Ronnie in Lonnie.

[drron]

So after the time at the craft fair it was time for some walking.First was the Tom Gibson nature reserve outside Epping Forest.I went there as it was said to be a good place to see terrestrial orchids.It turned out to be orchid heaven.There were thousands.Several species as well.Mainly Caladenia commonly known as lady fingers-

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Now at first I thought this may be an orchid but alas no.

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But then diuris,donkey orchids.

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[drron]

Next was a bearded orchid-

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A ground view of an area that had 40-50 caladenias-

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Then possible sun orchids but not flowering yet-

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But lots of other flowers-

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Then as I was about to climb over the fence to get out another orchid I missed getting in-

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I then drove a little further south to another nature reserve,Diprose lagoon.However it was overrun by gorse bush and rabbits.came across a warren-

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A couple of diuris but it wasn't worth the effort.So back to the hotel.

 

[drron]

Sunday and a necessary sleep in.Left the hotel at ~ 1100.Headed to Low Head but took a detour through Windamere.A little slice of heaven-

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On the opposite bank that is the Rosevears hotel.

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The reason a few people take this detour is because of that building in the left side of that last pic.

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St.Mathias church one of the oldest continuously used churches in Australia.Built in 1835.
I continued on the same road back to the A8.A short bit of a good gravel road.I came upon the Native Point Nature Reserve.Apparently not that well known.i decided to have a look.The road through the reserve isn't great.Washed out in places so not really for 2WD cars but I had a SUV and even better it wasn't mine!There were a few orchids but I didn't stay that long.

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My Sav Blanc from the day before came from near here.
Continuing on a lovely drive-

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[drron]

And over the road it looks like a new vineyard.

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And finally to Low Head and the lighthouse-

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The old cable station which looks just like the one at Stanley but this one is now a private residence.

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And looking down to the pilot station where I went for lunch-

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And one of the areas oldest houses-

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And my lunch.Simple fish and chips but nicely done.

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[drron]

So now a walk around the pilot station.The Boatman's houses-

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219 years and 2 days before my visit Mathew Flinders landed here-

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One of the lead markers-line 2 up for the correct course-

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I love Tassie rocks-

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Initially accommodation for the pilots and familiess,now the museum-

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[drron]

I decided to go through the Museum.Only $4 for a QLD senior.Obviously not that many had gone through on the day and certainly no one else there during my visit.So the fellow on duty wanted a long chat.It was an interesting place because of the information about Tassie's maritime history.
For example one of the main surveyors of the Tamar,Launceston port and Bass Strait was John Lort Stokes Captain of the Beagle and who had sailed with Charles Darwin.In fact Stokes named Port Darwin after his friend Charles.
Also there was always a diver as part of this station to help in retrieving stuff from wrecks and finding rocks to be removed.

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Two of the boatmans cottages.look similar but the one on the left was built ~1860 and has 2 chimneys.The one on the right was built in 1960 and only 1 chimney.

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The chief pilots house-

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And the School-

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And of interest to QFWP this complex and the lighthouse area are part owned by Brett Godfrey.
Leaving the area you past one of the lead lights-

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[RooFlyer]

Just caught up and enjoyed every post. A number of things there I didn't know about, so will do when I'm next up there.

 

[drron]

So after Low Head I detoured to a park near Lilydale which is described as being natural bushland with lots of wild flowers.This is the park.

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And it is next to this.

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Across the road is the car park-not signposted and jus some bare ground obviously used for rubbish dumping.But a sign giving a little of the park's history.

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So 1 acre was set aside as a tip for 6 years.Then increased to 15 acres and is still going 50 years later.Plus used as a timber plantation,illegal dumping and a hydatid testing area.Plus the volunteers cleaning up the area broadcast seeds of native plants not necessarily what was here.Natural bushland really!
So what I presume is left over from the plantation-

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However it is a pleasant walk but some sharp uphill sections.You get down to the Second river.Presumably platypi around with burrows above and below the waterline.

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Lots of spring flowers including the native violet-

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[drron]

The bushland and track-

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Then what I think is the slender sun orchid-

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Another section of river.

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Then the same orchid I saw at nearby Lilydale Falls.A lot more flowering here.

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Then you exit the park to find the sawmill.

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[drron]

You then are encouraged to go back via the section of the park on the west side of C811.Dont bother.This side is overgrown with grass and lupins obviously from the farm across the road.It was also a quite steep track.Evidence that collecting wood still goes on-

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I lost the track in very long grass.i was about to give up and go back when this little fellow flew in front on me and I followed tring to get a photo.He refused to show his good side but when he flew off I could see the track about 20 metres in front.

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When you get to the end of the track you arrive at-

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the dump!.

 

[drron]

So now Monday came around.It is a public holiday in Tassie.At least honesty in the name-Recreation Day.Once again I started with 2 parks that are said to contain orchids.I started at the Cheltenham reserve.It was to be the site of a school but Education decided they didn't want it.No other Government body wants it.Although surrounded by houses and obvious invasive species close to it's borders it turned out to be very good.
These were very common-

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And a couple of houses had this Tassie native-

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But soon I had found my first orchid.Same family as those at Lilydale but a totally different colour so a different species.There were thousands of them.

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Other flowers as well-

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Then a microtis-onion orchid.

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And my old friend the caladenias-

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Then an orchid yet to flower.

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And another that could be an orchid but nothing I am familiar with.

