Tasmanian holiday - Part One

Well I have been neglecting the blog a little lately, mostly as I have been neglecting the garden and house!  I do have a few posts I need to complete regarding some renos we have had done, but mostly between copious amounts of work travel and then the slide into the busy season that is December and Christmas - nothing has been done.

And now we are on holidays!  Well actually the break is about to come to an end, and we will be heading back to real life (fingers crossed with some plants still alive, I'm hoping my improvised watering systems, coupled with sprinklers and a bit of normal Sydney rain will have kept everything going).  But I really wanted to share some of our holiday with you all.

This is our second trip to Tasmania, and we've enjoyed it as much as our last one.  This is not a sponsored post in any way - however if anyone would like me to visit again and blog about it I would be more than happy to!

We have spent some time in Hobart as the husband had a conference here.  Meandering around Salamanca markets has lead to far too many gift items to be lugged home in my already overflowing suitcase.  Two trips to MONA - one for the free opening night party and then one for the fancy conference dinner have both been fantastic.

The view back to Hobart from MONA

The Gilbert and George retrospective exhibition

I also got a bit of renovation inspiration while walking around the suburb of Battery Point.  So many houses are similar to our little cottage, they seem to have been built around a similar time period (probably mid to late 1800s) and although many are stone there are still plenty of weatherboard homes with gorgeous cottage gardens to aspire to.  I have taken some pictures of potential paint colours for our place, and I really loved the names on the glass panel over the door - also something I will be looking in to.

One of the pretty blue colours I am considering for our external paint job

One of my prospective colour schemes - already have the white fence - although our front door is white.  

I haven't seen the name on the top panel before and in Hobart I saw it often - I think this a great idea and I will be looking into it for our front door too - currently the panel is painted white but I need to get to it and see what is underneath!

Glistening water off Battery Point - I could get used to those kind of views.

Another shot off the pier and looking towards Sandy Bay

After Hobart we headed up the middle of the island to Launceston, and spent three lovely days.  Mostly it was about the wine tasting (I can't say no to a sparkling or pinot grigio) which has meant that our Christmas guests won't be short of something to drink - three cases are currently winging their way (ever so slowly - Australia Post isn't what it used to be) home to meet us when we get back.

The Bay of Fires vineyard - their sparkling has been winning awards left right and centre (and is very tasty!)

We couldn't go there without tasting some of the award winners with lunch.  

Also in Launceston we took a cruise up the Tamar and Esk rivers - very educational - I should have taken more pictures as the orchards, vineyards and farms along the riverbanks were all fantastic, along with the old farm houses.  

I really would recommend a trip to Tasmania if you've never been - there's something for everyone!