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Nick Stretton

Joined November 2017 Message
  • Australia 2020
    Day29

    Mount Wellington

     February 29, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    The views are stunning, broadening out as we drove up the winding roads to the summit. The air was so crisp and fresh and with clear blue skies provided an excellent finish to the day. Got back and made a Raspberry Cheesecake in honour of Dave's Birthday Celebrations.Read more

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  • Australia 2020
    Day29

    Sallamanca Market

     February 29, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Another nice day, expecting temperatures around 24 degrees. Sallamanca Market is huge with hot food stalls and a variety of arts and crafts stalls. We walked around Battery Point a very English looking neighbourhood above the harbour where the cruise ship Arcadia had recently come in to dock. We sat and had a beer and then picked up some massive prawns from a floating fishmonger and then made our way back to the apartment. Because it was such a clear day we decided to take a trip up Mt. Wellington which dominates the skyline behind Hobart.Read more

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  • Australia 2020
    Day28

    Coles Bay to Hobart

     February 28, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Got ourselves ready to go and had a coffee looking out over the bay for the last time. Started our 2hr drive to Hobart and made some stops on the way. Firstly Swansea a very pretty town with great views across the bay back to where we had come from. A quick stop at a berry farm from where we went to Richmond. An historic town, quite touristy but served the best curried scallop pies. Got an ice cream and walked down to the river to look at the ducks, quite an English scene. After a quick visit to the Lavender Shop we made our way to the cheese shop. More a cheese experience really. The Wicked Cheese Co make all their cheeses on site and after some extensive tasting we bought some for later consumption. Then on to Hobart. The increased traffic signaled our arrival in the Tasmanian capital and we found our way to our accommodation conveniently located in the CPD. The entry key pad didn't work so after a few calls the Locksmith turned up. His solution was to climb over the gate and open it from the inside which he did with a leg up from me. He then proceeded to "mend" the lock with some chewing gum provided by Lisa. The apartment is a good size with exposed brickwork and very well equipped. We settled in and then went out to Streeteats. This is an outdoor mini festival which takes place every friday in the summer in Franklin Park. Live music and a wide selection of street food freshly prepared as you wait. We went home via the Sydney Hotel, an Irish themed pub for a night cap before calling it a day.Read more

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  • Australia 2020
    Day27

    Freycinet National Park

     February 27, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Oh dear, slightly over did it last night so wont be doing much today. Ali, Lisa and Dave seem OK so I will hand blogging over to Ali for today, night night!
    Lisa packed a picnic for our walk to see the view of Wineglass Bay. It was quite a climb but it was really worth it. Remote white sandy beach and turquoise water. Such unspoilt beauty and stunning landscape. After a few photos we climbed down to a beach and sat on a rock, a perfect picnic spot. We watched as a wallaby wandered onto the beach and a baby Albatross landed nearby. We relaxed and enjoyed the sun then took a walk along the beach. Nick joined us later for a drive out to some other lookouts including Sleepy Beach and a Lighthouse, the sea stretching out in front of us where the next land you would come across would be New Zealand.Read more

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  • Australia 2020
    Day26

    Coles Bay, Vineyards and Mussels

     February 26, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    Very overcast and wet this morning. Typical Tasmania, one minute sunny and warm the next cold and wet. Had a lazy morning and caught up with my blog. Everything's a bit slow here including the Internet just like the Aussie Lifestyle. Weather cleared up by 2.00pm so we set off to explore some food and wine. First we went to the Oyster Farm and bought some fresh oysters, sashimi salmon and some very large mussels. Then off to the vineyards for some tastings and lunch. Several of them were closed as Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday tend to be their weekends. Craigie Knowe was closed completely, Milton was open for tastings but we were not that impressed so we ended up at Springvale. The restaurant was about to close but they stayed open for us and Dave and I went for a tasting. The wine was excellent so we both bought a couple of bottles for our meal tonight. We finished with a walk around the shoreline nearby and a pint in the local pub. I also bought some fresh fish to do fish and chips at home to go with the seafood we bought earlier. Had a lovely meal at home, starter of Sushimi Salmon with wasabi and soy sauce, mussels cooked in white wine garlic and cream with crusty bread and home made fish and chips. Tried quite a bit of the wine and fell in to bed very satisfied.Read more

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  • Australia 2020
    Day25

