We were up early and out the door for another bushwalk this morning! This time a leisurely stroll to The Springs on Mount Wellington with my dear friend, Sam.
We had two little hitch-hikers (James & Scarlett), a dog (Maisy) and a blonde tour guide (Poppy) – who loves learning plant names! She added the Tasmanian Snowberry, Pink Mountain Berry and Melaleuca to her repertoire this morning. Bless.
Our children love their food so much, they even sing about it!
We enjoyed a low-key long weekend in Hobart and headed to Fortescue Bay for a day walk to Cape Hauy yesterday. This walk is part of the 60 Great Short Walks of Tasmania and I am hoping to tick a few off this year with the family:
The Cape Hauy Track leads from Fortescue Bay, just near the boat ramp. The walk passes through a variety of heath and woodland before coming to the magnificent views of steep cliffs and rock formations.
The spectacular dolerite columns and cliffs at Cape Hauy are popular areas for climbing and abseiling. Sea stacks, the “Candlestick” and “Totem Pole” at Cape Hauy are used by climbers and are not, you may be pleased to know, a part of this short walk!
I carried James in the Ergobaby whilst Poppy walked the majority of the way on her own. She would bound from rock to rock and then complain her legs were tired, where we would distract her with a sighting of a skink or a banksia, and she would be on her way again. Nick only carried her in the pack for a few steep steps.
We didn’t quite make it out to the Cape, but did get a glimpse of the mighty cliffs. I loved being in the bush with James pointing up to the sounds of the birds and Poppy remembering the botanical name of Cutting Grass!
On Sunday Nick and Poppy went out on the water whilst James and I met Cath at the Farm Gate Market for a wander and a cuppa. We finished off the day with fish & chips where James proceeded to suck on lemons … go figure? Xx
I have finally weaned James. I know, I know – he is nearly 20 months old and clearly doesn’t need to be breastfed anymore, but I struggled every time I tried to wean him. I was also lazy – it was so much easier feeding him than schlep downstairs to fill a bottle with milk, heat it up and head back upstairs again.
I also loved the connection I felt every night as he would play with my hand, necklace or jumper and look up at me with such innocent eyes, full of love.
On Friday night I gave him a bottle and after a bit of protesting on his behalf, he did drink most of it. I tucked him into bed and I burst into tears. I was surprised by the emotion, but I felt overwhelmed that our little boy is growing up. Since his challenging start in life with a birth weight of 2.0 kilos, I realised I have subconsciously over-compensated by feeding him – to ‘fatten’ him up! It is now an end of an era for me and I recently worked out that I fed Poppy for 14 months, James for 20 months, with a combined total of 34 months or nearly 3 years!! Yikes.
Looking on the bright side, I will now have my body back and more energy to run around with him. Little man, thank you for the most amazing experience – I love seeing you prosper each and every day!
Nick managed to get his hands on some tickets to see the Foo Fighters in a corporate suite when they played in Hobart on Monday night.
We both had big days at work and were grizzling about not feeling like going to a concert on a school night. I was missing my yoga class and wasn’t able to find a babysitter at the last-minute and in the end had to pay a babysitting agency!
Moan, moan, moan … we walked into the Derwent Entertainment Centre (DEC) and thoughts of yoga quickly disappeared as we were escorted up to the Corporate Suite where I delicately placed my cardigan on a chair, next to a fridge stocked with Joseph Chromy Sparkling and hors-d’oeuvre, surrounded by our friends. I can’t go back to the mosh … no-one pushed me, spilt drinks on me or yelled in my ears – it was all very civilised but we still rocked with the best of them!
Dave Grohl entered with his band and continued to wow his audience for the next two and a half hours. It was a tremendous concert and one that I won’t forget in a hurry.
In all the excitement Nick and I forgot to have the “Who’s driving?” chat and after several glasses of sparkling and rocking on we ended up getting a lift home with Depha. Waking a little rusty the next day, we had the realisation that the car was still at the DEC. After maneuvering Hobart’s peak-hour with a hangover to retrieve the car, only to find it was locked in and looking a little lonely. A trusty groundsman opened the gates and gave us a knowing wave! The day was a tough one at work, but it was well worth it!
My favourite time of year has arrived and just like that the sun feels a little bit softer. Xx
I am an old-fashioned kind of girl and still wear an analogue watch … tick-tock. I love knowing that a quick glance down to my wrist gives me all the information I need … am I going to be late for work; is it time to get James and Poppy’s lunch ready or most importantly … is it time for bed yet? Ha ha!
I have worn the above Emporio Armani watch for 13 years now and it hasn’t missed a beat. I love the simplicity, yet its subtle style – as it looks more like a bracelet than a watch.
However, I was walking past a jewellery shop in Hobart yesterday when the colourful watch bands from the Daniel Wellington range caught my eye. I love the clear watch face and those preppy watch bands to match any boating blue.
And then there is my dream watch … the Hermés Cape Cod PM. So divine in every way. Sigh …. x
Instead of heading ‘downstream’ to the D’Entrecasteaux Channel like we usually do on the boat, we headed ‘upstream’.
We joined a cruise organised by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and went to New Norfolk for the weekend with seven other boats. It was refreshing to discover new shores, swim in fresh water and enjoy the hot, hot weather. x
Today is my 700th post on The Poppy Files! I am still ticking away with my blog and have enjoyed sharing more experiences of our Tasmanian life since the 600th post last June.
Enjoy your weekend and thanks for popping by. Xx
It could go ‘pear shaped’ trying to preserve a tree laden full of fruit again with James and Poppy at home, but at least I will have two little helpers?!
The Poppy Files 