MOT Tour Day 55 - Derwent River Cruise

Our last day of activity around Hobart, with the highlight being a lunchtime cruise on the Derwent.

From our drop off point in the heart of the city - at the Information Centre - we walked down to the waterfront and then along the docks to the Salamanca Precinct. Lots to see there, much of it more to Sue's interest than mine, so we went our separate way for about 45 mins. I found a terrific, old fashioned, second hand bookshop. Deja Vu Books is located in a small alcove of shops and its exactly what you have experienced before in used books - piles in all sorts of places; overstocked shelves; and gems poking up where you might least expect them. It was just wonderful. I had a long chat to the proprietor who told me Covid was tough, with three months of shut doors and no trading but now, there is an upturn continuing which was apparent before Covid. People, it appears, want books again.

Sue visited art shops and an art collective and did some retail therapy.

I found a set of steps which took you from Salamanca and up to Battery Point above (The Kelly Steps).

On my way back to our meeting point, I passed by the lawns of the Tasmanian Parliament, where an anti-Trans protest was building in numbers. An even bigger number of Trans supporters, were also gathering. Tonight on the news, it was reported that the Pride folks completely shouted out the Nazis and others but there was no violence. Good on both counts.

I had time for a cuppa and the first few pages of my new used book while I waited for Sue.

The span above is the replacement

Come midday, we boarded the Spirit of Hobart, a dated old ferry, for our two hour cruise which included a hot lunch. I was skeptical when the boat crew couldn't tie off correctly to a bollard and annoyed when we came down to the downstairs deck for lunch, only to find that the excellent commentary from the skipper wasn't being broadcast there. When we could hear the commentary, it was entertaining, interesting, full of information and very engaging. When he was telling us about the Tasman Bridge disaster, he was so animated that it was like hearing the climax of a true crime podcast! We've traveled on cruises that were more professional but given the low cost and a nice meal, this was very good value for money. The weather certainly favoured us. Clear blue skies all day.

After the cruise, we took advantage of the Kelly Stairs as Sue chased down a garment from a specialist store in Battery Point. Meanwhile, I happened on Narryna, a Tasmanian government owned historical building. In the 1830's, the seafaring Captain Andrew Haig built this two storey home for his family, after previously building warehouses which faced Salamanca Place. It's wonderfully well preserved and one of the best presented historical house I have seen. The support person on hand really knew their stuff and you'd have thought she was talking about ancestors. It was a family home for the vast majority of its life but was later a repatriation arm of the women's hospital which was once across the road. In one of the large rooms on the second floor, changing exhibitions are displayed - currently on women in whaling - giving the house greater flexibility.

Click here for today's photos

A coffee break - surprising isn't it - and then we started the walk back to our bus pickup at the information centre. We, of course, included ice creams from Van Diemen's Land Ice Creamery, as you do. The final bit of history was gathered at Constitution Dock, where the sailing boat Westward is permanently moored. The Westward won the Sydney Hobart in 1947 and 1948. Amazingly, before the 1947 event, she had an engine and propeller and was used as a commercial fishing vessel!

Our last Red Decker ride up to the Botanical Gardens was a nice reminder of the lovely experiences of the previous four days.

Port Arthur tomorrow.