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| We crossed the Bridgewater Lift Bridge on the drive from Penguin to the Huon Valley. |
Its Monday morning in this part of the world. Tom is watching a US NFL playoff football game. At 10:00 am the cleaner arrives, a service which wasn’t included in the rent but we opted to pay on our own. Who wants to clear the floor and glass doors? Not us!
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| It’s hard to believe this was a week ago, we left Penguin to start the five-hour drive to the Huon Valley. |
Prices for such a service is considerably less than in the US from what I recall which is probably much higher these days. The cleaner will stay two hours for the price of AU 50, US$37.82.
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| Far from the ocean and near the center of the state, the terrain has changed drastically from lush green to a dry desert appearance. |
We clean and dry the sheets in order to avoid folding. Marguerite can put them back on the bed. Oh, yes, there’s a dryer here. That’s a first for us in the past 18 months. The washer is located in our unit. The dryer is in the garage. Easy.
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| At several points we drove through mountainous roads. |
We’ll head out after she arrives as soon as the first of the two football games end at around 10:00 am. Once we return several hours later, Tom will watch the second game on his app, NFL Game Pass, since it will long be over on TV. It surprised us that the US games are on TV in Tasmania. Then again, Aussies love their “footy” and perhaps evens ours.
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| At no point did we encounter any traffic except for a construction zone and when we arrived in Hobart with 45 minutes left on the road. |
After spending a hefty sum spent on groceries last week, AU 514.52, US $389.13, we have little to purchase this week. The grocery list only contains about 15 items.
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| I had to take all of our photos while the car was moving due to a lack of shoulder which is always challenging. |
Speaking of grocery lists, which I always keep an app on my phone, much to my disappointment my phone died a few days ago. For the first time in years, I’ve had to handwrite the grocery list. My handwriting is awful making it a laborious process to write the list and later decipher it while in the grocery store.
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| As we neared Hobart, once again we could see the ocean. |
Tom’s phone also died several months ago, which we replaced receiving a new unlocked Windows Blu, dual SIM, we’d ordered from Amazon several months ago to arrive in a box of supplies we’d had shipped to us in Bali.
When my phone died after I’d tried every possible fix, I too placed an order from Amazon. The phone will arrive to our mailing service within a day and will be added to a variety of other items we’ve been accumulating to be shipped to us here in Tasmania.
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| We made it to the Hobart city limits. |
Without my phone its been a bit frustrating since I, like many others these days, spend idle time looking at my phone, reading news and books, playing games and checking Facebook and email. Although we don’t have a phone contract we’re able to use the Wi-Fi in the house or our hotspot to be online.
Speaking of WiFi in the house… It’s much better. Anne spent quite a bit of time working with Telstra and the new booster she’d purchased to enhance our signal. It’s not perfect, but its greatly improved, enabling us to do everything we need to do without using the pricey data for the SIM card.
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| There must have been a “trike show” occurring in Hobart. Australians are quite the vehicle fans. |
If we download a video or file, we have to place the laptop in the bedroom where the signal is stronger. Downloads are slow but overall its working and we’re now content.
I’m rushing today to be done with this post by 10:00 am or thereabouts (once the game ends) when we’ll head out the door to a local popular tourist attraction that’s on our way to Huonville. Watch for photos tomorrow!
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| Ocean view as we made our way to Highway A6 which leads to Huon Valley. |
Once in Huonville we’ll check out the meat market, drop off the dead phone at a recycle facility, visit the health food store and head to Woolies for the few grocery items.
The sun is peeking out, the clouds are wafting away and today looks like it will be another gorgeous day. We’ll make a point of cherishing every moment and sharing it all here with YOU!
Have a fabulous day of your own!
Photo from one year ago today, January 23, 2016:
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| One year ago, shortly after birth, this baby alpaca was nursing. This is so sweet! For more detail, please click here. |