 

[drron]

Next was the Punchbowl reserve.I made the walk a bit longer by parking at the start of the Kingsmeadow trail and added another couple of KM to my walk.A pleasant walk to the Punchbowl reserve which the map says is beside the Kingsmeadow rivulet.But it is actually in a pipe several feet below the ground.
One of the entrances to the reserve goes alongside a golf course.A nice Japanese maple showing the progression of the reverse autumn colour changes-

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Some of the trees had these growths-

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The rivulet comes into the reserve via a dramatic stone formation-

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From the top there were good views-

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There were occasional orchids but you have seen enough.A good place for exercise as most trails are very steep up and down.I was thinking I might go and rest for the afternoon but I decided to go out for lunch and see how I felt.

 

[drron]

For lunch I went to the Mudbar which is in Peppers Seaport.Initially I was handed just the vegetarian menu.But after a laugh looked at both.

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So I had the tasting plate then the main of mushrooms with noodles.Basically all dishes have a Japanese influence.

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Well presented meals full of flavour.The Tassie wasabi on the tasting plate had a fresh taste but packed a mighty punch.Washed down with a local pale ale.$71 with public holiday surcharge.

Across the river from Peppers Seaport they are building another Peppers hotel.Using the old flour silos.So you will obviously be able to sleep in a silo.

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Pretty desolate area around it at present.

 

[drron]

So after lunch I felt refreshed so set out on my planned walks for the afternoon.These were for exercise with the hope of some nice scenery.First was Newnham reserve.Mostly wide open spaces and about a 2km round trip.But it was a lovely day with a beautiful cooling breeze.

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An amusing moment as I walked towards the play area.A young chap maybe 3-4 ran up to be and latched himself to my leg.Sang out to his mother that he was going to go home with this man.Unfortunately for him I released him into the custody of his mother.
A good view down the hill but up-

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A nice rose bush-

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There's my chariot parked on the left of the road.

 

[drron]

So for my last walk I set myself a real target.I intended to walk the Black Bridge trail,The Henry st. trail and then the North Esk trail.It was going to be a 10+km walk.Somehow it didn't quite work that way.I was halfway along the Black Bridge trail when I realised I had left my camera in the car so I went back.
Figuring that I had already had walked the distance of that trail so I drove to the start of the Henry street trail.After going about 600 metres I realised it was just the Henry st. footpath.Fortunately I was then at the start of the North Esk trail.Water was running over the start of the trail but it looked fine ahead.

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I love those little fellows.
A little further along I thought the problem at the start may have been due to aging mitigation equipment-

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The old rail bridge.About now a woman coming the other way stopped me and said there was water over the trail in 2 places up ahead and I should hitch up my jeans going through.Well the first bit was pretty shallow-

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It became obvious that the problem was a higher than usual tide.

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I then went through a deeper section and my shoes became wet.A little further on I knew it was time to turn back.I thought the North Esk trail would be close to the river but I didn't think you had to walk on it.

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So back to the hotel.I felt like I needed a beer. Fortunately I had a beer in the fridge-

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So I have come to an end of this time except for a brief report on tomorrow's lunch.
Tomorrow evening mrsdrron will join me so those experiences will be reported in the slightly older TR.
A few quickies for the Drrons..

 

[drron]

So the last lunch by myself.Back to Elaia.But there was a reason.
I had their signature dish chiili salt squid with a chilli soy sauce.Just the right amount of fire and the squid perfectly cooked-

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And all washed down with my free beer-

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Yes they take part in the AMEX shop small promotion.

 

[RooFlyer]

Across the river from Peppers Seaport they are building another Peppers hotel.Using the old flour silos.So you will obviously be able to sleep in a silo.

Pretty desolate area around it at present.

That area is a bend in the river and for a long time was subject to flooding. Lots of work and money spent on levees so I think re-development is on the cards.

 

[drron]

One year on and I am back in Launceston.Despite the problems with VA last time it was VA again going down as from MCY their connections are much better.This time though the best connection was via SYD and this let me miss the MEL VA terminal which I don't like.
Flying MCY-SYD I was in row 26 and had the row to myself.No problem selecting the rear rows flying out of MCY as you board from front or rear stairs.An unremarkable flight.Wont complain about the QF snacks again though.

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Flew over the Hunter Valley.What great views-beautiful coal mines!

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There was quite a tailwind so we were sent west of SYD and down over the National Park.

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We still got to the gate early.Got a snack in the food court.Sitting near a display of baguettes and paninis when an older woman came up and asked the server-"which of these are gluten free.?"
So then to my SYD-LST flight.PB was working until a fellow in the premium line in Richmond colours held the line up.So a lot of us plebs boarded before most in the premium line.This time row 7 with an empty middle seat.VA MKWIA.
In row 6 a couple with 2 infants.The boy was crying all the time untill I caught his eye and made my funny faces.Soon had him laughing and playing hide and seek.I think mum was very happy with me.
Once again magnificent catering.

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Cloudy virtually the whole way.On this sector a headwind so about 20 minutes late into LST.Still good to see Tassie again.

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Here until the beginning of January so hopefully will bring you a bit of tourist info and a few restaurant reviews.

 

[drron]

A busy first week and on the weekend I was in a new second on position.So just a short post with a couple of lunches.First at Aromas-just over the road from the hospital.Nothing special but good comfort food.

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Lasagne and potato salad.Why did I add the potato salad-simple-it put me over $20 and as they participate in the Amex shop small promo this saved me money.
Today a slightly longer walk to Elaia.Menu not as good as last year so I just had the steak sandwich with a cider.They also are in the shop small promo.

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As I said last year this place is more expensive than others close by so without the promo I am not in a rush to return.

 

[drron]

So after I finished my work on saturday it was off to the Westbury Show.Another really good rural show.There is a good steam museum here so no surprise there is some old machinery.

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They catered to a wide variety of interests letting a Launceston model car club use a smaller pavilion.

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Then going back to the past.

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