The above Tasmania

Houses near where I'm staying

If I get wifi at airport will perhaps blog again c

Another day in Tasmania. How could I not have mentioned the Melbourne cup. A horse race, won by a woman. You can just imagine the stick she had taken and the difficulty in getting a ride.
Went to MONA the local art gallery very impressive. Also wasn't sure what to make of some of the displays. My usual inability to download any of the pictures continues, will have to wait till I'm home. When I was sold the ticket they forgot to mention the 99 steps from the ferry to the gallery.
So today I visited the Frecycient National Park. Beautiful. The view below is wineglass bay, it gets its name from its shape. I had to walk up 1.5kms to take this picture. I found it hard going up hill and hot.

Boring I know another beach. The water is cold so wasn't tempted into the water. I'm going to need a rest when I get home. Until today only seen dead wallabies on the road so nice to see this little fellow.

Well made Tasmania arrived at the right airport on the right day. The change in weather was noticeable. Rain and a cold wind. Bit like the uk. I was collected by Dave and Jane, who took me to there place, cup of tea, sort my washing out and then away to signal piont. Amazing views.

A very nice restaurant and we had a tasty lunch and a drive around Hobart to help me get my bearings. I sorted out a couple of trips. I'm going to be busy up early and long days. I was taken to Salmon Ponds. Many years ago mid 1800's, they started breeding salmon and trout. They are now in all the rivers throughput Tasmania. Whilst there saw albino trout. Wanted to show picture but as per usual I don't understand the technology.
Then we went to the rainforest. The smell of eucalyptus trees, the old trees stretching up to the sky. I saw an amazing waterfall. A brilliant day out. Another picture malfunction Carnot put up rainforest pictures.

Another day Tasman island after Able Tasman who discovered the place. Seen seals, on bottom photo, sea eagles, shy albatross and cormonts that look like little penguins. The crew of the boat where ver knowledge about the wildlife and the rock formations. See below the rocks.

Just look at this beach sandy, sheltered and so blue.

After lunch a trip to Pot Arthur. A really interesting afternoon. Such a hard life and sentenced to transportation for stealing a candle or clothes. Travelling for months and arriving at this convict site. Such harsh treatment seton such a beautiful bay.

More excitement to come. MONA tomorrow a art gallery 

So leaving Sydney for Hobart looking forward to that. I hav have had some hot sun but seen rain at Uluru and here in Sydney. It's 6am and already 20 degrees.
The botanical gardens a really good nosy round many of the plants I didn't re cognise but those I did where house plants to us. A really nice was to spend Sunday afternoon. I've walked miles and miles. Got a few blisters but who cares.

Whale watching on Saturday, you will need to look carefully to see the tail. Very exciting.

Traditional picture of Sydney. Arrived in Tasmania and the temperature has dropped and seen a bit of rain. Got myself sorted and rearing to go

Manly Friday's lunchtime venue.

Oh gone backwards so last week when at Uluru 

Well made Sydney despite virgin Australian efforts. Chaos at the Airport security. Some very cross passengers as I and a number of others jumped the queue. No idea why type changed but it seems to have managed it without any help from me. During the long wait I got talking to a women from the Highlands of Scotland. So we compared notes of where I'd visited. Made the time go quickly. Anyway Sydney I arrived. Another time change so I've lost the plot of the time difference. Took me a long way round to find Sydney harbour and bridge but eventually. So Well what I've seen today not sure if it's Rocky Horror stuff or Halloweane. Yellow, orange and purple hair. Bolts out of various anatomy. I think fake bullet holes in heads. Hornes. Angles. You get the idea. Crossing the street is taking your life in your hands. Everyone waits for the green light and off you charge. Ideally you need to beat the light changing as it doesn't last long. Even Usain Bolt would have a job. To add to the excitement once the green goes to red usually when I'm half way the traffic can move. Makes it interesting I suppose. Hyde Park is near my hotel so I walk through it. It's a pleasure. Those shopaholic would love this place. I think there are loads of designers shops. Finding wifi is like looking for hens teeth. I'm currently in my favourite place MacD. Take what you can get is my view. Today I've been whale watching it was a toss up between that or the blue mountains the whales won. Fantastic trip. Been trying to sent picture via whatapp but defeated. There is a very very posh shopping centre, good for food court and loos. No prices on the goods so guess even if I wanted couldn't afford to shop. Having trouble with uploading photos not sure if it's me or MacDonolds so limited to what I've got. Another day for the botanical gardens and who knows.

