Trampoline Antics

At the Gembrook Retreat there is a simple round trampoline that children love to play all kinds of games on. Sometimes they put in a genuine effort that reflects the sport. Jasper showed Peter how well he could cartwheel. He did this many times so that Peter was able to make a composite picture of his very solid effort.

Caleb lives at the retreat and is four years older than Jasper, which explains his additional skills. That and his great stock of hair do stand out as pretty 'out there'.

Chestnut Harvest 2012

By taking our grandkids back to Gembrook, we were also able to join in the annual Chestnut Retreat Harvest Saturday. There were a lot of people there and from many and differing communities from near and far. The knowledge about the location and what it has to offer is slowly increasing. It was good to see.

It is always nice to look at the main house and how well the grounds are kept all year. A lot of effort is given to the place so that it has an adequate fire plane.

This is what one can see from the main house looking across at the northern ranges bordering the Warburton Valley. The distance makes it hard to expose adequately for a snap.

Blanket Dying

Barb soaked a blanket which had to be pure wool (the "only dry-clean" type) until it was drenched. She, Jasper and Jethro helped spread the gum leaves and gum nuts (also soaked) across it in rows. The blanket was progressively folded over on itself till it was literally stuffed with leaves, gum nuts and sticks, especially the way it looked when tightly rolled up.

Peter and Jasper were able to find a large stainless steel stewing pot from (yes - Savers) and we boiled the blanket roll for three hours from both ends. That was because the boiling water only just passed half way. One really needs a large copper to boil it in but we did not have one of those.

After that we waited a few more days... and presto! it worked!... at least the Box Gum leaves did a load of work leaving a strong rusty red. The rest of the stuff did more in leaving interesting textures that may or may not stay after the later washing. We don't know that bit yet. But it was good to try something very earthly creative.

This combo is supplied to show the before and after some of the Box Gum leaves had been brushed off to reveal the strong colouration.

Staying Two Nights

In the last part of last week we enjoyed the overnight company of our three grandkids again. This blog is without Jethro but he was there and actively involved. He found a toy motor bike at Savers thrift shop. Piper found a large white fluffy dog and Jasper was fortunate enough to get a complete LEGO set from there.

We are very impressed with Jasper's technical ability and determination to construct such a complex toy but he does set a high standard for himself. Peter was allowed to watch, even find parts for him but not to do any of the assembly. He read the 3D drawing very well.

Peter is working on a "Walk-along" kite, a design he received recently in Tasmania. There should be more of this later on in the context of the school. They will be made in honour of the kite designer, a man named Malcolm in Devonport presently with advanced cancer who will not be with us much longer.

Bound for Tasmania

Peter took this picture as our plane passed by the entrance to Port Philip Bay. The whole flight to Tasmania is only an hour over Bass Strait. This blog has been arranged to herald the start of a whole series dedicated to how our Easter in Tazzy went.

Tamar Valley

The Tamar Valley was our first stay. We stopped for the night at Beauty Point close to the mouth of the Tamar which flows through Launceston. There was much to see. We stopped at the Beaconsfield Gold Mine and visited Greens Beach. We stopped to take a picture of a modern apple orchard... that looks more like a vineyard.

We had quite a nice collection of sea shells after our visit to Greens Beach. These shells Peter intends taking to the school when the term commences again.

Cataract Gorge

While staying for a day at Launceston we made a special effort to walk right round the Cataract Gorge (the south side and back on the north side). This meant we had to do a fair bit of steep step climbing one way, all the way to the bridge in the distance of the above picture. It was much easier for us on the way back. Certainly it was good to really see what this famous Gorge, in the middle of the city, was all about.

Walnut Harvest

One of the first things we did at Madonna and John's place was join with them on one of their walnut collecting efforts. Almost daily, the nuts were falling to the ground and had to be quickly gathered before rain came to make the nuts soggy. It was very interesting work. The walnut is not very tasty in its fresh state straight from falling. It has to dry a time so that its distinctive taste can begin to strengthen.

Metal Barn

On Easter Sunday, John and Madonna took us to a farm just past Penguin where Peter and John helped the owner Youlee and Steve his friend assemble part of a great metal barn. The foundation had been laid the previous weekend and the cordless drill was working hard screwing in the self-tappers. After feeling their way into the project, Peter and John felt they had contributed significantly for their part. Both were rewarded for their kind effort with choice King Island cheese.

Mercy Bluff

On the west side of the mouth of the Mercy River dividing Devonport in half is a bluff. On top of this bluff is this very attractive lighthouse to guide the shipping there. About this structure is a granulated and gnarled coastline that has something of real interest every square metre. We crawled over it on one of bluff's more milder days. Just as well for us.

Sheffield Murals

The main reason for visiting Sheffield was because each Easter this town has a mural fest. Renowned mural artists from Tasmania, the mainland and even further abroad are invited to join the competition. The public is invited to come each day to see the progress. We came on what seemed to be day four and we both learned a lot about mural painting. We will have to do it again in some future Easter.

Have a read of the special words written by nature pioneer Gustav generations ago, now immortalised in this Sheffield mural, the picture that made the town knows for its murals since the 1980's.

Images of Sheffield

This blog is just a 'pause place' were some further images of Sheffield are shared. The above sign was found in front of the local Baptist Church. Next is a garden front that took Barb's fancy. Then we noticed those kids trapped on a roof. Just kidding. One of the most unusual shops you'll find anywhere, including the guy with the long hair and beard that serves you. And of course, a pet lama, carrying a coin bag for crazy tourists like us to include it in a picture.

Mt Roland

We were both captivated by the look of this mountain as we drove towards it on our way to Sheffield. We stopped a number of times to take yet another snap. This mountain gave us a renewed taste of what was uniquely Tasmanian.

While we were in Sheffield we stopped at an art exhibition and were able to purchase a really nice water colour of Mt. Roland. This is a 17 x 12 cm painting done by Evelyn Antonysen titled: "Typically Tasmania". It is a lovely find.