We both thought it would be cool to watch the tail-end of the Sydney-Hobart yacht race, particularly as there was a bit of a battle between the two leading contestants; Wild Oats XI and Skandia. However, two factors put us off: -
1. The expected time of arrival at Hobart battery point (finish line) was dawn.
2. Tasha decided to have a dodgy belly overnight.
Factor number 2 was bad, but number 1 was the outright winner. Not so bad if you've started partying the night before at 2am and exited the club at 6am, but a tad too much if you've been attacking the home-made margarita ice-cream and red wine whilst watching a crappy lat-night film!!
However, we managed to make it to Hobart during Sunday (reasonable hours) and did have a sticky beak at the yacht's in the harbour. None of the crew were around - they were all in the pub!
Monday 29 December 2008
The Taste of Tasmania
Every year 'The Taste' comes to town, with a wide variety of food 'n' booze stalls, live music, art, street entertainment and other stuff. So, doing our bit to support the cultural heritage, we hoofed on down to the docks area of Hobart to see what all the fuss was about.
We have to say that it is a very enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon, especially as the weather was pretty fab and the food 'n' booze is top notch. Most stalls provide the opportunity to sample their wares, and all offer a reasonably priced range either for scoffing then & there, or to take away. The selection of (locally grown) tempura mushrooms was a hit.
The good news is that the event is on until the beginning of Jan, so we have plenty more time to attack the other stalls.
See the link'u'like section for the web-site.
We have to say that it is a very enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon, especially as the weather was pretty fab and the food 'n' booze is top notch. Most stalls provide the opportunity to sample their wares, and all offer a reasonably priced range either for scoffing then & there, or to take away. The selection of (locally grown) tempura mushrooms was a hit.
The good news is that the event is on until the beginning of Jan, so we have plenty more time to attack the other stalls.
See the link'u'like section for the web-site.
Saturday 27 December 2008
Where's wally?
In our garden, that's where. A little pandemelon (a type of small wallaby) has taken up residence in our garden. Pretty surprising seeing as we live in suburbia 15 mins from downtown Hobart. He's spent all day hiding under a bush, only disturbed a few times by Smoke, Tasha and us as we didn't know he was there. Now we don't know how to get him to leave. Smoke has tried chasing him out of the garden (which isn't fully fenced), but he just returns. Any experts on wallaby behaviour do get in touch..
Wednesday 24 December 2008
Wednesday 17 December 2008
Meeting with Bob the builder....
.... OK, his name is Rowan but Bob sounds more exciting!
J and I had our first meeting with Rowan and his dad Bill, who will be our architect, to start to plan our new house. It was exciting to discuss what our ideal house would be like, but of course we can't afford that! It was also interesting responding to Bill as he asked us questions about how we live our lives and use spaces within the house to help him to think about the design. We will be meeting again, probably between Christmas and New Year, to discuss his first draft. We get to look at it, talk about with him and Rowan and then if we aren't completely happy Bill goes away and modifies the design and this process continues until we are completely happy and the plans are submitted to council. This is sooooooo exciting.
J and I had our first meeting with Rowan and his dad Bill, who will be our architect, to start to plan our new house. It was exciting to discuss what our ideal house would be like, but of course we can't afford that! It was also interesting responding to Bill as he asked us questions about how we live our lives and use spaces within the house to help him to think about the design. We will be meeting again, probably between Christmas and New Year, to discuss his first draft. We get to look at it, talk about with him and Rowan and then if we aren't completely happy Bill goes away and modifies the design and this process continues until we are completely happy and the plans are submitted to council. This is sooooooo exciting.
Back from the Brissie storm
It was amazing to see the destruction the storm had caused. Looking at hills full of trees you could see the path it had taken as some had lost their leaves and branches, whilst others remained untouched. It was the same with houses, this one with a tarpaulin on the roof covering the damage, the house next door with no damage at all.
The work was physically demanding (mainly coping with the heat and humidity!), the hours were long and I loved it and would volunteer to go to the next emergency in a second. It's a sad fact in Oz that it is a matter of when rather than if. The Red Cross volunteers and staff that I met were all lovely people. Was it because we all had the same value set and all wanted to make a difference that helped everyone to get along so well? Part of my time was spent on outreach - knocking on the doors of those affected by the storm to see if people needed help and information on where to get the help they needed. How amazingly resilient and kind people are. Most I spoke to were more concerned about their neighbours than themselves, a few were still deeply traumatised 2 weeks after the event. Whilst extremely tiring, the days were deeply fulfilling and passed quickly. I returned to Tassie grateful for the cool weather, at least or a while, proud to work for the Red Cross, and thankful that Tassie isn't prone to natural disasters in the way that some of the other states seem to be.
The work was physically demanding (mainly coping with the heat and humidity!), the hours were long and I loved it and would volunteer to go to the next emergency in a second. It's a sad fact in Oz that it is a matter of when rather than if. The Red Cross volunteers and staff that I met were all lovely people. Was it because we all had the same value set and all wanted to make a difference that helped everyone to get along so well? Part of my time was spent on outreach - knocking on the doors of those affected by the storm to see if people needed help and information on where to get the help they needed. How amazingly resilient and kind people are. Most I spoke to were more concerned about their neighbours than themselves, a few were still deeply traumatised 2 weeks after the event. Whilst extremely tiring, the days were deeply fulfilling and passed quickly. I returned to Tassie grateful for the cool weather, at least or a while, proud to work for the Red Cross, and thankful that Tassie isn't prone to natural disasters in the way that some of the other states seem to be.
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