The final Work contract.In Tasmania of course.

[drron]

On the outskirts of Railton is it's major industry - the Railton cement works and Limestone quarry.
.
.
.

How the limestone gets to where it is needed.
.
.
.
.

 

[drron]

The rest of the cement works.
.
.
.
.
.

And using pure Tasmanian coal.
.
.
.

 

[drron]

Off to the orchid reserve.Flowering just starting.
.

But a lot of other spring flowers.
.

.
.
.
.

 

[drron]

A lovely day for a walk in the bush.
..
.
.

When a tree falls across the track sections are left which make good seats.If you sit and remain still the birds will often come closer.Today was a pair of kookaburras though they did decide to hide behind leaves.
.
.
.
.

 

[drron]

.
.

The native cherries mainly have good crops.
.
.
.

Some just can't leave nature alone.
.

 

[drron]

Although very few orchids they were more widely distributed.Hopefully will be great in a couple of weeks.
.
.
.
.
.

 

[drron]

I visited a couple of smaller areas of bushland with some success but then went to Port Sorrell as I found a local orchid blogger who recommended this reserve.
.

Walking in. It didn't look promising.
.

But virtually immediately started seeing caladenia.
.
.
.

Also a lot of other flowers.
.

And then found some glossodias.
.
.

 

[drron]

Most of the area is open bushland.
.

In some areas the orchids are numerous.But being small they can be difficult. A few shots without zoom.
.
.
.

All of the above have several orchids in the shot.
.
.
.
.

 

[drron]

I went back to Lonnie via Exeter.Planned to try the Havilah wine bar which opens at 4pm.Got there about 4.45pm. No way was I going to get in.So I then decided to try Monsoon -Asian tapas but that didn't open until 5pm. So I went over the road to Princes Park.
Havilah is on the left and jumping.Monsoon on the right.
.

So a short walk around the park.
.
.
.

The Rhododendrons are beautiful but some have finished,some are in full bloom and others are just starting t flower.
.
.
.
.
.
.

 

[drron]

So at 5pm I walked into Monsoon.First customer.
The menu.
.
.
.

Washed it down with a Singha.
..

So I had 3 of the small dishes - tamarind ribs, roasted duck pancakes and the soft shell crab.All really nice but I have listed them in my order of liking.
.
.
.

Very definitely will be going back.

 

[drron]

Sunday and off to another favourite spot at Epping forest. Turn right and head about 4 KM on the Cressy road. side by side gates mean you are at the Conservation area but you do need to climb the fence.easy in a couple of spots.Another good spot for spring flowers.
..
...

A green rosella in the top right corner.Unfortuately into the sun and quickly took off.
.

But I have been spotted by the coughatoos. They obviously don't like visitors and I know I will soon be encircled.
..

 

[drron]

I soon came across some skeletons. there were quite a few. 5 of them in close proximity to each other.
.
.
..
.

As I walked out I Spotted the culprit - a quite large feral tabby cat.Sorry but this is why I really don't like cats.

 

[drron]

I am letting you off from the orchid photos today.Quite a few but not as prolific as earlier years and a little later, So some assorted flora.
.
.
.
.
.
.

One possible reason for less orchids is this.
.
Lots of evidence of bandicoots. They like digging up and eating the orchid tubers.

 

[drron]

The coughatoos arrived.They sit in the trees and have you surrounded. usually 2-3 per tree and then they all start screeching.
.
..
.
.
.
.
.

And virtually at the gates I met a local who was scared of me.
.
.

 

[drron]

I decided to continue down the road towards Cressy.It is not a major road but with the Ben Lomond range behind you and the Western Tiers in front it really is time to smell the roses. Add in the agriculture this is a great drive.
.
.
.
.
.

 

[drron]

You cross the Macquarie River which you follow through Cressy and Longford where it has joined the South Esk River. Today in flood.
..
.
.
.
.
.
.

 

[drron]

Spring really is a great time to come to Tassie.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

 

[drron]

The last little bit into Cressy.
.
.
.

And lunch at the Rustic Bakehouse. Had run out of scallop pies but had an excellent pastie and a wonderful though messy large vanilla slice.
.
.

 

[drron]

From Longford I drove down the east bank of the South Esk river. It was als at minor flooding levels.
.
.

.
.

A scenic road.
.
.
.

 

[drron]

It is really good having the longer days so I got back to the reserve out of Epping forest with quite a few more orchids.
.
.

Note the singular small leaf of the caladenia.
.
.
.
.
.
.