Sunday 13 March 2011

Awake and up not long after 0600 and then dressed for three quick laps of the deck with Tom and Susan. Chatted as we went around, but on the last lap the bow section was closed off. I went to the starboard side and waved to Fran’s friend Louise but got no answering wave. Then into the cabin, showered and dressed. I went up to breakfast and Fran followed. We were tied up in port at Hobart. After that I took the computer up to the Wheelhouse Bar and plugged it in, set up the Internet and got the mail, checked on Facebook and posted the photos from yesterday. Chatted with Pat and we decided we would each go our own way. Tried to help a lady who couldn’t call a relative, but no luck. Then off the ship at 0920 and along the dock and met Louise at Mure’s. Louise drove us out to Risdon Dam, where we walked around the dam to get some exercise and work off breakfast. Then, to add to our weight problems, Louise drove us to Richmond where we had lunch at the Richmond Bakery. After lunch we headed off to Berridale where we visited MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), sponsored and owned by David Walsh (who made his millions gambling, set up this art museum and opens it free to the public. We got our Os to give us written commentary on the items and started off in the lower basement and worked our way up. The art was a mixture of old Egyptian and modern contemporary. The content was, well, eclectic. If you want a description you’ll either have to ask or visit it yourself. After that we went to Louise’s house, had afternoon tea and were shown around the garden. Louise then took us back to the ship and we were on by 1800. We looked at the menu at the Florentine Room, but there wasn’t much for me so we decided to eat in Horizons, where we could get what we wanted. We sat with a couple from Wellington. Memo to self: beware of staff members who bend arms up backs to make you have four scoops of ice cream for dessert. After that narrow escape, Fran went off to Vista to get seats for the Tasmania Police Pipe Band while I dropped back and told Velma and Pat of our plans. They had been into Hobart and had fish and chips, but weren’t adventurous enough to have a potato cake. We watched the Pipe Band (very good) and some Highland Dancing, sitting with a couple from Port Stephens. That went from 1945 until 2020. Fran went off to get a cup of tea while I processed my photos for the day and went off for three laps of the deck. Kept running into the group of Chinese from Sydney (and I have to find a Chinese joke for them by tomorrow evening). I went back to get my camera to get some night shots, and some of the group asked if I was one of the entertainers on board. I assured them I wasn’t, by choice. Took some photos of the surrounds of Hobart by night and some of the top deck. Back to the cabin, processed those photos and then wrote up my diary. Must establish and keep to the routine of writing up each night. Put batteries and mobile on to charge, then off to bed.