Saying Farewell and our Paper Beach Wander

This weekend I have been up north as my old school provided me with a retirement event, which was fun and despite being held late on a Friday afternoon (when most teachers want to scarper for the weekend), was well attended. We enjoyed loads of laughs, a hilarious speech, good food and memories. I was given a huge bouquet of flowers and a $100 Bunnings gift card (they know me so well) to spend on my garden.  Today, the bearded wonder and I took Django for a walk to Paper Beach. I love seeing him enjoying the freedom of being off the leash and watching his ears flapping as if readying for take off and he pelts full speed along the sand. I mean Django, not the bearded wonder. Here is a brief moment when he was catching his breath before tearing off into the water for the next bit of fun.

As we approached this pine tree, we could hear loads of racket and I looked up and managed to capture this black cockatoo just as he was taking off. Last visit to this beach a fortnight ago we counted 17 of them in the same tree.

The view towards the Batman bridge, which is a short distance from Paper Beach.

The Things You See On A Monday

Mondays for me are kind of social and a little bit investigation. I usually help out as a volunteer, covering library books for the Dunalley School which was burned to the ground in the January bushfires. Since then a temporary school has been established and loads of wonderful resources donated. After finishing there I was on my way home when something caught my eye. I had to investigate.

Not only was the view spectacular but something in the foreground sparked my interest. I'd been watching dolphins earlier in the day and thought that was what I was seeing here. Then I saw this....

 A cheeky face of a seal popped up to greet me. He came very close and I could hear him breathing. He seemed to enjoy my company and was very relaxed as he dove under and rolled around on the surface.

Of course, Django had to come and see what the fuss was about.

 After about 30 minutes, I left him to do his thing. It was a fabulous encounter that I would never have enjoyed if I hadn't retired.

The Night of the Supermoon

..a new or full moon which occurs with the Moon at or near (within 90% of) its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit 

Tonight was the night. We traveled to the nearest beach (Marion Bay) which faced east ready for the moon to rise at 4.43pm here in Tasmania.

While we were waiting....

Other photographers had chosen this to be their spot as well.

We waited and then it appeared.

Looking magnificent in all her glory.

Still shining on while we drove home again.

I've Been Well and Truly MOFOed!

 Tasmania used to shiver and hibernate during the cold, cold winter but not this year. They are out and about in their thousands celebrating that winter solstice. For the past week, Hobart has been in the midst of the Dark Mofo festival. Tonight, I felt the need to get out amongst it and I must add although the intention was to take some photographs and have dinner the the mid winter feast, the crowds made up my mind very quickly that it was a quick in and around for pictures only and that dinner could be an Indian take-away on the way home. Its been such a long time since I went out that I had forgotten how much I dislike crowds. Anyway here are the photos, I fought my way through the throngs to achieve. 

The casino from the pinnacle of Mt Wellington.

The Hotel Grand Chancellor and the waterfront.

Laser light show.

The beautiful Lenna all aglow.

A light maze

Looking pretty, wonder how they tasted.

The Spectra light from Mt Wellington.

The atmosphere was warm and cosy even though it was only 4 degrees. There were people gathered around fires everywhere.

Salamanca Place

The fires were inviting. Shame all the spots were taken and this cold arse just had to snap it on the way passed.

Melbourne isn't the only place that has flashes of fire every hour.

The roof of lights over the festival apron.

As I was walking past this shop on the way back to the car, these glass plates took my fancy. And finally is the hot air balloon titled "Skywhale". By the way, the bearded wonder nicknamed it the Hindenboob. Unfortunately, I was unable to be there for this but Roger T Wong has captured it beautifully.

 Just as an aside, as part of the festival, at dawn this morning 650 people tossed off their clothes and jumped into the Derwent River for the soltice swim. 
Braver or nuttier than me, that's for sure. I was snuggled in my nice warm bed till 10.am so there will be no photos of them.

Evening and Night Views From My Window

This light is in Hobart which is a 40 minute drive away. Its part for the Dark MOFO festival which is a celebration of the solstice. Tomorrow night, I am going into Hobart so might be able to take some photos from a different perspective.

Squiggles in the Sand

5 Mile Beach

Bent but Not Broken

Came across this barn today, looking a little worse for wear but still hanging in there, none the less. They knew how to build things to last, way back!

Final Murdunna Muddle