Gordons Hill

Hobart ,Tasmania.

We came into Hobart at sunrise ,up the Derwent River, with the rising sun shining on the organ pipes of Mt Wellington. Berthed very close to the city, at the Logging part, which in its self was something, the logs here stacked to precision ,quite amazing , later we saw the operator of a large vehicle ,with a big log attached ,battering them into line.!
We have visited Hobart a time ago, it’s a lovely, ocean side, city ,seafood outlets abound ,many boats moored, interesting statues. Huge English trees ,hints of autumn. The old wharf side warehouses have been beautifully converted into apartments , and the old sandstone buildings of the 1800’s stand strong. A mellow day, soft skies, and much to like.. On a whim we took a trip to the top of Mt Wellington, at 4000+ feet ,and what a revelation that was.! Just 5 of us with a very nice driver, Dutch by origin ,but really Australian ,informative and bright.
The mountain is quite unique, huge straight gums, in the beginning, hundreds of years old ,a narrow road built by hand in the 1800’s most likely by convicts .Rocks of amazing kinds, changing as we climbed higher, covered in lots of pretty and different lichen’s ,which look like the Aboriginal paintings ,and will be related .Whole slopes on the tops, of round boulders tumbling down. At the very summit, where there is snow often in winter, quite a surprise to see ,many ,many kinds of hebe’s and other plants, flowering and flourishing, some in tiny crevices .There are 500 plant species here on this mountain.The pinkish rock up here, in pinnacles, as left by their volcanic action of thousands of years ago, boardwalks and path’s to see it all, it was simply great. Cloud soon rolled in, but from just a little further down we were able to see the views. There grew banksia’s prolific, in pretty colours, all about, with tiny honey eaters darting in and out…So much that was new, lovely and unexpected.
Coming down back into the city which is smallish, just 220,0000, were the old grand homes from the 1800’s that housed the Commandants of the Convicts ,wrought iron and nicely kept today.
Later we walked some distance around the harbour to Salamanca ,galleries and markets, not operating as a complete market , except on Saturday..but a fruit and Veg one, had tomatoes for $9.20 a KG, cheapest at $5.20, quite a shock…,amongst other interesting stuff of course..Nice Parks and gardens, along the way. We enjoyed a good walk in the warm sun ,and made our way back to our ship. We sailed at sunset, this is a city where almost everyone has a sea view, from many hills that surround ,they are close to the bush, a danger ,as forest fires are still burning all this time later .We enjoyed Tasmania just as much as years ago, a fairly close destination with very varied scenery ,history, and animals. The Americans here, enthralled with the Tasmanian devils and all they saw . Touched, a Wombat ,and many Kangaroos at a Sanctuary. 46% of Tasmania is National Park.
We have discovered more lovely places on board, so tastefully arranged, and today enjoyed the 7 hole putting green, with comfortable seating, divided by nice artificial hedging of marcracapra…like foliage.! Warm out today, 26o..
Great sadness though ,as our Dear Grand Cat, Christian’s big beautiful James, has passed away ,in the bigger picture of things may not seem a loss, but he was his Family ,and we all know how that feels…
Tonight we have Captains cocktails, not fussed, but Sam thinks go, we are meeting very nice people along the way, we are sort of a Family really. [This was 40+ people who are going to London, minus the World cruisers ,who number 463,so kindred spirits and did meet some very nice people…]
Hope Mum is enjoying snippets of this ,and that you are all okay.
Love from us, Faye and Sam.Read more