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.

Relax and Refuel

We spent the Easter long weekend, just like every other. We relaxed, refueled and retreated.

It is our Easter family tradition to head down to the southern tip of Tasmania to our favourite holiday house.

I spent a lot of time sleeping, reading, doing a crossword or two, and some fishing. We visited a market and garage sale, cooked up some tomato sauce, chilled together .... and went fishing.

We like to keep our schedule simple and stress free. The beginning of the year can be really hectic with back to school, sports, work and social commitments.  Its lovely to step back from it all and slow it all down.

I find Easter is a good time of year to assess what is working and what needs attention. I like to look within our family and in myself.

Is there a time through the year when you need to refuel?

Huon Aquaculture Open For Fun

We love to get out as a family and explore and experience our wonderful Tasmania. We are always discovering more great things, and if its an event that is great value, for money and entertainment, then even better.

We headed down to Port Huon last weekend, just over an hour south of Hobart.

Huon Aquaculture were having an open day which promised to be fun, educational and yummy.

There were wonderful displays and very helpful staff to share the history and technology involved in producing their wonderful Salmon.

 We learned much about the way the fish are fed and housed, how they are transported and cared for. Needless to say, it is a little more involved than sprinkling fish food into a tank daily.

With all of this knowledge, we had worked up an appetite. Luckily, there were wonderful Salmon products on offer. We feasted on beautiful Salmon Burgers, and if had not been so full, we would have been tempted with a Salmon Sausage or Taco.

At 1.15pm we excitedly stood in line for our free boat cruise. Luckily, I had pre-booked our seat aboard the Peppermint Bay II, as they were many envious people wishing they had done the same. 

The boat tour took about 1.5 hours and was totally free!

We were treated to gorgeous views of the Channel, and saw first hand the huge fish farms at Hideaway Bay. We saw the cheeky seals trying to discover a way to break in to the fish farms and discovered more about the fish farming industry from our tour guide who happily answered everyone's questions.

What a great day it was. I am thankful for the opportunity to do things like this as a family.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post!

Aboard the Peppermint Bay II

My fabulous Salmon Burger

Entrance to the Huon Aquaculture Open Day

Enjoying the gorgeous scenery of the Channel

Salmon up close

Coming back into port

Awesome car - awesome advertising!


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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

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Quiet Beginnings

We have spent the last week, from Christmas to New Years Day, doing a great deal of relaxing together and throwing stress and any agenda out the door.

Christmas and the whole stressful lead up to it quite honestly does my head in! Although it is still a favourite event on my calendar, I sure am glad when its over.

 We have been splashing in the water, digging in the sand, fishing, catching up with friends, eating, drinking, sleeping and relaxing.

I am feeling somewhat back to normal and hoping to enjoy my remaining week of holiday before returning to work.

Does the festive season leave you wreaked?

The Joy Of Belting Out A Tune

As a parent, I get all warm and fuzzy when my kids get pleasure out of something that brought me pleasure through my own childhood. I  spent many a trip in the backseat of the family car, going to or coming back from a visit with a relative. In those days, WAY BACK THEN, there were no ipods, and if you travelled as a family, you were expected to be social.

Travelling in the car as a family always brings back memories of singing along to the radio. Sometimes it was just me singing, but many times one or more of my family members would join in.

We covered quite a range of styles, from 50s all the way through to what was currently popular, with some country tunes thrown in too. Our favourites were probably covered in the 6 O'Clock Rock segments on a Saturday night.

These days, I am in the front seat (mostly) but not much has changed.
I am still singing along to the tunes.

My children have inherited my love of singing in the car, which is mostly tolerated by hubby.

Hearing my children singing along, sometimes to songs that are much older than they are, is quite heart-warming. Knowing that they too find comfort and joy in singing, whether it be in tune, or in time or even the right words, is comforting.

What does your family do to pass the time in the car? Do you do things together?

Move More Than Just Those Fingers

How many of us sit in front of the TV, trying to find something decent to watch? Instead of punching the buttons on the remote, surfing the channels, we have been trying to switch off and get moving.

I know it has been a little chilly to always be outside. So you need to find what works for you and your kids inside.

We have found the Nintendo Wii to be such a good tool. We have been using Wii Dance Party to burn some energy and it entertains children and adults for hours. We have also found it to be a great family activity.

If you haven't got access to a Nintendo Wii, the Sony PlayStation have some similar products. All of the Dance Party clips are also available on You Tube, which is a real hit in the classroom and at home. There is no better way to get kids moving than some music and some dance moves.

If you are a parent, then this is your chance to show the kids you still have groove and the moves.

This would have to be one of our favourites. The following is Flo Rida - Good Feeling.

Disclaimer: The above is my personal opinion and is not the result of sponsorship or gifts received.

When It Gets Cold, We Splash Indoors

 During the last School Holidays we visited the Hobart Aquatic Centre. There were a lot of people there and so much fun to be had.

I admit, I loved the Water Slide as much as the kids!

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