Tag: Bruny Island
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A Snowy Boating Long Weekend

Spellbound

When Nick and I bought our first boat ‘Tagus’ in 2008, we would head away on adventures together and end up hanging out with his parent’s and all their boating friends.  We were always the youngest ones with the smallest boat.  We would have great fun but as the year’s have crept by and our own family has grown (1 dog + 2 children) we have upgraded to ‘Spellbound’ (a 36 ft Fairway motor cruiser) and have met a new bunch of ‘young’ boating friends.  We are now no longer the youngest ones with the small boat!

This Hobart Show Day Long Weekend was a perfect example.  Meeting at Missionary Bay on Bruny Island on Thursday afternoon, we were surrounded by our friends who now have their own boats and we even outnumbered the ‘oldies’!

Even though it was a little cold and wet this weekend, that didn’t stop us from having fun.  It is so fantastic sitting side-by-side around a fire with people from different generations, as you stare into the flames, dodge the smoke, turn your sausages and chat away, knowing you have one very special thing in common – boating to beautiful places in Tasmania.

James in my black hole bag James and a dolphin Missionary Bay Missionary Bay Sauso's Harry and Pops Harry and Pops Missionary Bay New generation James being pampered Missionary Bay Missionary Bay Missionary Bay Missionary Bay Missionary Bay The Girls at Missionary Bay Indy and James James Bruny Island Dinghies Faye and James Dinghy's Spellbound Marshmallows Marshmallow Marshmallow Marshmallow BBQ Cool dude James Cool dude James BBQ Campfire Nicko Barb & Amanda Simpsons Bay Poppy Simpsons Bay My family Stacks on Maisy Pancakes Spellbound and Mistraal Mistraal Apollo Bay Barb's platter Dam building James, Maisy and I Muddy feet Highfield Dinghies Rainy bbq Hail strom at Apollo Bay Funny Faces Funny Faces Funny Faces Funny Faces Funny Faces

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Collecting Treasure

Pops
We enjoyed a night away on Bruny Island on the boat this weekend and the weather was delightful.

Even though we were only away for a little more than 24 hours, I felt as though we had been away for much longer.  We enjoyed a shared curry night with friends and family, a cruisey morning with pancakes and cups of tea, followed by a sunny BBQ at Sykes Cove.  The kids played for hours in the shallows, building little dams, diverting water, getting muddy … and collecting treasure.  Xx

Sunny Jamesy Jamesy Little and Big Boys Foxy Foxy Bubbles The Other Mummy Nick Jacinta and Nick Boating Friends Poppy and Indy Braids galore Sykes Cove Sykes Cove Sykes Cove Sykes Cove Sykes Cove Yum BBQ Sykes Cove Sykes Cove Sykes Cove Spellbound and MercurySpellbound and Mercury Maggie and Poppy Spellbound Sunset

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Winter Cruising

A special kiss

Thanks to our Webasto diesel heater onboard Spellbound, it makes Winter cruising on the boat very pleasant indeed.  There’s nothing better than getting cosy onboard whilst anchored in a beautiful cove on Bruny Island, with friends ‘rafted up’ next to you, sharing delicious food, wine and conversation.

On the recent Queens Birthday Long Weekend, we spent two nights away and visited Get Shucked on Saturday for some oysters and a sparkling, before a BBQ ashore in the afternoon for some toasted marshmallows and a yarn around the fire.

A firey sunset greeted us as we returned to Barnes Bay for the evening spent with Nick’s folks and our friends Jacinta and Brett, where we enjoyed a lovely meal, lively conversation and even a sing-a-long to the Ukulele.

