Saturday 5th December

We leave the cold of the mountains and head to the north west.

On our way we just have to visit Sheffield!  It's known as the 'town of murals'. In 1986 the town was 'dying' and they copied a Canadian idea to have a competition for murals on the side of the buildings.  It saved the town and it's now firmly on the tourist route.  More murals are added each year and the existing one's actively maintained.

The first mural
the town has wonderful views of the surrounding hills
	These are real towns
	the latest competition murals
Kairen's found a friend	meet Pedro
where else?	we pass through some beautiful countryside on the way to the coast
The impressive war memorial in Ulverston	The church at Penguin
...and the sea front	Our destination for the nights is Stanley.  The rock that dominates the town is called 'The Nut' (this is the view from our hotel room)
a cable car ascends The Nut.	we must have a go...
Kairen should have taken the camera from around her neck before attempting this!	It's pretty up here...but VERY windy
....perhaps not THAT windy
	Marine Park
the town is beautiful and the sky is a vivid blue

Sunday 6th December

Launceston is the financial centre for Tasmania and our next destination.

	Laurie knows how to show a girl a good time!
it was only an ice-cream stop
Launceston Cataract Gorge Another town...another chairlift!	The Alexandra Basin suspension bridge
	this chairlift has the longest single span in the World (308m)
"I could eat that bear"	We beat our way through the bush on what is clearly a little used path to the highest point above the gorge.  We realised why it was seldom walked from our gasping on arrival!
...pretty view though made it worth it (I think!).  The reward of two iced coffees afterwards, really was worth it.	the suspension bridge is an easier walk
taking some rays..	It's Sunday and Launceston is quiet.  The old buildings are beautiful.
City Park
The old gas works (note the marketing message in the brickwork)
Statues of Tasmanian Tigers which are now extinct	The Post Office
It's still weird walking around in shorts and seeing Christmas decorations.

Monday 6th December

A big day for Kairen.  For 6 years we have been drinking James Boag beer.  The beer is brewed in Launceston and they do a brewery tour.... with sampling.

The James Boag 'Centre for Beer Lovers'
	A Boag VIP (her bum isn't that big, there's a rucksack under there)
	"give me a sample!' It was done very nicely, with a selection of matching Tasmanian cheeses. Our only issue now is managing the excess baggage from all the souvenirs.
	We had been recommended the Stillwater's restaurant by several people, we just had to book for that evening.
We had a beautiful meal that evening.	We both agreed that it was one of the best we had ever had.  In the foreground are two perfectly cooked fillets, for Kairen. Just need to make some arrangements with the bank manager!