the twigs

settling in....

2012-02-24T06:46:00.000+11:00

finally, bb & i are in our new home & finally we are back online. these last few weeks have been a crazy busy time. sorting out our new world. i am so tired and very much looking forward to the weekend. i am also really looking forward to blogging again - i've felt like something was missing these last couple of weeks.

as i am not organised just yet i thought i would kick off by sharing a delightful video that my friend jen posted on her blog recently. i thought it was an amazing thing. i hope you do too.

little big house

2012-02-10T07:23:00.003+11:00

photo: ben hosking

another snippet of amazing taswegian talent. the little big house by room 11 is located in fern tree, on the delightful slopes of mt wellington. it's truly stunning. oh how i would love to visit her.

mona & wim

2012-02-07T07:20:00.000+11:00

last weekend i went over the sea to melbourne. apart from that mini getaway - bb & i have been busy busy getting ready to move to our new spot by the water. no exciting photos to post regarding that so i thought i would share some recent snaps of my last trip to mona. i've been a number of times now and it just gets better. the wim delvoye exhibition is on until april 2012. one word...go!

hobart walls

2012-02-01T07:37:00.001+11:00

front yard fun

2012-01-31T07:31:00.001+11:00

the weather in hobart is pretty foul at the moment. it's cold and very wet. the complete opposite of what it was like just two days ago. on sunday afternoon, after our packing marathon we did get a chance to sit in the glorious sun and have a wonderful time with friends. dipping our feet in the paddling pool, sipping summery drinks and playing with some guinea pigs (i had forgotten how very sweet they are). oh well, we did need the rain and it was nice to sleep with our proper doona again!

packing

2012-01-30T07:37:00.000+11:00

the weather over the weekend was absolutely divine in the twigs. the clearest of blue skies and gorgeous warm days. unfortunately bb & i spent virtually all of it inside packing in preparation for our move. still, we got lots done and now most of the contents of our little house is in boxes. owen was kept busy trying to help out. mabel, not so much.

the thieves

2012-01-27T11:08:00.002+11:00

i saw a sweet little film about tasmania recently. it's by scott sporleder. not only did i love the images but how great is the accompanying song! it's called 'animals of farthingwood' by the thieves - a seven piece folk band from the north east of the state. amazing stuff.

fresh on charles - eating spot

2012-01-26T10:08:00.002+11:00

i love launceston. it's such a sweet town - full of interesting spots and people. one of those spots is fresh. i'd been a few times before and have always had some amazing vegetarian treats there but i was excited when i visited last time to see they had undertaken a monster makeover. the space is now even better than ever. they also have some onsite accommodation available - what a great addition.

hobart bound...

2012-01-24T07:32:00.000+11:00

bb & i have been given the opportunity to move to hobart and we are going to do it!

it has all come about so quickly but we've decided to take the plunge and move nearer to the water (something neither of us have done before) and back to the 'big smoke'... for at least this year anyway.

we feel it is the right thing for us to to do at this time. we will be living in a truly amazing spot and we feel so very lucky that this has popped up. we are starting to get a bit excited by it all.

we have already found some lovely people to look after the pitstop but of course my main concern is for our beautiful little cottage in the twigs.

we love her so much. we are really hoping to find someone who will care for her as much as we do for the next year or so whilst we are living in town.

ideally bb & i want someone to look after her who has a pet as we know it's hard to find rental accommodation that allows this to happen. if you know of anyone who might be interested please contact me or homelands real estate.

now - to start the dreaded packing.

paper birds

2012-01-23T07:29:00.001+11:00

girl talk

2012-01-20T07:50:00.003+11:00

on wednesday night bb, some buddies & i saw girl talk play for mona foma. it was the first time i'd been to a gig at the princes wharf (i guess taste doesn't count). i thought it was a great venue - the sound was amazing and we had a fabulous time. i wish it wasn't on a wednesday night though. i was super seedy all of yesterday. bb is already planing to take mona foma week off work next year. that is probably a pretty good idea.

markree

2012-01-18T07:30:00.000+11:00

markre e on hampden road in hobart is a gorgeous house built in 1926 that is now a lovely museum and garden. i love this sort of thing - it's such a great way of visiting the past. last saturday morning bb & i did just that.

we spent the morning in the world of henry baldwin. a generous man who left his whole house and contents to the very lucky tasmanian museum and art gallery. he has left everything you can imagine - from his mothers glorious hats, pottery, furniture, art & a divine collection of tin toys mostly from the 1920s (i loved these!)