MistraalBoating James and Larni James Great BayGreat Bay Great Bay Great Bay Great Bay Great Bay Get Shucked Great Bay Biddies Campfire at Biddies Biddies Poppy Biddies Boating babes Oh wow - a whole bag! Melted Marshmallows Jacinta and Larni Cruising about Nick and the kids Hunters and Campfires Biddies Biddies Poppy Poppy Sunset in Barnes Bay Sunset in Barnes Bay Dessert on Mercury Poppy Rose Banks Rose Banks and Mercury

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Bruny Island Boating

Butlers Beach Detail - Bruny Island

I returned from the Bay of Fires on Friday afternoon and Nick had all the food and gear packed, ready to head away on the boat for the Long Weekend!

We joined Nick’s folks on their boat instead (a long story) and met up with our friends on South Bruny Island.  With predominately overcast skies and moody light we walked along desolate beaches, made giant sand castles, ate nice food, slept well and flew kites.

Another beautiful boating weekend to a beautiful island. Xx

Maisy, Pops and JamesHeading awayMike the Knight - craft on boardThe ChannelLunch on boardTeenager??Butlers BeachButlers BeachButlers BeachA very sandy JamesSand spaSand spaMercury and MistraalNickoProseccoProseccoJames' dinnerMercuryJames watering his Grandmother's herbsQuality TimePops and BearJames driving the dinghyThe crewSand MonkeySand MonkeySunday BBQMorning teaKite flyingKite FlyingLunchLunchJames learning the ropesPopsJames - Bruny IslandJames and Nicko

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Summer Boating

Photo by Nick Corkhill

Photo – Nick Corkhill

We have spent many nights on board the boat this summer and have been heading away as much as we can, catching up with our friends and enjoying the delights of cruising the D’entrecasteaux Channel, at its best.

We have found a rhythm as we have become more used to our boat since buying it last April.  James is a little older and although not fully out of the ‘trenches’, life is getting better on board.  They both sleep well each night, apart from the odd hiccup and I have organised myself better with a big toy box on board and loads of books, to keep them entertained.

Toy Box

We head to the beach at any opportunity, where a fire will be lit (providing it’s not high fire danger of course) and fresh flathead will be cooked.  The kids will often have their own little campfire where they cook their marshmallows.  They wallow in the shallows, go rock pooling, collect shells, entertain each other and create new childhood memories.  As a result, we are able to sit under a shady tree and enjoy good conversations and freshly caught seafood, cooked on the open flames.

Fresh FlattiesBest friends

At times we have friends come with us on board, or visit us for the day where we enjoy lunch together, fishing, paddle boarding and watching the kids jump off the boat.

Digger & CathLunch with friendsPaddle Boarding

Several weeks ago we took the dinghies into Simpsons Bay and walked up the Isthmus Track at the Neck on Bruny Island.  We saw penguins in their burrows and hiked the steep steps to be rewarded with a stunning view.

The NeckThe Neck on Bruny IslandThe next generation

We often gravitate back to my favourite beach – Little Fancy Bay, where the kids play for hours in the shallows before we are homeward bound – salty, sun-kissed and satisfied!  Xx

Freshly caught Abalone Freshly caught Flathead Poppy at Little Fancy The crewToy Box Nick and Brett Aitkens Point Fresh Flatties Marshmallows Summer Boating Smoochy cuddles Smoochy cuddles Simpsons Point Crazy crew Morning glory Popsy Morning glory Paddle Boarding Best friends Paddle Boarding Lunch with friends BBQ's ashore Heading back to the boat Pavlova The Neck Adventures on Adventure Bay Jamesy Three Highfield Dinghies Highfield Dinghies The Neck Little Fancy Bay

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Game : Set : Match


Hobart International

There’s nothing quite like a great weekend full of social activities including international sporting events, 40th Birthday parties and a day on the boat with old friends.

On Saturday we enjoyed the Hobart International Tennis Women’s final with our old friends, Keith and Lil who were visiting from Launceston.  Enjoying the delights of a sunny day, a corporate box, a lovely lunch and an Esky full of Morilla’s finest, what wasn’t there to enjoy?  Well, Eugenie Bouchard didn’t win, but it was a great game and a fantastic location to watch the tennis from.

