Tasmania - a wedding and catching up with family and friends.
Fine wine; food; art and views, we have so much on offer in our home land.
Our stay at the pier at George Town was reminiscent of days gone. The sun shone, the insects buzzed, the breeze was soft and the air was cool. We overlooked the bay Port area where the Tamar River exits Bass Straight. She Oaks sang wind songs and the gulls sat on the yachts. Low Head and Sarah's wedding is tomorrow. Keith and I had brunch in Launceston and grabbed a bundle of fine Pinot, cheese and exotic goodies to savour in the afternoon sunshine. Our walk along the bay was delayed as locals stopped to talk. We felt like a novelty and at the same time welcome to those bored soles who lived in George Town. Nothing much happens here. Someone tried to get a cat to travel from here to Melbourne, but the Bass Straight's anger soon fixed that. The remains of a million dollar resort called Peppers hovers on the far side opposite our Hotel. We were told that the locals can play rough, it's a low class town, housing commission mostly. That explains the identical clad housing, all painted in cream. No imagination. There isn't much to do except vandalise the new lights that have been fixed into the bay walk retaining wall. But the scenery is idyllic and the locals don't care.
I slept in the sun and absorbed the peace.
The hamburgers at the local were crap!
Saturday and the weather was doubtful. We drove to Pipers Brook to sample Pinot, the wine was better at The Bay of Fires Winery, we ordered 6 bottles, with the intention to lay them to rest for a minimum of five year. We both know this will not happen.
The Low Head Lighthouse. A signal station was set up at Low Head in 1805. It is Australia's oldest continuously used pilot station. The light station, established in 1833, was Australia's third and Tasmania's second. We could see the light house from Ros and Denis's property also Low Head beach and the bay. Magic. The wedding was at the Low Head chapel and after the service every one walked back along the beach to the house. The marquee was set up the waiters poised with Pimms and beer and we had a ball.
Sarah was a stunning bride, she wore Ros's lace vale. Kevin is such a lovely young man and he spoke so well at the reception. He is calm and Sarah is strong, they will do well. He included all in his thanks and showed a lot of warmth to the family and respect to Ros and Denis.
We understood from the warm reception Keith and I received as to how important it was for us to come. Ros was upset that her sisters did not attend as it meant that her mother would not be able to come too. They all live in Adelaide. The rest of the weeding clan were dismissed as those who never get out of their comfort zone. Keith was so happy to be here and we shall keep closer contact with all in the future. Mathew was still scamming, he's so blunt and unchanged. Kate and Christopher have two boys now, Henry is 3 months.
Welcome to Franklin House (1838), we had to go. The day was perfect and so was the Devonshire Tea ($13.50 for two). The National trust was founded in Tasmania in 1960 for the special purpose of purchasing, restoring and furnishing this house which was threatened by demolition. This is where the National Trust started.
The house was built for Mr Britton Jones an innkeeper and brewer, it was a family residence and has a feel of a beautiful house that was loved and used to show off his wealth. The interior wood work is of NSW cedar (Toonciliata), the patina is brilliant. David Keith's deceased older brother had a connection with this House, though loose. The House was used as school, known as Mr Hawkes' Academy. It was a hard life for the boys, but it was the only place for them to go for an education other than being sent off to England at the age of 13 and never seeing their mum or dad until their 20's. So sad.
Franklin House is the only place I have ever seen a meat smoker, it is an upright cabinet with a seat where the cook sat to stop the servants steeling the meat. I took a photo of this rare piece of furniture.
We drove onto to John and Annette's (Lachlan near New Norfolk) via the southern midlands route past the inland lakes. This is a place of ancient highways and hunting grounds; sanctuary for bushrangers in the past; skylines of hills or sweeping valleys. Here sheep graze in the summer and snow covers the high plains in the winter, today the sun shone and tomorrow it will be covered by misty rain. We passed several isolated towns, colonial mansions, sheering sheds but the most noticeable thing was the lack of cars and dramatic views. What a great trip.
John and Annette have 10 acres, several cows; two large dogs; twenty guinea hens; 10 chooks; birds and over one hundred roses. The house is huge and so is the barn, John loves it and Annette would like to go back to the mainland when she retires. The isolation from her children and grand children makes it difficult, I agree.
The Museum of Old and New Art or MONA is outstanding. It opened on 21st January and I have been twice and could go again, I am inspired. Monanism is the opening exhibition of the MONA, it contains David Walsh's (the billionaire gambler and owner/patron) favourite works; the ones that represent him and present him to the world for interest, outrage or indifference. As Keith pointed out some 'artists' are either on drugs or need to be on medication or are just mad and that included David Walsh. I am reading his book which outlines why he built MONA and his choice of art. He could be playing with us, his audience too. b******!
The precinct houses, contemporary French cuisine at Source restaurant; a wine bar; museum cafe; Void bar (which specialises in it's own brewed "Moo" beer and wines). The library will open in April. The internal and external buildings are a structural masterpiece of texture, light sound and space. I want one in Sydney.
The MONA is at the cutting edge of technology, it is brilliant as visitors are able to keep a record of their tour. I love it!
This is what I received in my eMail: Dear Mona Visitor. Your saved O Tour is now available on the Mona website. Please follow the link below to view your tour:
http://mona.net.au/theo/
Regards, Mona.
The Museum of Old and New Art. 655 Main Road Berriedale. Hobart Tasmania 7011. Australia.
Tel: +61 (3) 6277 9900. Email:
[email protected] and web site: www.mona.net.au

