travelling allrite

I hate the anxiety I feel about flying. When I finally wake at the late time of 8.30AM after an earlier disturbance I don't feel rested. I feel sick. I actually hear a Jetstar A320 fly overhead, but the skies are grey and there is the threat of wind and rain. It is fortunate that I don't study the weather too closely or I would be even more nervous about flying. We check out and drive into central Launceston with no better idea than to wander around and perhaps find some breakfast. Sitting down at a Banjo's Bakery the other two order pies and myself a vanilla slice, a.k.a a snot block. I can't even finish that, my tastebuds hypersensitive with nerves. Returning the car right at the specified time to the airport we check in for our flight. With two bags of fruit and food we are returning heavier than we arrived. Airside at Launceston Airport is surprisingly nice for a regional airport, with a large local produce and general goods store and cafes, including on...

It's a strange feeling wandering the streets of Launceston around closing time. The combination of quieter streets, a mishmash of architecture from the 1870's and 1970's, and the cool clear air remind me of a Japanese rural city. But it also brings back memories of my adventures in Australia years ago. There's a Myer department store which appears to have escaped the renovations and retains the worn charms of my childhood. The toy section is better than our Miranda Myer. Also seen along the way a hobby store, French bistro, Harris Scarfe, Toyworld and a variety of shops that seems to have gone missing in Sydney. We walk to the City Park, green lawns and ornate ironwork. We are too late to see the Japanese macaques and the conservatory is closed, but there are still families and young people playing in the sun. The sky is clear enough to see the top of Mount Wellington when we awake, our first sight of the top of the mountain that towers over Hobart. I...

For us Tasmania is all about the food. It's so fresh, so tasty here. First thing this morning we headed off to Battery Point to eat breakfast at Jackman and McRoss. Sure their bread is described as artisan and we don't have ironic tatts and beards, and yes, B orders something with avocado that's not guacamole, but the food is actually really good. In my opinion the scrambled eggs in smoked salmon on a Danish bun is the pick of the menu. Fortunately the hotel in Launceston found Alex's toy, but we had promised him a trip to the Hobart Teddy Bear Shop, a place holding memories for B and I. After some agonising decision making he finally selects "Pinchy". After three days of long travel we decide on a shorter journey, just down to the historic town of Richmond. The route there passes through the Coal Valley region of vinyards. Not being wine drinkers, these don't interest us, but then we spot Coal Valley Farm which offers cheese, chocolates and frui...