But wait, the day is not over yet…

After viewing the mountain in all its glory we head back down to Hobart.

A stop in a small rest area for a coffee from the thermos brings an unexpected encounter. A group of 3 couples have a cosy fire going on the BBQ plate and the smell drifts across to us. I smile and say “Hello”.

The immediate response is “Come and share our meal.” They are very insistent and we love meeting people so we join them. They are international students, 2 couples are from Iraq and the third couple from Libya. Their English is good and the conversation is lively, sharing our opinions and questions and answers about our different cultures. It is interesting to hear an inside description of these volatile regions.

The ladies do the cooking, and it is delicious.

BBQ with new friends

That is what we love about travel, the people you meet. We drive on discussing the conversation we shared. Suddenly I spot something I must take a closer look at. It is a bus stop, but not an ordinary bus stop. Just take a look at this….

It looks like a standard council bus stop

Must stop to look at this

Maybe you have to wait a long time for the bus

Very comfy, even a book or paper to read while you wait

This day is getting more and more interesting. What will we see next.

Jack is very fond of looking around op-shops and in South Hobart is a tip shop extraordinaire we have been told about. We detour to take a look.

 

I think Jack has found some thing

 

Now this we simply must see. It is displayed in the art gallery at the Salamanca Markets.

It is almost 3pm and the market folk are packing up but the galleries are still open. What an amazing collection of creations. The imagination of people of all ages is unbelievable. What a challenge that so many have risen to. These are only a very few of what filled the gallery.

So many clever ways to create art

Moveable BBQ

Clever use for old brochures

Dress made from plastic bags

I’m sure all Aussies will recognise this bloke.

This was my favourite

As we leave the gallery it is getting dark. Across the road we see people clustered around drums of fire. We must investigate.

Hobart is holding a winter festival called “Dark Mofo”. It is based around art and the MONA art gallery  (We visited this amazing place, click on the link to visit it again). Part of the festival is a medieval feast that is held in the warehouses on the water front. The gates have just opened and the crowds are pouring in. We join them. Inside on an elevated stage a group of 3 musicians are playing medieval type music, “Green sleeves” and similar. Long wooden tables and benches stretch the length of the building. The night chill has settled in and every one is wrapped in warm winter clothes, scarves, gloves and thick jackets are the fashion. The atmosphere is jolly, the noise level is high and the caterers are under pressure. I love being swept around, past the tempting array of food and drink, absorbing the atmosphere. Jack is in his element taking photos of the people.

All the following gallery of photos were taken by Jack.

Well what a day it has been and we haven’t left Hobart yet. We still have another 6 days of adventure and exploring this great little state.

Watch this space….