We rushed home, said ‘hi and bye’ to the kids (and my sister who was babysitting), and a quick outfit change before scooting off to Depha’s 40th Birthday at the Avalon City Retreat.  Nick and I met each other through Depha, so she is a very special friend to both of us.  Beautiful food, more bubbles, good conversations and even a boogie, saw us returning home just before turning into pumpkins.

On Sunday we took Keith, Lil and their gorgeous brood to Bruny Island for the day on the boat.  Lazing in the sun chatting, fishing, paddle boarding and eating was just what the doctor ordered.  Oh how I love these summer days spent with wonderful friends.  Xx

Hobart InternationalHobart International Hobart International Hobart International Hobart International Hobart International Hobart International Hobart International Hobart International Hobart International Hobart International Hobart International Hobart International Hobart International Hobart International Hobart InternationalDepha's 40th Depha's 40th Depha's 40th Depha's 40th Depha's 40th Depha's 40th Depha's 40thSandy Bay Little James, Big James and Poppy George and James Lil James Fishing Fishing Stingray Bruny Island James asleep on George James asleep on George James and Lil The crew

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Show Weekend : Boat Weekend

Sunset at Partridge Island

The Hobart Show weekend always allows for an extra long weekend where we escape Hobart to explore further waters.  This year was no exception and we headed to South Bruny Island for four glorious days.

We left on Thursday morning and enjoyed a smooth voyage to Partridge Island, some three hours later, to catch up with our friends.  Arriving to an oasis of turquoise blue waters due to a phytoplankton bloom in the water at this time of year.  Blue, blue waters, radiant rainbows and a gorgeous sunset.  What more could we ask for?

Partridge Island

The next day we went for a walk on the island where we discovered signs of European gardens and mature oak trees.  We  moved over to Mickey’s Bay in the afternoon and had a big roast pork on board ‘Mistraal‘.  The next morning we donned our packs and walked over to Cloudy Lagoon where James fell asleep as usual, and Poppy did a stellar job walking most of the way and learning more native plants.

In the afternoon we went to Tailors Beach for a picnic with all our boating friends and the kids were in their element making sand castles and playing in the water until little teeth were chattering and I had run out of dry clothes.

I love being in my happy place with my family and our amazing friends.  Not to mention the breathtaking scenery of this part of the world.  xx

Little Pirate

Partridge Island Yum - mayo and lettuce Partridge IslandPartridge Island Fishing lessons Partridge Island Jamesy cuddles Doggy kisses Spellbound, Yoda and Pops The Davies at Cloudy Bay Pops Squiggly cuddles Smoochy dog. Smoochy toddler Sunset kiss

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Boating and Birthdays

Birthday Drinks at T42

We have enjoyed another busy week which has included more time away on the boat last weekend and celebrating my birthday on Monday.

We headed away to Bruny Island for two nights and despite the windy forecast we hunkered down in the sheltered waters at Quarantine.  We ran into our friends and their girls and manage to watch the AFL Football Grand Final together as the temperature soared and the girls cooled off in the water.

On Sunday we had lunch at Apollo Bay and enjoyed the slightly cooler temperatures before cruising back to the yacht club in the afternoon.

On Monday I enjoyed being spoilt for my birthday.  Poppy was definitely more excited about my ‘turning of age’ than I was and proceeded to let everyone at Child Care know how old I was turning!  I whipped up a cake and saw their delight in singing and blowing out the candles for me.  Nick and I ventured out for a drink at T42 and an amazing dinner at The Glasshouse on such a mild evening.

