Ronnie in Lonnie.

[drron]

The last of the museum.Motor bikes mainly-

.

.

.

.

.
And a Citroen van-

.
Then a walk along the riverbank-

.

.
Now these cottages were destroyed by fire.A fellow bought them to build units but permission was denied by Heritage Tasmania.After several years he sold to another developer.Within the year the Heritage listing was removed and the new proposal to build units was approved.The original developer is now suing Heritage Tasmania.
Beside them an old hotel now a gentlemen's club.

.

.

 

[drron]

Across the road from the museum is the old gasworks.The gas was indeed coal seam gas.The coal came from Newcastle and the gas extracted by heating the coal.This is the vertical retort built in the 1930's.It is now the home to Hog's Breath Café.

.
The managers house now a Senator's office-

.

.
Head office-

.

.
Now Launceston had street lamps from 1826.Initially with sperm whale oil.The butchers soon forced the use of animal fat.The gasworks opened in 1860 and by April the street lamps became gas.That lamp was always in that position.
The vertical retort building again.Until 2012 the machinery was still in the building but the interior was gutted then.Might have been a great museum.

.
The original horizontal retort buildings from the 1860's.

.

 

[drron]

A quiet day yesterday.The weather was perfect so I indulged.Off to a winery run by a couple from QLD-

.

.

.
So the fellows mum was Joannie.My mother's name was Joan.Then when Steady gave their wines a thumbs up I knew I had to pay a visit.Spent some time sitting in a comfortable chair talking to Prue and tasting their wines.They had spent some time in Italy so their wines are more Italian style.Not what I have been used to but the Pinot Noir's were excellent even though not the style I have preferred.As usual for Tasmania not cheap but I did purchase 3.
Then down to Beauty Point.Across the river were a greenies nightmare-

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

[drron]

You can learn to be a sailor here-

.

.
There is also a seahorse and a platypus display here.But now back to Lonnie with a quick stop at Beaconsfield,a place close to Bill Shorten's heart-

.

.

.

.

.
Once again beautiful spring flowers.

.

 

[drron]

I then proceeded up the minor road along the river.first a mini lighthouse and the John Batman bridge.

.

.
Native Angasi oysters-

More flowers.There are some properties along this road that have great grounds.

.
The water gradually changes from bright blue to dirty brown when you get to Launceston.

.

.

.

.

 

[drron]

So it was coming up to 6pm and I made a stop here-

.

.
Because across the road was this-

.

.
Now it gets pretty reasonable reviews re it's food so I wanted to try it.There was a function on so seating was in the bar.No problems.But from my seat I could see 11 dead flys and 4 live ones.I started with crumbed scallops-

.
The scallops were good.Still nice and moist and good taste.But some of the salad leaves were past their use by date.
Next Pork Belly with veggies.

.

.
The pork belly was very good.The menu made no mention of a salad so I was expecting warm veggies.They were cold.Still a veggie salad is OK.I couldn't find or tast the fried garlic and onion relish that were on the menu.The sauce though was sweet and they may have been hiding there.So with a pint of Northern Brewing ale it came to $68.No Amex.
I wouldn't go back.
The place though does have some good looking accommodation with good views over the river.

.
And finishing with another cherry blossom pic-

.

 

[RooFlyer]

Beaconsfield,a place close to Bill Shorten's heart

Ha. Of course at the time the Beaconsfield rock-fall happened, Bill was head of the Australian Workers Union. He was all over it (generally standing in front of the cameras telling everyone what was going on). My friends, who were on the rescue effort, laughed at the stuff he was saying, but he was between them and the media, so served a purpose. He was called "Lord Shorten of Beaconsfield".

People may recall that one miner was found dead quite quickly and two others were missing. The days dragged on and it was looking grim. The story is, as the site soured, Bill de-camped and went back to Melbourne. Two trapped miners were found that evening, while Bill was on the last flight back to Melbourne. With no scheduled flights back that night, Bill tapped his mate Lindsay Fox and used Fox's private jet to fly back, just in time to front the cameras to say he had never given up hope ...

I believe there are still some very heroic efforts underground in the rescue effort never publically acknowledged, as to do so would admit contraventions of the Mines Act.

