We decided to spend a week over Christmas with my husbands sister and brother in law this year. It was the first Christmas since their Mum passed and we felt the need to be together. We usually spend Christmas with our children and granddaughters but they understood.
I was extremely nervous of how I would go on the flights with my chronic Arthritis let alone getting on and off the planes. We had wonderful airline staff who got me a wheelchair to travel on and off all planes. It was such a relief although I felt a bit useless. Pain was a bit debilitating, But hopefully once I have my hip replacement, things will improve and I will get some independence back. I couldn’t have done it without my wonderful husband though.
My beautiful sister in law had organised lots of outings and special things to do that she thought I could manage and would enjoy. Their home is lovely and has a view of the Derwent River and Mount Wellington. Beautiful.


The weather in Tasmania was cold to begin with and then some lovely days. The first day we went for a drive to an old building restored to a tea house and bed and breakfast. The lady who owns and runs it makes the most beautiful scones and served with homemade jam and cream and a big pot of tea on pretty china. So lovely and surrounded by rose gardens and chickens and a peacock or two. A lovely way to spend a morning.



Another day we travelled to a place called the wall which was all hand carved works by Greg Duncan. It has a tribute to indigenous peoples of the area and then you follow the story of the hydro electricity installation, both his story as a man who went away to work on it and her story as his wife who stayed behind to raise the children. Also spoke of the extinction of native animals and plant life.
The details are simply amazing and had me in tears with the grief etched on the woman’s face and the fact they are all carved from native woods. They almost move, such is the detail. I bought some of his books as no photos are allowed to be taken there. I only got one of an eagle outside the building that houses the Wall. 
We stopped on the way to have lunch at a place called the hungry wombat and the staff there were so friendly and the toasted sandwiches were huge and delicious. We stopped at some nice little coffee shops with so much history also. It seems like there is history and something to discover at every turn in Tasmania and it’s almost like stepping back in time.

One place we went to had a row of bricks along the footpath all engraved with names and sentences of convicts sent there from England. And so many were made of rock and hand made bricks. 

We went to meet a friend, Sandra, that we have on FB and it was lovely. Had lunch in a lovely park and then went for a visit at her home and met her grandson. She has a lovely cosy home with a pot belly stove and her husband, Mick has a big man cave, that was a hit with the men. And her gardens are lovely with many flowers and carnations that smelled wonderful.

We had a lovely Christmas Day and enjoyed a new tradition in memory of Mum. For breakfast, Watermelon and Grapes followed by croissants then little pavlovas. All of these hold memories of what Mum loved. To finish the new tradition, later that day, we all did a big crossword puzzle and had a toast with Baileys Irish Cream as Mum loved crosswords and would have a Baileys every night. And so the tradition will continue each Christmas wherever we are.
Of course there were tears and lots of reminiscing but lots of laughs too. My beautiful Sis, Jann, also received a message from Mum to let her know she was with her. A beautiful bubble floated across in front of the door. Mum loved bubbles and played with the great grandchildren with bubbles and we blew bubbles after her service. That bubble travelled from many houses away to reach Jann. Thanks Mum, it’s what she needed.
My lovely Jann and Robert too made our stay so lovely and their back garden has many bay trees and lavender which I was able to bring some snippets home and in the middle is an apple tree that is not big yet but loaded with apples. Such a pretty place to sit and meditate and breathe the fresh air. 

Such beauty both at the front and back of their home.


We were going to go the the Salamanca Markets but unfortunately I was not up to it so we visited a few Op shops looking for a book, Jeff is after and then lunch out at a bakery.
All too soon our time came to an end and we were heading to the airport for home.
Due to the fires in Sydney the visibility out of the plane window was not wonderful but just as we were leaving Hobart skies these rows of fluffy clouds assured me that we were safe and blessed. Just beautiful. We had a lovely time and the people in Tasmania are lovely, not a grumpy person anywhere we went. The air is clean and the scenery is so pretty. There is so much history at every corner and if it were a bit warmer, it would be perfect for us. I can see why people move there as it is a gentler pace than most other cities. 
Travelling on the road that was built across the water. I know it’s like a bridge but more like a road.
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So that was our time in Tasmania and it was lovely. Thanks to my Sis in law, Jann, Brother in law, Robert and friends, Sandra and Mick and Trent. And the lovely people of Tassie. 💜
Janice Ireland