I love this time of year and we so we have been out enjoying our garden which is in full bloom – the wisteria, oak tree and jasmine are all bursting with Spring.  We went for a big walk along the beach this morning on yet another perfect Hobart day.  Xx

Maisy and James en route Sunset Big Fish Hot hot hot! Girls cooling off James and his buddy James at the helm of Big Fish The Crew Big Fish James and Pops at Apollo Bay James and Pops at Apollo Bay Nicko Larn

Being spoilt My Birthday Cake My Birthday Cake My Birthday Cake Sushi Train

Oak Tree water play Wisteria in bloom Wisteria The Den Oh James Machine Cafe Nutgrove Beach Nutgrove Beach

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Contrasts

Great Bay - Bruny Island

We have just had a night away on the boat for the weekend.  On Saturday afternoon after a lovely day time sleep to the gentle roll of the Chanel, we anchored in Great Bay on Bruny Island to go to Get Shucked for some tasty oysters – a la Kilpatrick and a Virgin Mary.

As we were waiting for our ‘Mother In Laws Kilpatrick‘ to cook a family visiting from China pulled in and were most delighted to pat Maisy, who was tied up at the gate greeting these visitors with a zesty wag of her tail.  They were so taken by their experience that the ‘Mum’ pulled out her selfie stick and took several photos of her and Maisy – who obliged accordingly.

There were gushes over our little curly-haired blondies with more photos taken, in front of the signs and with their oysters.

As I wandered back over the road in our gumboots, onto the beach and into the dinghy with our dog and two blondies in tow, this experience got me thinking.  Thinking about the contrasts of life.  We live in this ‘isolated’ southern island, with desolate beaches, bush as far as the eye can see, savouring seafood that is freshly plucked from the ocean and enjoying simple days with our family.  I wondered what kind of world they lived in – a high rise in Shanghai, surrounded by a billion people perhaps?

I love living our life in our Tasmanian home, but there are so many ‘lives’ to be lived in all manner of locations.  I sometimes forget how ‘the other half’ live until I am reminded of my past travelling days or when I meet new people who marvel at all the unique values of Tasmania.

So Maisy is probably famous on some Chinese website by now, but we are still tinkering away on the water, fossicking for shells, picking flowers, marvelling at dolphins and making more family memories.  Xx

Get Shucked

Get Shucked

Get Shucked

Get Shucked

Great Bay

Great Bay

Great Bay - Bruny Island

Great Bay - Bruny Island

Great Bay - Bruny Island

Great Bay - Bruny Island

Great Bay - Bruny Island

Great Bay - Bruny Island

Great Bay - Bruny Island

Great Bay - Bruny Island

Great Bay - Bruny Island

Freshly picked flowers

Flowers and starters

Sunrise

Missionary Bay

Sunrise

Dolphins

Dolphins

Missionary Bay

Poppy and her shell necklace

Swinging on the fenders

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Winter Boating

Curly James

Thank you to our lovely little heater on board, it enables us to spend time away on our boat all year round.

There is nothing quite as cosy as settling in for a night on the boat after a hearty meal, playing board games or catching up with friends who are rafted up next to you.  I love climbing into our cosy bed and sleeping soundly, especially if there is a gentle roll.

This long weekend was no exception as we were away for three nights on Bruny Island.  We left on Friday afternoon and met our friends Jacinta and Brett, Frazer and Amanda and their gorgeous girls at the Kettering Pub for dinner.  The kids had their own table and loved their Fish & Chips, whilst we enjoyed some wine, hearty pub fare and good conversation.

The next day included a spot of fishing, afternoon naps, fireworks, an evening roast cooked on Mistraal and too much sparkling wine!  The girls all huddled together in a bunk watching a movie and James slept soundly.

On Sunday we went to the Bruny Island House of Whiskey for lunch with more of our friends from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.  James was carried around like a doll by all the girls which enabled Nick and I to relax in this very scenic location.

On Monday morning we returned back to Hobart in high winds and a good squall of 40 – 50 knot winds.  Our little crew handled the seas well and James barely looked up from his Peppa Pig episode.  We made it back into the Marina feeling slightly relieved.

I love our time away on the boat and look forward to more winter trips soon.  Xx

Spellbound

Popsy have a snooze

Games

The new dinghy

Popsy and her Dad

The girls

Me & Amanda

The Crew

BISH

Cubby house bandits!

Patting the sheep on Bruny Island

James & Poppy

James

Heading home

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