PUTTING MIDDLETON ON THE MAP

The Royal Wedding was watched by millions of people around the world and everyone is wondering where Kate and William will go on their honeymoon. There is speculation about them visiting Australia. Maybe Lizard Island but Will has been there before. Perhaps she is looking for her own connection and will come to Middleton in Tasmania and stay at Wavestation. Haven't had the booking yet but waiting for the call. We have our own caterers right here in Middleton just itching to cook up a few meals fit for a princess and her prince on their first days as a married couple. They don't want to cook, just sit and read and glance up at the wonderful view over the sparkling waters of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel.

BEFORE YOU GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAVESTATION
“Middleton Light”

 

Address: 180 Esplanade Rd
Middleton TAS 7163

Before you go............................

It is a gorgeous spot and the house is lovely to live in. The beach is very close with children's play equipment.

There are plenty of fish also scallops and oysters.  You could hire a small boat from Kettering or take a charter trip. There is a boat ramp on The Esplanade.
 

Bruny Island is easily accessed from Kettering where there is an attractive boat harbour. The Huon trail is south and Cockle Creek further south again. Cockle Creek is the southern most point in Australia. It's a few hours but a very pleasant drive.


 

Pick up your copy of the Huontrail Free touring Map and Guide at the airport. It is very useful and available at the airport in the free brochure section. The  Huon-Valley News map is taken from this Guide.

At Hobart airport head for the centre of Hobart. You will pass over the bridge and along Davey Street. Continue along the A5 until you get to the Kingston turnoff. Do not go into Kingston, keep in the right lane and head towards Margate/Huonville. Follow the Channel Highway. Further on there is a roundabout, go straight ahead towards Margate and look out for a sign on the left to the Woolworths supermarket and shopping centre (just past Kingston). It is a good idea to provision the house here. Look out for wildlife on the highway.

Continue along the Channel Highway to Middleton. Turn left at the Middleton store down Beach Road and turn right at The Esplanade. There is a boat ramp on the shore. Continue south along The Esplanade, past the playground and up the second driveway. You will recognize the house from the website. Have a look at the two maps sent by email.

Collect some provisions along the highway before you get to the house.  You can shop in Hobart (maybe visit the Hill Street grocer, it is well worth a visit) or on the way down to Middleton. If you are arriving in Tasmania at night the Woolworths shopping centre complex at Kingston is excellent. It has a supermarket and other specialist shops. You will pass through other little towns with shops including Margate and Snug.

Stop at the Margate Train where there is an antique shop and other rather quirky shops and a caravan is set up outside with fresh fish. You can buy very good fish and Cloudy Bay oysters here at the Seafood Caravan.

Our guests love stopping at The Olde Oyster Cove Store. It is on the right heading towards Middleton at Oyster Cove. It has fruit and vegetables, organic meat and yogurt and cheeses.

The Snug butcher has excellent meat and fish. 

You can walk to the local shop at Middleton. It has a good selection of provisions. The Post Office is on the other side of Beach road on the

Channel Highway

.

Visit the marina at Kettering. It is a busy boating harbour with boat repairs carried out and boats coming and going on trips down the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, up to Hobart or around Bruny Island.

The ferry to Bruny Island leaves from Kettering and there are great boating charters out of this marina which take you to the wild outer side of Bruny Island.

The renovations at Kettering are almost complete. The old jetties were delightful but were in a bad state of repair so are being replaced with floating sections.

Alison Brookes lives nearby and will have made the house ready for you. Local and emergency calls can be dialled. (Please deposit cost of call (30c) in the jar provided). For STD and other calls please purchase a phone card available at newsagents etc.

Wavestation is located on the water front off the Channel Highway at Middleton. You can now access it through The Esplanade turnoff as well as Beach Road. (A landslip blocked the road  but  modern roadworks engineering  have stabilized the bank). The Esplanade turnoff is before Middleton and the Beach Road turnoff is at the centre of the village. The local shop and the post office are at this turn off.

Places to go.

Walk to the local shop

Peppermint Bay Hotel and Restaurant

Home Hill Vineyard and Restaurant

Panorama Vineyard

Snug Falls

Huonville

Kettering Kayaking

Bruny Island

Salamanca Place

in Hobart

Hill Street

Grocer in North Hobart

Do the circuit - Middleton to Woodbridge (or Kettering) to Cygnet and back along the coast road through Deep Bay Garden Island

Creek Verona Sands Gordon and back to Middleton. See the apple and cherry orchards on the way.

Pelverata Falls near Cygnet.

For more information go to the website http://www.wavestation.com.au/  and click on BLOG to follow my blog.

Have a great time

Wendy Kennon 0402891339

Phil 0408997482

EASTER and ANZAC

Guests report a sunny day at Middleton so lots of time enjoyed on the porch looking out to the yachts on the shining waters of D'Entrecasteaux! Not so good for the four young boatsmen on the other side of Bruny Island in the Tasman Sea. They had 30 seconds to put in a MAY DAY call before their vessel capsized. Channel 16 is the one to go to and May Day May Day is the call. Only to be used when loss of life is imminent. www.gdargaud.net/climbing/Tasmania.