Keith and John and had some serious boy time together for their day in Hobart it has been years since they were able to relax and enjoy each other's company.
Keith and I drove to Hobart today, Wednesday, the weather is showery, windy with outbursts of sunshine. Snow had fallen down to 800metres. Had coffee and brunch at the old IXL factory in Old Wharf Hunter Street, the area has been restored rather tastefully and it is worth a visit. We leisurely strolled through the art galleries and timber showrooms, we checked out the tall ships, fishing boats and lobster pods in Victoria and Constitutional Dock. Salamanca Place has not changed since we were here 7 years ago. Has it been that long already or longer? Salamanca looks like Leichhardt's Forum, where the square is surrounded by apartments and shops on the lower levels. Keith and I spotted and bought a beautiful Huon Pine drinks/coffee tray from the "handmark" gallery.
www.handmarkgallery.com
77 Salamanca Place. Hobart, Tasmania. 7000. 03 6223 7895. Huon Pine has such a beautiful golden colour. Liked the exhibit by Faridah Cameron, she translates her artwork to look like tapestry, titled 'sutra' it literally means 'thread' it is delicate work and easy to view.
It is very pleasant having dinner with Annette and John, the life on the property is quiet and relaxed. No phone cell and no interruptions.
No break from the icy winds and lashings of rain. We ventured in New Norfolk to stroll around the many and not so varied antique shops. I think we poked through ten, i have been since informed that New Norfolk is becoming the antique hub in Tasmania. The town is so sad that something has to happen to bring some spark into the town. The shops look drab and rundown and there is little work done to restore the town. There is potential however, a lot of work is needed and when some of the locals die off or move out that would alleviate the gloom too.

www.newnorfolk.org
New Norfolk is located approximately 30 minutes west of Hobart, on the beautiful Derwent River in Tasmania, Australia. New Norfolk has river views, mountain views and valley views all in the one place! New Norfolk is teeming with historic houses, magnificent rugged scenery, and cool restful places to let yourself unwind. A good base from which to explore the surrounding areas. Mount Field National Park is 30 minutes one way and bustling Salamanca market and Tasmania's capital, Hobart is a 30 minute drive in the other direction.
　

　
We have been here a week and we fly out tonight. I will be happy to be home, it has been six months since Keith and I left for Dubai. We both agree that we are looking at having a more settled period. Lunch with Annette and John at the salmon ponds, a little more strolling around the gardens and river bank dinner in Hobart and away we go.
Sydney.