MOT Tour Day 68 - Devonport

Mersey River looking toward the 

heads, with the elevated walkway 

in the background

A deliberately slow day as we gradually switch off.

Late morning, I had a decidedly ordinary coffee at a well regarded cafe beside the Mersey River, right in town. Sue had a white hot chocolate … the chocolate was white … and enjoyed it.

After coffee we caught the lift up to the elevated walkway which is part of the Living City development. Its final cantilever passes beyond the banks of the Mersey and ten metres above it. Great views down river to the heads and up river, past the port, to the bridge which carries the Bass Highway. The Living City Development is the biggest urban renewal project ever undertaken in Tasmania and includes several stages. Certainly the waterfront and parks on the other side of Formby Rd have given the city heart a new face and greater energy. The new buildings which border the park area are very modern but most interesting in their use of different angles and colours.

The Art Gallery, contained in the old Council building was hosting a local art competition and there was quite a variety of media and subjects. We were both taken by a colour pencil drawing of a tortoise-shell cat which could have been a photograph. There were other galleries but none were interesting.

Across the way, in the newer building, a state of the art library would be enough to have any librarian as a melted pool on the floor. The most impressive library space I have been in.

Click here for today's photos

I had a hankering for a plate of hot chips. The search of the shopping precinct - including a well tooled, wide mall, involved half an hour of walking. Giving up, we returned to the car and went for a drive out to Mersey Bluff - ground we had covered back in early February. Just as time approached for our grocery pick up, there it was. A corner shop in the old tradition, with friendly hosts and the best plate of chips in Tasmania!

Groceries, a diversion to mail postcards to the grandkids and home. Just books and walks all the shore for the rest of the afternoon.