Up North

Random photos from Northern Tasmania....

 

 Moon over the Tamar River

Christmas beetle display at the Launceston Museum. Perfect combination of so many beetles, and such a cool arrangement.

Launceston has some amazing brickwork industrial buildings. I love a building with a built in message :)

Also, I may have been too gloaty regards the weather. It has rained now for 3 consecutive days.

Midwinter

Can you tell, from the blue, sunny skies, that this was a mid-winter celebration?

The Dark MoFo Huon Midwinter Festival. It really was spectacular. The weather was glorious (as it has been most days), the food was delicious (especially you, sourdough donut filled with honey custard and pine nuts, but also you, wallaby stew), the beers very tasty (I liked the cider, S less so), the coffee excellent and reviving, and the music was wonderful (and varied). The Morris dancers were brilliant, they seemed like they were having a ball and I've never before seen Morris dancing to Walzing Mathilda. Brilliant fun. If this is winter, I'm pretty happy!

Pretty

I know they aren't really indoor plants.

I know the blue pots poking out the top are naff.

 

But they are pretty.

New Views

We've been in Hobart for about 6 weeks now. I have to say, she's put on some beautiful weather for us. Our new house has looooong long views, and lots of sun (even in winter!)

 

For those not familiar with Hobart, this isn't a usual view of the city - we look out to the suburbs, up the river.

Running

 

 I'm not a runner. I never liked to run - it was hard, and nasty. But once there were two boys to look after, it was the easiest, quickest way to fit in some exercise. Unlike anything else, I could be exercising the minute I left the house, until the minute I got home. Which meant that I could nip out for 20 minutes and have 20 minutes exercise. Plus, no costs. So I did it.

Once we got to New Zealand, I ran a bike path route a few times. It was nice, but then got boring. Turns out, the biggest issue I have with running is being bored. So I listened to some podcasts. Helpful, but only for a few more laps. Then my husband persuaded me to join him on a trail run - a track I'd usually consider fit only for cautious walking. A track winding through the native bush - up, but also back down. And I loved it.

 

 

Suddenly, running had a new purpose. I could get to places I really wanted to see, but quicker! Instead of trying to find 2 hours to do a hike, I could find one hour to do a run. The trade off is the need to drive to the run (I don't have any tracks at my front door), but its one I'm happy to make. And now we're in Tasmania, I'm sticking with it. Its a fantastic way to explore the bushland, have some time to myself, catch up on podcasts and get a bit of exercise.

 

(First photos are from New Zealand, last two are from Tasmania)