    Freycinet, Coles Bay

     February 25, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Left Launceston for a 2hr drive to Coles Bay. Drove through some beautiful countryside and arrived at stunning Coles Bay with its dramatic mountain backdrop set in the Freycinet National Park near Swansea (yes really) and close to a number of wineries which I am looking forward to visiting. We had lunch in the small high street and then on to our accommodation. A fantastic property with fig, lemon and pear trees in the garden and the most amazing view from the balcony overlooking the bay. A brilliant base for the next few days.Read more

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  • Australia 2020
    Day24

    Devonport to Launceston

     February 24, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Yes we are still in Oz, however the place names and perhaps the weather have a familiar ring. We were awoken at 4.45am for a 5.30am disembarkation. We drove through the dark and misty morning to our first stop Launceston (lorn-sess-tern) the second largest town in Tasmania. We arrived just as the bakery's were opening and found a good one called Sweetbrew for some much needed caffeine and some breakfast. We were too early to get into our apartment so we went straight to the main attraction in Launceston, Cataract Gorge. This is a river gorge found at the lower section of the south River Esk. The gorge consists of walks, boat rides, picnic areas and the longest single span chair lift in the world. Had a walk round and met some of the local inhabitants, Peacocks roaming freely around. We got access to the apartment and then went for lunch at a harbourside restaurant called Rufus and Hound where we had great scallops. Did some food shopping and settled down for a quiet night in with a bottle or two from the Pinot Shop situated conveniently below our accommodation.Read more

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  • Australia 2020
    Day23

    Melbourne to Tasmania

     February 23, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Woke up to blue skies. Packed up and checked out and spent the morning browsing Queen Victoria Market. This is the largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere covering some 7 hectares and dates back to the 19th century. The outstanding feature is the food area. Food of every type, fresh, local and beautifully displayed. Unfortunately we couldn't take any with us as we are not able to take any fresh produce into Tasmania. Had another amazing meal in Super Normal. Sunday lunch Pan Asian style which included some amazing Lobster rolls, Lisa's favourite. Walked off the meal with a stroll to the Botanical Gardens and sat in the shade for a while before making our way to the ferry. The ferry was very comfortable. We sat and had a beer as Melbourne disappeared behind us. We had very nice cabins for the 10 hr trip across the Cook Strait and Tasman Sea. Even managed to get some sleep with the prospect of a 4.45 am alarm call.Read more

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  • Australia 2020
    Day22

    Melbourne Arcades and River

     February 22, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    A beautiful day to day so we decided to do a self guided walking tour of Melbournes Lanes and Arcades. Starting at Flinders Street Station under the clock we went via Degraves Street and its restaurants to Block Arcade and then on to Royal Arcade the latter built in 1869 is Australias oldest. This includes a clock featuring Gog and Magog two gods of the ancient Britons that have chimed on the hour since 1892. Stopped for a beer at Young and Jackson a hotel that has been in existence for over a century. We then took a boat trip out to the docks giving a different sense of the city. Melbourne is much bigger than I expected and continuing to grow and develop. Yet it retains a chilled vibe with a relaxed atmosphere and a food culture that is hard to beat. Lisa and Dave arrived around 5.30. We decided to eat in the same place we ate on our first day. Had another enjoyable meal. Not too late to bed as we have a full day tomorrow and the overnight ferry to Tasmania.Read more

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  • Australia 2020
    Day21

    Melbourne

     February 21, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Slightly overcast today with cooler temperatures. We took the free city tram down to Federation Square, a popular meeting place down by the river. Ali had identified a restaurant called Cumulus Inc a smart restaurant set in a warehouse building. We sat at the bar and ordered some sharing plates which were superb. Tuna on toast, fig and proscutio cracker, gnocchi with ricotta, roasted cucumber and mint salad. Melbourne has a reputation for good food and this place did not disappoint. Having spent a good 1.5 hrs over lunch we walked down to Federation Square and picked up some tips from the local tourist guides. We walked to the river and had a drink and then did a bit of shopping, the cooler weather had caught us out a bit and I bought a pair of Jean's which would come in handy in Tasmania where it is cooler again. In the evening we went to China Town. Ali spotted a restaurant called Flower Drum. We were greeted in a ground floor lobby area and sent up to the first floor restaurant by lift. As soon as we got out the lift my wallet told me to leave but it was too late. Good job we stayed we had an excellent experience. Amazing food and great service. Simple food but fantastic quality with little touches that made it very special. It turns out that this is one of Melbournes longest established restaurants with a pedigree going back over 30 years. You can always count on Ali to sniff out quality food !!Read more

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