The Royal Coastal Walk

Almost seven years on from our big move south, there are only a few things I still miss about Sydney. Our old Japanese style yoga class with Damien Lovelock at Manly Warringah Leagues Club. Our afternoon walks up to the dog park in Narraweena where the dogs played while owners chatted. And most of all, weekly trek training with Wild Women on Top. It's not that I don't go hiking here in Tassie, but on a walk last Sunday I remembered why Wild Women is different. It's all in the attitude. You get fitness, support, friendship and constant inspiration to set new hiking goals. Great tips from the coaches along the way. Everyone looks out for each other. And the walks are punctuated with special moments, like the treats that everyone brings to share, or swimming in a waterhole in your undies.

Last Sunday ten ladies plus coaches walked about 30km in Sydney's Royal National Park, along the Royal Coastal Walk from Otford at the southern end of the park to Bundeena, along stunning beaches and over spectacular headlands. Many people complete it in two days, camping along the way, but we did it in one.Thankfully the temperatures had dropped from the 40+ degrees of the previous weekend. Now that I'm used to walking in cooler climes, I'm not sure I'd cope on such a hot day.

I felt ashamed that most of the women I walked with had done more hiking in Tasmania than I have, and inspired to set new hiking goals. Amazingly, I could still walk just fine in heels at work the next day! Thank you coach Jo and team, it was a fabulous day out.

Sydney morning walks

I have been away all week for work in Sydney. Each day, I got up at 5.45 and was out walking by 6.00am. My walks there were quite different to those at home. It was light. Even at night, it's light. No need for a head torch. I walked on pavements. There were other people around. Shops and cafes were open. I wore shorts! I know sometimes I am negative about Sydney, and there are very good reasons I wanted to leave, but I do love her. Isn't she stunning?

Two years in Tassie

Today we are celebrating two years since arriving in Tasmania after the big move south. Boy has that flown. We feel so settled here and yet still like the new kids. We love our new chosen home and are so glad we made the move.

Some things I have lost:

• One cat
• One sedan (swapped for a ute)
• Some fitness and flexibility
• The ability to walk in heels
• Clean shoes
• Cable internet and a home phone number
• Online grocery shopping deliveries
• A few friends

Some things I have gained:

• One (more) dog
• Six chooks (current total after losing one)
• New skills, like filleting a salmon and baking bread
• A garden that's growing some food
• A love of cider and nice pinot
• Clean air and water
• Gold frequent flyer status
• Broader horizons
• A fantastic new community of friends.

And much more besides. More than anything, we've gained a new optimism and excitement about the future that simply got lost in the day to day slog in Sydney. Here's to the next two years. There's so much more of Tasmania we haven't even seen yet.

All that glitters

I loved the following description of a certain type of blogger in a very funny recent post on chef Steve Cumper's blog:

My life is so dreamy and your isn’t
These bloggers are responsible for affluenza-like symptoms of envy in readers as they grow, harvest and cook in their desirable homes which resonate with overwhelming creativity and appreciation for the aesthetic life. A difficult life to emulate from one’s council flat.

I can see myself in several of the blogger types listed, but this one made me think. I have certainly felt envious after reading others' blogs. It's not that I feel jealous of their life - I like my own very much - but most definitely of their talents. The abundant vegetable gardens, creative photography, music, craft and DIY masterpieces, pretty pastel cupcakes and sumptuous dinner party menus... sigh. It's not just blogs of course. I have been an avid reader of Country Style magazine for many years while I dreamed of and plotted an escape from the suburbs, but I must say the pages full of creative people eating their own organic produce and raising delightful children on their stunning, historic rural properties mostly make me think: "how the hell can they afford it?!!" Are they all semi-retired investment bankers?

That comment on Steve's blog made me think about what we post and what we don't; what we are prepared to tell close friends versus complete strangers; what is the truth behind the photos on the blog. I guess tales of financial woes, health issues, battles with bureaucracy, family feuds, bouts of depression and stress at work are unlikely to make entertaining reading and best kept private. 'Be generous of spirit' is a wise guideline once given to me for online interaction, if you don't wish it to come back and bite you on the backside. Be positive. Glass half full and all that.

Looking at my blog this week, you'd think there I was enjoying the frosty mornings in the Huon Valley, looking out over our newly planted fruit trees and hiking in the great outdoors. But the truth is here I am in Sydney for work, sitting in a tiny fluorescent lit hotel room on my computer until late. Not exactly idyllic, but it most certainly means I have something to look forward to.

Sydney to Hobart

A nice bloke who David used to work with was on the yacht Terra Firma in this year's Sydney to Hobart race, and yesterday (after having dinner with friends at the Shipwright's Arms) we managed to see them cross the finish line and then say hello at Constitution Dock. He has been in the Sydney to Hobart race nine times. To me the whole thing seems an incredibly amazing feat. And when you get up close to these boats and see the size of them and the high-tech equipment on board, it's even more impressive. It was a beautiful warm day in Hobart yesterday, but there wasn't a lot of wind to help the yachts get along the Derwent River to the finish line.

We also popped in to the Taste Festival but have to say didn't enjoy it. I guess being in packed hot places with long queues and nowhere to sit was what we were trying to get away from in moving from Sydney. Maybe we'll pop in again at a different time if we're back in Hobart this week.

Things I don't miss about Sydney

A work trip to Sydney this week got me thinking about this. Some of the things I really don't miss about the place include:

• Beige cubicles in the office
• Bus travel and sitting in traffic on Military Road
• The taste (and look) of the water. Tank water is brilliant
• Feeling grubby thanks to the pollution
• Being unable to park anywhere near where you want to go
• Angry, aggressive people who are happy to (literally) tread on you rather than let you in.

Things I do miss about Sydney:

• Banter with the locals at the doggy park in Narraweena most afternoons
• Trek training with Wild Women on Top
• Yoga with Damien Lovelock at Manly Leagues Club
• Woolworths Homeshop - big stress buster and essential in Sydney
• Rupee Room Indian restaurant at Collaroy - so far the only decent curries I've had here in Tasmania are ones I've cooked myself.

And I would say our friends and family, except truth be told we didn't see most of them as often as we should have in Sydney either. Life just got in the way too much.

Celebrating three months in Tasmania

Just three months ago today, we drove off the Spirit of Tasmania and headed south to collect the keys for our new home. Then spent a week sleeping on the lounge until our container of stuff arrived. When I think back to that, it feels like we've come a long way since then. To celebrate three months in our new home, I posted a little story on the Discover Tasmania website - you can read it here.