Day 14 Nubeena Tuesday 8th February 2011

Hello,

The winter in February continues in Tasmania. A cloudy, cool windy morning for our day off. If we were wavering about going to Hobart the weather decided the issue. After some messing around we finally left around 1030.

First stop was the suburb of Cambridge at a shopping precinct that looked remarkably like the Mile End Homemaker Centre. We called at Anaconda and at "Hardly Normal" to have a browse before proceeding to the centre of Hobart for a quick snack and into the Elizabeth Street shops. I was on the search for some new hiking boots and Susan for a waxing shop. We visited several outdoor shops in quick succession before travelling north to the Hardy Spicer workshop to repair or replace the PTO coupling damaged yesterday and stored in a plastic bag in the back of the Paj. After considering the options and the bosses directions re economics i elected to purchase a new assembly which i thought was pretty good value at $216. The shaft does have to be cut to length since they come in a standard one metre size which will be a bit interesting.

We returned to the centre of town and I bought some new boots,Zamberlans Vioz GT. If I told you the price you will think I have lost my few remaining marbles. Susan finally located a beauty salon that could wax while she waited and returned feeling much smoother.

Shopping completed we toodled back over the Tasman bridge which is a bit discomforting. 5 lanes with no divider and a reversible lane structure similar to Flagstaff Hill Road in Adelaide. I then recounted to Susan the dislocation that occurred when the previous bridge was demolished, as Hobart is a town separated by the Derwent and the bridge was a vital lifeline. I recalled that the name of the ship that struck it was the Lake Illawarra and have since checked that this was indeed the fact. Susan of course was amazed I could recall this fact from 1975 whereas I can't normally remember where I left my keys,sunglasses or wallet 5 minutes ago. Tasman Bridge story here
We drove southwards towards the mouth of the Derwent taking in the style of the suburbs. We reached the end of the line in housing estate that looked remarkably like Hallet Cove Heights.

Susan suggested a drive back up to Mount Wellington. I recalled that the road is long and very twisty, not good for motion sickness sufferers so we returned along the main road to Nubeena pausing to have a reasonable tea at a hotel in Sorell. The rest of the 75 km journey home was uneventful apart from the 9 near misses with animals ranging from devils, wallabies, possums, rabbits and a quoll(allegedly). Statistics brought to you by the road angel who seemed more relaxed than normal in the passenger seat. Perhaps a result of the red wine consumed at tea.

My first impressions of Hobart (last here in 1978) is that it is bloody hilly and the roads are narrow and convoluted. However it is not unattractive.

Anyway here's hoping for sunshine tomorrow .. please


cheers Simon