The traditional Christmas Eve cruise on the Huon

For the third year in a row, we spent Christmas Eve with lovely friends on The Nancy, a 100 year old motor launch now owned and run by Franklin's Living Boat Trust. We cruised through the Egg Island Canal and around the top of the islands before heading back down the Huon River towards Franklin. It's great to see the other side of properties we normally see driving past on the highway. The weather was very 'Tasmanian' - a bit of sun, a bit of rain - but it didn't matter one bit. Our skipper Martin definitely got a bit damp at the helm, while the rest of us were able to retreat under cover with snacks and a beverage. Plus, we were rewarded with a stunning rainbow, the pot of gold somewhere at the bottom of the river between Franklin and Huonville. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Specially steam boat

Last weekend there was a steam boat rally from Franklin up the river to Huonville and back. In fact there were all types of powered boat - electric, motor and human - all looked so beautiful out on the Huon on a hot sunny Sunday morning. We would have loved to take up the offer of a ride on the Nancy, but we were looking forward to meeting old friends from Sydney at Willie Smiths for lunch, so we had to pass. It was such a beautiful day to be sipping cider too!

The title of this post comes from a Thai restaurant menu David and I have kept since the 1990s. The description of each dish was generally one word more than its name and provided no additional clue as to its contents. So the dish called 'Steam Boat' was described as 'Specially Steam Boat.' A tropical cocktail bore the description 'A refreshing tropical'. We were none the wiser.

Wooden Boat Festival 2017

The organisers of this year's Australian Wooden Boat Festival (held every two years in Hobart) must be happy. It was absolutely packed when we visited this morning. The super-mega-enormous cruise liner in port at Hobart must have just offloaded its entire passenger load onto the docks. So. Many. People. We had a quick look at some beautiful boats, large and small, but couldn't cope with the crush and made a rapid escape. Next weekend, it's Franklin's turn, when the St. Ayles Skiff Regatta returns to the Huon. Come and join in the fun.

Christmas cruising

It's the second time we've done it, so it's a tradition now. A Christmas Eve cruise on the Huon, aboard the beautiful Nancy, with good friends, food and a drop or two of sparkling. Thank you to skipper Brian and crew Nell for ferrying us rowdy lot through the Egg Island Canal, up river towards Huonville and back again. Glorious sunny weather too. How lucky we are.

Build me a boat

And then there were three! A third St. Ayles Skiff built in Franklin was launched on the Huon River under a perfect sunny blue sky today, as part of the Swiftsure Regatta. The community gathered on the shore to wish her well. Speeches were made. Scotch whisky was poured over the bow. She was named 'Freyja', after the goddess from Norse mythology. The Little Boat Choir sang appropriately boaty songs, and into the water she went, alongside Billie and Imagine. Wonderful.

The water is wide, I can't get o'er
And neither have I wings to fly
Build me a boat that will carry two
And both shall row, my love and I.

[folk song of Scottish origin]

Calm water sailing

One afternoon this week we had a special treat - a sail on Huon River on board the beautiful Yukon. It's hard to believe she's been living in Franklin for five years now, along with her lovely owner family, David, Ea and their sons. You too can sit back and enjoy the views, take a look around below deck and hear the story of the ship's restoration and journey from Denmark - book your 90 minute calm water cruise here.

From the water

Taking advantage of a warm late Autumn day, yesterday we took Gwendoline (a.k.a. Tinnie McTinface) for a spin on the Huon River. I say "spin", but she goes at a relatively sedate space with her small outboard motor. Sporting our new red and yellow life vests, we headed out from Franklin, through the Egg Island Canal (startling a pademelon living on the island), around the top of the island, then south towards Castle Forbes Bay before turning for home. It was a seriously pleasant way to spend a couple of hours on a sunny morning. From the water, you get a completely different perspective on our village and the surrounding hills. We're both keen to do more exploring next time favourable conditions arise. Today would not fit into that category. We're back to the wind and rain of last week again at our place.

Tinnie

Ever since we moved to Franklin, a river town full of mad keen boaties and fisherfolk, David has been keen to take a tinnie* for a potter about on the Huon River. After finding out how rubbish I am at rowing, I thought it would be a nice idea too. The waterways around here are begging to be explored, picnicked on and camped along. So here she is: Gwendoline. Picked up on Gumtree from a nice chap on the other side of Hobart. Next job: acquire a small outboard motor.

* Small aluminium boat [Aust. Coll.]