Author Archives: Tasmanian Traveller

Bellerive Beach

The ingredients: a glorious blue sky day, windless, moderate temperature.  Bellerive Beach lured. Adults and children in the water, smiling dogs taking their owners for a walk, dogs bounding into the water following sticks and balls, seagulls whirling, gulls gathering … Continue reading

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The day when the earth moved

On Monday morning when I flung open the curtains, two blackbirds were having breakfast in my garden and generously spraying the pathways with mulch, as was their typical practice. I determined my day’s main task in the garden would be … Continue reading

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Grey Butcher Bird

I caught two, almost simultaneous, flashes of movement outside my window. The marauding ginger cat had frozen on the pathway below. Above, a bird bobbed on the power line and sang a song of perceived treachery and threat. I often … Continue reading

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More on the 26th January

Thanks to a blog reader, Anne, I have been reminded that January 26th officially marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove and the raising of the Union Jack flag by Arthur Phillip following days of exploration … Continue reading

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Thursday 26 January

Normally we would volunteer today in the Food Garden at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens but, because Australia has a gazetted public holiday, this month we could give it a miss or choose another day of the week. For some, … Continue reading

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Shallots and Garlic

The diversity of tasks offered to a gardener, makes gardening perpetually rich and enjoyable. Planting, pruning and harvesting are the three main categories of tasks but, for each, a plethora of mini tasks make up the whole. Last Thursday in … Continue reading

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Pickling walnuts stages 2 and 3

Nine days ago I pierced and soaked green walnuts in a brine solution, stirred them occasionally, and watched a slight fermentation process underway each day. On the fourth day I changed the brine solution because it looked foul. I am … Continue reading

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Orford Conservation Area and Bird Sanctuary

Heading southwards along Raspins Beach I found a series of notice boards that alerted me to the area beyond as the Orford Bird Sanctuary. Fenced along the away was a breeding sanctuary: of course, birds don’t read signs so humans … Continue reading

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Raspins Beach

Last February I travelled along the east coast highway and marvelled at the number of Tasmanian beaches that surprised me, seemingly around every corner. Typically, there was never a soul in sight on these beaches. A luxury which Tasmania often … Continue reading

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Homage to Piet Mondrian

For those who don’t know the name, you may recognise a signature look. Piet Mondrian (1872-1944) was an influential Dutch painter and art theorist especially with his work of the 1920s and 1930s. Excerpts of examples of his work follow. … Continue reading

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