Drron takes on the DPRT aka he's off to Tassie again.

[drron]

So one last post with nostalgia for pre covid days.I also partook of some of the cheap food options in Launceston.I like this place with messy burgers and BBQ.
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Whilst waiting some interesting architecture to check out over the road.
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Then a place just called Asian Street Food.Went for a spice fix.
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Then a place with a sense of humour just down the hill from the hospital.
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Which reminds me of the mementoes of Tassie I took home.
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So all checked in on JQ.Paperwork in order and bag packed.Probably won't here from me tomorrow as going to a Father's Day brunch here on the Sunshine Coast.A 1615 flight out of BNE getting into LST at 1850 then an hours drive to Latrobe.I know I won't be having dinner on board.The catering options are a chocolate muffin with coffee or banana bread with coffee.I'll pass.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

So after a lovely fathers days brunch in Buderim, we left at 12.30 and it was a horrendous drive to BNE - luckily Ron had already checked in online and had all his paper work, we arrived at the BNE drop off zone at 3.30pm. The Bruce Hway really is a car park on a Sunday ! But luckily we left at 12.30 because when I was driving home - the traffic heading south was even worse !!

 

[Steady]

I'll come up at some stage and we can pig out on some scallops (but not take-away pies ...) Maybe @Steady and others would like to come too. Perhaps the first AFF event since COVID?

Edit: I'll have a new car by then and I can do a drron+mrsdrron or @JohnM and do a new car 'journey' - but tailored to Tasmania .. just the one day / 500 km ... .

@Delectable Blue

 

[HokitikaGold]

One Sunday I just had to get out.

Boggy in places so a boardwalk.
View attachment 226800.

very informative photo, this one. I have only ever ventured to Tassie but once, and stayed in the Hobbit lands around Spring Beach. Never have I been able to enjoy the prosperous and modern (in Tassie terms) Midland Highway, truly the technological marvel of modern day Tasmania. I thank you for sharing a real photo of their transportation pride and joy!!

 

[HokitikaGold]

So after a lovely fathers days brunch in Buderim, we left at 12.30 and it was a horrendous drive to BNE - luckily Ron had already checked in online and had all his paper work, we arrived at the BNE drop off zone at 3.30pm. The Bruce Hway really is a car park on a Sunday ! But luckily we left at 12.30 because when I was driving home - the traffic heading south was even worse !!

I believe that there are certain AFF members in Buderim that would gladly host you to a brunch. Despite DrRons crazy ideas. Just a "suggestion" for next time

 

[drron]

I never trust a kiwi.Look what they did to Ansett.

But back to the report.Yes it was a close run thing getting to BNE.Flight time was 1615 but bag drop closed at 1545.We actually left the Sunshine Coast at 1215.Arriving at BNE at 1530 gave me 15 minutes for bag drop.fortunatley there was a lovely JQ lass patrolling the check in units.I obviously looked hassled and she was going to Check me in but I already had my BP up on my phone so she then got the bag tag and put it on for me.Straight to bag drop and again another lovely lass there just wanted to check my Tassie visa.
Then upstairs to security.They also have the newer security units so no more wanding.You have to take off your belt which was a bit of a problem as I had one of my older pairs of trouser on so with the weight loss there was a serious risk of them falling down.So I asked the fellow if I could stand with my legs just a little further apart than the yellow feet on the floor as there was a risk I might cause embarrassment.The JQ FA following me was obviously amused.

So straight to the gate.nothing else open around gate 38.Only 4 masks-and all were older bearded gentlemen.i was one.A few more went on after boarding.Only about 10 minutes at the gate before boarding commenced.About 40 pax.I was in 17D.18 of the 40 were in rows 16,17 and 18.After take off the let us spread out.Initially I was seated next to a Lonnie couple heading home after a 2 week holiday on the Sunny Coast.

My agent had prepaid a meal service.This was what I was given for a flight running from 1615 to 1845.
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It did come with a bottle of water.I could have had banana bread instead or tea or coffee instead of the water.Apart from those that had pre ordered there was no food or beverage service.
And the windows were very dirty so when I moved to a window seat it was hard to get good pics.Plus there was heavy cloud cover most of the time.
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We crossed the Victorian coast over Mallacoota.It was just before sunset.
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We crossed the Tassie coast a fair way east of the Tamar and Georgetown.
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We were a little early and I guess they weren't quite ready at LST as we took over 20 minutes to land after passing the Launceston CBD.

 

[Beano]

how off.

