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Tasmania - February 2015

I went on holiday to Tasmania & Australia in Feb 2015, this is a summary of my visit:

Sat 7th Feb - Flew into Melbourne at about 10pm. Took almost 2 hours to clear passport control. Walked to IBIS Airport Hotel - didn't sleep a wink!

Sun 8th Feb - Hopped on flight to Hobart & was met by Louise, Gillian & Margie. Rowed in a couple of 250 races - one with Cygnets & one with team Scotland - pretty spaced out! Went to a presentation by the governor of Tasmania: Prof Kate Warner. intrigued that this position is afforded a lot of respect in Tasmania - there is an MC (!) who is dressed in naval style white uniform, who announces her entrance & exit, when all present stand up - by comparison, we are rather disrespectful of our leaders & royal family - at least some of us are! Met Lorrie, who I felt I already knew as we'd had so much correspondence & we all went for a drink. Later went back to Louise's house for a meal after which she took us up Mt Wellington - there's a superb view over Hobart & Derwent river & surrounding countryside, but there was a very chill wind which made it a good 10* colder. Luckily there was an enclosed viewing area - took some good pictures.

On Sunday I'd tried to find out details of the Reverse Raid - but despite several weeks of trying to pin this down, this had proved impossible to do from afar: camping gear, food/cooking, transport, who to link with... So in face of a generous offer from Louise to take us to the Mt Field National Park - Gill & I opted for the latter & not to go on the reverse raid. Emailed Richard Foster to let him know.

Mon 9th Feb - Trip with Louise to Mt Field National Park, where we walked to the Russell & Horseshoe Waterfalls, had some lunch & then she drove us up another longish track & we walked around Lake Dobson - lovely vegetation / countryside.

Tues 10th Feb - Gill & I went on an eventful trip to Bruny Island where our boat broke down & we had to be towed back. We had a tasty lunch (early) due to curtailed trip, & then went skinny dipping in Adventure Bay. Managed to get the promised full refund. Took Louise out for a meal in the evening

Wed 11th Feb - Gill & I went into Hobart & went on a trip to an extraordinary art gallery called MONA (Museum of Old & New Art). Amongst much other stuff I particularly remember the Fat Car (red), a maze of binary digits with occasional words. In the centre you could look up & see yourself in a mirror - if someone else came in you could see them in 3D on the ceiling! There were also 7 video panels of Sydney which moved into each other in an intriguing way... we went there & back on the MONA ferry. We (Gill) cooked a meal for Louise

Thurs 12th Feb - Today Louise took us to Franklin. On the way we passed the Lady Jane Franklin Museum in Lenah Valley & then went to the top of Mt Nelson To look at the old semaphore station, used fro sending / receiving messages from ships & the penal colony at Port Arthur. there was also a stunning view across the Tasman Peninsula, Betsey Island, Storm Bay & down to Bruny Island. We arrived in Franklin in time to have lunch & take part in the 8k race.

Fri 13th Feb -

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