Dad and Mum H in Tassie

The weekends seem to roll around so fast and we seem to cover so much ground during our days! This week we were very sad to leave the Wieske's, we have had a wonderful time together and we know it will be a highlight of our time in Tasmania. We headed off on Monday morning, after being served hot chocolates from the wonderful Wieske Cafe! We had to drop the van into the shop to get the hand break looked at and then headed to the Botanic Gardens. I enjoyed the Sub-Antarctic the best, it is kept at 9 degrees, a little chilly, and is modelled on the enironment of Macquarie Island south of Tasmania.

We visited the Hobart Aquatic Centre which was nice, although it was smaller than Arena Joondalup! As expected, Hobart is a small city and doesn't seem to need the large facilities we have in Perth. We were very excited to pick up Dad and Mum from the airport Monday evening and to have them with us for a few weeks to share in seeing the sights of Tasmania.

Tuesday the kids got to see Nanna and Papa for the first time in a few months and we had a great time checking out their motor home that we picked up for them to travel in. We drove up to Mt Wellington to enjoy the view from this 1270m high masterpiece of creation. It was a lovely day, blue skies and puffy clouds and made for a great view across the Derwent and down over Hobart.

On Wednesday we visited Port Arthur and found the learning of this part of history very interesting. We went on a cruise around the bay, viewing the Isle of the Dead, where all the dead were taken and buried, free settlers on the high ground and convicts on the low ground (reaffirming the high/low class of course). We cruised past Point Peur, where the boys were housed in the first successful separation of boys from the men, as convicts. Aged between 9 and 18 they lived, went to school, worked, learnt a trade and most importantly went to church, everyday, in the hopes of reforming their delinquent tendencies. What a tough life.

Back on the mainland we did a walking tour with a very informative, humourous and interesting guide. We saw where, between 1830 and 1877 some 12,000 convicts had come to serve their sentences. They established timber farming, ship building, crops and a granary, where the convicts pedalled a huge grinding machine to grind the wheat into flour. If they didn't behave they were dealt with mercilessly, flogging and isolation, and if they did behave they could learn a trade and rise up through the ranks to be servants for the free settlers with better conditions. Some had their sentences reduced, earnt freedom and became decent citizens of our early colonial life. The life of the Commandant and the Medical Officer were different, they enjoyed English cottage gardens, lovely furniture and 5 bedroom houses with servants etc. It was an interesting day, the weather was grey and overcast but warm and very still and we enjoyed our time learning and looking.

Thursday we shifted into Hobart and then visited Alpen rail and model rail set up modelled on a Swiss village, Jerome loved it and we all thought the mock thunderstorm over the mountains was well done, Sophia kept commenting, "It isn't real, is it Mummy?! It's not scary, is it!"

Friday we took a drive out to Hounville, some 40kms south of Hobart. This is the major apple growing region of the state and we figured Dad, being an apple fan, would enjoy visiting here! At the Apple Heritage Museum we found out there are 386 different varieties of apple grown here, all of which were displayed on their shelving - wow, how amazing and we enjoyed tasting apple jelly, apple jams and apple juice.

We visited the Wieske's on our way home and it was great to see them again, to share afternoon tea and dinner together and we are grateful for the friendship we have developed in such a short time. Sad to say goodbye again...

Today has been cool and we thought it nice to have a quiet morning and then take a drive out to Mt Field National Park - an hours drive - and walk to Russell Falls (20mins). I love the cool forrest with natures carpet - soft green moss - everywhere, the ferns and the natural water cascading over the rocks. I am continually in awe of what beauty we have around us to enjoy, if we can take the time. We hope you have had time to enjoy a sunset, a walk in a garden or along the beach or maybe been able to get out into the bush lately, to enjoy the peace, the serenity and the stillness.

Just as a painting has a painter and a building has a builder, makes us realize that this awesome creation we see everywhere around us must have a truly magnificent Creator.