 

[drron]

A short post on some food options.
Thursday was also a day with less to do.I enjoy scallops and a few reckon that the best scallop pies in Tasmania are here in Launceston.So at lunch I ventured out to Tinnies pies.Fortunately they hadn't sold out as it was a little after 1400.The lady asked which one do you want-curried or mornay.I said to heck with it I will try both.

.

.
The curried variety on the left and I had that first.There really is no heat in the curry and I enjoyed it.The second pic is obviously the mornay.One of the few criticisms of the mornay pie is too much filling.Didn't worry me as you can just remove some of it.The curry pie had 10 scallops,the mornay 12 and as you can see not as small as you often get in pies.They cost $10.20 each.
I think they were the best I have had in Tassie.
Lunch today was with Rooflyer.We went to Geronimos Bar and Café just down the road from the hospital.Was recommended by a few at LGH.Wasn't too bad with the only criticism was the waiter being a little too keen.I had the lamb dish and it was quite tasty.I paired mine with a glass of Priory Ridge pinot noir from the East Coast.Very easy drinking.My meal was $37.50.

.
And thanks to Rooflyer for a very pleasant interlude for the work day.

 

[drron]

I started off today by walking downtown to get a few supplies and some nice sausages from Casalinga a gourmet butcher with different meats such as duck,venison,wild boar and wallaby.Really good sausages.
But again time to look at more of Launceston's history-

.

.

.

.

.
And a business still run by the same family-

.

.

.
And that last picture was originally the home of an Ironmonger's business.

.

.

 

[drron]

So the last of my pictures walking back to the Mantra-

.
Now the next picture I took because I liked the building.As I often do I then did a little research and it turns out this building was famous for an event in Australia's medical history.Rooflyer and I had discussed this at lunch the day before just a block from this building.

.
It opened as St.John's hospital on 1/9/1845.On 7/6/1847 the first general anaesthetic performed in Australia happened here.Ether anaesthesia performed by William Pugh.Nobody really knows why it is called Morton House.It went by that name in 1873 and one guess is that is named after William Morton a Boston dentist who performed the first ether anaesthetic in October 1846.
PS-found out later the building is from 1835 and bought by Dr.Pugh in 1845.
More cherry blossom.I think I should organise a Launceston hanami picnic.

.

After dropping off my supplies and doing my washing it was a short drive to Longford for their show.I do love my shows.Even walking to the gate I knew this was going to be a better event than Launcestons.

.
Cars were parked up to a Km away in all the surrounding streets.Just inside the gate was a display of vintage engines.12 of them not only in working order but actually working-

.

.

.

.
There were a few other old things-

.
As you can see it was only a short walk to the ring.Show jumping went on all day-

.

 

[drron]

Continuing the Longford show.First the show jumping-

.

.

.

.
There were queues for the animal nursery all day-

.
Then an animal I had never seen before-Indian runner ducks.Couldn't help thinking of the road runner-

.

.
Much more activity at the showbags-

.
A music tent with mostly oldies but not too bad-

.
The market area had a lot of junk but also some good stuff.The navy was there promoting it's submarines.

.

 

[drron]

Side show alley was much better than at Launceston and packed-

.

.
Longford is a sheep centre so there were featured-

.

.
A feature was the junior sheep handling competition-fine young Australians-

.
The sheep here are bred for their meat so some unusual breeds.First the Hampshire Down-

.
Next one that only a mother could love.The Dorper.From South Africa they shed their wool.

.

.
Then the Texel from Holland and Border Leicester-

.

.

 

[drron]

So to the dog show.2 sides were kept clear for spectators.Now I know nothing about dog judging but I knew this fellow was going to win.just knew how to pose and hold himself-

.

.
Now this dog was well groomed but didn't make the podium.His handler was right out of Minder.Shiny grey suit,black shirt,silver tie and blue sude shoes.

.
This fellow just couldn't keep up-

.
Snakes alive-

.
Lunch time.The healthy show option.

.
Next the craft pavilion.They possibly need a bit of competition-

.

.
But I liked this quilt and it was the only one that didn't win a prize.

