Visitors

This week my parents have come to visit us in Hobart. They are our first visitors, and I lost my patience a few times, but it went so quickly and now the house feels empty. Fortunately we have another visitor tonight; so the quietness will be short-lived.
Mostly it took me from my routine but it was great to get out and explore with them. We spent the first day and a half getting our place habitable for guests (with the help of the guests), and the remainder exploring.

On Monday we waited for a bed delivery, trekked through North Hobart and the tip of the CBD, (where I checked out the CWA store for the first time and was impressed) Tuesday we went to Bruny, Wednesday we went to Russell Falls and Mount Field and Thursday Cygnet and Hobart again.
The highlights would have to be the $2 2005 German design mag I picked up down from the CWA, but am yet to read, the drive to the point (near art of the point) on Bruny which I hadn't been to before (although it was closed it was a nice drive), Russell Falls in Mount Field National Park (which I couldn't resist sharing again) where we saw snow, wallabies and so much growth, Dev'Lish Espresso on Macquarie Street, Hobart, where I had some really great gnocchi, and a Lark Whisky Chocolate Bar from Cygneture Chocolates.

Sunday

On Sunday we went out to South Arm to check the surf,  there was a little staffie-like dog who came running over to us, it hung by me while Robbie went out to surf. It was fantastic to have some company, and great to meet a dog! I've been missing mine. We went home to some coffee made with fresh beans and some home cooked chocolate ganache tarts (yum!). Loving Tassie time.

Mount Field

On Saturday we went out to New Norfolk; which we were visiting for the first time. I knew of the Drill Hall Emporium, an antique shop with a lot of old french linen and wares (but knew it was unaffordable for me) but it was nice to look around. There were antique shops scattered up the main strip, and we ducked into the 'cake lady cafe' for chai lattes (it looked folky so we knew that would be their strong point; it was they were great!) some toast and of course cakes. Then Robbie suggested we drive to Mount Field National Park since we weren't far. It was a beautiful drive through the charmingest strip of houses lining the river, I'm not sure which town, but it was so clean and quiet with lots of kids outside having fun. We stopped at parts through the National park, full of ferns and fungi in the middle! And when we reach the peak, there was beautiful Australian bush, with the sound of running water but it was so quiet and still at the same time. There were cars around but we didn't see any other people. It was unreal, magical! I highly recommend it. We also discovered that there is an active small ski field there in the winter, so close to Hobart! It was a really lovely day  

Cloud Cover

This week has been really cold, rainy and windy, the sky has such a thick cover of cloud it feels like it rolling into evening all day. We've had 16 degree days on average, yesterday was a high of 13. In true Autumn style all the leaves are yellow and orange, and this wind has made it a great specitcle to watch them all blowing around in the big gusts of wind with the pouring rain.

We have merino wool socks, gloves, beenies, jumpers and blankets, and a wool stuffed quilt which is leaving fur (balls of wool) all over the house. It looks like we have smuggled a white cat into the house, and into our bed.

I've baked four batches of cookies, and each one has come out differently; I need to get some scales. Only one batch worked well; and have been making coffee after coffee (from one of the best cafes in hobart, Pilgrim), and when the sun comes out, I walk into town past the very cool gate which says N.Zito on it in bright red. I wonder if it is their name? It reminds me a bit of Pop's house. Have a nice day.