Hobart 23/12/2021 – 5/1/2022

We are staying at Barilla Park Caravan Park until the 5th Jan. It is ~10km or 15 minutes north of Hobart. Some interesting animals keeping us company.

Ulrika choosing her ride for the new moon 🙂

Had a hit at Tasmanian Club on Xmas Eve, nice course just around the corner. Greens were great. Pipped her on the post.

Quiet Xmas day with a bit of seafood. Missed the Grandkids.

A 6km walk on 7 Mile Beach watching the planes land at Hobart Airport.

Next game was at Claremont Golf Club. It is next to the Cadburys Chocolate Factory. It has an interesting history, the land was origanally planted with pine trees in the early 1900’s to supply timber for chocolate boxes. Ulrika kicked my butt with 38 points.

Had a stint in the Corporate Box at the Big Bash at Bellerive Oval. Bonus was that the Hurricanes won.

Kingston Beach was our next game. Nice spot. Travelator to get up hill on 17th. We both struggled & called it a draw.

We were visited by our good friends Gary and Dorothy. Firstly let me say the whole last week was a blur as we visited lots of places, ate too much & drank too much. In other words a good time was had by all.

First cab off the rank was checking out the yachts that had finished the Sydney to Hobart at Constitution Dock. Only Blackjack & Scallywag had finished when we got there.

Off to Richmond for the day. On the way we picked a few strawberries, tried a bit of cheese & bought a lot of chocolate.

A look at the Richmond Bridge which is the oldest stone span bridge in Australia dating to 1825. A few other old buildings as well.

Lunch at Richmond Arms Hotel followed by some wine tasting at Pooley Wines.

New Years Eve was busy with a drive up to Mt Wellington on a crisp morning.

A sail on the Derwent River on Helsal IV was next on the list. By this time there were a few more boats in from the race.

NYE Dinner @ Barilla Bay Oyster Farm followed by the Blues Brothers was enough of a celebration for these old farts.

All this excitement was too much for Dorothy so she missed out on the next days frivolities at MONA. We got the ferry from Hobart & scored the one with the pink penis’s on the front. As always MONA did not dissapoint. Ulrika got us banned after putting her finger in the oil bath.

The next day was the Taste of Tassie. Too much food & drink but a good time had by all. The crispy fried squid on a stick was different.

A drive down the Huon Valley was next on agenda. We were supposed to do a tour of Cascade Brewery but it was cancelled at last minute as most of the staff was isolating due to COVID. We went & had a look at the Building anyway.

Mt Nelson Signal Station always gives a good view of the Derwent.

Lunch at Willie Smiths Apple Shed.

A quick stop at the wooden boat musuem at Huon.

Sheep cheese tasting & Gin Tasting at Grandewe Cheesery. Great view over to Bruny Island.

And finally a quick look at the Shot Tower at Toroona.

For the last day of Dot & Garys Grand Tour we headed up to Mt Field. On the way we stopped into the Salmon Farm, Australias oldest hatchery.

A drive up to the top of the hill to have a look at Mt Dobson in Mt Field National Park.

A ride on the old rail line on Railtrack Rider at Maydena was fun

Gary finally got his scallops on the final dinner of the tour. This was the 3rd restaurant we tried in Hobart on a Tuesday night, all the others were full.

Thanks Dorothy & Gary for a great week. Looking forward to catching up again soon.