the museum is a total treasure. get along if you can...

ira glass

2012-01-17T19:45:00.002+11:00

photo of ira from here

this post has nothing to do with the twigs but it doesn't matter...i just had to share this!

yesterday i made a quick trip over the sea to hear mr. ira glass speak in melbourne. it was an amazing few hours and i am so glad i went. i am so very in love with him and his radio show "this american life". i have listened for a number of years now and it never disappoints me. it was amazing to get an insight into the way the shows are put together and into ira himself.

i wish, i wish that bb could have come too but alas it wasn't meant to be. instead i got to share the night with a lovely friend and bb will just have to listen to me talk about it for weeks and months to come.

mona foma - street party 2012

2012-01-16T07:50:00.000+11:00

mona foma 2012 was launched on friday with a free street party in hobart. there was a huge turnout - the mercury said 7000 people were there...i'm not sure about that but it was very busy indeed. bb & i loved all of the music. i'd seen emdee in darwin before and loved him but i think he was even better this time around. hanggai were also phenomenal. bb & i have tickets to a few other gigs in the week. its a great time to live in tasmania!

global tassie love

2012-01-13T07:31:00.003+11:00

it was lovely to see a wrap for tassie on the chicago tribune site recently...yippee for the little apple isle!

another trip to the red velvet lounge

2012-01-12T07:41:00.000+11:00

i am starting to see a theme emerge now i am finally going through my holiday photos – it was all about the foodie bits! i guess it's inevitable though, tassie has such amazing produce, especially in summer.

as my lovely buddy was visiting from queensland i really wanted to take her to my favourite eating spot in the valley so we made the trip to cygnet and spent an afternoon stuffing ourselves silly at the red velvet lounge.

it’s always amazing there and this visit was no exception. it was mid-afternoon when we stopped in so lots of little plates were in order. i’ve mostly been to the rvl in winter – it is always so cosy and the perfect spot to stay warm and enjoy an amazing soup or something similar.

this day was different, it was hot – probably one of the hottest days i’ve had in the twigs. the fans were whirling away overhead and the restaurant had a tropical feel to it. it was really a lovely afternoon and i can’t wait to head back super soon.

hobart walls

2012-01-11T07:54:00.000+11:00

bruny treats

2012-01-10T07:25:00.000+11:00

another bruny post today - i wanted to share some of the tasty treats that we found on the island. we ate more than our fair share of amazing bits. we visited a berry farm, the bruny cheese company, a lovely winery as well as a great smoke house although my favourite had to be get shucked oysters... i've had these before but not shucked right there whilst i waited! so so good. all in all it wasn't a bad effort for a few hours exploring.

bruny island

2012-01-09T07:28:00.001+11:00

on a hazy summers day last week - a lovely friend and i took the short ferry ride from kettering to bruny island. neither of us had been over there before so we were excited to explore about for the day. it was gorgeous. although in hindsight we should have stayed overnight. there was so much to see and do it made for a really long day. at least i'll know for next time. i can't wait to get over there again.

red bridge - coffee/eating spot

2012-01-06T07:15:00.000+11:00

i recently visited this delight in campbell town. it's called red bridge and it's a staple stop on the drive from hobart to launceston. i've heard great things about it and i wasn't disappointed. amazing coffee, local treats and gorgeous surrounds. who wouldn't love it!

midlands bits

2012-01-05T07:21:00.000+11:00

falls festival

2012-01-03T07:35:00.000+11:00

bb & i went to the falls festival at marion bay to see in the new year. i'm not a huge fan of camping but music festivals are his very favourite thing so off we went and i have to say it was a great 3 days. the weather was perfect and so was the company. we saw some awesome bands. my highlight was definitely the naked & famous - amazing! i also really enjoyed a performance in the arts village by the A4 circus ensemble. it was the perfect way to spend our holiday together.

it's 2012!

2012-01-02T19:24:00.002+11:00

bb & i have had a wonderful christmas and new years break - i hope you have too? we have had some amazing weather this past week. beautiful clear skies and glorious warm temperatures, perfect for our visiting buddies to experience our lovely island home. we have been eating, sipping, dancing, camping, cooking & exploring...it's been quite lovely.

summer holidays...

