Bottled water rant

Woolies New Town, about an hour ago: The LARGE BOTTLE of WATER is cheaper than the SMALL BOTTLE of WATER by 11 cents. That's $3.27 for a LITRE of WATER versus $5.91 for a LITRE of WATER. The difference? The smaller one has a coloured lid and a Disney picture. Yeah, the supermarkets are all about the consumer.

Camping @ Bay of Fires

Jeaneret's Beach. Lots more photos here.

A bunch of us headed to the north east coast of Tasmania last weekend for a camping expedition to the beautiful Bay Of Fires. The majority of us were there from Friday night till Tuesday, so had a good chance to settle in and get with the earth.

The weather was absolutley perfect. I think we had about twenty minutes of rain. the water was beautiful, and we were swimming constantly, both at the beach and in a couple of lagoons. Katie and I even got to road test a tent (thanks Braz & Sophie) before we decide on what we'll go with.

Of course there was much drinking, sitting round the fire and other general merriment. "Fivesies" is a new tradition at the end of the afternoon, nad funnily, a continuation of "Happy hour" that I remember my parents and their friends indulging in when we camped as kids.

And then, on the way home, we stopped off in reputedly Tasmania's smallest town (the town signs in both directions are on the same pole!), Llandaff, where Katie's Great x6 (and our kid's Great x7) Grandfather, Robert Barber was buried in 1870. Katie's Dad, Ivan knows some of his story:

"John Barber was a convict, transported from Great Yarmouth for stealing a length of rope. He somehow ended up woking for the Lynne family, there are several Lynne family graves at Llandaff. They owned the Apslawn estate, Sir William Lynne was the first premier of NSW. The Lynne family financed John Barber's return to England where his conviction was quashed. He then obviously returned to Apslawn..."

Tassie, everybody's got a connection!

There's a lot more photos in this album here.

Mojitos on Murray Street?

Spotted flying above a building opposite the State Treasury today:

Is there another plan afoot for March 20?
Viva Cuba!

Launch of The "Admiral"

Judy, Harry, Brent and I headed down to Huonville earlier today to see the launch of the "Admiral", a 28ft rowboat, which, as it was built in 1865 is the oldest boat still in existence in Australia. Restored by Dad's mate Bern "The old man of the sea" Cuthbertson and a cast of dozens ("The Admiralty"), she was relaunched today and is currently being rowed to Hobart re next Saturday at 11am, she will be greeted as she she ties up at her original berth of 145 years ago, Waterman's Dock.

It was a great local event, with a couple of dignitaries and some media in attendance (where WAS the Mayor of Huonville though? Surely not too busy?), a trio playing sea shanties, and old salts and kids galore all having a great time in the dismal fog on the side of the river.

The Admiral was one of Hobart's first ferries, built in 1865, and was licensed to carry thirty passengers across the Derwent. Once in fact, she ferried the whole Tasmanian Cabinet from Hobart to Bellerive (some may wish for today's Cabinet to be put on a ferry, perhaps not just to Bellerive though).

As Lord Mayor Rob Valentine put it, it's great to have this touchstone to Hobart's early years restored to working condition again. Let's just hope the powers that be can find somewhere to display her.

As usual, there's a bunch of photos of the launch, and also of the Admiral on her way downstream to Franklin right here.

And here's the ABC's version of events.

Tasmanian BeerFest 2009

Well, the concept is finally right!

After four years or so, and three venues, the Tasmanian Beerfest 2009 at Princes Wharf was an absolute corker!

Lots of independent and major breweries from Tasmania and the mainland were there, pouring their liquid amber (and brown and black) for all to taste and enjoy. The weather was perfect at about 18 degrees, the crowd was happy, the food quality, and the music original (take a hint, Taste of Tasmania organisers!).


Photo by Harry Plimpton

Andrew and I even got in on the behind action, looking after the Tas Home Brew Supplies stand for half an hour or so while Mick went for a fag and a feed. He'd put together 100 litres of a tasty little wheat pale number, which they were giving away! Needless to say, the THBS stand was a very popular attraction (while it lasted).


Yep, congrats must go to the crew who organised the festival. Long may it stay independent and reign on Hobart's late spring calendar.

There's an album of photos right here.

James Squire is Coming to Town

UPDATE 11 DECEMBER: Squires Salamanca Pub opened for business yesterday, under ownership of Paul and Tony Jubb, of the Customs House Hotel and other Sullivan's Cove drinking establishments. As yet there is no brewery on premises. Premier David Bartlett was spotted with a sly ten ounce there on the pub's second day of trade.

In what could be a bit of a shake-up for landlords in Hobart, the James Squire sub-brand of Tooheys-Lion Nathan (which is in turn owned by Japanese conglomerate Kirin Holdings, who also own Boags and PURA MILK) will be rolling out a microbrewery and pub in the Salamanca Square entertainment district of town.

