Home away from home...

... and more porridge.

Tasmania has reminded me a lot of home since I arrived. The rugged landscape, the rolling hills and the bays that look so much like sea lochs. Today the picture was completed as the grey clouds descended and the rain began to fall... and fall... and fall. It didn't stop all day, but it didn't bother me too much, although it did play a little havoc with the camera gear through the day.

First stop on leaving Hobart was to revisit MONA. Modern art really isn't my thing but there were a few interesting pieces. The building was amazing though. It was just a flying visit as Gitama and I had a wee bit of travelling ahead.

I imagined Port Arthur to be a sort of Australian St. Andrews. A wee coastal town with the prison lying on the outskirts, but unless I missed something it really is just the historical site. Before arriving there though we stopped off at Eaglehawk Neck. Ostensibly this was for the view but since there was none today due to the weather it was by chance we fell upon the Officers Quarters historical site that is all that remains of the garrison buildings that were positioned there to protect the inlet. A fascinating find, there were a lot of information panels about the buildings, the garrisoning of the area and the methods used to deter potential escapees.

As I said before, the rain really did play havoc with the cameras today. In and out the bags between shots both our cleaning cloths had to be wrung out several times but it didn't deter us from getting around. It was a shame it was so heavy because there were a number of information boards that we just couldn't stop at. Today's shot is of the main penitentiary block across Mason Cove from the jetty at the bottom of the Commondants House. I got a book though so will work my way through that to learn more about all the buildings we shot. All too soon though it was time to head up the road to Swansea.

The road up was amazing, winding up and over hills on tree lined roads that occasionally opened up to rain misted vistas and rivers, down into the fertile valleys where sheep grazed oblivious to the weather and passing by the most wonderful large trees growing and dying in paddocks. Oh, to have been able to have stopped but alas there were few places that we could have and time was pressing a little.

By the time we arrived in Swansea the light (whatever we had today) had started to fade and so we decided to just share a fish supper in the apartment and chill. It was a hard day in the rain and a long one at the wheel. Another tomorrow so I'm just about to head to bed. It's blowing a hoolie just now but it's supposed to be back to sunshine tomorrow. Here's hoping as we're back on the water.

Thanks so much for all your lovely comments, stars and hearts for yesterday's acrobats. It really was a special day, and J, you really must do it. The kids (of all ages) would have a blast I'm sure! ;-) I'm sorry I'm not going to get round to everyone's journals tonight but I'm just plain knackered. Need my beauty sleep (no sniggering in the back there)! :-)