Yesterday we headed over to Richmond and joined a crowd to watch the Annual Duck Race held at Puddleduck Vineyard. ( It was a cancer fundraiser and Mal and I had a duck each ). We packed a picnic including cheeses from Wicket Cheese Factory down the road. Wicked Cheese is a boutique cheesemaker, based in Richmond, Tasmania.

Wicked Cheese has emerged, in a few short years, to gain recognition as one of the most impressive, high quality, hand-made cheese ranges in Australia. Wicked Cheese Triple Cream Brie was awarded the Supreme Cheese Champion Trophy at the 2008 Royal Melbourne Show, and Wicked Cheese Brie was awarded the trophy for Best White Mould Cheese at the 2010 Australian Grand Dairy Awards.

Puddleduck Vineyard is a small family owned 4 hectare vineyard in the Coal River Valley near Hobart. The beautiful Coal River Valley is a 20 minute scenic drive from Hobart’s CBD on the way to the Historic town of ​Richmond, and about 25 minutes from home. We did not win the duck race but enjoyed a great day.

 

 

We have been busy continuing our home improvements, both inside and out. The land is still in the slight clearing process. I think we may have removed the possum’s tree, as they have taken up residence in our new insulation. Mal is going to build a couple of possum houses to try to remedy this problem. We enjoyed a visit from Michael and Kathy. The weekend flew way too quickly. We spent the first day of their visit (also Kathy’s birthday) at the Salamanca Markets and then on to Meadowbank Estate for a birthday lunch. Later that night we lit up the new pizza oven for a home made wood-fired pizza. All good !!!!

We also took a drive down to Cygnet a couple of weeks ago to spend the day with our friend Tanya, who lives in a little cottage perched on a hill. I forgot the camera. Darn.

Yesterday, Mal and I enjoyed a day out visiting a Classic Car Show in Bellerive, then heading out to Richmond to visit some wineries and lunch. All within 25 minutes from home. We are very lucky !!!

Friday night saw 150 women from the South Arm and Sandford area get together to raise funds for breast cancer. Typical of a small community, the event was not advertised, and sold out 2 weeks before the night. It is a close community here and fundraisers and other events are supported well.

Well it has been a particularly difficult week for us, as we lost our old dog Mutley. Old age caught up with him, but thankfully he has had a wonderful 3 months exploring our 10 acres of bush. We are grateful he has not had too much old age pain or problems, just the usual arthritis. He was starting to have trouble with the stairs. We loved him so much but his time was up.

To take our mind off missing Mutley we spent some time on the weekend exploring the New Norfolk area.

New Norfolk has one of Australia’s few traditional village squares and is the centre of the hop-growing area.

What’s special about New Norfolk?

• Several old oast houses (kilns) along the roadside.
• A growing hub for ‘antique hunters.’…. no we did not buy anything. We can’t fit what we own in our home as it is, so it stops us spending !!!! Mal would not even let me LOOK.
• Stunning river views

New Norfolk has a rich hop-growing past and you will see several old oast houses (kilns) along the roadside. They aren’t used today but their elegant shapes give the Valley a deep sense of its history and some have been lovingly converted into homes, restaurants and art galleries. Hops are still grown in New Norfolk for beer making.

New Norfolk is 30 minutes from Hobart, however, it’s inland position on the river means it is prone to frosts and fog during the winter. If you visit, remember to bring a warm jacket.

 

We have just enjoyed a visit from our very good friends, Mike and Kim Ridley and son Zac all the way from Tamworth. It was a mixture of both pleasure and WORK !!!!

Mike supplied and installed our new air conditioning in our home. We have really appreciated their help. We also took a drive over to Swansea and Coles Bay and enjoyed the views looking towards Maria Island. Also, on Saturday, we all headed off to Salamanca Markets and lunch at the Irish Pub.

We have purchased our new home that sits on a beautiful 9.5 acre bush block overlooking the beach. No close neighbours, although down the road Tom is our closest neighbour and a great guy. Mal and Tom spend many hours talking boats !!!

Mal nearly burnt the shed down the other night. He put too strong a globe in the outside sensor light and it caught fire and had 2 foot high flames burning against the outside western red cedar walls. Luckily we were outside burning off, and not out at the time,  and saw the flames. Even Mutley’s bowl of water was thrown at it !!! No real damage, just a burnt mark. Adds character to Mal’s shed !!!!! We will get a tap over at the shed soon !! Need a plumber.

We have been very busy improving things on our bush block.

We have already insulated under the home….this really helped with the warmth.

We have laid gravel on the drive.

Air conditioning is being installed next week to give an alternative to our much loved wood heater. We have gone through 3 tonne of firewood already, but it keeps most of the house very cosy. Nights are beautiful by the fire with a glass of red. Kim and Mike (friends and air conditioning people from Tamworth) are flying down to help install the air conditioners and spend a week with us.