According to their website, there are already four James Squire "Brewhouses" around the country.

In fact, we had drinks at the Sydney one the day after our wedding. It was a grand day. The food was expensive, the beer was great (yet also expensive), and some of it was made on premises. It will be interesting to see what the ratio of "Salamanca" product will be to their main brands, which currently come out of their brewery in Sydney (though could they now switch some production to Boag's Esk Brewery? Ve shall see).

Anyhow, it's good beer, and a new concept for Hobart (well, since St Ives closed it's microbrewery quite some years ago). It will be interesting to see how it goes, and how it affects the local scene.

I saw one local publican scurrying in the direction of the building site earlier today, after MD and Head Brewer, Chuck Hahn, announced on local radio that they would be opening soon. How soon? I spoke to a builder on site today, and he said they were aiming for four weeks from today. Which, if you look at my picture of the site, will be a sterling effort.

Anyhow, I daresay I'll be there on opening day, contributing to Kirin's bottom line (sorry, Tas Dairy Farmers) and celebrating another step in what is the renaissance of quality beer in Australia.

Actually, is it a renaissance or a whole new era?

There's some pix of the site here.

Pearn's Steam Up Weekend

Katie and I tripped up to Westbury on Saturday for the annual Pearn's Steam Up Weekend.

Pearn's are basically a family owned agricultural contracting business that has been around for the best part of a century, and it seems they haven't ever got rid of any of their machinery. There's some pretty impressive stuff there.

My fave would have to be the huge black brontosauras-esque traction engine. Amazing to see it in full Victorian fire breathing action.

Anyhow, there's a heap of photos here.

Highly reccomended if you're touring the area.

The Terminus Hotel Then and Now

The Terminus Hotel in Launceston was owned by my Great Grandfather, John Tynan in the 1880's and 1890's. Here's a picture of (presumably) him and some other likely types outside it in approximately 1886. The image belongs to the State Library of Tasmania:

(Click for larger version)

And here's a pic Katie took of me outside the building some 123 years later. It ceased as The Terminus about 25 years ago, and it now trades as the City Park Grand Hotel and restaurant, unfortunately not a barrel or tap in sight:

(click for full size image)

John Tynan was quite a well known Launceston identity and at one stage played football in a Brewery/Landlords' league with one Mr James Boag, proprietor of Boag's Brewery, which is situated pretty well opposite the Terminus Hotel.

I found an obituary for John Tynan in The Axeman's Journal and Sporting News, July 1901 edition:

Click on the image for a readable version.

Envirocrime: Grape Bar, Salamanca

I was just walking along Salamanca, it's a beautifully sunny Monday lunchtime. Seventeen degrees celsius according to the radio.

Grape Bar - no customers inside or out, six electric radiators going full pelt underneath their exterior umbrellas. I walked in to just tell them of this oversight, as I thought it must have been.

"Hi, you've got your radiators on outisde"
"What?"
"Your outside radiators are on, and it's almost twenty degrees out there."
"No, they're on because some people like them on."
"But there's nobody there, it's a bit wasteful don't you think?"
Blank stare. Walk out of bar.

I mean ter say, these outdoor space heaters are enough of a blight on the environment (wear a jacket or go inside if you're cold!), let alone having them pumping the hydrocarbons when it's sunny in the middle of the day.

As any good Hobartian knows.....

......you'd best not have your car parked at the Domain when faced with this view at lunchtime.

In a not totally unrelated story, I know a bloke who was chained to the mooring rings on these steps at low tide and left there for the day as part of his buck's celebrations.

A Visit to Two Metre Tall Brewery

Click on images for full size.

Dani & Ant, Katie & I tripped out past New Norfolk on the banks of the Derwent today on a real ale pilgramage to Jane & Ashley Huntington's Brewery, Two Metre Tall. I first ran into 2MT at the Hobart Beer Festival in 2007, and we've been trying to get out to their HQ ever since, but it took CAMRA loyallists' Dani & Ant's visit to get us in the Mercedes and steam out to Plenty.

It's a compact operation, but pumps out some amazing product, from the Derwent Clear Ale, to the (Beautiful) Cleansing Ale, and the Oyster Stout that they contract brew for the Barilla restauarant near the airport (it's made with real oysters, shell n all!).

Jane & Ashley are most hospitable folk, and we totally recommend that you give them a dial and go visit. Otherwise, their product is on tap in a few pubs and restaurants around the state.


I don't know if the inhabitants of the Hayes Jail Farm down the road are lucky enough to get a barrel here and there though.

Top marks all round!

Tassie Scallops are Back!

After a break of three and a half years, the Bass Strait scallop fishery re-opened this week for commercial takes. The first harvest hit Hobart today. They look good and plump, the price is almost reasonable, and I can't wait to tuck in to some (very lightly fried in butter and garlic) very very soon.

