Church St Chatter

Missed last week sorry. My only internet access was in Swansea where Brenda could access the free WIFI and we had takeaway fish and chips after a busy day of travelling. Glad to see Lisa and Dayna both posted. Well done.

My Tassie trip was much better than I had feared. Just before we left, I had Brenda, the driver telling me about how tired she was because her daughter and son in law had gone to Melbourne for the two night's previous to our trip and left her with care of three children including a five month old baby. She even asked if I would take my car instead on the day before we left. We drove to Diamond Creek to collect our third passenger then to the port. Brenda also refuses to use toll roads so James the GPS directed us through the city and we still made it in plenty of time. Met up with the other car load at the Port for coffee before the big queue to get on the ship. The Spirit is ok but there's not a lot to do unless you drink (expensive) or go to the cinema.after the buffet meal (also not cheap) Very early start the next morning as we docked at 6am and disembarked from 6.30.Crossing was a gentle rocking and even smoother on the return trip. Carol had agreed to drive if needed although she privately told me she wasn't really happy to do so. We took Carol to visit a friend in a nursing home at Port Sorell, and had a very pleasant morning. Headed to the raspberry farm for lunch. Carol took over the driving about 15 minutes before our lunch stop and most of the afternoon drive to Ross. I sat in the back with fingers crossed. Enjoyed our Ross stop where we had a three bedroom cottage and a bakery basket for breakfast. The other two don't do breakfast early and Brenda was on gluten free so I had most of the goodies.Off to Hobart the next day to join in the Hoot. You've seen photos on FB Enjoyed the Salamanca Market, a trip to Richmond and a winery and cheese tasting. Sunday's trip was to MONA., a very interesting Museum of Art donated to the Tasmanian government by a local billionaire.

Monday we packed up the car then took a bus into Hobart. Our more experienced Tassie travellers directed us to the Cat and Fiddle arcade. Shopped, browsed, found an op shop then four of us returned by bus to the casino to collect our cars. Carol caught a taxi to the airport as she had decided to fly home, but left most of her luggage for us to deliver.We followed the other car to the motel they were to call home for four days. Very cheap and looked like a dump from outside, but at $70 for the night and only 15 minutes from the city, it was clean and comfortable. We all drove to a flash pub for tea then back to watch some tele. Tuesday Brenda and I headed to Brighton to a wildlife park so she could see some devils. It is a rescue centre so we knew our entry fee was used for a good cause. We had a lovely morning there, feeding kangaroos, and patting a koala and a wombat as well as seeing the devils. Headed to Richmond and the Wicked cheese company for lunch. Next stop was to be Swansea for the night although we hadn't booked anywhere. A very pretty drive,. Brenda, who is English could stop exclaiming over how pretty it was and how much like Cornwall.We had a coffee stop and found the cafes closed at 3.30 or earlier in the small towns. Found the Swansea Motel, right on the beach. Brenda talked them down from $120 to $100 a night for a room with a balcony and ocean views. Best night's sleep I had for the whole time away. Next day we headed for Launceston, after a stop at the local Vinnies. Our accommodation there was in a heritage building that had been moved to the spot and had a water wheel. Third floor room and only outside steps to reach it. Very glad the weather was kind as the steps would be very slippery if wet I think. Room was lovely and after checking a local pub we had tea at the adjoining Tavern. A breakfast was included in the tariff so next morning I went down for breakfast and they kindly packaged Brenda's up with gluten free bread that I could take up to our room.

They stopped serving breakfast at 9am and that was too early for Brenda. Checked into Macca's for the WIFI but it wasn't working.We continued on the Tourist road rather than the Freeway to Deloraine where we found an internet connection place, a coffee stop and two op shops. Next stop was Latrobe, where platypuses can be seen in the wild at the right time of day. it wasn't but I enjoyed lunch here. Then on to Devonport for boarding after checking (and contributing to) another op shop. Long time sitting waiting for boarding after you go through the collection of boarding pass and quarantine. Smooth trip and a chance to sample some cider. We even had our photos taken as the first clients.Very tasty but I didn't buy any. The car was quite full and we'd worked out how to find it when it was time to disembark.Early morning drive to Diamond Creek where we arrived about 8am. Carol had a lovely breakfast ready and after that we headed for Bendigo. Brenda had found she had to drive back to Melbourne on Saturday so had thought of putting me on the train. Glad she decided against that. Yet to hear how she got on. She's now buying a home to be transported to her block and she wanted to take her builder to check it out and to get some times and prices. She has a week before she flies back to Birmingham for three months.She mentioned she may have a car to sell some time in the future so I asked her to let me know. Thought Dayna and Bruce might be interested in a second car if the price is right, especially if it's in Birmingham.

Rang Nana at Dot and Max's yesterday. They are moving next Friday ( a couple of weeks earlier than expected) so Denise is in pack mode.Clive and I went to the Market this morning.
Thank you for Mother's Day wishes and gifts. Lisa and the crew visited this afternoon with food and a present even tho I had the beautiful earrings a fortnight ago. I am very lucky to have such wonderful children and grandchildren. Love to all

Dancing Mum, Ann