Summer has gone and Autumn's here. Time flew by this summer, as we ended major work on the cottage and both returned to full-time jobs in Hobart. I continued working at Green Team Australia, while Graham started work early March at The Wilderness Society, Australia, as their IT Manager. Now, we only have weekends to finish "odds and ends" projects for lil shack and land.
Luke and Britt returned to mainland Australia late February to the Byron Bay area to continue their working vacation around the world - they plan to stay in Australia for a few months until the next stop. We also had a short visit from Luke's Mom Chris, where Graham, Chris and I visited Hasting thermal springs and cave. We also spent a day atop Mt. Wellington above the city skyline of Hobart with Britt and Luke. Soon after, our lives slowly got back to "just us" - and we had time to take small sight-seeing trips around Tasmania, catch up with neighbours/friends. We helped the Bradleys build a small fenced area at the back of their house - to keep their new Boxer puppy Milo in and the chooks out! Our reward was a pig spit roast! Well worth it, though what we thought was a one and half day project, became three days over a long weekend - but fun and a job well done! We were able to finish our own project of installing a timber floating floor in the living area of the cottage, and it really made a difference compared to raw concrete slab. With the insides feeling more like a home, it is very cozy and warm! On warm days we open the bi-fold doors and soak in the view and fresh air.
During the Easter weekend, we took a short trip to Port Arthur and spend two days exploring the historic site. Quite fascinating, and we even did the night Ghost tour - not too scary. The highlight of the visit for me, was visiting the Isle of the Dead. There is a known marker on a stone of its shore - designating a scientific sea level used for measuring climate change and the rising sea level.
Though we weren't able to get close to it, I could see it from the ferry ride over. We were able to walk to the cemetery where the prisoners and officers from Port Arthur were buried. The historic grounds are truly amazing and beautiful, and its hard to imagine it was a penitentiary.
Back home, we began plans for a deck around the cottage with the help of Guy Greener. Graham ordered a second water tank to increase our water storing capacity. Celebrated Earth Day and Earth Hour by using no electricity for better part of a day. Graham snuck in a quick trip to Adelaide visiting his Mum. I had a "date" with Rhonda and we went on a night on the Franklin town - first to Semaver, our local Turkish cafe, and then a show-stopping evening at the "Show Boat" musical review at the Palais Theatre. Graham and I had our collective birthday dinners and cakes with the Bradleys, and a wonderful dinner at Rhonda's, our other neighbour. With the start of Autumn, daylight saving and working in Hobart, our days got short and dark early, leaving only time to work on the land on weekends. Water tank arrived and was connected into our system, more finishing work on the driveway near the cottage in preparation for building the new deck and veranda (now approved by council) we look forward to relaxing next to a warm wood-stove on cold crisp nights. What's next? Hmmm, most likely fencing for future livestock and adjusting to working (for Graham) in town.The best of working in town now is that we carpool together - reducing our carbon footprint. I guess soon we'll be shopping for my two woolly Scottish Highland cows and maybe two Boer goats! Okay, ok AND a veggie garden.