Bell inside the Separate Prison - take a close look hmm
The Asylum
Inside the hospital
Gum trees planted by convicts
View of the prison from shipyard road
The church
Sunset at Nubeena from Eagleview Road
Howdy folks,
Today started as you always want your day off to start, with sunshine!
Today was our complementary trip to Port Arthur to view the ruins of the penal settlement.
Before we left Susan was inspired to remove a vast quantity of crockery and plasticware from out unit and return it to the kitchen. Apparently gathered here when the chef for the resort used the room. That taken care of we toodled the short distance up the road to Port Arthur pausing only to post mail and grab coffees.
Port Arthur has improved since my last visit in 1978 in the areas of building renovation and information display. We spent a pleasant day wandering the large hilly site so not only did we see the attractions we exercised too. Our peregrinations were interrupted by the boat trip around the bay to view Point Puer (latin for youth apparently) and the Isle of the Dead. Tours were available of both of these for extra cost. There was a large swell rolling into the bay courtesy of the gales blowing in the last few days which made the trip unpleasant for Susan.
The penal settlement was established around 1830 and the English influence in the grounds was quite evident with enormous gnarled oak trees over 150 years old. An avenue of gums planted by the convicts near the shipyards are now over 130 years old (see picture).
Unfortunately much of the heritage was lost after the colony closed in 1877 as there was an effort to erase it's stigma by the general population. This was followed by bushfires in the 1890's plus general looting by sightseers. However sufficient remains to give a good impression of what life was like for those living there. As dusk approached Susan suggested tea in Felons Restaurant located onsite. The food was excellent. After perusing the gift shop returned to to Nubeena to catch up on the days news at the resort.
Back to work tomorrow with the return of the hierarchy from points north. Looks like the weather is fining up so maybe some more sightseeing once our chores are done.
Cheers Simon
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