2 Geckos Travelling Australia: Tues, 10th Mar, 2015 Old Mac’s Farm, Norwood (Launceston sightseeing)

Emma’s birthday, will try and ring her later. 14 degrees this morning and overcast. Into Launceston to the radiator place that we were told to go to have the radiator checked. He is to ring the company and get back to us about replacing it or repairing it under warranty.

Back across the river to find the place Mick recommended that his mate runs. Unfortunately he was out but advised Steve on what he thought would be best for us. He didn’t have any in stock so we went across the road to Bridgestone and the nice chap there had some in stock and did us a great deal. While Steve was sorting that out I had a great chat with Suzanne and then the Tuckshop girls and Dot.

We left the truck there and walked into town for a look around while he changed all the tyres over.

Across the bridge over the North Esk River which looked like a muddy stormwater canal!! Nice old oats warehouse. I have a walking history guide so will have to get that out and do the walk.

Grand church in the distance.

Got a better shot as we come around the front of it.

Some of the old gutters around the place.

Heading to the Information Centre in the old Post Office building.

A sleek Lamborghini needs a wash.

Helpful lady in the Info Centre. Got the map for the free Tiger Bus around town and a bigger history walk map (love these as they give us just enough info). Headed off down the street to get on the bus but I went the wrong way. Found Boag’s Brewery instead.

Sorted out my bearings and headed back past the Town Hall which was built in 1864 in a bold Italianate style that apparently offended the local newspaper. “The Town Hall is a bastard… the designer appears to have studied how far he could outrange good taste and set delicacy by obtruding as many points and angles upon the eye as it was possible…” The Examiner 23^rd Feb, 1867 – WOW. I thought it looked quite majestic.

In the Civic Square next door were some bronze sculptures, “Tasmanian Tableau”, to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the Examiner’s 1^st publication.

Across the road were the Post Office and its clock tower again. The Post Office was built between 1886 and 1889 in the Queen Anne architectural style, it was considered by some at the time to be too decorative. The tower was added by public subscription in 1903 and was known as the pepper pot due to its squat appearance. Not until 1906 was it completed, with installation of the clock in time to celebrate the centenary of the founding of Launceston.

Hopped on the Tiger Bus for one circuit around town. There is a bit of a commentary but we the speaker over us wasn’t working. Will get on again next time we are in town. Got off at the Museum as it was nearly time to go back to the truck and that was the closest get off point. As we headed into the museum I noticed lots of railway tracks and a info board about the Weighbridge.

Went inside to check it out. Quite interesting how they had all the scales set up.

They had one of the scales exposed so you could see the inner workings.

Headed into the museum pass some display cases full of old fossils and stones that are for sale. Goniatite (grey one in middle), 380 million years old from Morocco $145.

Further down was a display about the Inchman Ant. We have met a couple of these – not nice chaps.

That’s the plastercast of the nest they found.

Into one of the rooms and there were lots of dinosaurs.

Then we worked our way around the room which was all about transport. Great displays with just enough information so you are reading for hours.

Loved the bicycle display and a touch screen told you about each one.

There were oral histories to listen to. This one was by a lady who has the same name as our Joan.

Loved the old caravan.

It even had a bath – so amazing and we think we are flash with a shower!!!

Now that’s a car we need nowadays so we can all go touring together.

The old bullock yolk – I have the steel bits at home that were from my grandfather Brotherton’s bullock teams.

We met this chap’s skeleton at the Dismal Swamp. Overgrown wombat.

Lots of stuffed animals.

Cute little Tassie Devil.

The Bruny Island white Bennetts wallaby.

The chap rang to say the Truck was ready so cut short our museum tour. Will definitely be back to explore some more.

Nice new shoes for our truck – look the same as the old ones but stronger. Tyres all cleaned too so I thought I should get a photo before we dirty them again!!

Still have lots to look at in Launceston. Off to Coles to get some groceries.

Back to the Farm – great view from the top looking over the lakes. One lake is for trout fishing only. They have a café and he is expanding the camping area. $10 a night with town water on tap. He is on a winner here as it is the only cheap place close to Launceston.