Hobart here we come!

We left the farm early Sunday morning so that we could arrive in Hobart for a visit to the Salamanca markets bright and early. Beat the crowds, find a car park etc. Only problem was the markets are held on Saturdays! Oops. Slight miscalculation of dates. Luckily for me the Tastes of Tasmania festival is on as is the end of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race sponsored by Rolex. While we didn't get to see Wild Oats cross the line in first place for the second up year in a row, we have seen her in the dock, alongside Loyal, Wild Thing and Nikata as well as seeing Brindabella and many of the smaller boats cross the line. Yesterday we walked along Salamanca Place, then headed up and around Battery Point and down again, and by a fluke found a secluded little section of coastline adjacent to the finish line just near the officials hut. As each boat crosses the line the hooter goes off as the boats cross between two yellow buoys. We sat on the rocks protected from the wind by the shrubbery and both got the worst case of sunburnt faces we have had in ages. Incredible given I was wearing a winter coat, long sleeved shirt and jeans. It was freezing in the wind. I now look like a red panda sporting a red face and nose and white eyelets. Battery point was well worth a look with some lovely stone cottages and unique buildings. Obviously both history and money abound in this area. The queue for coffee at the bakery suggests that it is also a trendy place to be seen on a Sunday....or that the coffee is good. Unfortunately the Tastes festival leaves a lot to be desired. Huge crowds and long lines. Food seems expensive and in small proportions. Entertainment for children falls short of the standard I have come to expect at home and as such is disappointing. That said, there is a good audience for the twilight screening of the Sound of Music. A classic at any age. There are also the usual selection of buskers and street performers. My favourites so far are the Verandahcoots. One girl plays honky tonk piano, the other plays her wash board. Sometimes they have a guy on accordion to accompany them, at others not. For perseverance they win hands down. For boppy little routines they are are a crowd favourite. Late afternoon update - when the girls only play they go by the moniker "Ragdolls". 30.12.13

Designer homewares in Hobart

Rolex Sydney to Hobart 2012

I have a new appreciation for yachting after having experienced the homecoming of the boats in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart race for 2012. My past experience was one run out from Bowen as part of the Cruising Yacht Clubs twilight sailing series in December last year on a small yacht, crewed by two, with two spectators.....and a top speed of perhaps 10 knots. These yachts are crewed by approximately 18 crew, are 100 foot long and sail at up to 30 knots. Chalk and cheese really. The buzz in Hobart over the last couple of days has been incredible. It really has been fun to be a part of it. Seeing Wild Oats XI come up the mouth of the Derwent and into Constitution Dock was amazing. The size of these craft, their dependence on the air currents and the fact that they were so far ahead of the second boat to cross the line is inspiring. The money invested in these yachts is in the seven digits. Crews are professional and spend their year sailing the world honing their craft. While we watched Wild Oats XI come across the line from our room - perfectly positioned adjacent to the action, we headed down to the dock mid morning and saw not only other boats crossing the line, but were allowed access to the marina to view the boats from close quarters. Seeing them up close and personal makes you realise the passion those people who sail them must have. No creature comforts, limited protection from the ocean and almost two days at sea. Dedication to the max. Even the guy steering has a bum rail only to lean against - no seat! People in Hobart have really got behind the race and each and every time a yacht crosses the line there is a crowd of people lining the docks to wish the crew well and cheer them home. Restaurant staff are up with current details and there is a leader board with yacht names and estimated finish times which is updated as each boat crosses the line. As for my race favourites? Living Doll retired with a broken rudder, but Black Jack crossed the line fourth! Not a bad effort for one of the little guys. With three quarters of the fleet still to come in, it looks like Wild Oats XI might take out the trifecta - line honours, race record and handicap. I guess that can only be seen as a good investment for her owners, the Oatleys from Hamilton Island.