MONA

At last we have the opportunity to visit MONA Opened on the 21 January 2011, the art gallery is fast becoming a must see in Hobart. Built into the rock at Berridale on the Derwent River it is like an aladins cave. Some say it is fun to arrive by ferry to moor at the jetty which hydronically adjusts to the changing tide.

Tasmanians as well as overseas visitors are flocking to see this amazing eccentric collection of art works at "Walsh Land" This private museum is free by courtesy of David Walsh a renowned gambler.

GREAT TO BE ABLE TO STAY AT WAVESTATION

Heading down the Channel Highway we stopped at Ketterring to see how the restoration of Credence was progressing. The marina has wonderful modern jetties so it's easy to jump on board. Low tide no longer matters as the marina floats with the rise and fall of the tide. The paint brush and other equipment is sitting there as if someone has gone for a moment. A quick phone call finds the restorer up in Hobart at the Festival. Who can resist! He'll be back soon to continue the job, but things are progressing well. We have to keep the weather out!

Approaching Middleton we decide to turn off The Channel Highway at The Esplanade to see if the road is open. To our surprise we could drive straight through and along the water's edge to Wavestation. it's a quiet road and perfect for walks.

This road has been closed for over a year as a result of a landslide. The latest engineering techniques to stablize the bank are attractive. If you are interested take a look at the photos.

MONA AND THE WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL IN ONE WEEKEND

The alarm rang at 5am so we had plenty of time to drive to Tullamarine, park the car in the long term carpark, catch the bus, check in and have a relaxing breakfast in the Qantas lounge before our flight leaving at 7 am. It's a short flight to Hobart but having left early I took a nap while Phil read the paper. Our car was waiting so we had a quick get away into Hobart and parked near Constitution Dock. Even though this very special event was buzzing with sailors proud to be showing off their boats it is was to find apark in Hobart. Again Phil wondered why he hadn't made the effort to book in Credence.

Dressed for the part



Some great characters to meet

 Perfect circles




Fun for the children

 



Proud young boat builder



Wooden Boat Festival

The wooden boats are on the move towards Constitution Dock in Hobart. Watch out for them coming up the Derwent. We will be there and what a magnificent sight it will be. I can't wait!

http://www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/

Australia Day 2011

January 26 falls on a Wednesday this year, right in the middle of the week so everyone is a bit uncertain about which weekend is the long weekend or if there is any. Lots of events have been organized to keep peple in Melbourne. There has been lots happening in Tasmania. The Mona museum is fainally opened at There's an amazing collection of art I am looking forward to veirwing. The Premier has resigned, and a female taking his place.

Eclectic array of animals and birds

Separated from the mainland of Australia Tasmania bursts with a wide range of animals and birds. There are 12 endemic birds in Tasmania. All have been seen at Inverawe Native Gardens at Margate. The Rare Masked Owl was spotted recently. Keen bird watchers will be keen to visit. Have a look when you buy your seafood at the caravan at the Margate train.

Or, just sit on the veranda at Wavestation preferably with your binoculars and you will be surprised what you will see.



We are looking out for the critically endangered Orange-Bellied Parrot.
Animals to look out for: 3 carnivorous marsupials, the Tasmanian devil, Easern and Spotted-tail Quoll.
See how many of these you sight:
Common coastal Bennett's Red Necked Wallaby
Rufus-bellied Pademelon
Common Brush-Tail Hidden Possum
Rare Albino Bennet's wallaby
Also, the Southern Right Whale (off Bruny Island)
Birds including Little penguins on the Ismuthus of Bruny Islan Forty Spotted Pardalote

Quarantine Bay

Leaving Hobart behind as Wild Oats has already left Constitution Dock after its win in the Sydney to Hobart race. She came in before dusk and had left in the morning. Not many were lucky enough to see her. I thought she was upset about the protest but others said she had another race to start.

Kettering marina was buzzing with people, some hard at their finishing touches to their boats, others had travelled from places like Canberra pulling their boat behind and traversing the Bass Strait by ferry to arrive in the wonderful harbour at Kettering to meet up with long lost relations.

We arrived at Quarantine Bay realizing that everyone had a dingy with petite outboard to motor in to shore for the New Year festivities.We were lucky to catch a ride with a sailor who parked his two gorgeous border collies on board his boat making room for us to be taken ashore. What kindness and he wasn't even going to the barbecue!