Julia Gillard is in China and acknowledged that three quarter of Australia's exports go to China so our standard of living is directly dependent on the growth in China.

CHEFS AWARD AT CYGNET

Congratulations to Steve Cumper for BEST COUNTRY CHEF AWARD. Check out the Red Velvet Lounge in Cygnet in Southern Tasmania. On the 13th June there is aspecial lunch to celebrate. Book your tickets so you don't miss out. Steve and his young family are determined to produce the best tomatoes and use all local ingredients in the recipes at their restaurant in Cygnet. http://digital.countrystyle.com.au/countrystyle/201005?pg=29#pg29

Our Wavestation guest book has many entries of guests at recalling their wonderful meal at the Red Vevet Lounge. Take the trip over the hill to Cygnet and enjoy a meal at the Red Velvet Lounge

FISHING AND COLLECTING OYSTERS

A Happy customer at Wavestation sent a message.
"Thank you for allowing us to stay at Middleton. A beautiful place and delightful house.

Charlie and I managed to attack the local flathead population and then enjoyed eating those of legal size ( Vic 25 cms, Tassie 30 cms).

I think there are plenty left for you. The word "fisherman" and my name are rarely used in the same sentence.

 

I like the fact that it is so shallow in front of your place that the water Police will be troubled getting their boat in the check for non existent

fishing licences or other breaches of regulations!!

We enjoyed many hours enjoying the "tranquillity" reading and checking the view. A real holiday.

The local cafes and restaurants were superb. We had a couple of very nice meals at the Red Velvet Cafe (???) in Cygnet

and the cake shop there was very special.

Thank you (and Wendy) again for a very restful holiday.

Kind regards,
W

FULL MOON CALENDAR

Easter is approaching and the full moon occurred on Wednesday the 18th. Big tides will be expected so surfers keep a watch out. What are you doing for Easter?

<2010  year 2011  2012>

Lunation	New Moon		First Quarter		Full Moon		Third Quarter		Duration
1089	4 Jan	8:03 PM	12 Jan	10:32 PM	20 Jan	8:21 AM	26 Jan	11:57 PM	29d 17h 28m
1090	3 Feb	1:31 PM	11 Feb	6:18 PM	18 Feb	7:36 PM	25 Feb	10:27 AM	29d 18h 15m
1091	5 Mar	7:46 AM	13 Mar	10:45 AM	20 Mar	5:10 AM	26 Mar	11:08 PM	29d 17h 46m
1092	4 Apr	12:32 AM	11 Apr	10:06 PM	18 Apr	12:44 PM	25 Apr	12:47 PM	29d 16h 18m
1093	3 May	4:51 PM	11 May	6:33 AM	17 May	9:09 PM	25 May	4:52 AM	29d 14h 12m
1094	2 Jun	7:03 AM	9 Jun	12:11 PM	16 Jun	6:14 AM	23 Jun	9:48 PM	29d 11h 51m
1095	1 Jul	6:54 PM	8 Jul	4:29 PM	15 Jul	4:40 PM	23 Jul	3:02 PM	29d 9h 46m
1096	31 Jul	4:40 AM	6 Aug	9:08 PM	14 Aug	4:58 AM	22 Aug	7:55 AM	29d 8h 24m
1097	29 Aug	1:04 PM	5 Sep	3:39 AM	12 Sep	7:27 PM	20 Sep	11:39 PM	29d 8h 05m
1098	27 Sep	9:09 PM	4 Oct	2:15 PM	12 Oct	1:06 PM	20 Oct	2:30 PM	29d 8h 47m
1099	27 Oct	6:56 AM	3 Nov	3:38 AM	11 Nov	7:16 AM	19 Nov	2:09 AM	29d 10h 14m
1100	25 Nov	5:10 PM	2 Dec	8:52 PM	11 Dec	1:36 AM	18 Dec	11:48 AM	29d 11h 57m
1101	25 Dec	5:06 AM							29d 13h 33m

Notes

• About the Moon Phase Calculator
• All times are local time for Hobart.
• tides.willyweather.com.au › tas › hobart

Tasmanian Princess christens twins

 Princess Mary's twins christened Vincent and Josephine

  

Baptism: Crown Prince Frederik carries the just-christened Prince Vincent, while Princess Mary carries Princess Josephine (AFP: Nils Meilvang)

Nearly 300 guests crammed into the Holmen's Church in Copenhagen for the christening of the latest additions to the Danish royal family: twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.

