The Tasmanian Trail

The End /The Beginning

2011-10-10T23:14:00.000+13:00

Time goes by in the blink of an eye. Things happen, then pass. Much like our time in Tassie it all went so quickly.
We watched our children grow up in Tasmania and they will remember it as being their childhood home with familiarity and fondness.
We became Australian's on Australia day 2010. Shortly after we sold our Tasmanian home packed a container for storage, and purchased a caravan.
I have to end this blog here as We left Tasmania on February 3, 2011 and with our departure a hole in our hearts. However with another adventure we continue on another blog: One year, a caravan, a family of four, and a sausage dog. The saga continues at www.shareaustralia.blogspot.com This is a sequel called Allover Downunder as that is what we intend to do!

PS. Keep Tasmania a secret as it is a very, very, special place.

angel

2008-10-25T20:12:00.001+13:00

We orphaned a baby wallaby name is angel.she is still feedding out of a bottle!

Anticipation

2008-10-20T11:18:00.001+13:00

Cross Country Phase at Huntingfield Pony Club (Grd 5). J and Bucky finished first in the junior division.

ATV spin

2008-10-19T20:32:00.001+13:00

Darn! This was supposed to be a vidoe clip. Back to the drawing board.

Cuddle

2008-10-18T09:54:00.000+13:00

Jojo

2008-10-18T09:52:00.000+13:00

Pouch Poachers

2008-10-14T20:59:00.000+13:00

This little girl's Mom was struck and killed by a car. She was luckily found in the pouched unharmed by some friends. We excitedly accepted the job as wallaby mom.
Are we up for the job? hummmmm...... She spends a good part of the last two nights hopping around our bed. She has fleas (or worse yet, mites or lice. This is going to be a challenge. It's a good thing she is so cute.

Reach

2008-10-14T20:41:00.000+13:00

Pony Passion

2008-09-02T09:19:00.001+12:00

2008-09-01T22:35:00.000+12:00

2008-09-01T22:34:00.000+12:00

2008-09-01T22:33:00.000+12:00

New Found Passion

2008-09-01T22:28:00.003+12:00

Once horses are in your blood. It will always be in your blood as the saying goes. In a previous life in Canada, I had a equine business. I taught riding, trained and competed horses, imported and exported horses for sales, and more. Everything horsey. I even landed a job as a stunt rider in a Hollywood film. A very bad movie but a really interesting job!
One common conversation between parents and riding instructor went something like this. "We can't really afford to buy our teenage daughter a horse." the parent would sigh apologetically.
"You can't really afford NOT to buy you teenage daughter a horse". "If she isn't riding with this good group of friends on her free time she will likely be hanging out with drug lords at the shopping mall." I would reply.
Usually they nodded and managed the funds, later realizing it was the best investment they had ever made in their childs adolesence years. Hence the introduction of Bucky to my daughter.

2007-08-18T21:26:00.000+12:00

Mt Wellington...

surf to snow

2007-08-18T21:21:00.000+12:00

From the sunny beaches of California (on vacation) to the snow top mountains of Tasmania (Mt Wellington). What a life.

Soccer Saturday

2007-06-24T12:37:00.000+12:00

Gold!

2007-06-19T22:47:00.000+12:00

From the Grampians, we headed back towards Melbourne with a stop at Ballarat. A center for the gold rush in the 1850's. Sovereign Hill is a replica town of this era.

2007-06-19T22:37:00.000+12:00

2007-06-19T22:31:00.000+12:00

More Grampians

2007-06-16T20:35:00.000+12:00

Inland

2007-06-16T20:29:00.000+12:00

After following the Great Ocean Road as west as Port Fairy (The Fairy was the name of a sailing vessel)we headed north to the Grampians.

Pet Koala II?

2007-06-16T11:53:00.000+12:00

Couldnt get the video to work the first time...

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Pet Koala?

2007-06-14T19:04:00.000+12:00

It was all we could do to prevent the kids from trying to bring home a new pet.

