March 23-24
Hi All,
Brockley Estates is a working country farm accommodation that was about 2 hours from Saffire and an hour from the Hobart airport….so a good place for our last night.
“Built in 1841, Brockley is a spacious stone Colonial homestead situated on 10,000 private acres. The house is a unique example of its period and its rooms tell a story of Tasmanian history over the past 170 years. The homestead is furnished throughout with genuine antiques, many of them precious Tasmanian pieces.”
The proprietor Julian was very friendly but we missed the “come into the parlor” for a wee nip type of hospitality….we were pretty much left alone for our own exploration!!
And explore we did. When we first arrived they were herding about 500 sheep into the shearing shed for “crotching” the next day….they have over 3k sheep!! It was quite a show with a pickup and 3 dogs herding the sheep about 2 miles!! Kathy then rested and I took a mile or so hike down to the river and discovered a foot suspension bridge. It turns out this bridge was built in case of a flood for people to evacuate and/or for the kids to make school!!
We had a delightful dinner with 2 other couples with Julian serving and joining for some of the conversation. Unfortunately the conversation came around to American politics….oh boy, here we go again….this is probably our 50th time trying to explain Trump and the lack of good candidates all around. I’ll try not to offend anyone in this blog as maybe some of the readers are Trump supporters but the general theme in Australia is “ARE YOU CRAZY” and “WILL HE PUSH THE BUTTON”….I’ll leave it at that….but you can see how it might be difficult to explain since we ourselves do not understand it…..needless to say USA has many Aussies very scared/concerned knowing as USA goes so does Australia. One gentleman had been a Director of a pharmaceutical company and one lady was anti-big pharma. Typical, the anti-person did not have any facts while the Director explained how pharma is moving into Ireland for friendly tax laws….as the saying goes….just follow the money!! He also described how closely USA and Australia are linked militarily but recently Australia has leased the Darwin port to China which has many in Australia very angry at their government and the USA is not happy either….sounds like China pulled a fast one with some $$$$$….arghhhhhh!!!
It did get cold but I went for a walkabout anyway after dinner in the dark and boy did I have a Wallaby show…..maybe 10+ all jumping around enjoying the green grass!!
The next morning after a hearty Aussie country breakfast Kathy and I saw the sheep “crotching” in action…..they shear the wool off around the eyes so the sheep can see and then around the crotch for cleanliness and to keep the flies from laying their eggs.
After that it was off to the Hobart airport, the plane was on time…yippee, then another fight through Easter holiday traffic in Sydney back to Mystic, where she was resting peacefully!!!!
We are resting on Mystic for a few days and then on Monday (back on Friday, April 1) we are off on our last Australian road trip foray to Uluru….a huge red rock/mountain out in the middle of the Outback….temps in the 90’s…..heehaw!!
Stats:
Traveled:
Car miles: 75 miles to Brockley Estate; 25 miles to Hobart Airport; 4700 miles total
Air miles: 650 miles back to Sydney; 2750 total
Train miles: 1600 total
Total traveled miles: 9050 miles
Wrong turns: 3 total
Kangaroo/”Roos”/Skippy count: 12 this leg; 353 total!!!
Skippy roadside warning signs: 7 this leg, 177 total
Koala count: 0 this leg; 49 total
Emu count: 0 this leg; 120 total
Echidna count: 0 this leg; 5 total
One Way bridges: 0 today; 19 total
Speeding Tickets: 0 today; 1 total
Hotel: Brockley Estates: a country farm estate; needed a little bit of TLC but the setting and antiques were amazing!!!
Food: Good food…..a spanish chorizo entrèe, crispy salmon on the barbie, and a rhubarb custard crisp dessert all with an Apsley Gorge pinot noir which was very good!!
LIG!!!! Hope all is well!!
John
Mystic Moon
Our favorite road side warning sign…..is that Roo really lifting the car???
Sheep herding as we approached Brockley Estates
Sheep Dog in action!!!
Through the gate
Brockley Estates from the back which used to be the front!!
Brockley Estates from the front….our room is on the left!!
View of the paddock
Would you cross this bridge in the middle of nowhere and no one around….gulp….I did and survived. Actually, as I found out later, it had been renovated 2 years ago and was in great shape!!
Oh so much better….I can see!!!
Not very dignified but so much cleaner!!
Sheep dog having fun walking on sheep!
Lambie butts!!