’s really lovely. There’s a few tent structures for hire if you don’t want to bring your own. lots of bbqs , picnic table and access to the beach. We decided we’d like to come here to stay.
Back on board the breeze had dropped and we cruised back via Couran Cove. There are some great looking houses. Again we decided it would be good to rent a house when we want a family getaway.
We cruised around the canals of the Coomera area. Then back to the boat ramp.
Ollie was having a great time and loved running up and down the ramp! With me in hot pursuit.
He wore himself out and slept on the way home.
Why not consider a Queensland holiday? Right in our own backyard we have a wealth of great beaches, rivers parks. Plan a visit soon. You’ll love it.
This year has been so hard with covid. Restrictions, closed borders, no live shows, restaurants and businesses closed.
Living in Queensland has been better than most states. We’ve had very few local covid infections. We’ve been lucky.
Now we are able to move around between states and things are opening up.
These past 12 days in Adelaide have been a return to live music, concerts. A Festival – probably the first in the world to go ahead.
Today Tuesday was our last day. I had one last long walk. Beautiful homes and gardens.
A favourite is in Avenue St. The house is beautiful. Not overly big or grand but just lovely. Pale sandstone, bricks, little Juliette style verandah, a sunken pond, a gazebo and best of all – a fairy garden.
Then, a new coffee shop. There are lots of great little coffee shops nearby. But today we visited a beautiful one in Norwood. Along with a bookshop.
I had to visit what is probably the best – certainly the biggest bookshop in Adelaide. Dillons Bookshop in Norwood is amazing. Don’t miss it. Norwood is a great area for shopping. The Parade is the High St shopping area with lots of great shops and beautiful buildings.
In the afternoon we head up to the Adelaide Hills to visit niece Vashti, Jeremy and their four children. They have a small farm with chickens, alpacas, dogs and a dam. The children had gone blackberry gathering so we had them along with champagne and little sausage rolls Marg made. They are really nut, oat, feta rolls and so delicious.
We sat around the fire pit – but the weather was so nice. No fire needed.
Our last night we went to our last Fringe show. But before it we had dinner at a very popular Afghan restaurant called Pawana. You may have heard about it. Run by a couple who migrated here in 1987. Please click on the link and read about the family and the restaurant.
Read the story. They welcome you to the restaurant like into their home.
The owners of the restaurant receiving an award from the Afghani Ambassador.
We had a beautiful meal – delicious dumplings and an eggplant dish so delicious I could eat it every night.
The cook book from the restaurant
Following dinner we moved onto the Grace Emily Hotel. It has seen better days, is a little moth eaten but is a small hotel full of charm.
An eccentric little nativity scene! I think! Look closely.
We saw The Ukulele Death Squad. Mmmm some very strange named Fringe shows. We thought it would be more of a ukulele band but it was two ukuleles and three other singers. They sang Nick Cave songs. Quite well actually and we enjoyed it.
So my ten days in Adelaide is over. It’s been great.
I recommend a visit to the Adelaide Festival. Writers Week. The Fringe, Womad. Take it all in.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my week at the Writer’s Festival. The line up, the talks, the books and the magnificent setting.
So low key – set under the trees in Pioneer Women’s Memorial Gardens. How lucky I’ve been.
In these days if covid there have been so few activities to go to. I think we’re a bit over being inside, being on zoom, seeing things on line.
Now is the time to attend things. Get out and support the arts. In covid safe ways……. we can attend. And I’m making the most of it.
Vashti, Marg Steve and three year old Florence went to a session on our relationship with China.
Former Australian Ambassador to China Geoff Raby explores China’s newly assertive place in the world and the implications for Australia in his new book, China’s Grand Strategy and Australia’s Future in the New Global Order. He is joined by Chongyi Feng ( an academic in China studies) to discuss what – if anything – can be done to repair this critical geopolitical and economic relationship.
A very interesting discussion. They agreed on some points. They disagreed on others. Our relationship with China has deteriorated and we have to somehow restore it.
We made our way up to Rundle Mall making a stop at Haigh Chocolate shop. An institution in Adelaide Steve popped in for a purchase and we admired the Easter window.
Further along the Mall , past the buskers we went up to the Fringe installation- The Plastic Shop. Celebrating the last of the single use plastic bags
All kinds of buskers
The Plastic Shop is set up like a mini supermarket and everything is made out of plastic!
All covid safe we entered and three year old Florence was intrigued!
Read some of captions on the plastic magazines.
A walk down the hill past Adelaide University, a stop at a Vietnamese bakery and home in time for the other children to arrive from school.
Then it was out for an early dinner at a little Italian restaurant before a big band concert.
We drove through Norwood a lovely suburb with wide streets, lots of roundabouts, beautiful big houses and a great street sculpture.
By day and by night. A story lights up in the sculpture.
The Norwood Hotel is a beautiful old pub and has a room where lots of Fringe activities take place.
The K&N brass band originally formed in 1898. They have played at Australian band championships and won medals. So they are good!
They played the music from ‘Brassed Off ‘the movie. A narrator gave an outline of the story before each piece.
What a great night!
On the way home we stopped at the street sculpture to read the story – about an Italian woman who lived in the Norwood area during WW2 and about her family growing up there.
Notice the story in coloured writing.
Back home we decided to finish off the night by re watching the Brassed Off movie!
I walked a different way to the bus stop today. That’s what I love about visiting a new city. Discovering.
I walked the leafy streets of Highgate towards Unley. The houses are a style so different to the timber houses of Brisbane. They are stone, solid, traditional.
The gardens are lovely though dry. The grass out front only green when lovingly tended & watered. Front fences are a mixture of brush, picket and stone. Except for my sister in law who has created a very Australian style using corrugated iron.
I walked along Unley past Waldorf College where my niece Vashti teaches instrumental work.
This is the city of churches and in a few blocks I passed several.
Some beautiful Memorial gates.
I arrived at the Writers Festival marvelling at the glorious weather. I sat under the trees listening to Sigrid Nynez.
She wrote What are You Going Through ? A book about a woman who helps her friend prepare for death after a cancer diagnosis. Not an easy topic but obviously written with feeling.
Next up was Australian Steven Conte. Author of The Zookeepers Wife – which was also made into a movie but today he spoke about The Tolstoy Estate his book set in 1941 in Russia.
I caught the bus home and got ready for a 6pm start of the Opera Midsummers Nights Dream. Shakespeare set to music by Benjamin Britten.
Directed by Neil Armfield a wonderful Australian director we knew this would be different.
The costumes were wonderful as was the staging. I thought the first two acts were way too long ! The individual singers were great but the music by Britten was not tuneful enough for me.
The theatre was great. Big foyer and everyone had to wear masks from the moment you set foot inside.
This included during the performance. You could only remove it to sip a drink.
frans travel tales 