.

 

[drron]

Just outside the craft section was the show office.I went in,introduced myself and told them I thought this was one of the best one day shows in Australia.I was talking to the Show secretary-they do the majority of the work.She was delighted and introduced me to the Show President who invited me to the official afternoon tea.An offer I couldn't refuse.About 2 hours until it was on so I went back to the music tent.An older gent on first but he had a good voice.Then a group- Soul revival-a couple of younger members and they knew a lot of the songs I used to sing along to.

.

.
Whilst the group was singing something happened that was very unusual.A young fellow-probably ~ 3-got up and asked his mother to dance.
After the music there was a QLD show-all the way from Longreach.The Animal Wranglers.A great show.The horses were amazing with a great connection between man and horse.

.

.
The finale was on the most placid Brahman bull.Never flinched and as the show ended walked over to the fence and was patted,selfies taken and he just stood still-

.

.

Then to the afternoon tea.enjoyable chatting to some of the older members and hearing their yarns.The Premier came in and I was introduced as the Maitland show president-well 33 years agf course as I wasn't a Tasmanian voter my conversation ended swiftly.
I really enjoyed this show.It was in a different,better league than Launceston.

 

[drron]

I stopped in Longford on my way back to the hotel.As you can notice the morning's blue skies had gradually given way to clouds.Some of the older buildings-

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

[Milboo]

So to the dog show.2 sides were kept clear for spectators.Now I know nothing about dog judging but I knew this fellow was going to win.just knew how to pose and hold himself-

.

.
Now this dog was well groomed but didn't make the podium.His handler was right out of Minder.Shiny grey suit,black shirt,silver tie and blue sude shoes.

.
This fellow just couldn't keep up-

.
Snakes alive-

.

His name is Cyrus and he's a Pharoah Hound. You're watching the Hound Group judging there (which he won) but he actually went on to win the Best in Show award too (that's when the winners from the 7 different groups compete for BIS).

 

[drron]

The Anglican church is on a very large piece of land-

.

.

.

.

.
And the grounds were all designed by a surgeon!

.

.
At the back of the church is a large cemetery.Some sad stories-

.
This couple lost 2 children in infancy then 2 sons in WW2.
The earliest memorial from the 1820s-

.
And another town doctor who obviously supported the church-

.

 

[drron]

Sunday arrived and I slept in.So late morning it was down to Inveresk and the old Railway workshops.First the old Launceston station-

.

.
The workshops-

.

.

.

 

[drron]

Now a good part of the workshops have been transformed into the QV MAG museum.No charge but they suggest a $5 donation.It certainly is worth it.Naturally there is a section on Tasmanian railways.Starting with the mining railways with pictures of Mt.Bischoff behind-

.
Then a loco that was built here-

.

.

.
Appropriate the day after Holden closed down it is a holden in the railway museum-

.
The museum does appropriately highlight Tasmania's history.During WW2 there was a lot of things done here.The firing platform of the 25 pounder as well as the shells and mortar bombs were produced here-

.

.
Also torpedo engines plus the cheetah plane engine on the Avro anson-

.
But it was a Union shop-

.
After WW2 the Precision Tool Annexe was set up and made parts for Holden and the Jindivik amongst others.However it was sold off by the ALP government in 1979.

 

[drron]

Now to other Tasmanian transportation.I learnt a lot.In the 1920s Alpha Romeo imported chassises and engines to Australia and the bodywork was done here in Launceston-

.

.

.

.
A horse drawn cab.The last one operated until 1960.
And to leisure-

.

One of the saddest parts was the Thylacine section.The dingo arrived in Australia ~ 3800 years ago.The Thylacine disappeared from the mainland 3500 years ago.
The story of the last thylacine was sadder than remembered-

.
A few years earlier there were several in the Hobart Zoo.Teddy Roosevelt was right-

.
A picture of the last wild thylacine known-

.
A sad exhibit was a rug made of 8 thylacine pelts in 1903.
The Launceston City Zoo played a big role in the demise of the thylacine.Between 1885-1937 they traded 62 thylacines selling them to zoos,circuses or to museums to be stuffed.