Mainland Animals

2007-06-14T18:56:00.000+12:00

Near a town called Warrnambool, on the Great Ocean Road, a wildlife refuge in a sunken volcanic crater at Tower Hill gave us a glipse of some of the animals we dont get to see in Tasmania.

2007-06-14T18:43:00.000+12:00

The Great Ocean Road follows the "Shipwreck Coast"...

2007-06-14T18:37:00.000+12:00

And more Apostles...

2007-06-14T18:32:00.000+12:00

More Apostles...

1 Family, 1 RV, 12 Apostles

2007-06-14T18:22:00.000+12:00

June 2007
Our first "big island" adventure, we took a trip along the Great Ocean Road - southwest from Melbourne, along the coast to Port Fairy. A road initially built by WWI veterans, now a spectacular drive.

Maria Island Hike

2007-04-13T12:49:00.000+12:00

Friends Along the way (Maria Island

2007-04-13T12:41:00.000+12:00

Fossil Cliffs

2007-04-13T12:38:00.000+12:00

Long Shadows of Maria Island

2007-04-13T10:20:00.000+12:00

Cruising the Derwent Tassie Style

2007-03-02T23:30:00.000+13:00

2007-03-02T23:21:00.000+13:00

Fishing in Storm Bay

2007-02-18T10:44:00.000+13:00

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2007-02-18T10:42:00.000+13:00

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2007-02-17T18:29:00.000+13:00

Weightless

2007-02-09T11:34:00.000+13:00

Sugar and Spice

2007-01-30T09:30:00.000+13:00

Summer Smiles

2007-01-30T09:21:00.000+13:00

Bath Tub

2007-01-30T09:17:00.000+13:00

Exotic

2007-01-19T21:32:00.000+13:00

Sharing Shade

2007-01-16T09:26:00.000+13:00

Whispers

2007-01-16T09:23:00.000+13:00

Feeding Baby Joey

2007-01-14T20:41:00.000+13:00

Tassie Devil

2007-01-10T13:20:00.000+13:00

Snoozing devil

Rolex

2007-01-03T23:11:00.000+13:00

Once again I watched as the incredible boats emerge out of the imfamous blue of the Bass Straits. The stories of glory are partnered with the stories of troubles. Broken masts injured 5 crew on the super maxi that was leading the way in the beginnings of the race.
The Wild Oats supermaxi finished first once again. What an incredible boat. And the crew isn't half bad either.

The Taste of Tasmania kicks off Dec 28-Dec 3. I will be there. Nothing better then sipping fine wines, munching on seafood while enjoying lovely weather and gorgeous sail boats. Life is good downunder

Finishers

2007-01-03T22:45:00.000+13:00

Finish Line

2007-01-03T22:34:00.000+13:00

Rolex Sydney To Hobart Race

2006-12-30T11:43:00.000+13:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT

2006-12-24T22:36:00.000+13:00

Offerings to The Team

2006-12-24T22:31:00.000+13:00

Christmas from Downunder

2006-12-24T22:29:00.000+13:00

Christmas Ship

2006-12-24T22:28:00.000+13:00

Christmas Angel

2006-12-24T22:26:00.000+13:00

Rudolf and his Friends

2006-12-24T22:22:00.000+13:00

The Magic of Christmas

2006-12-24T22:20:00.000+13:00

Stuck in Australia

2006-12-21T09:50:00.000+13:00

Christmas in summer means that lights decorating the house aren't turned on until very late. Early bedtime is the rule in our house. Often we are in bed before dark. So we decided our Christmas decorations should be visable during the day light. Here is what we came up with. Guess Santa won't be making it out of Australia this year unless he drops a few Kgs.

Our Christmas Photo 2006

2006-12-18T09:14:00.000+13:00

Ahhhh... the family xmas photo for our second christmas in Tassie. As much as I dread doing the annual Christmas photo, age has taught me to appreciate old photos of myself and family. I am always amazed at the changes in all of us as the years pass. We used our auto timer self shoot on this photo. The sun was setting over mount wellington and casting a golden glow on our decorated euc tree. Life is good.

