camping

Last week Slabs, Juniordwarf and I went camping at Mt Field National Park.

We really love going there, and it's been the subject of several previous posts (examples here and  here). It's wonderful to be so close to such a beautiful place, so peaceful and so far removed from the rest of our lives.

I've already told the story of how Zoe went swimming on our walk to Russell Falls. Here are some photos to tell the rest of the story.

Slabs and Junordwarf did some fishing

Lake Fenton, where we had hoped to see a glorious sunset, but it wasn't to be

The amazing colours of these trees almost made up for the lack of a sunset

They were beautiful trees

Pandani on the Urquhart Track near Lake Dobson

Eagle Tarn

Mt Field from Maydena

Russell Falls

A grateful Juniordwarf and Zoe after the great rescue

Juniordwarf is getting the hang of using the camera

Tyenna River, right where we camped

Tall trees at dusk. They really are massive!

We had only intended to stay for two days, so we weren't too put out when we were told on the Thursday night we would have to leave by 9 am the next morning as they were closing the park due to the forecast high temperatures (forecast 39 degrees, it actually reached 41 in Hobart) and strong winds, combined with the fact that there was a bushfire relatively nearby.

It seemed impossible to imagine, in the cool and still of the evening, that such conditions could eventuate. But eventuate they did, and not long after we got home, the sun came out, the clouds disappeared and Tasmania sweltered and burned.

Late on Friday afternoon, the sky around town looked like this

from the fire that had prompted the precautionary closure of the park. It was nowhere near us, but it was still a fearsome sight. In the following days we heard of heartbreaking losses from communities around the state, especially around the Tasman Peninsula.

Today it is a lot cooler, even though the rest of Australia had its turn for record temperatures, but the fires are still burning and everyone is hoping for some relief very soon.

east coast retreat (sunday selections)

I'm linking up with River for Sunday Selections today with some photos of our recent getaway.

We went away for a few days to the East Coast of Tasmania. It's not an area I know well, though I have visited parts of the coast previously and I have vague memories of going to some of the north-east towns as a child.

We had a very quiet time in a beachside town called Beaumaris, which is between St Helens and Scamander. We stayed in a fabulous self-contained house that allowed pets, so Sleepydog was able to come with us.

Juniordwarf was delighted by the choice of beds (two double bedrooms and a kids room with a bunk) and the fact that the "play room" had a TV and a DVD player.

We deliberately didn't plan to do anything, just to get away and relax. The weather wasn't the greatest for a coastal holiday, but I like the coast on misty wet days, so I didn't mind too much.

I won't say much more other than I don't think I ever needed a break more than I did before we went away.

The house we stayed at.

Juniordwarf wanted to build a sandcastle.

Construction (mostly by Slabs) complete.

Moody closeup of the sandcastle.

I wanted to get some sunrise photos. 

Not very spectacular when the sky is overcast.

We went to Pyengana Dairy to taste some cheese.

This is really pretty countryside around Pyengana, just inland from St Helens.

Priscilla the beer drinking pig at the Pub in the Paddock.

Lunch at the Pub in the Paddock at Pyengana.

St Columba Falls near Pyengana. Stunning. Breathtaking.

You can see the top of the falls from the road.

The beaches at Beaumaris.

Juniordwarf attacked by a freak wave at Binalong Bay (this was very funny).

Near Binalong Bay

The Gardens

The Gardens

The Gardens

The Gardens

The Gardens

Attempted panorama at The Gardens.

The Gardens

Iron House Brewery

Ironhouse Porter and the view from the brewery.

P365 - Day 344 - lunar eclipse (10/12/2011)

After our visit to our friends’ place in the Huon, we made good on our plan to go tenting* in their back yard.

It was a great idea, because it meant we didn’t have to rush home in time for dinner, so we could catch up properly, have a few drinks and enjoy the great outdoors.

Juniordwarf was very excited because, after our recent camping adventure we decided that a “three man tent” is just a little bit cosy to actually house three people, so we bought him his own little tent. This was the first time he was going to use it, and he was really looking forward to sleeping in his own tent, with his teddies Billy and Jenny.

There was a total lunar eclipse due. 

We thought it would be great to sit around the fire and watch it. Unfortunately the sky was covered by clouds, so we didn’t see a thing. We saw some light behind the trees as the moon was rising, but that was it.

This is our view for most of the night

This is what we might have seen if the weather had cooperated.

At about the time we were supposed to be able to start seeing the eclipse, it started to pour with rain, which put an end to the sitting around the fire part of the night as well.

It was kind of nice to go to bed with rain pouring down on the tent. Similar to rain on the roof, but a lot closer.

*Tenting = sleeping in a tent without actually camping.

P365 - Day 343 - downpour

I got held up at work today. Luckily Slabs was taking Juniordwarf to get his hair cut and buy a present for his friend’s birthday, and by the time I’d finished everything I had to do, so had they, and we were all ready to leave at about the same time.

If I’d left work at the normal time, I would have been warm and dry. But at about 4.00 there was huge downpour that left me completely soaked to the skin as I made my way to where we were supposed to meet.

