Time in Tassie

My time at home was filled with lots of opportunities to catch up with family and friends. Time with Hayley was a must and I was able to visit with her and Amanda on a number of days. Hope I didn't wear out my welcome, but I was a doting grandma and loved every bit of playing, laughing and hugging. Hayley will be three in September and is growing up so fast. Amanda will have her second daughter due later in August. What an adventure that will be for Hayley who will enjoy being a big sister.
Uncle Scott came along too and he and Hayley had fun making castles together. Well he made them and she knocked them down. Seemed like fun at the time.
Thanks to Annie King I was able to catch up with some friends who were able to brave the elements, we are talking very cold weather for an old softie like me, and enjoy some time together over a meal. I appreciated people taking the time to spend with me. I know how busy life is for everyone and how many demands are on their time. Thanks to those who made the effort anyway.

Thanks too to Annie and Zane for lending me Rene (a car) for my time at home. It was great to be able to get around and catch up with everyone.

Thanks for catching up Megan and Rachel. It was fun.On the Saturday Scott, Jill and I, henceforth to be known as Intrepid Explorers, had a fantastic day at Cradle Mountain. We hiked up to Marion's Lookout and beyond, with me puffing and panting, someone has to be the weakest link! It was cold, clear and the ice was incredibly slick, so there were many oops and ahhs and other sounds as we slipped our way along the trails. Mostly the other sounds would be mine too, but I won't go there!!!!

I strategically stopped lots for photos, and to catch my breath on the way up. The tarns were frozen solid and Scott did manage to walk out on some.

Can't you see I've got the camera?! Didn't make a difference at all.

Scott climbed, well ran really, up to the top of Cradle which made me rather nervous while Jill and I waited, as only a week before a young Danish tourist disappeared on Cradle. The SES and Police crews had scaled back the search by the Saturday as there has been too much snow and ice which has hampered the search. Scott found the going tough on the icy rocks and had to slow down a little in patches where it was risky. He enjoyed the challenge and it was a relief to see him bounding back down again after his mountain climb.

As he was climbing we spoke with a member of the SES who explained how the search had been undertaken. It was with sadness that I saw on the news of the father and brother who had flown out to be told that their loved one's body is still missing on the mountain.

A place of such beauty is also a place of great danger too.

Some amazing scenes along the way. It was a delight to soak up the awesome beauty of the place. There was little to no wind, clear blue skies, occasional mist and cloud with a cold sun glistening on the snow from time to time. A perfect day for hiking!

Barn Bluff beckoned in the distance. The Intrepid Explorers have set a goal to conquer that mountain next. I've climbed it many years ago when I didn't puff and pant so much, so I'll have to be a bit fitter for that trek. Always love a challenge though.

In all the time home was, cold, just had to use that word, cause Jill reckons it was in every sentence I spoke while I was there. But it was true, it was cold!

But the time with friends and family was warm indeed. Thanks to everyone for making my time in Tassie so special. Look forward to bringing Phil down next time so he can catch up with everyone too. By the way, just for those who are interested, Canberra was much colder than Tassie according to Phil and the weather man. As I flew back to Sydney I had a left window seat and was treated to clear views of the snow covered mountains along the way. It looked rather, well what can I say! Cold!!!!!