Sailing the seas

Sunday 6th January

 

Yesterday evening we met up with some old friends of Jeanette at Cornelian Bay - a great spot on the water overlooking the Tasman Bridge.  There was a great adventure playground which our kids and theirs had a great time on.  We had a bbq dinner in the park.  The only down side was the increasing smokyness of the city!

 

Sunday morning we drove back into Hobart with the idea of going to the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery... but we found it was closed due to major renovation works.  So what should we do?  Jeanette had an idea - go sailing on the harbour!  So she arranged tickets for a 90 minute trip on the replica tall ship 'Lady Nelson' - pretty much an exact copy of the original built in the late 1700's.  This one had a diesel motor which got us out of the port, then they switched off the engine and hoisted the sails... quiet, peaceful... Fantastic experience sailing in such a unique vessel.  Great watching the crew attend the sails to change directions and work together as a team!  We all loved this experience.

 

 

 Each of the kids got to get their picture with their hands on the wheel... not quite 'driving' the ship, but pretty close!

 

 

Later in the afternoon we drove back past the caravan park to the historic town of Richmond, which is just another 12kms away - we saw where the bushfire had come close to the township a couple of days ago.  Sat on the grass and admired the oldest bridge in Australia. (1823).  Then had icecreams and a wander up and down the mainstreet.  Enjoyed the Wood Work shop and its unique smells - especially the Huon Pine!

 

 

Today, Monday, we spent the morning at the local shopping centre where the blog was updated - wifi reception has been shocking the last few days.  This afternoon we are planning a game of mini golf at the terrific looking 'course' at the caravan park.

 

Tomorrow (Tues) we pack up and drive to Bruny Island via the Kettering Ferry where we've got the next five nights.  Not sure if we'll get any wifi or phone reception there... we'll see how it goes.