Red centre continued. The sun did come out but by the time I got my camera, it gone. Great excitement we had a few drops of rain. Obviously here rain is important. The good bit of this for me some desert flowers came out. Very interesting the local practice of burning some of the land allows flowers infrequently seen to flourish. The rain if you can call it that brings these flowers out.

Said little flower you have to work at it to find it. Wasn't there yesterday apparently. How amazing is that. Sunset was as disappointing as sunrise. Hey ho. But I've had a brilliant day out. The tour guide and drivers are knowledgeable. Made for a really good time. There has been some lightening this evening but a very poor show of rainfall. Well other than spooling my photo opportunities. Well Sydney beckons tomorrow, can you believe it I'm flying 4 half hours to get there and don't leave Australian soil or is it airways. Whatever. That would get me to Greece. Just a simple example of the size of the place. 

On a boring note misjudge the number of socks under estimate the knickers. So need to get my laundry sorted at some point in the city. It's nearly 9pm so bedtime for me.

Leaving the desert behind off to the big city. Sydney. What a day up early for the sunrise too cloudy to see anything. Then off to walk th base of Uluru 12 kilometres, whilst we started early and it was cooler. Cooler is a relative word. Walk ended three half hours later in 34 degrees heat. It was hot. I reLly enjoyed listening to the cultural history of the place and the like. But not a interesting walk, and it was so hot the last 20 minutes I wasn't sure I could finish it. The guides knowledge about the area geology, the land and customs. Tales of lizards, people and folk law. Great.

This is equivalent to a school teaching the young about the foot prints of anamils, where water is and other useful things.
Back quick shower some food and off again to go to look at Kata Tjuta. A 2 kilometre walk into the gorge. By which time I'm well and truly knackered.

I know the sunrises daily but today it was too cloudy to get the rays  on Uluru. Reminded me of Piccadilly Circus so busy. Loads of very serious folks with cameras

So I walked 7 half miles around it. Exhausting in this heat. Took us 3half hours which I don't think is bad taking into account the heat.

Some paintings. I found the cultural understanding of Uluru very interesting. Must be mad, not content with being out in the midday sun off later for sunset walk. Thanks goodness I'm feeling better.

Lots to say. I've had a really great time in Adelaide. My cousins have been very welcoming and generous with there time and hospitality.

I have explored the city and had a tour around the City area. A drive out to strethelan a really old fashion town, the mouth of the Murray river saw them dredging it. Victor harbour for coffee and then wine tasting great fun. Visited 2 wineries the first for the wonderful view, which I may or may not be able to attach. Visited West Beach and Henley lovely and peaceful.

Got my days mixed up and went for the train 24hrs too early. You do have to wonder about me don't you. Anyway caught The Ghan on the right day. I really enjoyed it. For over 3 hours we passed nothing but fields and fields of wheat. Then came a lot of shrub land. Not sure about some of the other folks on the train but that's not a surprise.

Arrived in Alice Sprins and the heat was overbearing. I did a quick look at the town but the heat defeated me. So went for a swim and a early night for my trip to the red centre.

OMG driving The Ocean Rd. Well. The mid life crisis lot, I think the majority are men, then there's the must get ahead and overtake whatever's in front preferably on a bend lot and then there's me. Dawdling  along and irritating just about everyone. Why change habits of a lifetime is my view. Whilst the road is not to busy there are a lot of bikers on the road. I can't fathom the parking regulations so keeping my fingers crossed I don't get either a parking ticket or a speeding fine. I was advised that the road was twisting and potentially difficult. However it's fine.
I've wandered the coastline walked the beaches and took a walk in the rain forest. I seen waterfalls, bit empty insufficient rain. The forest was lovely, the sound of birds amazing. Talk about stupid, I saw folks looking up at a tree taking photos. I was wishing I knew my birds better. It's wasn't a bird but a kola bear! I haven't seen any live kangaroos but 3 dead ones by the roadside.I did the usual stuff the 12 Apostles, London Bridge. Loch Ard Gorge along the shipwreck coast. Visited Cape Otway Lighthouse. No whales any Warrnambool. I sat for ages optimistic best I saw where 4 guys surfing.
On Wednesday the weather changed drizzling and cool. So that's when I took a walk round a nature reserve.

