Huon Show 2011

Yesterday we visited the Huon Show, or as some of the locals say, the 'Ewan Show' (I also loved Amy's spelling 'Yoowan Show'), held at the showgrounds in Ranelagh. We enjoyed it just as much as last year. Our plan to go later and avoid the parking queue worked. We ran into a few friends, patted some (other) Bernese Mountain Dogs and looked at the goats, alpacas, cattle and poultry. Watched the 'grand parade'. Consumed a pork bratwurst with sauerkraut, a cider and an apple and cinnamon ice cream.

This year I especially enjoyed Brian Fish's bullock driving demonstration. He conducted the six enormous bullocks like an orchestra, it was quite a thing to watch. I love the draught horses too. The biggest crowd however gathered to watch the annual Rural Youth dog high jump competition. The cute fluffy varieties were knocked out early on, leaving the kelpies and cattle dogs as the serious contenders. The winner jumped a good 2.5 metres. The weather smiled on the valley again for a lovely day out. I do love a good agricultural show.

 

 

Evening sun

Have I mentioned before how much I LOVE daylight saving? Already, it's light here in southern Tasmania until after 8.00pm. As the sun sets behind us, it lights up the tips of the Snug Tiers opposite in pink. So pretty. The tallest peak in the picture (second from right) is Grey Mountain at about 830 metres.

I was totally confused visiting Brisbane a few weeks ago, where it was light at 4.00am and dark by 6.15pm. And next week I'll be back in the dark at a conference in Queensland. Something seems terribly wrong about that, when they have such a warm climate.

Killer views

I have seen some dreadfully corny property names driving around Tasmania so far. Like the one as you drive into Franklin called Sanctuary Much... On the weekend, driving over Woodbridge Hill towards Cygnet I saw a property named 2 C Forever and groaned... until I turned the corner and saw the view, that is. Just wow. It's not a good photo as I was driving into the late afternoon sun, but check out the array of peaks in the distance, including Adamsons Peak, The Calf, Mount Snowy, Hartz Peak and (I think) Mount Picton. Just stunning.

It must be spring...

The grass is growing at a remarkable pace.

Lilly the cat moves between the sunshine and the shade.

 

Plants are putting on a growth spurt, including these young beetroot.

Snug Falls

The weather was so perfect yesterday, it was begging us to spend the day outside. We drove to Kingston Beach with the dogs in the morning, and even gave the salty, sandy, hairy ones a bath on our return. Baerli's toes turned out to be white underneath the reddish brown clay colour they've been for months.

In the afternoon, I went on a short walk to Snug Falls. It's an easy walk on a well-maintained path down to the falls, which as you can see are tall and had plenty of water flowing. There are park benches thoughtfully provided along the path as you reach the top of the hill on the way back. It's about a 45 minute walk, let's say an hour if you stop to admire and take photos as I did.

A favourite sign in Huonville

Carnies

The annual pilgrimage of the caravans, Winnebagos and campervans to southern Tasmania started in full force last week. The car park and motor home facilities in Franklin have been upgraded recently, but the camping area remains about as attractive as before (see below). Luckily the beautiful riverside location and views compensate.