The curried scallop pies will be pretty bloody good for a while too. Check out where the best in Tasmania are are right here.

Bridgewater Jerry, 22 May 2009

View down Warwick Street to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
Click image for full size

The Bridgewater Jerry has been lurking around Hobart a fair bit over the last week or so. Finally I remembered to take my camera with me.

There's a few more photos here.

Hobart's ANZAC Day Parade

ALBUM OF PHOTOS HERE

Uncle Ian (behind RH shoulder of marshall in orange jacket) marches down Macquarie Street with his comrades. Larger view here.

Ian with a comrade in New Guinea, April 1944.

It was bucketing with rain on ANZAC Day morning. I'm sure the Dawn Service musty have been pretty hard going. But, come 10am, an hour before the main parade kicks off, the rain decided to abate.

I headed down to the city, camera in hand ready to watch, and to get a couple of photos of my Uncle, Ian Tynan who served in the RAAF in New Guinea in WWII.

I got a perfect spot, right outside The Mercury building, and directly opposite the Town Hall, where the Governor takes the salute.

First off down Macquarie Street were five infrantry on their horses. Then came those no longer able to walk the parade route, ferried in buses, taxis and WWII Jeeps.

After that, came the various units and battalions, starting with the Boer War, then to WWI (our grandfather, Algy Tynan fought in the 1/12th). It's quite poignant and emotional to see the signs for the units being borne by schoolchildren, with no actual servicemen left. Pop died in 1974, and I think Tasmania's last WWI Veteran died about three or four years ago. I have quite vivid memories of going to the marches with Mum, Dad and Brent when we were kids.

Pop's Battalion, the 1/12th.

A War memorial Portrait of Pop, 1914.

The crew of the HMAS Darwin, in town for ANZAC Day duty were impressive as they marched past with "eyes righted" to the plinth.

As it got to the WWII units, I was keeping my eyes peeled for Ian and his crew. I don't know what happened, but I bloody well missed him as he marched straight past my vantage point. Luckily, I got a picture of the RAAF unit just as it left Franklin Square, and can make Ian out in the shot. Still, quite dissapointing that I missed him.

It's funny how my attitude has changed over the years, from a kid not really understanding what it was all about, to young adult, not wanting anything to do with the march, apart from the opportunity for another holiday, to now, where I'm thinking about what these people must have gone through, and how they're still here today. While I'm by no means a proponent of war as a means of resolving anything, I do thank those who marched, and those who didn't or couldn't for all they've done and been through for the greater good. And Ian, I'll get a much better picture next year!

ALBUM OF PHOTOS HERE

Morgan Mark & Scott do Tassie

Album of pictures here

Reece Dam spillway.

Morgan kindly decided to cross the ditch and come over to Tasmania over Easter. Of course, Mark and I sumised, this was cause for a roadtrip.

We picked the intrepid Dr Read up from Hobart International on Good Friday morning, and immediately set about heading west. Initial pub stops were at the Gretna Green and Derwent Bridge pubs. I decided to grace the public bar of one of the pubs in beautiful Queenstown while the lads did battle with the local greasy takeaway. Queenstown really is a unique place!

After Queenstown, we scooted up to Zeehan and in to Trial Harbour, a beautiful windswept bay dead on the West Coast proper. After a brisk stroll along the beach and a visit to the history rooms, we departed Trial and headed for our accomodation at the Heemskirk Motor Inn. I suspected we may have been up for a ropey meal when I asked if the seafood basket was local. "Nuh" came the swift reply. Rightio, steak and veg it was then. Kinda hard to bugger that one up I reckon. Ordered rare, it came out medium-rare. Perfecto (oops, it was Good friday! Sorry, pope!).

Post dinner saw us demolish a few coldies and start on the Glenmorangie back in the motel room.

Saturday we departed beautiful Zeehan by 9.30, and pointed Mark's Henry in the general direction of Cradle Mountain. We ended up going over the Pieman River Road, and across the Reece Dam. Think we went almost two hours without seeing another vehicle. No matter your thoughts re: the mighty Hydro, they did build some bloody amazing infrastructure in their time. after a reasonable lunch and (finally) some caffeine at the Cradle Mountain Chateau (of course, owned by Federal and funded by Pokie revenue) we entered the National Park and did a three point five hour walk to Marion's Lookout, just below the summit of Cradle Mountain. Spectacular views all round, for sure.

On the Overland Track

Saturday night we stayed at the Gowrie Park Backpacker accomodation, at $15 for individual two-bunk unit things, the place was pretty basic, but after a hearty meal at the Sheffield Pub and much home brew and whisky in the common room, we all slept like dead men.
Sunday morning we departed via brekky at a cafe in Sheffield for a pretty straightforward belt back to Hobart.