My bolding - what have crows or ravens got to do with this

Show off!

 

[Sulzerman]

So this Sunday I am off to Tassie again.This time it is for 8 weeks.And at the Mersey hospital in Latrobe just outside Devonport.
Things have changed a fair bit since my last trip down at the beginning of April.First change was that my Tassie Pass took 4 days to come through rather than 1 hour.

Second I don't need to self isolate for 14 days but need to have my temperature taken on arrival and answer a covid questionnaire.
Also mrsdrron could get an exemption to accompany me but would have to self isolate at the accommodation plus would have to stay all the time I am there.It is too cold for that.
but there is a definite hint of a thawing of DPRT's hard border.

But the forces of the DPRT have got wind of my arrival.The current Opposition Leader was personally campaigning against my arrival yesterday.

'We can't continue to rely on locums': Labor

Has COVID exposed the flaws in the Tasmanian health system?

www.theadvocate.com.au

Of course they are finding it hard to source locums at the present.They won't take anyone from Victoria or NSW.WA won't let any of their folks back in without quarantine so in practical terms it is only us Queenslanders that can help.Though if you live in Brisbane,Ipswich or the Gold Coast they won't grant you a quarantine exemption.They all know in northern Tasmania that I love the place so my agent was rung to see if I could do this stint.

I am not allowed to transit SYD or MEL but OK to fly grom BNE as long as I go straight there and make no other stops in Brisbane.So no long lunch with mrsdrron in brisbane before I fly out.Fortunately there is a direct BNE-LST flight on Sunday.It is JQ though.There are no DPO flights on the QF website.BWT is out as Rex fly there from MEL.And only now on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Monday's lunch may well be a scallop pie.Probably from Oliver's bakery in Latrobe.

We are glad to have you coming back, we need all the help we can get for our little local hospital. I have had quite a few visits there in the last few weeks with ill family members, the staff are great but always so busy, we need more workers! Can't go past Oliver's bakery either, enjoy your time in our great area.

 

[Sulzerman]

We are glad to have you coming back, we need all the help we can get for our little local hospital. I have had quite a few visits there in the last few weeks with ill family members, the staff are great but always so busy, we need more workers! Can't go past Oliver's bakery either, enjoy your time in our great area. Let me know if you are bored and need a catch up for a few beers one night!

 

[Beano]

When Covid is over I may be going to Burnie for one hour then Hobart. Any advice?

 

[suze2000]

So after a lovely fathers days brunch in Buderim, we left at 12.30 and it was a horrendous drive to BNE - luckily Ron had already checked in online and had all his paper work, we arrived at the BNE drop off zone at 3.30pm. The Bruce Hway really is a car park on a Sunday !

Wow that is insane! My parents live in Childers and we have learnt it's a LOT easier to fly into BDB and avoid the Bruce Hwy altogether after having to run into the terminal to make our flight on one memorable occasion. But THREE HOURS! We would have missed our flight on that day.
(we only made it because we took the turn off at Nambour and then Steve Irwin Drive or whatever it's called)

 

[drron]

When Covid is over I may be going to Burnie for one hour then Hobart. Any advice?

An hour in Burnie?Really can't do much in that time.
I'm not an expert on Hobart as I work in the north of the State,Launceston,Latrobe and Burnie.Here is a collection of visits to the North West-

Rambling Around NW Tasmania.

Over the last 9 years I have been working in NW Tasmania-Burnie and Latrobe.All up I have spent nearly 3 years working here.I love the place.I am a self appointed ambassador for the North West.So here in no particular order is a pictorial of the last 12 months.First during August I had my sister...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

In the older TRs the pics are often replaced by a red cross.Refreshing the page usually gets most back and if you really want to see them right click and view image brings them up but so slow.
Also have done a fair bit on activities around Launceston.

Ronnie in Lonnie.

I am spending the next few weeks working in Launceston.I really enjoy Tasmania and like to do a little to promote it. First to my travel down to LST.It was a Sunday and QF don't have a flight out of MCY on Sundays.So a choice of JQ or VA.Well at least with VA I will get some more points for...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[drron]

We are glad to have you coming back, we need all the help we can get for our little local hospital. I have had quite a few visits there in the last few weeks with ill family members, the staff are great but always so busy, we need more workers! Can't go past Oliver's bakery either, enjoy your time in our great area. Let me know if you are bored and need a catch up for a few beers one night!