2011-12-22T07:35:00.000+11:00

i am getting so excited about the summer holidays. bb & i have lots of lovely friends coming to stay over the next couple of months. some have visited us on the island before but a few have never been here. how exciting! over the last 18 months i have really grown to love this little state. it is such a beautiful place to live and visit. i can't wait to share it with our friends.

on the topic of travelling around tassie...a good friend of mine has been involved with a new tasmanian travel magazine. it's called tasmania enjoy and it comes out twice a year. the photos are really amazing and the first issue gives a really good look into what's happening statewide for the first half of next year. it will be very handy when our visitors arrive!

cut & paste

2011-12-21T07:38:00.000+11:00

bunting

2011-12-20T07:24:00.000+11:00

i love the look and feel of oil cloth. i bought some recently & have been meaning to make something out of it. i finally got around to a small project yesterday. nothing too fancy - just a string of bunting to hanging on the verandah in the twigs. considering i'm not very handy with a sewing machine, i was quite happy how with how it turned out. i think it will look sweet against our little white house.

launceston snips

2011-12-19T08:13:00.000+11:00

christmas cheer

2011-12-16T06:50:00.000+11:00

knit ulverstone...

2011-12-15T06:00:00.000+11:00

i was excited to read this article earlier in the week. i thought this tree looked amazing. as one of my friends recently moved to the north of the state (sniff, i miss her...) i asked if she could have a look and take some photos for me. thank you miss. it seems it was even more glorious than i had first thought! such a beautiful way to decorate the streets and to celebrate christmas.

digging

2011-12-14T07:33:00.000+11:00

last week i was walking through hobart when i noticed this digging going on at the site of the old hobart myer building. how exciting. i love this sort of thing - it makes me think about the way hobart used to be. arctas have done some amazing archaeological work in tassie, i wonder what they will find this time.

speaking of history bits; i watched "who's been sleeping in my house" on abc last week. the episode was about a house in battery point. i thought it was fascinating. it will be on iview for a little while longer so there is still come to catch it.

dove love

2011-12-13T07:18:00.000+11:00

carols in the country

2011-12-12T06:25:00.000+11:00

bb, mabel & i went along to our local carols by candlelight on saturday. it was a short walk to the park at the end of our road on one of the warmest nights we've had in the twigs. it was really lovely. i've never seen so many people in our tiny town. santa arrived on the local fire truck & the kids from the local primary school choir did a great job getting everyone to sing along. it was very sweet...

it's beginning to feel a lot like christmas...

2011-12-08T19:37:00.000+11:00

this will be the first christmas bb & i have at home together in the twigs. we're excited! already we are enjoying the longer summer nights and spending lots more time at home. with some of our lovely friends coming to tassie to see in the new year, i can't wait for the holidays to start.

paper butterflies

2011-12-07T06:53:00.000+11:00

poppies

2011-12-06T06:21:00.000+11:00

before moving to the twigs i didn't realise that tassie was the only place in australia that poppies were able to be legally grown. recently whilst driving through the midlands bb & i spotted these gorgeous blooms. i know that they are a little bit controversial but there is no denying they are beautiful.

rusty

2011-12-05T05:42:00.000+11:00

eating spot - ut si cafe

2011-12-02T07:36:00.000+11:00

earlier in the week i had a divine breakfast from the ut si cafe. a beautiful spot in the little town of perth, just south of launceston. we were hurrying back to hobart, desperate for a coffee when we spotted the gorgeous old church. who knew we would find such tasty treats that early in the morning. a fabulous find.

beachtopia

2011-12-01T07:07:00.000+11:00

bb & i, our lovely friends and furbabies spent last sunday at beachtopia. it was an amazing day. it felt like we were away for a week. super relaxing, gorgeous weather, fabulous food and wine. summer is going to be delightful....

market time

2011-11-29T22:46:00.000+11:00

for such a tiny city, hobart has so many craft markets. we really seem to be spoilt for choice. last weekend i got along to a couple of different ones - the mothers market in battery point and the barn market in rosny. both were really lovely and completely exceeded my expectations. i will be sure to visit them when they start up again next year. there is one more this year that i know of, the market is happening on the 10th december. it's always worth a peek especially this close to christmas.

poppies

2011-11-25T08:24:00.000+11:00

for sale: one little green church

2011-11-24T07:10:00.000+11:00

my dear friend's brother is selling his little church. she sits in the perfect spot in the valley and would make the most amazing home. she has room for chickens and her outlook is divine. sadly bb and i are not in the market but if you are please take a look! she needs someone new to love her...

