Day 6 - Hobart,Port Arthur,Hobart

Hobart to Port Arthur and return.

Today was an early start as we had to be in Port Arthur for a 10am guided tour (which turned out to be a 10:30 tour - Noeline was making sure we made it to Port Arthur with plenty of time for a coffee, tea or hot chocolate with marshmallow's!.

McKinnon's and Hirst's in 12/50's and Nolan's in MGB setting out towards Port Arthur

Interesting silhouette in the early morning mist and sunshine

Mike B in the Graber - "where did those elusive 12/50's go?"

It must be cold - Alan and Noeline note Dale has his coat on!

Mike B in the Graber finds the 12/50's!

 The guide, as usual, was very entertaining and knowledgeable, and the area is being continually improved and the history and stories are great.

Ruins of the Port Arthur Penitentiary

The group listens to our guide

More ruins at Port Arthur

Port Arthur Church ruins

No explanation needed, what beautiful scenery on the bay cruise.

Jo and Ian, speed 20, Mike H and Ruth 12/50 and Jan and Mike B in Graber heading back to Hobart

Back to Hobart.  We eventually decided to have dinner at one of the harbour based fish eateries as a number of other options where closed.  On the way and only after some small level of convincing from Maritta and Alan we treated ourselves to what was agreed by all  to be the absolute best tasting potato cake from "Flippers".  They were superb!

Day 5 - Hobart and surrounds

Hobart and surrounds

Today Alan and Dale visited Geoff Cuthbert to see if we could fix the starter whilst the rest of the group went shopping - mainly to Salamanca Market. There was a cruise boat in town so the market was massively busier than normal. In the mayhem Maritta found Mike and Ruth sitting down for a cup of coffee and was invited to joined them before setting off in opposite directions in search of that elusive bargain. 


Dale and Alan having had another win by fixing the starter.  The silver eagle was back to full capability (fingers crossed).  However, Belle (Blundell's car) was still playing up and was over heating - Dale's and Norman's next challenge - which turned out to be the fan switch. 

As agreed the group gathered together, after a quick bite to eat, at the wharf to catch the ferry to MONA (Museum of Old and New Art).  

Mike B, Jan, Claire, Pauline and Noeline waiting for the ferry to MONA

We didn’t find the display as interesting as last time we visited however the building, which has been bored into the sandstone, is quite amazing by itself.

Interesting Exhibit - Fat Car at MONA

Interesting sculpture outside entrance to MONA

Alvis team in "The Cuniform" display

Norman fascinated by "Crystal"

The artwork still managed to be quite confronting at times and a bit challenging however it was a little disappointing that a small number of the more interesting displays had been either removed or being re-furbished.

Jo and Tudor decided to take the early ferry back and the rest of the group gathered in the cafe for coffee (tea) and biscuit.  Light rain had now set in and the ferry trip was quite pretty against a back drop of mist a light drizzle.
 

Mike H, Alan and Noeline enjoy the trip back to Hobart

Some of the sights on the trip back from MONA

Norman out to catch that next perfect photo.  Claire isn't quite so sure!

For dinner we were collected by Geoff Cuthbert and friends in his V8 Cadillac and two Hudson Super Sixes and very elegantly driven to the home of Mike and Liz Williams for a superb dinner. The view back across to Hobart from their balcony is lovely.  Dinner over, Geoff and friends delivered us back to the Woolstore.

Cadillac - very elegant transport to dinner

Mike B, Bernie and Alan enjoying a relaxed chat at Mike and Liz Williams house

Day 4 - Bicheno to Hobart

Bicheno to Hobart

Today was a late start (yay!)as it is a short drive (or rather it should have been) to Hobart.

On the way to Kate’s Berry Farm for breakfast (which was excellent for those Alvi who made it), Sadly Tudor's TE21 decided it didn’t like its oil and threw it all over the road.  Alan work hard to fix the gasket but unfortunately more damage than could be seen had been done!!

With a bit of shuffling around Tudor and his luggage rejoined the tour with Tudor sharing a ride with the Bakers in the Graber and his luggage with the Blundell's.  On reaching Hobart Noline advised that they had been fortunate enough to have morining tea/lunch on the side of the road polishing off some of Mary Berry's fruit cake.  The rest of us continued on the tour eventually made it to Hobart to meet up with Tudor, Bernie and the McKinnons.  The TE21 was handed over to the RACT, sent back to Bicheno and then back to Devonport for shipment back to Melbourne. 

More quiet Tasmanian road

Views back towards Bicheno

Claire and Norman arrive for morning tea at Kate's Berry Farm

Line up at Kate's Berry Farm

Hungry Hordes

View from Kate's Berry Farm

Eagle on downward angle so Maritta didn't have to push this time!

Norman and the Bakers at Spiky Bridge

Line up at Spiky Bridge

Jostling to see who would leave first from Spiky Bridge

Road a little out of Hobart - just so busy!

Tasman Bridge, Hobart

Day 3 - Bicheno, Wine Glass Bay, Bicheno

Bicheno, Wine Glass Bay, Bicheno

Today we were summoned for an early breakfast at the local bakery in Bicheno.  Patsries, bacon and eggs all abit much at this time of the morning so Dale opted for a cup of tea instead.

Breakfast for the bleary eyed Alvii group

 Today was a short drive in the brisk, crisp morning air taking us to Coles Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula.

Coles Bay

Road towards Freycinet

We parked the cars and boarded the boat for the tour around the Peninsula and into Wine Glass Bay. The weather was truly superb.  With individual luch boxes allocated the boat anchored near the shore in Wine Glass Bay.  Lunch was a Tasmainian version of the ploughmans lunch which included local cheeses and a generous seving of smoked salmon.  We ate lunch while basking in the sunshine and bueaty of Wine Glass Bay before returning to Coles Bay.

Tudor waiting to board

Norman and Dale enjoying the sun on the top deck

Seal rocks near Wine Glass Bay

Pelicans and Cormerants basking in the sun

Key hole Cave

Large blow hole

Sea Eagles nest

Seals enjoying the sun

Ruggard coast line

Wine Glass Bay

A pair of Common Dolphins near Wine Glass Bay

Returning to Coles Bay

It was then just a short drive back to Bicheno.  Dinner tonight was a "suite yourself affair", some went to the local pub and others went back to last nights venue.

Dale had a small delay when the starter motor died on the Silver Eagle.  He dismantled it and discovered the field winding earth had disconnected.  After concaultations with those in the know, he decided to sleep on it and have another look at it in Hobart.  Perhaps the fairies would fix it in the night..............