I first worked at the Mersey in October 2007.Over the next 4 years spent at least 4-5 months a year there.Less frequently since then as was needed at Burnie then Launceston.It is a pleasure to return.
It has been sad to see the slow dismantling of the Mersey.It has usually done a very good job looking after the patients.despite all the political interference the staff have always been happy-still probably the happiest of any hospital I have worked at.If you happen to visit in the next few weeks you may very well run into me.
We might try and arrange an AFF meet up somewhere in the North.There seem to be quite a few resident up here these days.

 

[Sulzerman]

I first worked at the Mersey in October 2007.Over the next 4 years spent at least 4-5 months a year there.Less frequently since then as was needed at Burnie then Launceston.It is a pleasure to return.
It has been sad to see the slow dismantling of the Mersey.It has usually done a very good job looking after the patients.despite all the political interference the staff have always been happy-still probably the happiest of any hospital I have worked at.If you happen to visit in the next few weeks you may very well run into me.
We might try and arrange an AFF meet up somewhere in the North.There seem to be quite a few resident up here these days.

I first worked at the Mersey in October 2007.Over the next 4 years spent at least 4-5 months a year there.Less frequently since then as was needed at Burnie then Launceston.It is a pleasure to return.
It has been sad to see the slow dismantling of the Mersey.It has usually done a very good job looking after the patients.despite all the political interference the staff have always been happy-still probably the happiest of any hospital I have worked at.If you happen to visit in the next few weeks you may very well run into me.
We might try and arrange an AFF meet up somewhere in the North.There seem to be quite a few resident up here these days.

I meet up for local AFF would be great, I see the same people when flying in/out all the time, often wonder if they are members or not, maybe I should post more when I am sitting in the Qclub waiting!

 

[Sulzerman]

A meet up for local AFF would be great, I see the same people when flying in/out all the time, often wonder if they are members or not, maybe I should post more when I am sitting in the Qclub waiting!

 

[drron]

Better get on with this report.
The excitement of my day getting to Latrobe didn't end with the landing at LST.Totally different to my arrival in April when the 6 of us with exemptions just had our paperwork checked,given the instructions re isolation and then allowed on our way.This time everyone directed upstairs to the baggage area.We all lined up and had to answer a Covid Questionaire and have our temperature taken.I had filled out the questionnaire online so only had to show my exemption and was free to leave but given a small pack of masks as wearing a mask for 14 days is a condition of the exemption.

I then went over to Avis to pick up my rental.Lovely woman who told me that I had had a small car reserved for me but they only had one and she had given it to the first person to appear.besides ,she said,She was the manager at Devonport and she had recognised my name as one of the regulars at DPO so I was given a Hyundai Tucson.

Picked up my bag and headed off to Latrobe.However at the Hagley turnoff on the Bass highway a police car diverted me through Hagley and Westbury.Coming back on to the highway there were 2 ambulances coming from the west so obviously an accident had only just happened.Stopped off at the Mersey hospital to pick up the keys for my accommodation then off to Devonport to the supermarket.the majors were open until 10pm.Got a few funny looks in my mask.

My place as usual was a new spec built place.As usual the workmanship is pretty poor but it looks good.
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[VPS]

That furniture and decor just makes me cringe - if I see photos like that when I'm looking for accommodation, I just flick over it

 

[drron]

So here I am on call 1 in 2 during the week but 1 in 3 weekends.However tthe first week was very cold.Again as usual when I first walked in to my place the first thing was to turn on the heat pump.It will be turned off when I leave.
On the weekend Saturday was colder-max 11C.Also raining so I went over to Launceston to go to the Harvest Market.I like this market and now the food stalls are open.It was about 11am when I got there so time for brunch.I had a pulled pork slider and an Afghan bolani.
I was also able to pick up some of my favourites -Blue Sky cheeses,41 South salmon,some leatherwood honey and some nice veggies.

Fortunately Sunday was a better day.Still cold but the sun was making an appearance so I went to a place that I always go to when in Latrobe.
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The only reserve in Australia set up specifically for terrestial orchids.Not much this day as early in the season and late due to a very cold winter.But lots of other flowers plus a pair of parrots,green rosellas and kookaburras.
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[drron]

So the wildflowers.
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Quite a few more downed trees since my last visit in February.
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And believe it or not there are 2 orchids in this picture.
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The green leaves in the centre and lower right.Not flowering yet.

 

[drron]

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Then came across a part of the reserve that has had a planned burn.But this is not for hazard reduction primarily but for the orchids.They ar stimulated by low intensity fires..
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on the other side of the path an orchid.
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