the cullen

2011-11-23T07:35:00.000+11:00

the cullen hotel in prahran is part of the artist series of hotels. each of the three hotels is unique and takes inspiration from a very different aussie artist. recently in hobart i saw a poster about one of the artists - adam cullen and the work he is doing to help save the tassie devil.

when i was in melbourne i popped in to see the amazing painting by adam that hangs in the foyer of his hotel. it's to be auctioned with all the proceeds going to the save the devil fund. guests who stay at the hotel are given the option to round up their bill to also support the devils or can make donations when making their booking online.

i think this is a lovely thing.

the kids

2011-11-22T07:18:00.000+11:00

bb & i spent last saturday evening with toggle and lizzie. two delightful baby goats who have been lucky enough to end up living at our friend's lovely little farm.

mabel met them too. she was a bit unsure what they were all about and soon learnt that these 'puppies' had horns and hooves and knew how to use them. it was all good though once they had worked out their differences they became firm friends.

just as well, i can't wait to visit them again!

the good life

2011-11-20T17:08:00.001+11:00

it was great to spend a good few days in the twigs at the end of our holiday. we had a beautiful weekend pottering about. yesterday we ventured into town to explore the new good life markets that are being held in huonville over the 'warmer' months.

even though the weather was a bit gloomy there was still a nice turnout. it was a great chance to pick up some trusty local produce as well as find out about some new spots to visit in the valley.

dolly

2011-11-17T15:21:00.001+11:00

it has been a week of extremely varied musical events for me. after the festival on the weekend i saw dolly parton in concert on tuesday night.

i can hardly find the words to describe her show. she was so very very fabulous. she spent a lot of time talking about her upbringing in the smokey mountains. during the show images of tennessee were shown on the giant screens behind her, it really reminded me of the twigs.

i had no idea how many instruments she played including some i had never even seen before. my favourite moment was when she sang little sparrow. the entire stadium was so quiet - mesmerized for the whole song. i will never forget it.

i so want to take banjo lessons now...

holidays & harvest

2011-11-17T12:08:00.001+11:00

bb & i are on holidays! we've spent the last week on the mainland in melbourne and sydney. last saturday we caught up with lots of lovely friends and spent the day at werribee mansion for the harvest festival. it was an delightful day. the best bit of all was that bb & i got to see one of our favourite bands the flaming lips. what a treat...

shots about town

2011-11-10T06:26:00.000+11:00

no place like stanley

2011-11-09T06:13:00.000+11:00

photo credit: monique germon

i stumbled upon monique germon's no place like stanley project yesterday. i think sites like kickstarter and pozible are so inspirational...hopefully we will get to see monique's project come to life this december. if you are interested in supporting this lovely idea you can do so via this link. i notice that monique also has a beautiful online store that is well worth a visit.

hard rubbish

2011-11-08T07:31:00.000+11:00

its hard rubbish time in hobart and the streets are full of amazing bits and pieces. last night on my walk home i found these delightful willow tray tables (just like this one only prettier). i bought them both home to start a new life at the pit-stop. very handy indeed.

country wedding

2011-11-07T07:36:00.000+11:00

bb & i spent the weekend on the opposite side of bass strait. we went to a beautiful wedding in the little town of flinders on the mornington peninsula. perfect weather and company made for a brilliant weekend. not to mention the food! i had the most amazing meal - gnocchi and tasmanian truffles...wow, so so good! it was fabulous to catch up with old friends and make some lovely new ones. the perfect weekend away.

mr jones

2011-11-04T07:19:00.000+11:00

snips of the henry jones art hotel which used to be the old ixl jam factory. i think its an intriguing spot not just because of the art but because of its history, especially the man behind the jam. another delightful treasure on our lovely little island.

footpath find

2011-11-03T07:25:00.000+11:00

franklin fair

2011-11-02T07:29:00.002+11:00

bb & i visited the franklin fair last saturday. it was wet and misty but we still had a lovely time. bb was broadcasting sport vs everything for huon fm from the franklin school whilst i explored about. my favourite find of the day was the huge sequoia tree. it was planted in 1901 and now towers above the school buildings. bb spoke to a woman whose grandfather used to throw stones over the tree as a child. i love hearing little things like that about the valley.

snips of my october...

