Ronnie in Lonnie.

[docjames]

Care to recommend a pub or similar for dinner for a group of 8 blokes arriving at airport at ~7pm on a Thursday??

Staying in town Thursday night before heading to golfing on Fri/Sat.

 

[drron]

If staying in town probably the best place to head to would be the Seaport.A few restaurants there from Fish and Chips-that is the name-we liked it but by the reviews it may have slipped.The locals seem to like Levee there.Mud Bar a little more upmarket.A chinese and Indian restaurant also there.
Today I had to change office moving from the Quest to Mantra Hotel Charles.A King Studio here.Quest was better.So the room-

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The rooms at the front probably have a good view over the city to Riverview but mine not so much-

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The bathroom suggests it is an accessible room-

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[drron]

It is my week on call and the Royal Launceston show is on.Thursday was show day.A lot have taken Friday off so not busy at work.Having been a Show Society president myself if there is a show on I go.So on Friday afternoon I go.I arrive just after 4pm.It is dead.This is the commercial section of the show in an old roundhouse-

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Note the large crowds!Then a vintage car display-3 mustangs and a 1935 Wiillys.

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Then the Equestrian events.Basically in a paddock with no facilities for spectators.

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I moved on to the woodchopping but arrived just before the finish of the last event.I was the 8th spectator.A real pity as Tasmanian axemen are often the world's best.So next I went to the old Aurora stadium-now the University of Tasmania stadium where the dog show was being held.Again basically as a spectator you saw nothing.And it was the only thing happening in the stadium-

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Then to sideshow alley on the other side of the stadium-there are 2 people on this ride-

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And the single path between the stadium and side shows and the rest of the show.Down this road the ALP had a display.The message was-The Liberals want you to work until 70.Would you be happy with that.The young lady came out and asked me if I would be happy.When I answered I was 70,still working and loving it the conversation ended.

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In the Examiner on the Wednesday there was an article where the council had told the show society that if they couldn't attract people to the show it would be the last.I guess then this is now going to be a snapshot of history-

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[drron]

So the last bit of the show.The showbags are always the busiest place-

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I came in the late afternoon to have a show food dinner.But I was bored and only spent 90 minutes there.I started early with a dagwood dog and then a nice steak sandwich from the Lion's club.And only $7.For dessert I had this-

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It was nice though I wouldn't go out of my way for another.
Saturday was a lot busier and my morning round finished ~ 3pm.So I went 2 blocks down from the hospital to Elaia restaurant and this was lunch-

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Cider and the Elaia seafood plate-white fish,prawns,calamari,a scallop and a couple of NZ mussels.It was cooked perfectly.$38 for that meal.

 

[craven morehead]

It is my week on call and the Royal Launceston show is on.Thursday was show day.A lot have taken Friday off so not busy at work.Having been a Show Society president myself if there is a show on I go.So on Friday afternoon I go.I arrive just after 4pm.It is dead.This is the commercial section of the show in an old roundhouse-

.

.
Note the large crowds!Then a vintage car display-3 mustangs and a 1935 Wiillys.

.

.
Then the Equestrian events.Basically in a paddock with no facilities for spectators.

.
I moved on to the woodchopping but arrived just before the finish of the last event.I was the 8th spectator.A real pity as Tasmanian axemen are often the world's best.So next I went to the old Aurora stadium-now the University of Tasmania stadium where the dog show was being held.Again basically as a spectator you saw nothing.And it was the only thing happening in the stadium-

.
Then to sideshow alley on the other side of the stadium-there are 2 people on this ride-

.

.
And the single path between the stadium and side shows and the rest of the show.Down this road the ALP had a display.The message was-The Liberals want you to work until 70.Would you be happy with that.The young lady came out and asked me if I would be happy.When I answered I was 70,still working and loving it the conversation ended.

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In the Examiner on the Wednesday there was an article where the council had told the show society that if they couldn't attract people to the show it would be the last.I guess then this is now going to be a snapshot of history-

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Wow drron it really looks like the "local" show will be come a thing of the past not only down there but in a lot of regional areas.

 

[RooFlyer]

Many small town shows around Tas are going strong. Not sure why Launceston's has died so completely - but it made the news, for sure. The Royal Hobart Show isn't what it used to be, but still very popular - still has wood chopping and the animal displays/parades.

 

[RB]

The Wauchope Show is still going but some others in the area are struggling or gone as they struggle with costs and no new people coming through to do the thankless tasks. Another one of the local shows is on this weekend 2017 Camden Haven Show | photos, video | Port Macquarie News

 

[drron]

After lunch I walked another block down to Prince's Square.Some impressive buildings surrounding it-

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The second building is Milton Hall built in 1842.A church for it"s first years.

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The Baptist church.

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This impressive building was Chalmers Church-Presbyterian.Deconsecrated in 1981 and now privately owned.Neds a bit of loving.

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The Anglicans look after their workers.Beautiful grounds as well.
But over the road lining the park it was cherry blossom time-

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[drron]

The Anglicans certainly have a big one-

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Now the park-

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[drron]

Sunday and not nearly as busy.First though lunch.I visited Levee at the Seaport.It was busy so a little wait for ordering and then getting food.The waitress though was very pleasant and efficient.I had 6 oysters Kilpatrick followed by quail washed down again with an apple cider.

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The oysters were tasty but small.The quail was perfectly cooked and moist but the total dish just lacked a little pizzazz.The cost-$55 but no Amex.So a reasonable place but lacking a special touch.

 

[drron]

Before lunch I visited the Albert Hall home to a water powered organ.An impressive place.

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But I was here for something a little low brow.In fact a little boy's dream-model railways.

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That last is old wind up Hornby trains.I have a few drawers full of these.

 

[drron]

Outside the new version of the old Hornby trains-electric-

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Also a couple of model builders for your layout-

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Now for a walk around City Park.A Conservancy of the same design as the one at Parramatta Creek last weekend-

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And a memorial to the South African war-

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[Guvner]

No pictures of the Monkey's Enclosure? I thought that was obligatory.

 

[drron]

No pictures of the Monkey's Enclosure? I thought that was obligatory.

Just wait there.

 

[drron]

Just for you Guvner here are the Japanese macaques.

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Quite a young fellow.Definitely the star.

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The enclosure doesn't look too bad-

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[drron]

Just to add there is no charge to see the macaques.So no need to go to Japan!
Back out into the park.Wide open spaces,a fine day and quite a few taking advantage including a Diwali celebration.

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That is Ronald Gunn.Statue here because of his interest in Botany.

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Then I went into a conservancy-

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[drron]

More of the conservancy.Some real colour here and well set out-

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[drron]

Entertainment for children-

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And the band rotunda-still used on Saturdays in January plus Australia Day.

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Most good parks have water and ducks-

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[RooFlyer]

Royal Park is the scene for a fantastic food and wine weekend each year (first weekend next February): FESTIVALE TASMANIA - FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL - Festivale Better than Hobart's Taste of Tasmania I reckon.

Having a tall fence around the park is great for families - they can give the kids a bit more freedom to run around. I remember one year it was threatening thundery/rain, so, "inspired" we set up our group in that rotunda and kept dry during the soggy periods.

 

[drron]

Over the road from the park is the National Tasmanian Automobile Museum.So in the interest of AFF readers and Launceston tourism I forced myself to go.A compact museum but some interesting cars and motorcycles.So here we go-

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So the red car is a Chevrolet Roadster and Don Bradman's first car.It was given to him by General Motors.

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Quite a few Aussie classics like the Charger and Bathurst models-

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And for fellows of my vintage who didn't want an MG-

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