Blissfully unaware in NW Tasmania

[drron]

Continuing my work experiences as no other travel since 2019.The second half of January plus the first week of february I worked at the Mersey hospital.It was a last minute position as another locum pulled out just a few days previously.My usual uneventful flight down MCY-SYD-MEL-DPO.Only problem was on the last leg and having my BA number in the booking.AJ was obviously fighting with BA again.
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I had to be put up at a motel in Devonport before moving to the townhouse.I was put up at the Sunrise motel which houses the good French Restaurant Camille.Unfortunately the chef had had an accident and the restaurant was closed for a week apart from breakfast.Interestingly it was used for mandatory quarantine for some arriving in Devonport.This was from Trip advisor in May.

Isolated but well fed!

We were isolated at the Sunrise motel due to corona virus + luckily for us, Camille did the catering!! During our isolation, our twice daily highlight was a food delivery from Camille (delivered by the lovely Megan). They provided lunch and a choice of 2 dinners every day and the food was amazing! It is obviously difficult to provide delicious, gourmet food under these circumstances, but the chefs at Camille managed it every day. We will definitely be going there for a meal as soon as we can. If you love good food, friendly staff + want to support local, I highly recommend you get down to Camille!

So on the first night I walked alongside the Mersey River to the Ellimatta hotel.
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The house the Governor General stayed in in 1901.
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The Cenotaph.A soldier from Devonport was the last man of the beach at Gallipoli.
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[drron]

Walking further along there are these slight depressions in the bank.
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During the Depression years small boats were built here.
I wasn't the only Galah in town.
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So to dinner.I was looking forward to some oysters.Usually very good here and not too pricey.But they had run out.So stuffed mushrooms and Asian pork.
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Alright with a glass of tassie pinot noir.

 

[Major]

They look like Metrosideros Excelsa in your 1st post

 

[drron]

Well I call them a New Zealand christmas tree but if talking to a Kiwi might say a pohutukawa.

 

[drron]

So then I walked back along the Mersey to the motel.I love their twilights.
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So the grey sky wasn't clouds or night falling it was smoke from Victoria and the fires.
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Had a bit of a giggle at the signs on the "beach".
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[drron]

And more of the sun.Though not quite a sunset.
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[drron]

Then wandered out on the sea wall at the Mersey mouth.
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[drron]

Now at work we were aware of the corona virus but for the first 2 weeks there really wasn't any concern-hence blissfully unaware what the future had in store for the North West and Mersey hospital.
First my digs.
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Spartan and all second hand appliances plus on the main road so noisy.The Latrobe Speedway isn't too far and it was on each weekend I was there just to add to the noise.

 

[drron]

On this trip I discovered that the restaurant in the RSL at Latrobe had been taken over and was getting good reviews.So I decided to find out for myself.It was pretty good.I had the crumbed scallops with a cider.Must have had a little too much.
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Friday afternoon I took a little drive to Ulverstone to pick up some pickled onions.I like the chilli ones.Just off the highway.
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Coming back I went the back way to Latrobe from Devonport to pick up some cherries from Spreyton as later on I was picking up mrsdrron.However I had to stop for a Tassie train!
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After I picked up mrsdrron I took her to the RSL-Belly's Bar and grill.She had the scallops and I the flathead with sweet potato chips.
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She agreed the food was good in taste and value and the service excellent.

 

[drron]

Saturday it was back to Ulverstone though it was not to look at the view.
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In the second pic that is the Pickled onion place.Reasonable restaurant there as well.
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No we were there for the cherries.The first Kilo had gone so only the best for mrsdrron.
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[drron]

That night it was Camilles the French Restaurant.A good bistro.
An Amusee bouche and being a French Restaurant a Sancerre.
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Garlic prawns for mrsdrron and mussels for me as entrees.
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And fish for mains.
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[drron]

On Sunday we went for a drive.First to the Honey Farm at Chudleigh.
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We made a few purchases.
Out the back a sad sight.
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[drron]

Not far away was the 41 South Salmon farm.Always worth a visit.
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We had lunch here.Hot smoked salmon salad for mrsdrron and a spicy salmon wrap with a Tassie beer for me.
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[drron]

Now a couple of restaurants we went to during the week.First one of our favourites.not particularly liked by the locals but it suits us as we enjoy the sharing of dishes.CharlotteJack started by Ben Milbourne who was for a short time back on Masterchef recently.
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We love the cauliflower dish and ordered it every time we went.Next up is the beef dish dish which is also a favourite.
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Then the panna cotta and of course a Tassie white.
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The next another of our favourites for a simple and reasonably cheap meal-the Ellimatta pub.Oysters are good plus their seafood is not overcooked.
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Mrsdrron having the garlic prawns and i a mixed seafood.
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[drron]

Now a couple of places for lunch.First the Cherry Shed which we used to enjoy.unfortunately new owners and neither the cherries or the food is as good.Mrsdrron had the quiche and I fish and chips.
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We also tried the cafe at Spreyton cider.It was very good.Mrsdrron had a lamb wrap and I a Thai beef salad.
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Pretty good cider as well.Owned by the Spreyton fresh orchard just up the road which is also a good place for cherries.

Cider Makers, Tasmania - Spreyton Cider Co.

Spreyton Cider, Tasmania has been home to our families since the mid-1800s, and since 1908 we have been growing apples in this picturesque valley.

www.spreytonciderco.com.au

 

[drron]

Then another time we went to another of our old favourites when it was in Devonport and after it Moved to the Axemans museum in Latrobe.Unfortunately it has gone down hill too.The Thai Imperial.They have quite a few western options on the menu now.One we enjoyed-scallops in a ginger and shallot sauce.
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The Thai meals were disappointing though.
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A satay,beef and cashews and pad Thai.
But the wine was nice.
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[clipped_wings]

I've never been to Tassie, but loving your report with those delicious photos and commentary!

 

[drron]

Saturday night and back to CharlotteJack.This time we had the Pickled beets as well as the Miso roasted cauliflower as our vegetables.
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We were feeling hungry this night so not only the beef cheek but also the pork belly.Also very good.
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Naturally there was a bottle of wine but no photo this time.As we set off for home the ferry was arriving.
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[ric_melb]

As always another very interesting trip report by drron. I particularly enjoy the various details given and the photos of scenery, buildings, and food.
Whilst the food at Charlotte Jack may not appeal to some, looking at the photos of the meals had there certainly made me hungry!
From Charlotte Jack's Facebook the last post dated 2 July says that the restaurant will not be re opening.
It will be sad to see that happening to many restaurants.

 

[clipped_wings]

@ric_melb so true. @drron is a giant when it comes to trip reports. One of the best contributors. And yes, so many wonderful, young and enterprising restaurants could not survive the last few months.

But thankfully, we get to experience some of them via the generosity of fellow AFF's. I love reading the adventures of @drron and the darling @mrsdrron, as they always manage to chronicle their culinary escapades with insightful observations and delectable photos. My favourites are their airline photos and I can't wait to see this special couple take to the skies again.

I'm putting on weight just looking at those pictures