2011-11-01T07:50:00.000+11:00

secret garden

2011-10-31T06:25:00.000+11:00

the weather over the weekend was pretty miserable in the twigs...despite that, bb & i made a visit to a nearby garden that was open to the public as part of the open garden australia scheme. who knew such a gorgeous spot was right around the corner from our little house. it was lovely to see our valley from a different angle. i think its pretty amazing whatever way you look at it. all the proceeds raised from the garden we visited went to the save the tassie devil campaign. if you want to help out too you can do so here.

funny fellow

2011-10-28T07:38:00.000+11:00

strings...

2011-10-27T07:20:00.000+11:00

i spent tuesday evening at the federation concert hall. some friends and i went to see the string section of the tasmanian symphony orchestra perform vivaldi's the four seasons. it wasn't something i would usually go along to but i am so glad i did. i loved every minute of it.

seeing this tso performance really made me regret missing the recent mofo/tso sideshow. i would have loved to have seen acumen and dean stevenson. hopefully there will be something equally as amazing on at mona foma in january. here is a snip of dean from his show at foma last year.

exploring - southport

2011-10-26T07:25:00.000+11:00

bb & i have been to southport in the deep south of the state a couple of times before but until recently we only visited when it had been wintery, wet and a little bit miserable.

last week we had some beautiful spring weather so we decided to explore the area again. i knew it would be amazingly beautiful on a sunny day and we weren't disappointed. what a fabulous spot.

buttercups

2011-10-25T07:22:00.000+11:00

snips of a country hat party

2011-10-24T07:07:00.000+11:00

the hunter

2011-10-21T08:43:00.000+11:00

have you seen the hunter yet? bb & i recently saw it. whilst it was a lot darker than my usual choice of film it was amazing to see our island home on the big screen. to a degree we felt it was our duty as new tasmanians to get along and support it. margaret & david gave it a big thumbs up so i went along with high hopes which i'm happy to say were met. plus we got to visit the beautiful state cinema in north hobart. something i have wanted to do for ages.

table 4 ten

2011-10-20T07:58:00.000+11:00

on tuesday night bb & i joined eight friends to make up one of 21 dinner parties taking place in hobart that night. all this was part of the 2011 table 4 ten fundraiser. the event is held annually to raise funds for prostate cancer research. after a lovely meal each of the 21 groups headed to an after party which was held in the beautiful courtyard at the tasmanian museum & art gallery. it was an amazing event for such an important cause...we had a wonderful night!

mabel & friends - dog walk no.3

2011-10-19T10:52:00.000+11:00

mabel & i joined the huon valley dog walkers for another walk over the weekend. the skies were grey but the rain held off whilst we walked along the franklin foreshore. it was lovely to meet a few new puppies and their owners.

our next get together will be on saturday the 29th october at garden island sands. we will meet on the beach at 10.30am

to get there from cygnet take the channel highway for approximately 5km south past randalls bay. just before the garden island creek bridge turn right on to lowes road (which is dirt) keep driving to the end and you've arrived.

hack

2011-10-18T06:32:00.000+11:00

hack is triple j's news & current affair show and this week they are in tassie! the team are reporting from all around the state. yesterday they started off in hobart and covered stories about mona, arts & culture, tourism and poppy farming in tasmania.

video and audio versions of the stories can be found on the hack site.

hack's map of tassie can be heard on abc's triple j at 5.30 all this week. in hobart on 92.9fm, in the north east on 90.9fm and in strahan on 101.9fm. happy listening...

plants, goats & xylophones

2011-10-17T07:00:00.000+11:00

last saturday our local primary school held their annual garden expo. it is a bit like a mini fete with lots of plants, books & foodie bits for sale. bb & i went last year shortly after we moved to the twigs and it poured with rain...this year was much the same but the weather didn't seem to matter. the huon community were out in force. i hope they managed to raise lots of money for our sweet little school.

ned kelly

2011-10-14T07:44:00.000+11:00

island

2011-10-13T07:16:00.000+11:00

you may have read recently that island, the tasmanian quarterly magazine had its funding cut in august.

walking past fullers earlier in the week i noticed a window display encouraging hobartians to subscribe, as well as a lovely heartfelt letter to the premier from island's editor, sarah kanowski.

island has been printed since 1979 - i think it would be so very sad for tasmania to lose this amazing publication. i believe they have now secured funding for 2012 but it seems the long term future of the magazine is still in jeopardy.