(Sensible me would have called Slabs and asked him to come and get me. But I didn’t even think of it.)

It was actually nice to be caught in the rain. It was still quite warm, and the rain was those huge soft rain drops that are really refreshing. So at the time I didn’t care too much. It was the sort of rain that if I’d been at home and not carrying expensive equipment like my video camera (required for Juniordwarf's school assembly), I might have even gone outside and stood in, just for the sake of it.

By the time I met Slabs and Juniordwarf at the car, the rain had stopped. They were completely dry, and I had to sit in the car all the way home in soaking wet clothes. That wasn’t quite as nice.

We also got caught in another almighty downpour on the way home. This was one I’m glad I wasn’t outside in.

P365 - Day 339 - i wear my mittens at night

Juniordwarf has two pairs of fingerless gloves. Red ones and blue ones.

He calls them ‘mitttens’.

Recently he’s started wearing his ‘mittens’ to bed, ‘to keep [his] hands warm’. Sometimes he wears socks too, to keep his feet warm.

Of course.

The funny thing about this is, he’s often wearing his short summer PJs at the same time. Even when the nights are very chilly, as they have been lately (summer, where?).  Perhaps he’s inherited his mother’s cold hands and feet. 

P365 - Day 337 - here comes the rain

P365 - Day 290 - birthday festivities continue

My other birthday present from Slabs arrived in the mail today – a gift pack from Disaster Bay Chillies. 

With a name like that, what’s not to like?

The gift pack includes Chipotle Sauce, Chilli Wine Jelly, Spicy Kasoundi and (wait for it) Hot Chilli Wine – made not from grapes, but from chillies. 

Apparently the wine is best served chilled. According to the website:

the rich fruit flavours will enliven your palate, whilst a distinctive silky sweetness balances the heat of the chillies to leave a warm inner glow. A perfect accompaniment to cheese or natural oysters. Once opened, Hot Chilli Wine can happily remain in the refrigerator for several months.

It all sounds divine!

We also tried the cake after dinner tonight. Very yummy.

And for the final picture for today, it was so cold overnight it snowed. Lucky Lil Sis and Mr Tall went up the mountain to play in the snow, while I got to look at it from my window at work.

By mid-afternoon the day had warmed up and the snow had all gone.

P365 - Day 281 - two metre tall (8/10/2011)

This weekend is the official opening of Two Metre Tall’s Farm Bar season. 

Yay!

Scenic!

To celebrate, the Farm Bar is open all weekend.

Yay!

Juniordwarf learns self-photography

Lil Sis kindly agreed to drive us, so we all squeezed into her car for the trip. We met up with some friends and had a great afternoon drinking the different ales and ciders. 

Designer of the 'Norfick' shirt, Samedog.

Two Metre Tall has been very busy over the ‘off season’ and there is now an undercover BBQ area for people to cook their ‘beer fed beef’ steaks and sausages that come straight from the farm.

We called the BBQ area the ‘Man Cave’ because, well, there were a lot of men there bonding over the wood fire and discussing tongs. I don’t know, it must be a man thing.

Men doing secret men's business in the Man Cave

Juniordwarf found himself a new friend in Molly the dog, who seemed quite happy for him to chase her around the place (he took this photo).

Molly the dog

It was a beautiful day, perfect for getting some Vitamin D in this part of the world where apparently Vitamin D deficiency is a big issue. Then in true Tassie style, we were treated to a glorious rain storm, which meant we could all cram into the shed and continue our sampling of the ale-y goodness. (Some of us might have drank a few more than others . . . )

Mr Tall, Lil Sis, Juniordwarf, Me & Slabs

Ashley working the bar

Ale-y goodness

Discovery of the day was the ‘new and improved’ Huon Dark Ale, which now has 25 per cent apple juice (from Huon Valley apples), and is a really delicious drink. We also tried the new wild yeast ale, which is a variation on the Forester ale – my favourite. I’ve forgotten what it’s called, but my name for it was ‘Salty Forester’. And Slabs’ new favourite is the Derwent Ale, which now uses spelt instead of wheat.

I love Two Metre Tall’s philosophy of using ingredients that they grow themselves, or source directly from local growers. Having direct links to your food by growing it yourself or, if you can’t do that, then at least knowing where it has come from and what’s in it, is an appealing concept, although for me right now, it’s not something I can do as much as I’d like to right now.

It’s something I’m becoming quite passionate about! But I digress . . .

As you know, kids love rain, and today was no exception. We’d been warned that the ground might be a bit soggy, so we made sure Juniordwarf was kitted out in his gumboots. This proved to be a really good idea, and allowed him to participate in ‘puddling’. His attempt to keep his pants dry was very amusing, but rather futile in the end.

Puddling

Somehow I let him talk me into going for a walk up the hill, which was a Mighty Big Adventure. If I hadn’t turned him back, he might still be walking!

It was a fun afternoon and I’m looking forward to the next time. Thanks Ashley and Jane for a great day out.