You will need to get our magnifying glass to spot the lighthouse.

After a good time in Melbourne getting over jet lag now moved on and currently in Apollo Bay. After  spending time with a nearly 3 & 5year old it's very quite. I have been given instructions from how not to brush my teeth too hard to read a book. So now got to fend for myself. I was dropped off to collect my car, that was the easy bit. The car is automatic and now I've got used to it it's fine, but nearly failed at the first hurdle... putting it in neutral. Then hit the open road. Follow the straight road cannot miss the signs for the Oacean Rd. That maybe true I've no idea as there was a detour. So half hour or so later found the right road. What a tremendous views.

Melbourne where Judy and I spent hours practice being "ladies who lunch" like the slow pace of it not sure about the ladies but whatever we had good time. That must counts.

The fantastic tram system maybe Nottingham should have investigates this. I would of happily all expenses paid of course visited Melbourne to look at the viability.

Cannot get over that a lot of the houses have tin roofs😳

Just one of the beautiful bays. Too cold despite my recent time of life heat up. However a little walk very pleasant.

AUSTRALIA

I cannot believe it I'm going to travel 24hours no sleep just sitting in a chair. How boring is that?  So No sleeps literally for the next goodness knows how many hours. Didn't manage to get all my stuff in my bag but enough. Arrived at Dubai 7.15 local time and 84 degrees, was like opening a oven door.  Then couple hours wait to fly to Melbourne. Arrive 6.20 and it's 74 degrees.

Spending sometime in Melbourne a lovely city. Been out to williamstown a lovely district outside the city. I love the tram system and have been on the city loop and planing my outings when I come back from my travels. At the moment having wifi problems so no pictures to show you.

The suns shining and today Sunday at a local street festival. Very chilled

A good start to my retirement a trip to the rugby at Leicester. Don't know anything about it but I've never let that sort of thing stop me. Canada vs Romania. Last half hour it got better and the last 5 minutes very exciting. Also we missed the rain all in all a good day out.

My next task is to pack. But first a night out at one of my favourite places. I believe in miracles a film about NFFC Europe campaign. Even though I was there I'd forgotten what an achievement it was to win the cup   twice.

So this little lot is going into that little bag. I have taken advice about what tops go with which bottoms to maximise my wardrobe from my lovely sister in law. Thanks.

Now tackle the house.

September already. Officially stop working after 46 years how strange will that be. I have been really fortunate with my work experiences. Some amazing teams of people I've worked with, challenging and difficulties too. But on balance great. So this is a new phase of my life. I'm on leave till the end of the month, but I've started to get into the swing of things.
Today a visit to see the NFFC exhibition at the contemporary arts centre. Memorabilia from our glory days.

My guess is that we won't see the likes of this for a while.

So the next day a dear friend treated me to a champagne tea. It was lovely. Took a lovely drive across the moor, the heather out and the sky blue. A lovely early autumn day.

Next came a evening at the Glee to see Sarah Milligan she is very funny. Not sure about the support but still a good evening. Thanks to a good friend organising me.

My leaving do at the end of the week. Won't surprise anyone to hear as usual due to friends. Me I'm hopeless and sorting stuff out.

Then a few days in Somerset visited a Elizabethan house used for the set of Wolf Hall. A beautiful autumn day. The building was impressive and my passion, the herbaceous boarders inspiration.

Shame about the photographer.

I planned a really exciting June however a chest infection sorted me and my plans. I had a day out to Birmingham NEC garden and home stuff. Too poorly.  Next was the summer solctice nope too ill for that.

Using her nursing skills. No you cannot go to the stones 

As a consequence I decided to do as I was told, take the medicine, rest and it will eventually go.

Already over half way through the year. After a burglary just before Christmas I went to visit Reg. good idea? No. The Western Isles had a hurricane. Candle light is over rated in my view. I flew home. The plane was rocking on the runway at Stornoway. Exciting, maybe not so much as those folks who lost not only power for days, roof damage and a disruption for many folks. I was pleased to be home. However my boiler broke no hot water or heating, I was about at the limit of my patience.
 So let's skip that and move to my trip to cheddar gorge.

Spent a pleasant time watching the duck and her chicks. Wells Cathedral was worth a visit