if you are in hobart this afternoon you might like to get along to the launch of island 126 'other stories'. it's all happening at 5.30pm at the hobart bookshop in salamanca.

buildings bits - hobart

2011-10-12T07:30:00.000+11:00

exploring - beaconsfield

2011-10-11T07:22:00.000+11:00

bb & i recently came across the tiny town of beaconsfield on our way up to the north coast. i was really surprised how picturesque it was. i had imagined a more industrial landscape as i had only heard of the town because of the mine, instead we spotted some gorgeous old buildings including a few lovely old pubs - one was even for sale. we will definitely be back for a another visit.

getaway - melbourne festival

2011-10-10T07:26:00.000+11:00

bb & i had a lovely weekend in melbourne. it was a great chance to catch up with family & friends as well as spend some quality time in the city that we love.

as usual there was tonnes going on. one of the most spectacular was the angel and demons parade. an amazing sculptural display that is part of the melbourne festival.

a day in the life of mabel...

2011-10-07T07:23:00.000+11:00

exploring - dover

2011-10-06T07:03:00.000+11:00

coffee spot - yellow bernard

2011-10-05T07:18:00.002+11:00

bb & i have been making daily visits to yellow bernard for a few months now. this tiny spot on collins street in hobart is definitely our new favourite for awesome coffee anytime during the working day...recently these guys were finalists in the hobart exceptional customer service awards. well deserved i say!

graffiti ♥ - hobart

2011-10-04T06:50:00.000+11:00

exploring - surveyors bay

2011-10-03T06:37:00.000+11:00

snips of my september...

2011-09-30T06:18:00.000+10:00

mother & child

2011-09-29T06:46:00.000+10:00

whilst walking the steep hills of hobart recently i came across the most delightful sight. ‘in blanket’ by artist tom coley is a stunning sandstone sculpture who is keeping a watchful eye over west hobart. she stands at the top of a tiny peace park just off of prospect place. i had no idea she was there. just a few streets away from the pit-stop. this is what i love about exploring new neighbourhoods. you never know what you are going to find.

roadside snaps

2011-09-28T07:01:00.006+10:00

must love dogs

2011-09-27T06:36:00.000+10:00

i recently read this post on the lovely ali's blog. a second huon valley dog walk was held last saturday so mabel and i went along. it was a beautiful day in franklin and really great to meet up with susan - another blogger from the huon that i have "met" online over the last few months. if you are interested in the association there is a meeting being held on saturday, 8th october in cradoc.

franklin bits

2011-09-26T06:27:00.000+10:00

just a few days after moving to the twigs bb & i met a truly lovely couple. as well as being our neighbours they have become our great friends. last weekend they moved from our road to the beautiful town of franklin. over the weekend we got to see their amazing new farm. i'm sad they aren't so close anymore but i am so excited to spend lots of time at their beautiful new home.

exploring - low head

2011-09-23T07:51:00.000+10:00

whilst exploring the north of the state recently bb & i stumbled across the little town of low head. this gorgeous spot is situated at the mouth of the tamar river about 5km north of george town. the town has a lovely lovely lighthouse as well as a pilots station which you can stay at. bb & i thought it was beautiful...i would love to visit again on a sunny summers day.

grown

2011-09-22T06:48:00.000+10:00

the beach

2011-09-21T06:32:00.000+10:00

last weekend bb & i spent a delightful few days on the far north coast of tasmania at a glorious spot called bell buoy beach. great friends, beautiful wine, our sweet fur-babies and some amazing amazing foodie treats made for a brilliant time away. summer is feeling that little bit closer now.

mystery arch

2011-09-20T06:19:00.002+10:00

if you have driven on the midlands highway between hobart and launceston, you have probably noticed the beautiful arch on the side of the road not too far from ross.

i have wondered what it could have been ever since i saw it with bb during our first trip to tassie. after a little digging i found out that it is the only remaining evidence of the beautiful horton college, a prestigious boys school that existed on the site from 1855 until the 1920's when it was demolished.

the school closed in 1894 and must have fallen in to disrepair. it's so sad that such an amazing building has been lost. it would have been such an imposing site on the landscape. at least the arch remains today. it's beautiful in its own right and is a lovely reminder of what once was.

