Loved Launceston

Launceston, just in time for lunch. Checked in early, thank you, Grande Chancellor. Lunched in the restaurant where we were briefly interrupted by a fire alarm and the arrival of the local fire fighters who responded to the ringing of bells and the sounding of sirens within the hotel. Gave my room number and name to the wait person as we retreated to the hotel's forecourt to await the 'all clear.' Glad Lynsey was not there. She has some sensible views about holidaying with the Ferguson's. I was beginning to think that we were going to had more holiday adventures just like when we travelled to Europe. Thus far in true downunder fashion we had plane delays, detours, our rental car reassigned and now a fire alarm; all in a twenty four hour period. Lucky; I say. After that exciting start to the holiday we decided that a tranquil river cruise was needed to acquaint us with the city. From the boat we cruised the Esk River listening to Callum's informative commentary. His research and local knowledge was impressive. Callum's words created a picture of Launceston as it was when first settled and as it presents today. I learnt that Launceston is the third oldest city in Australia. Good decision to take the cruise after a day on the road.

Family Visits

How do you treat family to something special when they come to visit? Suggestion. Impromptu lunch at Lillino's, Talga Road. When everyone just wants to catch up it is good to ask someone else to do the cooking. This was a particularly long lunch as it had been months since some of our party had seen each other. 

Heritage Trail Revelations

Two hours from Hobart by road but so many intriguing places to visit along the way. The heritage trail running between the two cities held great appeal so GPS punched with destination we headed off. Fascinating, distraction was the GPS that came with our Thrifty rental. It was to provide a source of both amusement and entertainment as we travelled the Ápple Isle.' The technology had not been updated so the sweet voice of the GPS was regularly advising us that she was recalculating. The word recalculating was persistently mispronounced as were most of the street names that she, the GPS, endeavoured to identify. However, despite our GPS's idiosyncrasy's we settled to the rhythm of the highway and found the village of Oatlands. Its historical features most apparent even from a distance. The old mill towered above all of the dwellings of the village inviting travellers to leave the highway and reveal its setting. Indeed we did. Several original buildings remain standing. Worth the break in the journey.

Alfresco Family Dining

The notion of family is celebrated in typical Australian fashion at our home, under the pergola. Such a rare opportunity for us all to gather at the same table so we made an occasion of the night. Simple salads, roasted meat, bread, wine and bubbles too; all by candlelight.

Delays and Detours

Doing it in style with a Limousine ride to Newcastle Airport. As usual, Jetstar a little late departing but somehow managing to arrive only ten minutes beyond scheduled arrival. Love Melbourne airport's shopping choices; so much better than Charles de Gaul. Lunch, then browsing the concourse, where we made a small purchase from the Sweet Dr vendor before making our way to the gate's lounge area. Seated and waiting we heard an announcement re a slight delay for our flight to Hobart. Next, we hear our names being called to invite us to go to the ground staff station. Interesting, we had completed self check in and baggage drop earlier, with no glitches. What did ground staff want with us? They wanted to reallocate our seats to allow us to be seated together. We had not noticed the original print outs had assigned us separate rows. Easily fixed. A while later another dulcet toned voice advised us that due to operational requirements we were being diverted to Launceston and thence, to Hobart, following a short stop over. Initially, the stop over was not given a time frame. Having left home at 12:30 it was 8:45 pm that we made our way into Hobart's terminal to collect our luggage. Car hire was close by so off we set. Thrifty service desk advised us that our car had been reassigned due to our late arrival. The clerk advised us that she had attempted to contact us via telephone and that we had not answered her call. Funny that, we were airborne and later sitting in a plane on the Tarmac at Launceston while the crew completed per fight checks yet again. How tardy of us not to have taken her call? 

Long day got longer at that bit of trivia. However, the stay at the Hobart Airport Hotel was a true gem. Great location, room features were impressive and breakfast most competitive with those back home.

Spicer's Hidden Vale

Spicer's Hidden Vale as you have never seen it before. Sitting on the verandah waiting for my eggs Benedict I experimented with my Ipad's, Photo booth app. What a different perspective! The natural beauty of the garden, whilst never ordinary, becomes fascinating. Even the simple placemat, a virtual, artistic image.

Spicer's Hiddenvale to Pterodactyl Helicopter Flight

All I wanted for Christmas was to surprise someone special. Friday was a road trip to a secret destination where not even the driver knew his route. Trip instructions were given via a back seat passenger - turn left here, take the next exit. The woodland surrounds pleasant as if we were out for a Sunday drive. Then, directives to enter the gateway to a long driveway. The driver's (someone special) keen eye spotted a helicopter parked on a helipad. So the secret was discovered - we were all soon to be flying in a Robinson R44. What a buzz! Taking to the skies over Kholo with our pilot, Mike. Safety briefings thorough and precise. Seat belts fastened and headsets donned, we were ready for take off. Brief radio messages between pilot and a base somewhere distant ensured that we were flying freely in our own private space. I felt like I was being transported in a glass pod as we rose over the tree tops and houses. Familiar from the ground became awe inspiring from the chopper. We swept over paddocks and tracked the river to Manchester Dam. The dam's water painted images brilliant in both colour and form. Land cropped with various plantings made patterns in the earth below. Exhilarating momentum as the chopper banked steeply for some good photo opp's. It was a day for surprises and for making memories.