Soggy Beginnings...

It started raining shortly after we arrived in Hobart last week. The rain decided to stay for a while. Actually, on Wednesday of last week, many parts of Hobart documented record rainfalls for a 24 hour period; in many cases, 50 year old records were broken. Rivers were swollen. Streams overran roads. Roads were closed. GSE members got a bit soggy but didn't melt. Mayhem and chaos ensued. Well, maybe not the mayhem and chaos part.

Regardless, we survived and had a great time with the Claremont crew. That reminds me, you all need some pictures from Russell Falls and Mt. Field National Park. (coming soon to a blog near you!) Then it was off to meet the folks at Howrah. The rain continued to follow along. Our day trips through Richmond and Campbell Town were less than idyllic but interesting and new none the less. We had very little time in Howrah but did have tea and coffee with the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Peter Underwood, (complete with tour of Government House) and we took a little drive down to Port Arthur; one of Australia's most visited historic sites. We even made the Governor's website...twice! Karen posted some photographs below.

Government House for tea and coffee with the Governor.
'ello guvnah

Port Arthur is steeped in history and is a place of legend. It's sand stone architecture (all hand crafted by the convicts) is strikingly beautiful but brings to bear a dark ominousness that is only deepened by the tragic tales of the people that shaped Australia's history. It's geography and location made walls unnecessary; there was no where to escape to if a prisoner busted out!

Port Arthur historic site

The ever present drizzle and rain added a somber note to our visit. Heck, even the mosquitoes were depressed and soggy.

depressed and soggy mozzie

Friday morning we awoke to more drizzle and headed off to meet our new hosts; the Kingston Club. However, before meeting our host families, they decided to stick us out on a island for the weekend; surrounded  by beaches, water, waves, and very few people. A little R&R after three weeks of touring was in order. 

Jawz, Lois, Paulie, and Georgia

To be brief, a lady named Lois vacated her beach house for the weekend and let us invade. There was more food in the fridge than you could shake a stick at. We got in a boat with Jawz and had a rather hair raising ride into the southern ocean. There was a guy named Paul with a haircut much like Geoff's; nice bloke. Yes, I'm skipping over a few details. The point is this, the rain departed, the sun shine returned, and I'm ready to move to Bruny Island forever. Now we're off to Kingston for a new set of host and high adventure. 

Sunday morning on Bruny Island at Adventure Bay.

Jawz...he's not just a shark in a movie!