We arrived in Hobart, Tasmania late last night and were met at the Airport by Keith and Lib, friends of Glenn. With an hour of jetlag and having stayed up late drinking wine and catching up with the past few years this morning’s start was a slow and steady affair but eventually we were dropped at Hobart’s waterfront by Keith.
On leaving the car we walked across a swing bridge just before the lights flashed and it opened to let fishing boats in and out of the harbour. It was interesting watching these large vessels squeeze through the narrow entry channel then maneouver in the tight confines of the harbour basin before mooring up - all with a crew of two. We recalled the boat handling training we’d received in the channel islands last July.
Hobart’s waterfront is lined with historic old buildings and there are many boards providing information on their former lives. We never knew, for example, that Hobart was home to a massive jam making empire. Further round the old warehouses have been converted into pubs, cafes and eateries and we found a lovely deli selling unusual delicacies such as spinach and feta rolls and salmon patties as well as a vast selection of salads so we took a well needed healthy lunch.
Once sated we set off to explore battery park, a headland forming one side of the harbour and once home to three generations of gun batteries - all utterly ineffective in the view of the military leaders of the time. The streets inland of the headland are lined with lovely old houses and shops and we spent a good while wandering up and down admiring the 1800’s architecture.
Back in town we wandered past some more grand old buildings before stumbling across a series of historic
boats all berthed in the yacht basin. It was a little surreal to view a lovely old wooden sailing ship with a huge modern aircraft carrier sitting at a deep water quay a couple of hundred metres behind.
At the agreed time Keith collected us and drove us up Mount Wellington, which rises 1,269m, and provides superb views of the city and its surrounds. The wind had been gusting all day (apparently Hobart is a windy city) but nothing could prepare us for the winds at the summit. As we drew into the car park dark clouds raced across the sky and rain began to fall, then hail. All the while the car was buffeted and rocked by the force of the wind. As we sat inside waiting for the weather to pass a soggy looking oriental girl banged on the window and asked if she could shelter in the car with us. She climbed in looking like a drowned rat then spotted two of her friends in a similar state getting into an adjacent car so shot out to join them. A strange moment.
Shortly the clouds blew over and we left the car after a major battle with the doors against the wind. The wind was really strong and made walking difficult but we worked our way around to the rim of the plateau and the indoor viewing shelter. Relieved to be out of the cold we admired the view for a good time while Keith pointed out various points of interest and Yvonne read that the highest recorded wind speed was 174 mph. Wanting to get some photos we walked along the boardwalk to the outdoor viewing platform. Just as Glenn and Keith posed together for Yvonne a huge gust, that felt like 175mph, almost blew them over.
Back at Keith and Libby’s home we thawed out then spent a great evening eating, drinking and putting the world to rights.
 |
| Hobart fishing harbour |
 |
| A typical street with Mt Wellington in the background |
 |
| Another street scene. The large clock is the old post office building. |
 |
| One of the historic yachts with the huge aircraft carrier behind. |
 |
| View of the city from Mt Wellington |
 |
| Keith and Glenn hang on in the wind |
A good shot of Glenn and myself, but it can't convey the full strength of the wind at the time. Without that handrail we would have both been blown down the mountain!
ReplyDelete