Bicheno

Yesterday we drove up the coast to Bicheno, it was very busy, lots of people enjoying the beach, the life saving club was having a competition day

there is a lot of granite rock here and sparkly quartz

and red lichen

we walked along a path that was called something like the Whale trail, but then we were told you only see the whales in September 😒 dolphins had been spotted earlier in the day, but we didn't see them either. 

We followed a sign that the Lobster Shack to get some lunch

the seafood on offer was amazing

David got a crayfish roll and I had the chips that came with it

roll has gone and was enjoyed!! The shack was over the road from the sea, built into a cliff, they had outdoor tables on the deck, it was very busy. The view to the water was stunning.

I went to look at the blowhole but couldn't catch a good photo with the phone

the blowhoke was just to the left of the big rock

from there we drove into the Freycinet park to go to Wine Glass Bay, not realising it was one and a half hours hike from the carport and a $20 something fee to entertaining the park. So we drove back to Coles Bay and had a look there

you can go on a boat trip to Wine Glass Bay from here.

Back in Swansea I went for a walk to the PO and then back around the Bluff.

this house had a peppercorn tree and a fig tree in the front yard

meal deals at the Horny Cray takeaway

back around the Bluff.

quilting continued on Thought bubbles in the evening.

Happy stitching.

Swansea

Yesterday we had a quietish day at Swansea, I went for a bike ride in the morning and did an Adventure Lab,  there are some wonderful old buildings here

this is a B& B I think

a nice view to the beach

now part of the IGA supermarket

now the museum

Anglican Church 

the back of a house

Once back at the cabin I decided to go for a walk around  the Bluff

along this track

Mutton birds are supposed to be still in residence,  apparently they smell really fishy, but I didn't hear or smell anything just saw their burrows

some part hidden , some quite obvious. 

The track went around the edge of the golf course, this sign made me laugh

someone is very clever!!

Then I wandered out to the boat ramp, had a chat to a couple from Hobart and saw these lillies

there were heaps of them growing wild here.

I passed this tree at the edge of the cemetery,  there were parrots and other birds in it feeding on the flowers.

We spent a couple of hours by the water with David trying to teach me watercolour painting- now there is a challenge!! We had a relaxing afternoon. Lets see what tomorrow brings.

Happy stitching.

Off to Tassie (photo heavy)

Yesterday we travelled on the Spirit of Tasmania from Geelong

we had a cabin so we could sleep, and had a wonderful roast dinner as the boat left

we both took seasickness pills as it was rough once we left the bay, we tried to see St Leonards as we travelled but I don't think we did

this may have been Portarlington.

We were woken at 5.45 and drove off at Devonport at about 7 am. After some getting lost (aka Tiki Tour) we found a beach to stop and have breakfast

from here we drove to Westbury because there was an Adventure Lab there 😁and it was kind of on our way.

the AL places were around these statues which were all along the main street, but the questions were usually about other things

there were lots of beautiful old buildings in this town. From here we wandered on to Campbelltown, for yes another Adventure Lab and lunch. We didn't have to hurry today as we couldn't get into our accommodation until 2pm. Campbelltown has an amazing red brick bridge

made with red bricks, that were made by convicts. There is a long line of bricks in the town footpath with the name of each convict and what the were sentenced for - often stealing and often not very much. 

There are also beautiful old buildings here and old tree remains carved with historical images.

this lady, Flora I think was her name,  had lots to do with sheep breeding in the area, I will have to look her up and find out more.

From here we wandered thru to Swansea. We have a cabin in the camping ground not far from the beach, I wandered down to have a look yesterday afternoon 

Today we have woken to sunshine and no wind.  We are heading off for a walk along the beach soon.

Happy stitching. 

FNWF

 Well my FNWF turned into FAWF (afternoon) as we went out for dinner. I felt like I was doing lots of bits and pieces but ended the afternoon with, a stew for the new parents down the road, 

backing was pieced, as was wadding

and Finns quilt top got borders, now it is ready to be sandwiched, hopefully today 😀 I might even add a few more circles, I will see. This is supposed to be hand quilted with big stitches, I haven't done that before, so we will see how it goes.

The last little bit of free range quilting has been done on the fairy quilt, now I have all the thread ends to sew in. 

I had planned to do some hand stitching when we got home but I had a soak in the bath and read a book and then went to bed, exciting bunny that I am!!

You can see what the other FNWF'ers did over here, thank you Cheryll for hosting us.

Happy stitching.

Some

 sewing progress has been made this week

This quilt was made by Heather at the Bellarine Quilters, it is now partially quilted and the binding is on, a little more free range quilting needs to happen, but the Sweet 16 has decided not to play ball and the tension has gone nuts, so I am back to the little old faithful machine.

this is the latest Aussie hero quilt that went in the mail on the 2nd. The request was for flowers and bright colours, I hope it is liked.

This week I managed to get two Anthology blocks done, still more to do 😔 but I am getting closer to the end.

I have now made a mess in the sewing room while deciding what to tackle next, sandwiching needs to be done!!

A photo of Finn, Beth sent yesterday

One I took while trying to hold him 😀 In the last few weeks Finn has moved from the 10th percentile in weight to the 50th! His Mum is doing a great job!!

I am off to do some more sewing, as it is Friday Night with Friends tonight, I signed up and then we were invited out for dinner, so my sewing might happen this afternoon.

You can sign up over Gone Stitchin' with our lovely hostess Cheryll.

Happy stitching.