Another Winter in Tasmania.

[drron]

As you may no I am back working in Launceston.Now May is not officially winter here but still much colder than a Sunshine Coast winter>I am here until the end of July.I will post the things I do in this thread but the restaurants I will post in the Launceston restaurants thread.My new posts start at Post 39.

Launceston Restaurants

Friday and back to Geronimo which I am happy to recommend.It's menu is also set up with snacks,small and large plates which they do call sharing plates.We began with a smaal plate and a snack plate. .. Scallops,parsnip puree,confit parsnip and pancetta-delightful.Wood fired lamb ribs and mint...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

So back to the start.I flew into LST on April 30th.It was the start of a multi day rain event on the coast.It was raining heavily that morning but amazingly as the plane boarded the rain stopped an apparently only for a small area around the airport.
For the first time I could fly QF all the way and not have to transit Melbourne.I flew MCY-SYD-LST.A 717 on each leg.And I didn't have a drooping window shade.But On the second leg I did have a self reclining seat.
There was preboarding -3 families with infants and 1 wheelchair.When general boarding commenced they actually did PB.But at least 20 in the priority lane and 2 in the general lane so i joined that.They did call the priority lane first but an older lady didn't have her BP out so the general lane got to board first.

Soon after takeoff we were into the cloud.It got quite bumpy.After heading out over the sea we basically did a 360 and headed west for some time then south.We came out of the cloud a bit south of Brisbane.Amazing formations with the cloud we had been in continued above us.
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And our wonderful breakfast.
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[drron]

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The cloud came over again and not good when we reached Sydney.We went out over the ocean crossing the coast over Dee Why.After turning south we went down to the Royal National Park.Turned and came back past Cronulla and the Georges River.
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The new Rex.
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[RooFlyer]

And our wonderful breakfast.

Well, you will insist on going whY. This was my B717 breakfast this morning on QF HBA-SYD, not showing the ‘hand grenade’ of sparkling I was offered.

 

[drron]

We landed 10 minutes early but then had to wait 20 minutes to get to the gate.Told because the plane at the gate had gone tech so we had to wait until it was towed away.
Then 3 hours in the J lounge.The hot breakfast items had just been removed and no hot lunch items arrived before I left.Just the usual ham cheeses and salad veggies with bread or rolls.Left for the gate just as the alcohol service began.
What was noticeable was the number of people not wearing a mask or had it over their chin.The staff though were wearing theirs properly.

So off to LST.Only scattered clouds at take off.
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Then our lunch.
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[drron]

Again the clouds came in and only opened up when we were over Bass Strait.
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The little island appeared to have an airstrip.
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Now over the Furneaux group -Flinders Island.
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Whitemark on Flinders Island and their aerodrome.
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[drron]

Then crossed the coast of Tasmania.
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We went quite a way south of LST so a few different views this time.
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Arriving at LST I was 3rd off the plane.In J therewas an elderly couple who were waiting for a whheelchair plus 4 FAs in Uniform who let us off.We had arrived not that long after a VA flight.We had to walk to the opposite end of the terminal and into a large tent.They were processing the last of the VA flight and then they called through the VA crew and the QF crew.We had to wait for a few minutes after the crews went through before we were processed.Asked where I had been in WA.The Abrolhoscaused no problems and straight through for my temperature to be taken.

Went to the Avis desk but unfortunately 3 groups of the VA pax who took an age.There were 2 new fellows on the desk.The woman who used to work there no longer does.That was a problem as I knew her well and it was Hi drron back again.Handed over my DL and Amex,signed on the computer and handed my keys.This time I was told it was complicated as a 3 month rental -the last 3 occasions here had also been that long- but this time it took 25 minutes.I watched my bags go round and round on the carousel.naturally they had been first out.

So off to the hospital.Across the road the colours of Autumn.
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[drron]

Accommodation in Launceston is heavily booked.For the first time I could not get a suitable home or apartment for the whole 3 months so the first 3 weeks needs to be in a hotel room.However even those are in short supply so I am in a "boutique" hotel.The Art hotel.

ART Hotel on York – Launceston – Renovated Character Filled Luxury Boutique Accommodation

Renovated character filled luxury boutique ART Hotel in Launceston. We love and reward direct bookings. Best price, Priority room allocation, Preferen..

www.arthotelonyork.com

No microwave so it is eating out for the first 3 weeks.Then on the day I move into a Quest apartment mrsdrron arrives so there will be a few restaurant reviews.
So here are the pics of my room.
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Mine is an upstairs room.Narrow stairs and squeaky floors.
There are 2 carparks but not enough for all guests especially when someone thinks their Ford Ranger fits in a space marked small car only.
Ok for a couple of nights but the West Tamar highway runs right past my room.I'll be glad when the 3 weeks are up.

 

[nutwood]

That's the Old Bakery Inn. Was sad when they changed the name. It was the very first place we ever stayed in Tasmania, some 26 years ago. Arriving 4 pm after leaving Perth 11 pm previous day. Was absolutely blown away by the quality of the steak we were served. I don't think they do evening meals anymore?

 

[drron]

Only breakfasts in the restaurant now.And 26 years ago the road wouldn't have had so much trafficas well.

So on with the report.Saturdays in Launceston and the Harvest Market is the place to go.I usually have a brunch there as I normally sleep in on Saturdays.Today was a Korean Kimchi Pancake.
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I also had a beef Murtabak.It turned out they were an Amex shop small business.Both were OK not outstanding.
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I was eying this place off for next week.Vegetarian Afghan delights.
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However they were not there the next week so I tried a different Afghan snack.This one was quite nice.
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I also brought some snacks for the next week.Some hot smoked salmon from 41 south that I really delight and a blue cheese from Southern Sky cheeses.I love it.Have to get some pics next Saturday.

 

[drron]

A short walk to City Park where I consumed my food and then a brief stroll around the Park
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[drron]

I also went into the Conservatory.
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[drron]

Sunday I was off to Mt.Direction off the East Tamar Highway.A pleasant walk uphill.A bit steep in places but a very good track.
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The Hillwood berry farm.
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You cross the railway line to Bell Bay.
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[drron]

Mt Direction was a Semaphore station to alert Launceston of ships entering the Tamar.This was the signalling apparatus..
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A trig station used extensively in the early mapping of Tasmania.
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[drron]

It is amazing what they could build that then and have it last.Maybe we should get the Brits to begin transportation again!
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[drron]

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Their well.
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[drron]

Now back down the hill.
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[RooFlyer]

I also went into the Conservatory.

Looking for somewhere warm(er)?

 

[drron]

To the second weekend and after the markets it was a visit to the Tramways museum.It was closed for covid the last time I was here.The museum is free but if you want a tram ride it is $5.
Trams from totally unrestored to fully restored.

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A map of the area when the trams and passenger trains still ran.
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Most of the area is now UTAS buildings plus their oval.
An interesting display of the regulations in the days of the tram.
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A history of every tram.
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Tram number 2.
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And at the official opening of the Launceston tram system.trams 1 and 3 were first off.
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[drron]

The trams ended up all over Tasmania.
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[drron]

Seems to have been a pretty good service.
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The roof lining was huon pine.So very few roofs survived intact.
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Tram 1 is going to the Sydney tramway museum.
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I was taken into the area where 2 more trams are being restored.One had been in terrible condition.
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But the other wasn't too bad and most of the roof is original.
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