AAPT- Around Aust by Public Transport 2021

 And we're starting our 3rd week. How time flies. And that's what we did today...flew. On the way to Tassie we crossed over by boat, but not for the return journey. At triple the price it wasn't on. At least we caught the bus from the airport. Farewell Tassie. We made the loop! Good times meeting new people and having new experiences. We are staying conveniently next to Sthn Cross Station- very modern buildings all around. The Travelodge is visible from the Bourke St Bridge...  Quite excited about the train journey tomorrow. Done boats and plane, buses and trams- time for a train. The station bridge across to the trams   We came across the original Post Office, now H&M..interesting reuse. And so ends the 15th day.....in Hardware Lane.  

 And we had no plans! 24 hours of downtime in the hands of our son-in-law's parents, Peter and Robyn. We traveled with them to do some errands in nearby towns- PENGUIN. Chilly by the sea but a cute town. Lots of work being done on the beachfront which by Spring will look great. And of course, what the town is famous for.. On the way to SHEFFIELD one can only be gob-smacked by Mt Rowland, so picturesque. Sheffield is famous for its public wall murals. This one is of the Forth Falls (yes, another Scottish name). It should also be famous for the wonderful steak and kidney pie I enjoyed. To round off our stay the whole Miller family gathered for dinner- we felt honoured. The ray of sunshine wants to be a farmer when she grows up! And so ends the 14th Day with a update on WA. Due to the cyclone we need to adjust our plans slightly but 2 bus companies & 2 accom providers were very obliging. More later.

 .. sunny and glorious. A travel day. We rose early to walk to a special bagel shop, Bury Me Standing. Cinnamon bagels did the trick and we decided to see a couple of streets we had missed.  The parks are brilliant in their Autumn attire. And still there was more public art. A pretty cute bubbler! These two were particularly striking, recognising early treatment of the Indigeneous population. And the explanation.... We had a quiet trip to Launceston. Lunch with Peter,  Robyn and her sisters, then a drive to Phil & Sara's house just out of town. And so ended the 13th day.

 ...a day of "high things"! A few fears for me to conquer. Heading for the deep south on our personalised tour,we made good time. Hastings Caves were about 100 kms away- the last few very winding. The bush smell as we arrived  was fabulous- lush rain forest- a 500m board walk to the cave entrance  We had visited the caves 49 years ago, so inside little had changed- they were still spectacular. My new knees served me well over the 500 steps. The group was limited to 8, the guide,expert. From deep in the lush rain forest we wound our way up again, to go down once more- to the Huon River and the Tahuna Air Walk..... this was a very large area burnt out in the fires of 2019. Since then the structure itself and surrounding environment have been rehabilitated, spectacularly. Most impressive were the interpretation signs. The cantilever at the end was a "bridge too far" for me - the last 5 metres.  We were going to walk to the swing bridges. Not that I had any intention of...

 ..and it is Anzac Day. Great sermon at Commemorative Mass about listening, understanding and remembering. Assembly point for the march was outside our hotel. We took an Historic Boat cruise on the harbour. It's always good to get the local perspective. Overcast, intermittent bursts of sun, chilly wind. Hopefully Mt Wellington emerges tomorrow. The cruise gave us our bearings so back on land we set off on a "phone guided" tour of Battery Point. Walked for 4 hrs just oogling the great historic architecture. Of the rich and the working class. Although one has to be rich these days to buy even the smallest cottage there! How right he was. All houses here now over $1m. Boutique studio for rent... One from Arthur's Circus. And a grander mansion. The home of Andrew Inglis Clarke, inventor of our and Tas electoral system  An unusual Anglican church.. No centre aisle; beautifully restored. Wandered back via Sandy Bay Rd.  Evening came the 11th day..with lamb shanks for dinner...

SAT 24TH APRIL: A b-line for the Tourist Info. Our aim was to somehow get to the Tahune Air Walk. Yes , next tour is on Tuesday. We leave Tuesday. The young woman suggested a personal tour. OK..how much? Significant phone discussion later all is arranged for Monday- $10 more than the normal tour....bargain. Being Saturday, the place to go was Salamanca markets. Lots of checking in, counting people but little social distancing! It got very crowded. There seemed to be lots of visitors, not just locals. Of course, the creative arts were much on display but the main products were 1. GIN 2. Jams, etc 3. Woollen garments. Then to the Square... This pic doesn"t show it but it was buzzing with eateries , a bookshop and lots of arty places. Luke then went off to the Museum, I elected for more walk and see, just admiring the proliferation of beautiful old buildings. And the next era....  We both separately sought out the Cat & Fiddle arcade. Yes,it's still there but not like the ori...

 ....with some uncertainty. Would the bus leave as promised although there was a road closure until 11.15a.m.? Would the connecting bus wait? The jovial Paul arrived on time and we departed.......for only a few kms. The Targa cars had gone through but we had to wait for a police clearance, which wasn't too long.  The road was steep and winding- we passed several race cars on trailers, race over! Including a Hillman Imp. Pouring rain on and off. At that point I thought,"I really have no reason to come this road again! "  I was feeling quite queasy from the constant road bends, so focused on the misty horizon. About 35kms along we were stopped again. This time it was more serious. Not far in front there had been a fatal accident.  Suggestions were we may be turned around. At which time Paul, our driver, said he would take us in tomorrow in his ute. Kind but not thrilling! We must have been at the site just before they closed it for forensics as after about 15 mins we w...

 Disappointment.  Our Tasmanian tour was based around getting tickets on the West Coast Steam Railway 7 weeks in advance. Our anticipation was blown away when advised, No Go. The sole remaining engine had broken down! Instead of the planned trip up and down the rack railway, we would get a diesel trip only out 1/3 of the route. Too bad, so sad, but we tried to make the most of it. Because we had ridden the rack railways at Mt Snowden in Wales and on the Isle of Man, we looked forward to the Australian experience. Seems they desperately need apprentices to come and learn the unique trade of maintaining these specialised ABT locos. On with the journey by diesel. We went to the last station before the mountain, Lynchfield- did some gold panning & walked around the river. With the altered train trip, we had spare hours. And disappointment turned to opportunity. As part of a Roam Wild trip we had booked we got a tour of the local theatre which had been restored. In decline it h...