April 19-22, 2019
The Huon Valley, where we lived in Huonville from 1991-2001, has not changed in some ways but in others has become much more populated, busier and brighter. The towns of Huonville and Cygnet (right) are very clean and tidy with no signs of the old “tiredness” that overtook many country towns a couple of decades ago. The rural areas in particular have become desirable real estate destinations with a combination of people now commuting further than they would have imagined 20 years ago, together with retirees from the mainland “discovering” Tasmania’s lifestyle and low cost (relatively) real estate opportunities.
Our friends, Mark and Cherie, live at Glaziers Bay, close to Cygnet and with a magnificent view across the Huon Valley from their 8 acre property. Once one of the few commuters from there the whole area now teems with commuting tradesmen and professionals making retirement a much better place to be instead of battling the traffic for the 60km+ drive into Hobart.
Spending the Easter weekend with them Mark and I went over to the Oyster Cove marina where he keeps their boat and went out for a short circular trip to give the boat a run and clean off the prop and rudder. A great fine and warm day for April in Southern Tasmania we followed the newer Bruny Island ferry out of the marina and passed the old Mirambeena (which was doing the crossing when we lived here!) on the way back.
The 60 footer “NOAHS” was built for and competed in the 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race as Southern Excellence II but changed it’s name when bought by the Chinese Noahs Group and competed n the 2018 Sydney-Hobart and came in 41st in overall finishing order.
Time to leave the Huon, until returning later in the year after our house sitting, but “Leila” wants a ball game before I go!
