January 18
Tasmania
[Arriving in Burnie, a small port city on the north coast of Tasmania with a metro population of about 27,000.]
[When we disembarked, we were all met by a woman handing out “Burnie” pins. Turns out she was the mayor, Anita Dow. Totally shirking my cub reporting duties, I forgot to take her picture. This one’s from the “www.”]
[Well, if the mayor is handing me a city pin, it’s going on my hat!]
[A short bus ride (it could have been a walk, but again, it’s a working port so it’s verboten) to the city, technically to Makers’ Workshop (and information center) from whence to begin daily operations. I found this university sign and wondered if they’re the Tasmania Fighting Tasmanian Devils?]
[Reetz explores the facilities.]
[Followed by a bus ride to the city overlook . . . ]
[The Biddies each get their shots.]
[Lumber is a major export product of both Australia and New Zealand, going mainly to South and East Asia.]
[Ground plaques, always a major photo op.]
[Are we back in West Central Minnesota?]
[The first and main tour destination – it’s internationally-renowned, we’re told.]
[Our group models . . . modeling.]
[And here we go for a walk over the 11 hectare (2 1/2 acres per hectare) gardens.]
[Artsy shot of tall trees.]
[The Super finds some flowers . . . ]
[As does Bert.]
[There are literally thousands of varieties of rhododendron – over 22,000 in this garden alone. They are a very close relative to the azalea. We’re here in summer and the blooming season is spring – so we just missed it by a month or so.]
[Looking back up at the welcome center.]
[Argghhhh! I forgot to check to see if this was a Continental Bridge. Sure looks like one.]
[Like a Japanese garden.]
[The Flowering Biddies – hydrangeas, I believe.]
[Oh, that Aussie sense of humor!]
[With our garden guide, Pete Stratford (I know that because in an upcoming photo you can read his name tag), in a volunteer-made gazebo.]
[A lovely setting, if I do say so myself.]
[The Super in the covered bridge . . . ]
[The aforementioned covered bridge.]
[Plants]
[More plants, with the gazebo in the background.]
[The gazebo and the covered bridge all in one incredible shot!]
[It must be some sort of Tasmanian word?]
[On the road again . . . ]
[To this destination.]
[A really big tree – eucalyptus, I believe.]
[A tree parasite.]
[As we begin our trail walk, signs of a relatively recent flood in the river.]
[Keep an eye out for a platypus. Nope, unfortunately never saw one.]
[Another parasitic tree.]
[Reetz and Kathy read about what they’re looking at.]
[Onward – ferns abound.]
[The gang enjoys another scenic overlook.]
[This selfie was designed to include the Super and the entire background. Close-up setting instead of wide angle. Well, it could always be used as an ad for using sunscreen, as I’m peeling like an old onion.]
[Kinda what I was looking for the first time – except the Super is holding a “stuffed” platypus.]
[Reetz plays a little solitaire waiting for our ride at the end of the hike.]
[And now back at the Makers’ Workshop for a little lunch – not unlike SAWA’s wine lovers platter. Yummy!]
The Supervisor’s Section
[The Super and Reetz are into crafting and gardening. Thus, it only seems fair they get a whole section for their photos beginning in Makers’ Workshop, where folks work on their arts and crafts, i.e., “make” things . . . ]
[And her port shots . . . ]
[And her spouse shot.]
[Flowers!]
[Sniff!]
[More flowers . . . ]
[Pete and the folks in the gazebo.]
[There’s that funny Tasmanian word again?]
[The aforementioned Mr. Stratford and his name tag. And he wrote a book: Why I Sit Like This … …: The Poetry of Pete Stratford. The Super bought a copy and had him sign it for Jami and Danny.]
[Saying good-bye to Burnie.]
Stop ye travellers as you pass by; As you are now, so once was I; As I am now, soon you shall be – Prepare yourself to follow me. Graffiti response: To follow you; I am not content – – How do I know; Which way you went? ~ Tombstone epitaph in Tasmania
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