Cook

Posted on December 13, 2016 by kathy

After two days of train travel, we were well and truly relaxed. The vastness of the Nullarbor Plain was boggling.

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On the longest straight stretch of railway line in the world (478 kilometres) we suddenly saw signs of life.

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We had arrived at the town of Cook, the last outpost before crossing into Western Australia.

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The street sign didn’t mention that Perth is 1,500km and Sydney nearly twice that distance.

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Established in 1917 when the railway was built, Cook was once a thriving town with a school, hospital, golf course and shops. The railways were privatised in 1997 and there is now a permanent population of four who remain to service the trains that pass through. We had some time to stroll around the town, the abandoned buildings are sadly neglected.

The houses

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had some interesting garden ornaments

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and the paths and parks had been maintained.

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These two old gaol cells didn’t look very comfortable,

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I think you would soon be deep fried in the desert heat

and the thunderbox looked a little worse for wear.

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In 1982, 600 trees were planted around the town, the event commemorated in stone.

There was more of Cook to discover but it was time to board the train and continue across the Nullarbor to Western Australia.

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Hadrian’s Wall

Posted on December 2, 2016 by kathy

Leaving the beauty of Wales behind, we drove through the Lake District, stopping at Windermere to buy supplies.

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The weather was not conducive to sightseeing

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so we were soon on our way to Carlisle for a two night stay at New Pallyards Farm. The next day, we set off to discover Hadrian’s Wall. Built from 122AD, it was the northernmost boundary of the Roman Empire until early in the 5^th century. There were many forts along the 80 miles between the Irish Sea and North Sea

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and the lookout at Greenhead rewarded with spectacular views across the countryside.

The section of wall at Walltown Crags was impressive

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as it snaked its way along Whin Sill

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a spectacular rock formation formed millions of years ago.

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The view down to the car park and the landscape beyond was stunning.

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We drove on to Housesteads Fort and climbed the hill

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to the Visitor’s Centre.

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Originally named Vercovicium, meaning ‘the place of the effective fighters’, Housesteads is the most complete Roman fort in Britain.

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The foundations include a hospital, barracks, granaries

and even flushable toilets.

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From the ridge, the most preserved part of the wall disappears into the distance

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and the remains of a gate can be seen.

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The panorama across Northumberland National Park was magnificent

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and the locals seemed very contented.

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We continued our drive to Newcastle,

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eager for a drop of the namesake brown ale. We were so disappointed to learn they don’t serve Newcastle Brown Ale on tap in Newcastle! We chose another brew and enjoyed a delicious lunch overlooking Tynemouth Bay

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and the majestic 13^th century Castle & Priory.

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Unfortunately, the ruins were closed to visitors for the season so we returned to our cottage in Carlisle for another cosy night.

Chianti

Posted on November 25, 2016 by kathy

After saying our goodbyes, we left Benabbio for a day of leisurely driving to our next destination near Cortona. By lunch time we were surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Chianti Valley and were lured by the trusty knife & fork symbol at Castello di Gabbiano.

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Unfortunately, they didn’t serve lunch but we stayed a while to admire the magnificent 12^th century castle, now a very inviting B&B.

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The castle has an interesting history

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and is home to one of the oldest and best known wineries in the Chianti Classico region. The views over acres of vines, olives and woods were breathtaking.

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We continued to Greve in Chianti where we finally had some lunch. The drive slowed down as we ogled the scenery through the heart of old Tuscany.

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There seemed no end to the green rolling hills dotted with peaceful stone villas.

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We eventually left Chianti behind and found Camucia and our accommodation, relatively easily thanks to the detailed directions from the owner. After locating the caretaker, Isolina, ‘up the road and round the corner’, we poured a vino and settled in.

BOFA

Posted on November 22, 2016 by kathy

We recently ventured to Launceston to experience the Breath of Fresh Air (BOFA) Film Festival. Michael had an entry selected for screening in the short film competition and we thought it a great excuse for a weekend away.

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The festival was held at the Inveresk Precinct. Originally Tasmania’s largest industrial site, it is now an education and arts hub. The original industrial buildings remain

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and are now interfused with some modern elements.

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I love this tree outside the Big Picture School.

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The movies were shown in various buildings throughout the precinct, our first viewing was in The Annexe.

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A fabulous gabion rhinoceros stood guard at the entrance

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or was he heading for the coffee van?

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We relaxed with a coffee in the comfortable lounge

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before viewing a wonderful movie, Kedi. Although not particularly cat lovers, we enjoyed the story of the cats in Istanbul and the interaction with the people in their lives. Perhaps humans could learn a thing or two from cats after all. http://www.kedifilm.com/about/#aboutkedi
We lunched at Blue Café Bar at the precinct, the wood fired pizzas were amazing – we chose pulled pork shoulder, pickled jalapeño, avocado, coriander & crème fraiche.

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Also located at the Inveresk Precinct is the Launceston Tramway Museum. You can step back to the 1940s with a ride on Tram No. 29, Launceston’s only surviving double bogie tram,

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lovingly restored over seven years.

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We returned later to the Festival Lounge to enjoy beverages and the award presentation

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before a walk in the rain and superb dining experience at Brisbane Street Bistro (sorry, I didn’t take photos). Next morning, we started the day with a hearty breakfast at Café one0six. The Breakfast Burger and Eggs Benedict hit the spot.

We headed back to Inveresk for one more movie, the Romanian film, Graduation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBCPZhdJYLA It was quite sombre and gave us much to ponder on our drive home.
Michael’s entry in the short film competition, Invisible, can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdGHAmIEjM8

Conwy

Posted on November 18, 2016 by kathy

One of the most memorable B&Bs on our travels in Britain was Whinward House in Conwy, on the north coast of Wales. The 1890s Coaching Inn had been renovated beautifully and hosts, Chris & Janis made us very welcome. After a good night sleep

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and a hearty home cooked breakfast,

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we strolled along the river walk

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to the walled market town of Conwy.

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The smallest house in Great Britain, 3.05m x 1.8m, was occupied from the 16^th century to 1900. The last tenant was a 6’3” fisherman and he was eventually forced to move out when the council declared the house unfit for human habitation.

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