The last few days,  we have had the tree loppers clearing some trees for a new shed for the boat and caravan, and also to help with our bushfire prevention plans.We have plenty of trees so will really not notice the ones missing.

Last week we had “Mud Bucket” arriving on site (an excavator) to commence the clearing of a road for our fire trail and also a spot for the new caravan and boat shed. Mud Bucket will spend a couple of weeks with us !!!

Today the electrician has started to spend a couple of days updating some of the wiring.

We have even laid new carpet since we arrived….looks much better and as it is pure wool, much warmer, so yes, a lot has been happening.

We were going to extend for a billiard room / library but have decided not to, as the home is small but perfect.

Yesterday, Mal and I spent the day driving down to Port Arthur, about one hour from our home. We revisited the “Port Arthur Historic Site”. The site contains more than 30 historic buildings, extensive ruins and beautiful grounds. We took the short ferry ride from the site to the “Isle of the Dead” cemetery and passed the site of the old and long gone Point Puer Boy’s Prison. The Port Arthur site was built by convict labour in the 1830’s.

On Sunday 28th April 1996, a tragic chapter was added to Port Arthur’s history when a gunman (Martin Bryant), took the lives of 35 people and physically wounded 19 others in and around the Port Arthur Historic Site. Among them were locals from Port Arthur. The Memorial Garden incorporates the shell of the Broad Arrow Cafe where 20 people were killed during the massacre, and has been created as a place of remembrance and reflection. (  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Arthur,_Tasmania  )

Where do I start ???  It has been a while since I have added a post to our blog. We have been so busy.

Yes, we were about to hop on the plane at the beginning of May to pick up our car and caravan that were in storage in WA, and to continue our trip up the west coast of WA. The trip is on hold at this stage, as our dreams came true and we sold our home, although only having about four weeks to drive the van to Tassie and head back to Ballina to pack up was very challenging to say the least. We did it, and even bought a home in Tassie at the same time. We have been spending the past two weeks settling in and unpacking what seems like hundreds of boxes. The garage is still full of unopened boxes, but we will get there. We found a queen size doona yesterday, so the spare room is now ready for visitors !!!!

We enjoyed our trip down to Melbourne and another crossing on the Spirit of Tasmania, this time bringing the stag and Mal’s new landcruiser. We have visited the Salamanca Markets to buy the most beautiful vegies, cheeses, breads etc. We have eaten out a few times including a memorable meal at the famous Donovans Restaurant in St Kilda on our way over. We have really been enjoying a lot of “winter warmers” home cooked meals, and spent last Saturday night cooking for Tanya, one of our Tassie friends. The fire has been going non stop since we moved in and it helps keep the home cosy. I am impatient to start planting my vegie and herb garden in my beautiful possum proof vegie garden, but after having a visit form Jack Frost last week, will hold off for about a month or two. We will just have to visit Salamanca Markets every Saturday to buy them there.

Dick and Jenny, we will we catching up with Mark and Karen again soon. For those that don’t know, Mark and Karen were one of our “Grove” neighbours in Lennox Head who beat us to Tasmania to live. Mutley and Salem have settled in well and love exploring the 9 acres of bushland. They watch the possums eating their apples on the back verandah each night from the safety of inside the home, so spend the next morning searching for signs of them in the bush !!!!

Wow…we were certainly excited about finally arriving in Tasmania to start home hunting. It felt like we were coming home !!!!!

We have been here for about 10 days and finally, after much searching, have found the home we will buy. It is on an 8 acre beautiful bush block at Sandford, looking down onto a deserted beach and lagoon about 25 minutes from Hobart. It is surrounded by many National Parks so is a very protected area. No close neighbours and very peaceful. It even fits all Mal’s toys…caravan and boat, with a good boat ramp 5 minutes away at South Arm.

Unfortunately Mal flew to Sydney last night to visit his Mum who suddenly became very seriously ill. Last night things were very worrying, but I am pleased to say she is improving and hopefully we will have his cheerful Mum back to normal soon !!!

Mal was very lucky to go out Tuna fishing with our good friend Pete at South Arm. They were very successful with their catch. I spent the day exploring the beautiful old buildings in Hobart, the interesting shops around Salamanca and the wharf area and catching up with Tanya for a coffee. I even met Nick from Gourmet Farmer and had a great chat with him. We have been invited to join them for a lunch once we have settled in Tassie. I will look forward to it. Tomorrow I am heading into Hobart for the Salamanca Markets and then meeting Tanya for lunch at Blue Skies.

Mal is flying back in early Sunday morning, and we are then leaving Tassie on Tuesday night crossing via the ship “Spirit of Tasmania”, then driving back up to Ballina for moving day on the 12th June. Can’t say we are looking forward to that part !!!