Hobart Lines Up To View HMAS Sydney

HMAS Sydney and crew blessed Hobart with it's presence and beauty this weekend, in conjunction with The 2015 Hobart Regatta. Tours of the ship were available at Macquarie Wharf2, while it's helicopters performed several displays for the Regatta crowd.

The crew of HMAS Sydney were awesome. They welcomed everyone to view their world and were very encouraging to look, ask questions, explore, ask us to be in your photos (this was a true suggestion as we boarded).

Master 8 had a ball trying on the gear and feeling the weight of the vests. Some of those vests are seriously heavy!

There was just a slight difference between Master 8's outfit and the officer behind in fit, so I guess it would be a while before they could take him into their fold.

There may be nothing pretty or colourful about the HMAS Sydney or any of the ships in the Royal Australian Navy, but the flags certainly brighten the scene and give it flair .... almost like it's own bling.

 The HMAS Sydney felt important and the crew spoke about their ship with pride and passion. Having been launched in 1980, HMAS Sydney is the fourth ship of this name and it has played an important role in Australia's Defence history. HMAS Sydney has deployed to the Middle East four times, with Desert Storm and the Gulf War, supporting UN sanctions against Iraq, East Timor and  Solomon Islands, and Iraq War all listed on its impressive resume. Being one of the four ADELAIDE Class Guided Missile Frigates in service it plays an important role in providing air defence, anti-submarne and anti-shipping warfart, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

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It strikes me now that the t-shirt is quite fitting given his prop.

Mt Wellington in view over the bow of HMAS Sydney

 There was a lot to see and some very expensive, technical equipment. The tour took about 50 minutes as we moved about the ship and explored from bow to the flight deck and the narrow corridors and stairs in between. We passed the Captain's chair and took in his usual view.      The crew were extremely friendly and informative as they answered every question.

Hobart Views From The Water

On the weekend, we were lucky to join our good friend and neighbour on his boat. We cruised up and down the Derwent River, taking in the sights of Hobart from the water. This was a lovely change of perspective, as we are so used to viewing the sights of Hobart from the land.

The view of Hotel Grand Chancellor across Sullivans Cove

A lovely vessel at Elizabeth St Pier

Elizabeth St Pier

Castray Esplanade, hiding the view of Salamsnca Market

From left, Castray Esplanade across to Hunter St

Brooke St Pier, housing The Cartela

The Lady Nelson alongside Elizabeth St Pier

The Mona MR-1 Ferry with Mt Wellington in the background

Wrest Point Casino, Sandy Bay

The Tasman Bridge, linking the Eastern Shore to Hobart over the Derwent River

            

Selfie with Master 6

Selfie with Miss 10

Linking up with these AMAZING bloggers

Is Winter your season?

I love Winter. I know many don't, and that's OK, because I get their reasoning. There are so many reasons why Winter is cool, in more than one sense of the word.

I shared with a group of friends recently, my love of snuggling with blankets on the lounge; the whole 4 of us. I then felt the need to share that if I'm not on the lounge snuggling, then I will take my own blanket with me to the computer, and even slip my feet in my fluffy lamb slipper.

The room went a little silent at this point. The friend sitting closest said she will now think of me differently. She is obviously a Summer person.

So I feel the need to explain this a bit more and hopefully bond with other Winter lovers, and let them know it is OK to feel this way.

I will start at the start.

I begin my day by slipping on my fluffy short Ugg Boots. They go with any of my flannelette PJs. I then enjoy my bowl of Hot Oats, with honey. A great way to start the day.

When I dress I am thankful for the season that brings my favourite clothing colours of browns, greys and black. I am also thankful to the art of layering, and enjoy the knits, vests, scarves and hats.

I also love a good boot, as I am not a fan of twinkling my toes for others. Boots make me feel sturdy and confident.

I work indoors, so this makes it easier to like Winter.
My journey to work is often spectacular with the view of Mt Wellington dusted with snow appearing at different stages in the trip. Even the rain patting against my office window is quite welcome as I sit in heated comfort.

I love the foods we enjoy in Winter of soups and casseroles. I also particularly love being able to sit and wrap my hands around a large, steaming mug and enjoy my drink going down, and warming my insides at the end of the day.

Highland Cabins Tasmania

Our family enjoy viewing the snow, and get decked out in our jackets, boots and woollies to set off in the 4WD and enjoy it up close. We might only need to travel half an hour from home to a good covering of snow that is worthy of a snowman and snowball fights. We are also prone to traveling to the Highlands for a day trip, with a stop over at a pub for lunch and to warm ourselves near the large open fire.

We have discovered the joy of staying at one of the many shacks in the Highlands area that are for short-term hire. The sound of the children's shrieks and laughter as they play in the snow is wonderful, and I can never take enough photos. The shacks are decked out with many comforts, and to wake in the morning to falling snow is quite magical.

Here are just a few sites of accommodation in the area:

Freshwater Lodges

Highland Shacks

Shannon Rise Lodge

My favourite Winter day is when you walk out the door and the fresh, crisp air hits you firmly, making your breath cloudy, but then the sun is there to back you up and make you smile. On days like this I can feel the cool air moving through my body and having that feeling of really being alive.

There is much to love about Winter and I'm sure there are others out there who share my joys. I would love to hear from you...

What season is your favourite and why is that?

Happiness is ... Snow in july

We are having a great Winter season so far down here in Tasmania.

I remember last year we had a little snow early in the season, but had to wait until August for our Family Trip to the snow. We have already had one trip as shown in my collage. I remember doing quite a bit of walking last year and was able to do so in most of my lunch breaks. This winter, so far, has been quite wet.

On Tuesday we woke to see that we had received quite a good dusting and it continued to snow on and off that day. We drove for about 10 minutes to reach the snow (spoiled much?) just to see how much there was. I instructed Miss 7 and Master 3 that we weren't getting out of the vehicle this time as the snow was really wet and sloshy still, but that they could wind down their windows and catch snow flakes on their tongues. Bless them ... they were happy to do this and didn't argue to get out once.

We did come across a couple from South Australia 3/4 up the hill, sitting in their car in the middle of the road. We enquired if they were ok. "Nope ... we are stuck." claimed the lady. They were not stuck, as such, but, not used to driving in the snow, they found that everytime they started driving down the hill in their car they would end off in a slide. After a little chat, hubby informed the gentleman to take the handbrake off as he drove (did I mention they were not used to driving in the snow?) and to follow our tracks slowly down the hill, as our 4wd wheels would pat down the snow for them. They were ever so grateful. They revealed that their plan had been to wait for someone to come along (hurray for us) or they would wait for the road to clear of snow. We didn't have the heart to tell them the road might be covered with snow for a day or two, at least.

My drive to work, when we have snow is always scenic, as I look at the hills around our valley covered in snow. As I get closer to work, Mt Wellington comes into view (unless it is obscurred by a snow storm) and towers over the suburbs looking very much like a huge Lamington.

A snow covered Mt Wellington, sitting high above Hobart. (ABC News: Stephen Jay)

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