The Smirkonian Sightseer

Travelling to Europe

During September and October 2018, Tony and I travel around the Mediterranean with our friends Michael and Abei. Over the next few weeks I’ll upload a few photos and some details about where we were.

Let’s start with the journey getting there.

LST>MEL>DXB>NCE

From Launceston, Tony and I travelled to Melbourne for the international flight to Dubai and then on to Nice. The last sector into Nice was interesting as there were about 100 people or less on the A380 flight. We saw more crew than passengers.

It’s time to go.

 

Qantas Dash-8 Launceston to Melbourne.

 

Flying over Melbourne

 

Arriving in Dubai at 5.15am. It’s 33 degrees.

 

Empty plane to Nice.

 

Flying over the Black Sea, Northern Turkey.

 

 

Next up… We spend a week exploring Nice, France.

Europe Tour coming soon

During September and October 2018 Tony and I travel around the Mediterranean with our friends Michael and Abei. Im still processing a million photos but I plan to have some of them posted soon. Stay tuned!

Little Blue Lake, just metres off the B82 between Derby and Gladstone, is a natural phenomenon resulting from the pioneering mining days of South Mount Cameron and the surrounding areas of the Far North East of Tasmania. Originally a mine hole, the lake reflects a vivid aqua blue from the minerals in its base.

Worst blogger ever

Grrr. I just realised I haven't posted to The Smirkonian for an entire year. This will change. I have some great photos from the pst 12 months to share and an exciting overseas adventure coming up later this year.

Stand by to be amazed!

Regards, Andy.

iPhone selection...

Today I spent a few moments looking back through the photos Id taken on my iPhone over the back 10 months. Here’s a few I picked out and posted to Instagram.

 

A post shared by Andy Shepherd (@smirkstas) onJun 21, 2017 at 4:12pm PDT

 

#tamarvalley

A post shared by Andy Shepherd (@smirkstas) onJun 21, 2017 at 4:19pm PDT

 

A post shared by Andy Shepherd (@smirkstas) onJun 21, 2017 at 4:27pm PDT

 

A post shared by Andy Shepherd (@smirkstas) onJun 21, 2017 at 4:32pm PDT

 

A post shared by Andy Shepherd (@smirkstas) onJun 21, 2017 at 4:37pm PDT

 

A post shared by Andy Shepherd (@smirkstas) onJun 21, 2017 at 4:52pm PDT

Let's get personal... (no not THAT close)

I’m not a fan of Facebook. I find the platform rather annoying. I resisted for many years but peer pressure won over. Most of my friends, particularly at work, were regularly conversing about someone’s post and I’d be in the dark and feel left out. One positive was I found long lost friends so all in all it’s a love hate relationship with FB.

On a daily basis I see people participating in these personality posts. Most are a load of rubbish. I’ve posted a few to FB but usually I just take a screen capture for my own amusement. Here’s a selection, hopefully not too revealing.

The Peloton - Left v Right

Autumn in the vines

This set taken at Marion’s Vineyard in Tasmania’s Tamar Valley.

Westmorland Falls

Explored the Westmorland Falls track in Tasmania’s Great Western Tiers region just south of Mole Creek. The walk was quite spectacular, however the falls are still showing signs of flood damage from last season.

Location and mapping details at the foot of this post.

 

 

 

From Mole Creek, travel about 6 km south along Caveside Road to a T-junction. Go right into Wet Cave Road, which is unsealed. The Wet Cave reserve is soon reached straight ahead and you take the left turn and continue on until you reach a small car park on the right with a sign Mole Creek Karst Conservation Area and Westmorland Falls. Large rocks mark the track entrance. About 10 minutes drive from Mole Creek.

Historical Launceston photo

Found this unusual image of Launceston hidden in my great grandfather’s photo collection.

Taken around the early 1900’s, it’s unusual to see an image of this perspective as long lenses were not around in those days. I’m guessing the image has been heavily cropped from the glass negative.

Probably taken from the Launceston suburb of Trevalyn, the foreground shows shipping berthed at Kings Wharf and the North East River and Lower Charles Street behind it. In the town centre is the clock tower in Cameron Street and the top end of Elizabeth Street. In the background is the Ben Lomond mountain range, these days a national park.

I’m assuming the photo is by Charles A Hart, my great grandfather who was a founding member of the Northern Tasmania Camera Club.

Please put me down

Music of the Stars

Carl Sagan's letter to Chuck Berry (circa 1986).

Oh dear...

I really look forward to voting in Greeka’s annual photo contest. Such creative photography in a land I like to visit occasionally. This year it seems I’m ineligible to vote. A rule change means I have to upload and be part of the party. Oh well, maybe next year.

Great Western Tiers

Panorama view of the Great Western Tiers near Mole Creek, Tasmania.

Viewed from Engadine, a quiet rural property with a cosy B&B and spectacular views. Located above Mole Creek in the Mersey Hill area.

The panorama features the Great Western Tiers, the mountain range seen in the distance, with snow falling on some peaks.

iPhone sweep-pano with a small amount of Lightroom processing.

East Coast Tasmania

In late August Tony and I visited Tasmania’s stunning east coast.

The feature of this road trip was Freycinet National Park.

The view of Freycinet National Park from Apslawn.

 

On the walking track down to Wineglass Bay, Freycinet National Park.

 

A walking party on Wineglass Bay, 

 

Hazards Lagoon, Freycinet National Park

 

Entering Hazards Beach, Freycinet National Park

 

On Hazards Beach, Freycinet National Park

 

Sunset on The Hazards, a feature of Freycinet National Park in Tasmania.

 

Boardwalk at Cape Tourville, Tasmania.