You've gotta love a roadtrip!

There's a full Album of pictures here, by the way.

Mark surveys all at his feet.

At Marion's Lookout. Cradle Mountain in background.

Today on Sullivans Cove

There's a ship (The Bryggen from Bergen) tied up on Macquarie Wharf. They've flooded the front holds so as they can work on the propellor or something similar.

A spot of hog tyin and sausage makin

Katie and I went down to visit Duncan and Jeannie at Gordon's Knob yesterday. Armed with our trusty Moulinex mincer, our main aim was to make some sausages with some of the pork from the pigs that were slaughtered around Christmas time. Another task was to help Duncan move one of the piglets he had sold to a couple down the road. After a couple of doses of Dutch Courage, we went down to the shed where the three piglets and Mother Darcy were staying. We led Darcy to the paddock across the road, so as she didn't start getting too wild while we were taking her progeny away. This part of the operation went quite nicely, with her quite happy to follow the bucket of feed through the gates.

Once Darcy was redomiciled, we set to with shifting the piglet. The three of them were gated in the shed with a couple of upturned apple crates. with Katie making sure they couldn't push the crates over while we were going for the capture, Duncan and I entered the pen. Check this video to see the result.

If the video doesn't work, it's on YouTube here as well.

The bastards jumped over the apple crates, off to the to the top paddock and way away from us real quick. Anyhow, that was pig capture over for the evening. We led Darcy back to the shed so as to attract the piglets back, and headed back to the house, pork chops and potatoes and some cold homebrew.

The sausage making was a much more succesful operation. We blended 1500 grams of pork with a few breadcrumbs, some white and balck pepper, some salt, a pinch of mace and 45 leaves of sage from our garden in West Hobart. Fed the lot throught the mincer, stuffed it in the casings by way of funnel and reamer, exclude the air, twist and tie.

And hey presto, our first bunch of bangers! We left them overnight to let the flavours settle in, and had them for breakfast.

Absolutely sensational, if I do say so myself. We had some mince left over, so Katie whipped together for a couple of post-breakfast scotch eggs, which were equally scrum!

We'll be getting into some more sausage making real soon, that's for sure. It's nice to have proper, 100% pork snags rather than the more predominant beef that seems to be the norm in Australia. they even put it in salami over here!

Oh, and the pig shifting...we managed to do it. The screaming is something you really don't want to subject yourself to. I was holding the front legs with the buggers face next to mine, and Duncan managed to sustain a trotter in the ribs. Both scarred for life I think!

There's an album of photos of the whole pork fuelled adventure right here.

A day up the Florentine

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR FULL PERSPECTIVE

Pernilla, Don, Christine & myself went for a day trip to the Upper Florentine Valley the other day to check out some of the awesome Tasmanian wilderness, as well as the "Exclusion Zone" declared by Forestry Tasmania while they construct a road into the heart of the valley with the express aim of ripping out as much timber as possible. We met up with some of the "possums" camped up there under the "Still Wild Still threatened" banner, and doing their level best to protect the forest from the ravages of large scale, old school forestry. The structures, treesits and other assorted blockade devices are quite ingenious.

If you get the chance, go up there and have a look...it's only 100km from Hobart, and will galvanise your opinion on what the Bartlett Government should be doing in terms of forestry policy.


The walk was fantastic. We must have traversed five different types of environment in an hour and a half, from reasonable rainforest with 80 metre high (at a guess) eucalypts to fern covered plains to the beautiful Florentine River. It's an easy walk if you're semi fit. Take some lunch and your camera. And some food for the people on the blockade...they'll appreciate it.

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR FULL PERSPECTIVE

And if you want to see the rare Tasmanian Redneck (chainsawus fuckwittus) in their native environment, go for a beer at the National Park Pub.

You can find a self-drive brochure for the area here,

and a combination of our photos are right here.

Old girl's going strong...

Click on photos for full size images.

Don't know when Dad took this first photo of Brent, myself and the James Craig at the Domain Slipyard, but the Tasman Bridge has been repaired, so that's betwen October 1977 and when the James Craig was towed to Sydney in 1981.

I took the second photo today, on Macquarie Wharf. Great to see her back in Hobart, in all her restored glory.

Richard's 40th celebrations

Over the Australia Day long weekend, a bunch of us trooped down to Pete's family's amazingly located shack at Randall's Bay to celebrate Richard's 40th birthday.

As expected, debaucherous behaviour ensued: swimming, pinjata bashing, Jenga championships, mussel and oyster collecting/devouring, cider farm visiting, oh and a bit of random drinking and birthday cake cutting. I do believe a top weekend was had by all.

We were all impressed (perhaps with the exception of Ingrid) with Richard's three day trooping of the North Melbourne colours.

There's a heap more photos here.