The youngest children of Crown Prince Frederik and Australian-born Crown Princess Mary were baptised Vincent Frederik Minik Alexander and Josephine Sofia Ivalo Mathilda.
Following three months of speculation, the babies' names, a closely-kept secret since their birth on January 8, immediately became the top news story in Denmark.
The children were each given one Greenlandic name, Minik and Ivalo, in honour of Denmark's autonomous territory, according to Danish media.
The twins are fourth and fifth in line to the throne, after their father Frederik and their older siblings, five-year-old Prince Christian and Princess Isabella, who will turn four next week.
Mary, 39, wearing a royal blue dress with a cream coloured head piece and 43-year-old Frederik carried the children dressed in white lace to the gilded baptismal font, with Christian and Isabella at their sides.
Princess Mary's parents attended the ceremony along with the Danish royals, politicians and business leaders.
Across the canal from the Holmen's Church, which dates back to 1563 and has been the site of numerous royal baptisms and weddings, the tower at Christiansborg Castle, the seat of Danish parliament, was festooned with a proud ring of the bold red and white Danish flag.
And throughout the city on Thursday, Danish flags flew from city buses, bicycles and backpacks. There were more than a few Australian flags waving too in a tribute to Crown Princess Mary.
"Congratulations on your Christening" read a big sign facing the residence of the royal couple, who met at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and were married in 2004 in Copenhagen.
After the ceremony, the family's guests disembarked from the ferry jetty beside Holmen's Church and sailed back to the Amalienborg Castle for a private celebration.

MELBOURNE

I have been looking at a few blogs lately and have become addicted to a few. Table Tonic http://www.tabletonic.blogspot.com/ is one, and I think I might get some of those Moorocan wedding blankets. ZigoZago http://zigozagocraft.wordpress.com/ is another and I would like some of her wool. I would put in a link but not quite sure how. Maybe I will do that later to make this blog a bit more interesting.It is very time consuming and it is amazing how much information the writers give about themselves.
Last week I went to a talk by Rita Erlich who is a well known figure and author of a number of books including "More Than French" written in collaboration with Philippe Moucel. He is the renowned chef of PM24. Rita pointed out that in the early days of her career she was pulled up by the editor of her newspaper at the time for using the "I" word. Journalists were never allowed to speak about themselves, never to write in the first person. Now, every one does it and gives all sorts of personal information away. I am writing this blog about Tasmania and in particular things which may interest people who stay at Wavestation.

For those of you who do not know I live in Melbourne and have a wonderful lady called Alison who looks after the house for me. It has been pouring all night here in Melbourne and I am about to go for a visit at Bishop's Court. I intended to walk but I will get soaked. I left my best rain coat and all my umbrellas in my car at Apollo Bay as I came back to Melbourne on the bus and the train. It was such a beautiful day yesterday (after a heavy shower in the early morning)  that I didn't think I would need rain gear. I did. T. cancelled our early morning walk so I am still at this computer thinking about the rain and wondering if the tour will be on and whether I should walk. Parking in East Melbourne is difficult and I don't want to leave early as we are going to be invited into the manse. Should be very interesting and I don't want to miss out on any of the tour. I better grab my camera and check the battery and maybe I can post a photo or two about this wonderful garden in the rain.

There, I said I would post a picture. The manificent Bishop's Court!

WELCOME ALL GOLFERS

There is a big argument between the developer of Australia's most famous golf course Barnbougle Dunes in northern Tasmania. Richard Sattler, the farmer who owns the land where Barnbougle Dunes sits as well as another section large enough for another eighteen holed golf course.

Links Golf Tasmania is suing Mr Sattler in the Federal Court.

Mr Lennon opened the Barnbougle Dunes golf course in 2004 and is soon going to testify.

Top QC from Melbourne Joseph Santamaria says Mr Sattler owed the company Links Golf Tasmania a fiduciary obligation for seven years to 2009. However, there exists no document where he commits himself in respect of the new course.

Mr Sattler set up a competitive business using the information, contacts and intellectual propery gained in this relationship. This argument is continuing. While Barnbougle Dunes is famous and the sandy coastal property is promoted as a perfect links course you can enjoy golf in a much more protected situation in the picturesque Kingston course not far from Middleton on the Channel Highway. Travelling from the airport you will drive straight past. Friendly golfers will welcome you with true Tasmanian charm when you come to play or enjoy a beer in the bar.

SEAFOOD A PLENTY

Oysters and mussels are abundant in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel and you can collect them straight from the sea in front of Wavestation. They grow on the rocks so it is best to collect them at low tide. Bring them back to the house and cook up a feast! Keep your mussels alive for as long as possible for maximum tenderness and flavour. Remove the "beard" pulling backwards. Scrub off any crustaceans which may fall off during cooking. There are two basic ways to cook mussels and both are delicious.
Make a creamy sauce such as a French Veloute with julienne carrots and leeks, garlic and fresh herbs from the garden. Add 250 ml Dry Apple Cider to a smaller pot and bring to the boil add 250 ml cream and a pinch of saffron powder if available. Season with salt and pepper.Place mussels in the steamer over boiling water. You can use a stainless steel colander or a bamboo basket.

Or, cook the mussels in white wine with garlic, one small piece of finely cut up chilli and herbs (parsley, coriander or dill). Cut cherry tomatoes into halves and add basil. Both methods are delicious. 

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