Harvest Markets and Festivale

We left Wynyard after some opp shopping, spent another night in Cooee (Outside Burnie) on our way back toward the Rally at Launceston stopping two nights at Sheffield on our way.

A late night picnic on the beach in anticipation of local fairy penguins

A view from the main street of Burnie, looking straight out into Bass Strait

Exploring the fabulous view behind our free camp spot

The free camp spot, with dump spot & free drinking water, public toilets 500m away.

Lovely people, we hope to meet on our travels around Tas.

Cooee

Driving off to Sheffield, we head inland to see some more of the fabulous countryside, to discover a warm welcome and a delightful town who re-invented themselves when the town was going broke by creating an annual mural festival..... Painting the town all colours. A free camp site provided with abundant water so I did some washing

We choose a site with it's own garden & amazing Bumble bees.

The local steam train puts in a special appearance (normally only weekends)

We are joined by a few other campers

Examples of the town buildings painted in Mural....

....to depict the history & story of the town & area.

The festival includes artists from around the country & invites them to a park to

display their work.

The local school children get involved too.





On to Launceston now to meet up with two hundred odd other MH'ers for some fun & frivolity. The Tasmanians were very welcoming & supportive of the boaties & mainlanders as we are affectionately known. Stephen won a silver medal in the Disc bowls competition and his non-supportive wife went off to enjoy festivale.

Silver Medalist Stephen McNamara & "THE BOATIES"

The motor home rally site behind Aurora Stadium

Albert Hall in Launceston, a magnificent building fronting City Park where Festivale was held 

An example of the quaint buildings in any street, like Sydney but not so congested.

Some juggling busking fireman at Festivale, balancing on their ladders.

Some of the young performers at Festivale

Some of the yummy food available with fresh berries...

Fabulous entertainment into the night

Visiting the Harvest  Markets in Launceston and today was the first annual birthday of the weekly markets. Lots of fresh local produce, demonstrations and food for sale.
Festivale is also being run this weekend too.

Interactive Gardens for the children to identify their vegetables, 

Inspired by Stephanie Alexander, available to schools

 Food Demo Australian Good Food Guide Chef

Some of our fabulous food purchased from the market....

Sourdough Bread, strawberries, beetroot, cilantro, cheese......

Well that's another fabulous week in Tassie, tune in for next weeks adventure.....

Wynyard and Fossil Bluff, Table Cape

After a short drive from Cooee Point to the car boot market in Wynyard we set out to discover some more of Tasmania's delights.

Arriving at Fossil Bluff, clear crystal waters

The view from the car park

Fossils embedded in the rocks millions of them from the volcanic erruptions

The view North from the beach featuring the bluff

The view south from the beach taking in the headlands still to discover

The beautiful native grasses along the beach

The view Nth from the bluff overlooking the Wynyard Golf Club

After a fabulous walk & lunch by the ocean we went back to town and checked out the showground, where the locals were still playing cricket so we headed to a look at Table Cape Lighthouse & poppy fields along the way

These paddocks are all over Tassie, the opium poppies that provide around 70% of

the worlds supply of opiates for drug companies. Highly guarded & protected. Very big industry

for Tasmania.

The beautiful Table Cape Lighthouse, the only public access working Lighthouse in Tassie, overlooks a gorgeous Tulip farm in Spring

The view from the lookout, photo doesn't do the view justice, it was just magnificent.

Our trusty home enjoying the view

While tulips cover these fields in Spring, I think Lillies are currently growing here, not many flowers ATM

Then back to town & witnessed the locals enjoying a fabulous afternoon on the river

For my massage friends, this is the plaque for Frederick Alexander, 

who created & discovered the Alexander Technique.

Baghdad Hobart Perth all in one day makes a weary traveller....

A visit to the biannual wooden boat festival in Hobart also allowed time to catch up with friends who came across from the mainland to see some wooden boats.

There was plenty of small and large boats on display with workshops for all as well. Plenty of other activities to keep one occupied in a coolish Sunday in Hobart.

A pity we could not spend three days but at least it was a worthwhile visit. Getting here from Launceston we drove through Baghdad and Perth all in just 200kms.

Well it is back to Launceston to return to the rally as it ends on Tuesday.