Decorating the Euc

2006-12-17T22:53:00.000+13:00

Christmas Beetle

2006-12-13T04:53:00.000+13:00

The Great Mouse Adventure

2006-12-10T21:48:00.000+13:00

My son found four baby mice in the our dog food container (a garbage can)in the garage. Who knows how long they had been in there without water. They were slow and fragile. The kids assured me that we could keep them for a few days just to make sure they were rehydrated. Silly me...what was I thinking when I said OK?

We made a little cage out of a plastic container complete with bedding, food, and water. Amazing how docile the little mice were when they were dehydrated.

After much water and a few mouse naps, they had become much less docile. They were jumpy, bouncy, and lightning quick. By noon we had two escapees and one casualty. We were able to capture one of them but the other climbed into a inaccessible space in a kitchen cabinet. Ugggg!

We will be setting them free far from here ASAP!

Delights in Spring

2006-11-14T22:47:00.000+13:00

Sunday we took a leisurely drive into the countryside. We had no real destination in mind. This mindless drive continued until Sorrell. Twenty min. East of Hobart city we discovered the Sorrell Fruit Farm. My favorite...U-Pick-Strawberries were the hightlight.

We enjoyed a afternoon cappachino on the rose covered patio then ventured off through the fruit fields to pick some delicious vine-rippened strawberries. These are the first treats of spring. We will be back for further fruit pickings. Lots of Yummy fun!

Harvest

2006-11-14T22:10:00.000+13:00

Hidden Sweets

2006-11-14T22:07:00.000+13:00

Fruits of Spring

2006-11-14T22:01:00.000+13:00

I Am A Punter

2006-11-07T23:15:00.000+13:00

Melbourne Cup time again! Above is a picture of my horse. He was favored to win and most analysis agreed. Sigh....he finished near last. Even Yates, my second bet didn't finish anywhere near the front.

Next year I am going with the prettiest horse. If I had done that to begin with....I would have been in the money today. I am a sucker for a lovely blaze and a good neck. There is alway the Hobart Cup to recoup my losses. I better get out early to see the morning breezings so I know who to pick for the Hobart Cup in Feb. Happy racing.

Almost done

2006-11-03T08:55:00.000+13:00

Things are nearing the end with regards to renovations inside. Still needing a few light fixtures and a few bathroom taps need updating but for the most part.... the big stuff is done. Here is my lovely teak table...with new paint and a partial kitchen overhaul in back.

Boo!

2006-11-01T16:41:00.000+13:00

This is Boo. He dances to The Monster Mash when you squeeze his hand. When he finishes his dance he growls and grunts like a scary ghost. He is a distant reminder of the Halloweens of our past. Australia doesn't celebrate Halloween. Instead phone a few friends and tell them we are comming by for a treat so our kids can experience all that sugar.Happy Halloween!

What is with the weather??

2006-10-31T09:35:00.000+13:00

They call this latatude the Roaring 40's. I think it needs a name change. Maybe something like the Guessing 40's or the Unpredicatable 40's. The name Roaring, only tells half the story here in Tassie. Just over two weeks ago we experienced 100km winds with 33 degree temps. This resulted in the most amazing site. Glowing bush fires lighting up the Eastern shore. The relentless winds spread the fires quickly. With three days of this craziness, the rains finally came, temps dropped back to normal and the fires were exausted.

Then....the snow came. The headlines in the paper read, "Tassie Defies Global Warming". It is getting colder as we go into spring. Strange plac.

Evening swing

2006-10-15T21:33:00.000+13:00

Imagine....Beaches Like this.

2006-10-12T23:28:00.000+13:00

During the kids school break we returned to one of our favorite places in Tassie for a short stay. The imfamous East Coast and Freycenent Peninsula was as impressive the second visit as it was on our first visit. I was so impressed with its beauty that I can't imagine a place with more beauty. It just takes my breath away. No where have I ever seen so many deserted, stark, white beahces with turquoise clear waters. Unreal. We could even see the manter rays in the surf. I am a lucky girl being here and seeing all this natural beauty.

