A morning stroll

Sleep was somewhat unsettled last night and I heard the Launceston clock chime at 4, 5 and 6am! But on to another day where it will be exciting to see all the quilts hanging in a few hours. I decided to go for a quick stroll this morning in the street behind the hotel and I was not disappointed. I always enjoy photographing local houses and today there was a lot of smoke puffing out of the chimneys…mind you it will be a little warmer today……12 degrees! Enjoy the houses amongst the haze………

Tasmanian touchdown

I was asked some time ago if I would accept the role as guest judge for the Tasmanian Quilting Guild's annual show - so here I am!  Must say it is a tad chilly at the moment…..just 2 degrees when we got back from dinner last night and minus 3 overnight! Today was expected to get to a maximum of 11C so it is well and truly winter. It took two flights to get here and when I left Adelaide yesterday morning this was the view from my window………

 The first leg of the trip is via Melbourne and another view as we left the mainland heading south……...

It is 40 years since I visited Tasmania as a student nurse on my second semester holiday break. I recall the island being known as "Little England" and Larry and I have had it on our 'bucket list' for a visit. My first glimpses as we followed the Tamar River to Launceston……….

My 'home' for three nights is in this wonderful boutique hotel - Auldington - once a Sister's convent from 1899. It is just charming and reminds me of the small hotels we stay in during our UK visits…... 

The views from the balcony look over the city of Launceston……...

Audlington has had recent refurbishment and it is so nice to have a deep bath and an incredibly comfortable bed (and it is also great value if you are visiting Launceston)……...

 When we left this morning the car was covered in ice…………..

On the way to the judging venue we made a short detour to Cataract Gorge where we were greeted by some grand peacocks……….

 Everything was covered in frost and the landscape looked like it was covered in snow……….

 Amazing to see these native plants covered in ice………...

Tomorrow I have a few hours in the morning where I will photograph some of the heritage houses (hope it is not raining!), and then the afternoon is where we select the special awards and Best of Show……..so I will touch base after that. Thanks for dropping by x

Winter sunshine

Winter is still definitely about but today was full of sunshine and that has to be good for the health! Larry did just tell me that he heard we have had the driest June since 2006 (which is not good), but I have to confess it does not feel like that where we live. My cough is slowly abating but the lethargy has hit us both……but a bit of sun and a quick celebratory lunch with Sophie was the order of the day. Sophie had a recent promotion at Flinders University where she works and is now a Senior Administrative Coordinator, Academic Programs - Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences….what a mouthful but we are sure super proud of her! Today she turned 31 and we joined her for a quick lunch and birthday hug. The university is in the throws of major development so the dining areas are all demolished. Instead they have set up a temporary area that just felt like a lane in Melbourne…..and Sophie informed us it is in fact called Flinders Laneway! There are caravans and shipping containers and overhead heaters and very funky lighting……….(photos are from my phone so not so good)

 The views from the university are amazing and her office below has a little view - well so we are told…….

There are some fabulous time lapse videos that you can view here of the renovations and I enjoyed this one immensely……

So a huge Happy Birthday Sophie xx…..with a record of this little message that Emily sent to her sister….

While I was downloading today's photos from my phone I found these photos from our recent visit to Melbourne the day we visited our favourite patisserie……..

 And a record of the fabulous Block Arcade scarf……..yes we did go back where Larry gave me an early birthday present……..

 And another amazing place in the Arcade that we didn't visit!…….

 And I also found these two photos taken last weekend at home. The little ones came back to our place from the wedding and Beau did some cooking and Maisie some consuming….all good fun…...

 Till next time take care x