Mon, 19th Feb, 2024 Malcolm & Kerry’s place, Westbury, Tas (Brisbane St Hotel and Arcade history)

13 degrees morning, clear sky and no wind.

Into Launceston early to get the other 4 rims put on the truck. They were very busy so we went for a walk.

Up the street to a lovely Catholic church (1864). Not sure why there is a rooster on the top of the spire (1889).

Found another one down the road (1883).

Lots of beautiful old buildings.

The Bank of NSW, est 1817.

Then down to the Brisbane Street Mall. Into the Brisbane Arcade under the Brisbane Hotel. Found a great history display. Had missed this last time. This is the birthplace of Launceston which is the third oldest settlement of Australia behind Sydney and Hobart.

Walked through the arcade and found an old street light.

Back through the arcade and into Quadrant Mall. Historic well is below the man hole.

Shame the fence was blocking the mural.

A couple more buildings on the way back.

The truck wasn’t ready so we walked back to for a cuppa from a small coffee vendor near the bottle shop. Chatted with the chap about the narrow three lanes of the one way street and the big trucks having to go through. He said a lot of the parked cars along here lose mirrors etc when a truck goes wide - oops.

Took our cuppas back to Brickfields Park and sat and watched the traffic zoom by.

The truck was ready to go with all new rims now so we headed back to Westbury for lunch.

Another beautiful day in a beautiful state - even if there are cool mornings!

Quiet afternoon. Malcolm loaded us up with vegies again from his garden.

Clouds are building up. It wasn’t as hot today - only got to 29 in the camper.

Rang Terry about the shed and he said have I heard the news from Jodie yet - she is pregnant and due 25^th Aug. How exciting, Terry sounded very chuffed to have 3 great grandchildren on the way now. After I hung up I then rang Jodie to congratulate her and Bryon. Will call in and see them when we head south later so I can see her baby bump and drop off a gift. She said it would be great for Grandad to have the 3 great grandchildren at Woodgate.

I started working through the permits required for our East Arnhem Land trip as the others managed to get 3 sites in Gove Fishing Club van park that had just been cancelled. Unfortunately they are $60/night, powered but if we want to go that’s the price to pay. Sent off the money to Jenny as she booked and paid for it straight away. We can get full refund if for some reason we have to cancel. Will look into detecting on the way up too at Kurundi Station.

Fabulous dinner with Malcolm and Kerry - roast lamb (one of their lambs) and all home grown roast vegies, except for the pumpkin. Delicious - the lamb was so tender.

Thanked them both so much for their hospitality and friendship - it is wonderful how one breakfast on the cruise in 2013 turned into a great friendship. Said bye to Mal as he will be heading off early to deliver a silo tomorrow to a farm at Smithton - he has Rex as his pilot this time.