Hobart Hot

Henry Jones Art Hotel Hobart.












What a great start to our Tasmania trip, arrived by plane waited at the carousel for our 2 suit cases, spotted Jeannettes case, waited and waited my case not in sight, ask if there  were any more to come, no that was it, we were pointed in the direction of the check-in desk to log the missing case, which was all I needed, a whole week in the same clothes or having to buy replacements.
Having dug out my boarding pass which had my case reference number on it, when Jeannette shouted "there's your case by the checking desk," "how's that" I said, the guy behind the desk said "is this your case?" Yes why is it here?" "Oh my fault I should have put out an announcement for you, the case came in on the earlier flight." What a relief......


Now to pick up the car and drive into Hobart, an easy trip in to the Hotel, which is a converted dock warehouse, parked in front and went through 2 huge glass sliding doors to the foyer and reception, we booked in with the reception guy, who was very nice and asked if we had a good trip, he also gave us the map of the town pointed out places of interest,  I asked "were can I park the car?" "Don't worry about that we have a car valet service, we will park your car and bring your bags up to the room, you go up and settle in and any time you need your car just give us 5 minutes to get it." he said.

We went up in the lift and walked to our room all the room numbers were illuminated on the floor and loads of beams and art work along each corridor.......

What a room, it really does give you that 'wow' factor......... I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

His & Hers Showers

Ps Mark Webber will be here at the Henry Jones Art Hotel first week in December.

A Day Around Melbourne

After booking our bus ticket for the airport we went to explore the hustle and bustle of Melbourne City, with its busy streets and lots of different sights and sounds from trains, trams, cars, fire engine sirens and hoards of people crossing streets.

Armed with our street map we walked towards the 'Victoria Markets' once there we were amazed at the size of the market with stalls selling everything from leather belts, bags, clothes, jewellery and souvenir kangaroos and fruit and veg, the place was very busy. Not sure were to start so we walked up and down the isles dodging in and out of the crowds. There is so much to see food markets selling pasta and olives, cold meats, sausages, fresh meat and fish, huge crabs and snappers. This is the place to buy your food they were even catering for lunches. Once back out side the next thing we saw was the fruit and veg stalls, traders calling out selling their produce it was magical have never seen so much and such different varieties of veg and fruit in one place before.

Now back to the centre a rest outside the state library. Our next decision, is to ride the circular tram route around the CBD (Central Business District), tram number 35, some of trams were old style, before each stop there is piped information on the points of interest, you can even get off and visit or just stay on and travel all the way round, your choice they go clockwise or anti-clockwise, running roughly every 12 minutes.
Note, they can be rather crowded and getting a seat is more like musical chairs as people get on and off but there is plenty of standing room.


We disembarked the tram outside the Art Gallery, and took a walk amongst the buildings which were amazing in design, lots of different shapes and angles, there were deckchairs available to just sit in and relax, admire the view and enjoy the sunshine, a good 'chillout' place.

Random Art

Fortified with a beer and a light lunch of duck spring rolls freshly made slaw, chilli and soap  flavoured dip accompanied by straw fries, we strolled up the main shopping street and investigated the ally ways.
Ps:- soap flavoured = the taste of coriander. (to Jeannette)


The side streets were full of little gems of street cafe and alfresco dining, small and intimate little places that you can only find if you take time to get out and explore, don't just keep to the main streets, surprises are lurking around every corner if you take the time to find them!!!!

Now for the best bit..>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Said that there were surprises!!! We found this street art down one of the small side streets, I wonder how many people have just walked passed and not noticed it..........

It's up to you to find this!!!!

For Neil

New Zealand See You Again

New Zealand.

Rugby World Cup Final and a visit to friends olive grove, before we fly out to Sydney.
It is great being in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup, right result for the final, fantastic atmosphere, New Zealand really put on a great show and the people of this fine land supported it all the way to the final.
I only hope hope the World cup in England 2015 is supported in the same way and the people of the UK make all visitors welcome.

Monday 24th October travelling north or Northland to Whangarei, we will be spending a couple of days with Bidget and Dave, in their new home and olive grove, arrived mid afternoon the drive up to Whangarei Heads very scenic looking out over the bay, the directions up to the house took us along side the harbour, passed the Parua bay Tavern along a windy road, we then turned off on to an unsealed road with instructions to look for the house on the hill with a red roof and a big front verandah, and sure enough we found it. The drive way is very steep, as Bridget says " if you have made it over the southern alps passes you will manage."

Made it up the drive way to be met by Bridget, Dave and the dogs Tessa & Tui, 2 adorable labradors.
We spent a great couple of days getting to know all about olives and olive oil. We also had our very first sea fishing experience out in the Bay in their boat, it was great also to see the bay from the water.
It will be nice to visit for the olive picking season which is around April May, we will also be able to see the olive pressing process as well.

Olive Trees


 We were on are way to Bay of Islands and a town called Russel. We stopped at a coffee shop come art gallery, with a view to die for, then the drive to Russel took us along the cost and some breath taking views of the bay. 1 night in Russel we were unable to plan in a  boat trip to the islands, may be next time.

Russel

Onwards and upwards, towards the cape approx 3 hours if you use the ferry, but if you followed the GPS (satnav) 4.5 hours taking you 68k away from the actual direction you really want to go, safely across the river and on are way to Cape Reinga remember a full tank of fuel is a necessary as there are not any fuel stops for the full length of the 90 mile beach.

"Cape Reinga"

 A very spiritual place to be, I'll leave it to you to find out why you will need to make the trip for yourselves.

                                                                                                                             Two Seas


We are coming to the end of our trip to New Zealand, having arrived in Auckland spent a week here, then 2 months in a camper van, travelled down to the south island as far as Millford Sound then a far north as Cape Reinga, we will still need to come back.


If you are planning your travels to New Zealand remember the following.

• Talk to friends who have been or friends that live in New Zealand.
• Although small it takes time to travel from one place to another.
• You cannot take in all that's on offer in 2 weeks.
• Give yourself time in each region take an extra day slow down you can also plan to come back.
• Talk to the local people they are so friendly and helpful.
• Use your feet and walk you will be amazed at what you will see.
• Keep an open mind and a flexible plan be prepared to change your arrangements, remember do not add extra tours unless you also add time.
• Take photos, keep a journal.