Up and away, Tassie here we come….

It was 26 degrees, warm and sunny when we flew out of the Goldcoast. We felt quite conspicuous in our jerseys and carrying heavy jackets.

Sydney’s iconic landmarks

Beautiful, clear and sunny as we flew into Sydney for a 40 minute wait and transfer to a flight on to Melbourne. Can you see the Harbour Bridge and Opera House?

At Melbourne the weather was overcast and a bit cooler. The cloud cover was low and it was starting to rain, so no photos from the plane this time. 2 hours later we were on the last lap to Hobart.

We looked at each other and shuddered as the pilot announced the ground temperature in Hobart is 8 degrees and raining….

When we landed at 4-30 it had stopped raining. We had our warm jackets on and actually did not think it was as cold as we had imagined (we have not felt 8 degrees for a long time, the body forgets).

The airport is small and even though 2 planes had landed at once Bertel was able to recognize us. After a short orientation drive around to get our bearings she whisked us off to our new home for the next 8 weeks.

The heaters were on, the house was warm and cosy and the dogs were welcoming. We felt instantly at home.

Tessa

Henry

Next morning dawned unbelievably fine and sunny. The view from our bedroom window looked toward Mount Wellington and was framed by autumn leaves.

Henry bonded with Jack and  shared a morning moment with him.

Jack and Henry enjoy the sunshine

Saying goodbye to Bertel

Bertal left at 10am and to make the most of this glorious and unexpected weather we took off with the dogs to explore our new area.

The Derwent River runs by the end of the street and just 2 minutes walk and we are on the beautiful sandy beach. Ideal for dog walking.

Come and join us

Bellerive Beach Mount Wellington in the background

Bellerive Beach

We walked and we walked, to the end of the beach round to find a grocery store (we asked a local) Discovered an interesting historic village (didn’t get the name, but we will be back here again…) that was on the water front and next to the marina. Then we followed a walking/biking track back along the river.

The Marina (photo by Jack)

Hobart CBD over the river Derwent

 

It was now 1-30pm and we had meandered around for 3 hours when we spotted this fresh, clean-looking fish shop, right on the water front. What better place to stop for lunch.

Fish Bar, $10-50 was enough for our lunch, 2 pieces “blue grenadine” fresh from the trawlers, and a generous serve of chips

Enjoying lunch

 

Home was only another 15 minute walk. This is certainly a lovely area to be staying here for 8 weeks.

After a cuppa and a couple of hours rest we took the dogs out again just to go onto the beach to see the sunset. It was not a spectacular sunset but the light at that time, the golden hour, lit up the rocks at the other end of the beach.

Beautiful end to an interesting day….

Sunset Bellerive beach