image: allport library and museum of fine arts

getaway bits

2011-09-19T07:16:00.000+10:00

shopping spot - fullers bookshop

2011-09-16T06:54:00.000+10:00

i love fullers bookshop in hobart. the books and other treats on offer are fabulous and the cafe up the back is just lovely too. i love the "feeling" of the shop. i mainly visit during my lunch break and its always busy but never noisy. it just all hums along nicely.

yesterdays visit resulted in my purchasing a copy of the new book: design sponge at home. super exciting! it will make for some perfect weekend reading.

and excitingly, at the moment a string of my friend jen's gorgeous dishpig tea towels are hanging in the window! a hobart version takes pride of place in our pit-stop.

now we just need a huon valley one for the twigs...(hint hint jen!).

recent street bits

2011-09-15T06:23:00.000+10:00

mystery

crazy whippet = poor owen

2011-09-14T06:53:00.001+10:00

keens curry

2011-09-13T06:55:00.002+10:00

the keens curry sign in south hobart has been on the foothills of mt wellington for over 100 years. joseph keen created the iconic curry powder in the 1860's and sold it from a small store in kingston.

in the early 1900's horace watson (keen's son-in-law) bought the land where the sign still stands. there was public outrage when horace collected rocks from the site, painted them white and created a sign to advertise the curry powder.

its not quite as glamorous as the hollywood sign but i think its lovely that it is still there all these years later.

huon bits

2011-09-12T06:46:00.000+10:00

birthday boy

2011-09-11T17:50:00.001+10:00

it's bb's birthday today. cake & rugby make a very happy man. go the wallabies and happy birthday to my lovely.

the reading room

2011-09-09T06:22:00.002+10:00

the reading room by brigita ozolins is a lovely art installation that is now showing at the tasmanian art gallery & museum. it is part of star dust which is a year long series of contemporary art experiences by three amazing tasmanian artists.

the gallery is undergoing a huge redevelopment at the moment but that is not affecting this installation which will be on until october. the next exhibition, james newitt's to catch a tiger starts in november.

reduce, reuse, recycle

2011-09-08T07:03:00.000+10:00

i have been looking for a outdoor table solution for our verandah in the twigs for a little while now. i had been thinking about an old trunk or something similar but then i came across this lovely wooden cable spool. i think this is the perfect reuse for it. i also found a battered chest that i gave a new home. i love that we could give these things a new life instead of them being thrown away. yay for recycling and yay for the hobart tip shop!

blue

2011-09-07T06:48:00.000+10:00

south hobart

table cape

mt wellington

port sorell

stanley

wineglass bay

biscuits

2011-09-06T06:52:00.000+10:00

i bought this amazing old sign from a huon valley second-hand shop. i am in love with it. bb might need a little more convincing but for now it has scored pride of place in our lounge room.

i had never heard of haywoods before but it seems they were a big deal back in the day. after a little searching i found out that charles haywood opened the haywood factoryin hobart in the 1870s and by 1931 haywood's was the largest biscuit factoryin tassie.

it later became swallow-haywoods and they made 'tassie creams' - abiscuit decorated with a map of tasmania..i wish they were still about now! swallow-haywoods shut down in the 1950's so my sign must be at least 60years old. amazing.

machine filling biscuits with cream:
state library of tasmania

haywood biscuit factory:
state library of tasmania

roller derby

2011-09-05T06:51:00.000+10:00

on saturday some friends, bb & i finally got to see some local roller derby. it was great fun! it was a "bout" (i think that is the right terminology) between the scriminals and the pick pocket rockets - both teams are part of the convict city rollers.

it was a super tight result with the pocket rockets coming out on top by one tiny point! the next inter-league bout between the convict city rollers vs van diemen rollers is on the 8th october in hobart.

owen & mabel

2011-09-02T07:18:00.000+10:00

a new camera has meant lots & lots of photos of owen & mabel. i think they are getting more than a little bit over my clicking but they are just so sweet i can't help it. i love the looks on their little faces. i'm sure there is a lot of "really...again with the camera - sigh".

snips of august...

2011-09-01T06:53:00.000+10:00

yippee! it's officially spring...don't get me wrong, i had a lovely august but i am so excited to be one month closer to longer, warmer days. bb & i have spent a full year here now. i feel we will really appreciate the beautiful days of those warmer months, especially as we know they don't last for all that long.

hobart walks

freaky yet intriguing heads

beach feet

tassie treats

green

2011-08-31T06:50:00.000+10:00