Lovely Shack

2006-10-12T23:26:00.000+13:00

Endless Beauty

2006-10-12T23:23:00.000+13:00

Parking Lot Beggers

2006-10-12T23:21:00.000+13:00

Friendly Wallaby

2006-10-12T23:20:00.000+13:00

Diamond Island

2006-10-12T23:18:00.000+13:00

Aspley National Park

2006-10-12T23:15:00.000+13:00

Lonely Tree

2006-10-12T23:13:00.000+13:00

My Silly Kids

2006-10-08T10:43:00.000+13:00

Fairy Bread- the stuff dreams are made of.

2006-09-24T21:31:00.000+12:00

This fairy bread has become more of a Aussie icon then the roo in our house. Simple to make. Lovely to look at. Makes every kid smile. An Aussie birthday party wouldn't be the same without it. So what is the special receipe? I have listed it below. I couldn't imagine my kids would eat it. They LOVE IT!

A slice of gushy white bread
Butter
Sprinkles (colored)

Butter bread, sprinkle.

Truth be know..we never had this before moving here.

Rockman in the garden

2006-09-24T21:29:00.000+12:00

2006-09-22T20:41:00.000+12:00

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Ahhhhhhghhh Lovely Spring!

2006-09-11T09:45:00.000+12:00

Finally some warmth is upon us. Inspired by the sunshine we all ventured to The Royal Botanical Gardens. I think this is my favorite place to be right now. Each little flower is like a ray of sunshine making my smile as the thoughts of summer emerge from my memory. My past life also remind that the Great Canadian Winter is emerging on the otherside of the world.
These pictures are for the canadian gardeners as they head into the wet, cold pergatory called winter. Enjoy!

Lush

2006-09-11T09:44:00.000+12:00

2006-09-11T09:36:00.000+12:00

Daisey Faces

White Angels

2006-09-11T09:32:00.000+12:00

Sunny

2006-09-11T09:31:00.000+12:00

Sticks and Blossoms

2006-09-11T09:29:00.000+12:00

Winter to Spring

2006-09-11T09:27:00.000+12:00

Blurr Magnolias

2006-09-11T09:24:00.000+12:00

Goodby Croc Hunter

2006-09-04T21:34:00.000+12:00

Steve Irwin otherwise know as The Crocadile Hunter dies while snokeling the coast of Port Douglas ,Queensland. He was only 44 years old. Appearently he was stung by a sting ray in the chest. Hummmmm. I didn't know that stingrays were so dangerous. Poor family. He left behind two children and wife. He will be missed. My kids loved the show.

Adorable

2006-08-24T12:56:00.000+12:00

Rain and Sun

2006-08-24T12:53:00.000+12:00

Galas at the park

2006-08-24T12:51:00.000+12:00

Bike Riding Boy

2006-08-24T12:49:00.000+12:00

Silly

2006-08-23T21:27:00.000+12:00

Once again the Tas. Ed. department is performing the school kids info update. This form was sent home for me to review varifying correct information about my school child. Last year when filling out the form I ticked the box stating ENGLISH ONLY was spoken at home. When it was returned to me someone had unticked the box and written in AMERICAN. So this year just for fun I decided to add CANADIAN as a language spoken at home. I can't wait to see what the reply will be.

Wild Dingo Attacks And Kills Albino Kangaroo

2006-08-10T21:38:00.000+12:00

Back in Action

2006-08-06T22:26:00.000+12:00

Well I am tan and relaxed after a three week trip to California. We went to a camp in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. Here is a pic of my 7 yr old learning to water ski. It has come a long way since the days when I learned how to water ski. We had to use a rope. The bar seen here makes it much easier to get up. How cool is that???

All good, no worries!

2006-07-09T16:57:00.000+12:00

Wendy's hubby here...Wendy's last post sounded a tad dire and we have received some concerned responses. But all is good, she and the kids are at a family reunion for a couple weeks and she wanted everyone to know she would not be blogging for a while. She must have been thinking about the long trip while she was writing the note. But thanks for the concern!