The Australian Wooden Boat Festival – is it weird that I love looking at boats, even though I’m not a sailor? On that topic, I met two women (separately) who both told me about other women they knew who began sailing in their seventies. One took my hand and said “I think that will be you.” I hope so. I also hope I don’t leave it that long.
I’m just back from four days in Hobart – we looked at boats (think the beautiful wooden boat described in Limberlost); did some sailing; watched parbuckling and members of the International Guild of Knot Tyers at work; was amazed (and terrified) by the vintage diving; and visited the Young Endeavour (the ship my son sailed on across Bass Strait five years ago).
If only I could fit this little boat in my suitcase… perfect match for my car.
MONA always thrills. Loved the Namedropping exhibition and experienced the Ganzfeld Effect but the highlight was two panels from Thomas Mailaender’s work, Gone Fishing. I’m still laughing about it.
We ate so well. Our first Big Night Out was at Dier Makr. Highlights: duck parfait; the waiter who changed the tunes throughout the night; and the mussels wrapped in zucchini.
Our second Big Night was at Ogee. And I can safely say that you won’t find better butter or better tomatoes anywhere in the world.
And of course there were sandwiches. Roast beef, pickle and German egg salad from Wursthaus Kitchen and roast carrot, mozzarella and salsa verde from Pigeon Whole Bakers (plus breakfast rolls the next day because lunch was so delicious).
We slept well, too. Look at the view from our room at MACq01.
A few little(ish) souvenirs – a visit to The Hobart Bookshop where I bought Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks (it has a Tasmanian connection); a small canvas by Jane Flowers – I fell in love as soon as I saw it at the Thallasophile exhbition; fun things from Spacebar gift shop.
On our last day we headed out of Hobart to Fortescue Bay. Hiked to Canoe Bay; spotted the kelp forests and a sunken barge; enjoyed views of the Capes; and then had a swim. What I love most about this place is that the forest comes right to the edge of the sea.
A truly wonderful four days.
Should I ever make it to your part of the world, I’ll be asking you for restaurant recommendations!
I will absolutely make sure you are eating the most delicious food!
It’s not weird that you love looking at boats. I love it, too, although I have only been out on the water a few times.
A few friends were a little surprised that we’d traveled interstate for the Boat Festival but Hobart is the perfect spot for it as the city is clustered around the harbour. It’s very pretty.
Sounds nice. I love harbors and boats.
What a wonderful weekend:)
One of those great breaks that felt a lot longer than what it actually was.
That looks like a fabulous holiday, I haven’t been to Hobart for years. The last time I went, it was January and there was still a little bit of snow that fell at Cradle Mountain.
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I know a couple of people who go to boat shows but don’t have one, and don’t plan to buy one, including one who went to this wooden boat show one year. I understand, in other words. And I loved the rest of your post and pics too.
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