Hobart 25 – 28 January 2008

Up early and took a back road, through Richmond again, and on through the windy hills to the eastern suburbs of Hobart. The smallness of the city was obvious when we passed hill-billy houses in the bush and hills, with a ‘10 km to Hobart City Centre’ sign next to them!
Filled in our time in Hobart with things we missed last time. Free camped on the water again, catching up with an older couple who we have bumped into at least 4 times since the early part of the trip. Laurie is 85 and his young wife, Monty is 80! They have a nice big Winne and say they can have a stroke or a heart attack at home or in the motorhome. They look so young it would seem it they have a lot more time left! They are basically doing nearly everything we do.
On Australia Day we went to the local events including the Citizenship Ceremony where a large number of Africans, two habited nuns from Poland, Sri Lankans, Indians and a small number of Anglo Saxons from Canada, NZ and UK received their papers. How things have changed! Only one Pom! The entertainment included magnificent Ethiopian Dancing with the backdrop of the Australian flag and a portrait of the Queen. It was bizarre!
We took a long afternoon drive south along a very windy coastal road, stopping at a very interesting Shot Tower and learnt things we did not know (again)! It was very intact and dominant in its structure. It was built by a Scottish builder to make shot pellets of many sizes, by dropping melted lead and arsinic from a great height through a large colander. As they fell, they formed a tear drop shape and at the right distance turn into a sphere and dropped into a pot of water at the bottom! The structure seemed very sound and original and we climbed the internal staircase (that was part of the wall) to the top. It was quite challenging but fun!
We travelled onto Kingston and reflected how it was once a distant town due to the high mountains, but now it’s a little Penrith with lots of new housing - all 15 mins from Hobart Centre due to the alternate highway connection.
We headed back to Hobart and enjoyed fish and chips on the waterfront again. It looked different from last time when all the yachts were in!
Joined in a picnic lunch in a big bush reserve with the Hobart Jazz Club. They had the concert in a large protected shelter with the BBQ and tables inside – this is a Tasmanian style not yet seen anywhere else so far! They keep telling us it can snow at Xmas!
Visited Old Hobart Goal and the visit amplified our dismay at the cruelty of times past. The irony of having very small solitary confinement cells under the big Chapel (opened to the general public) was not lost on us. Most of the buildings have been destroyed and only a small portion of the original goal is intact.
Partook of another high tea, this time at Hadleys Hotel, an old upmarket hotel in Hobart. It was elegantly served and very enjoyable with lots of berry treats! This time they had all the right components (after we sent the tea bags back for tea leaves)! Reminded us of our home!
On Monday, we visited a lovely National Trust home - Runnymede. Jai’s, (from Heather’s work), Great Aunt was living there until recently when it was bequeathed to the Trust. It had belonged to her G.G. parents and the family resemblance in the photos was noted! We continue to enjoy the history of these homes that seem to be so well conserved and feature beautiful antiques. We are still learning something new every time - though we are pretty knowledgeable now! Stocked up with $6/kg fat juicy cherries (no raspberries now!) and prepared to move on.