During our stay at Rosevears we used it as a base for several sightseeing sorties including Beaconsfield, Evandale, George Town, Low Head and Launceston itself. These of course will be the subjects of later offerings.
For starters though, I have decided to share our digs, a few of our unusual neighbours, and the fun of Xmas.
Let's begin at the beginning....getting settled. The lovely home in which our friends live is perched high on their five hectare block to make the most of the views over the Tamar (no-one here ever calls it the Tamar River....it was always just 'The Tamar'....probably because it's not a real river as I have already noted!). Like everywhere on this island, the views come with a price tag......steep slopes.
This meant, of course, that the access driveway from Bradys Lookout Road to the flat area halfway between the gate and the house (where we were to be accommodated), presented a significant gradient. It is rare that I throw the Cruiser into low range, but this was just such an occasion.
But by now we were hardened hill climbers, and although our progress was slow, things were all under control, and we had soon manoeuvred onto the large gravelled pad which had been purpose built to receive travelling guests such as we were. In the circumstances we decided that an awning was unnecessary, but our long C-Gear flooring did come in useful in providing a dirt and dust free 'doorstep'.
From here the climb up to the 'homestead', surrounded as it is by lovely trees, flowering shrubs and well kept lawns, was also seriously steep, even more so that appears in this photo
or in this shot looking back down on the van from half way up the 'home hill'.
And as luck (or more to the point, a lack of it) would have it, poor Liz had by now come down with her own version of the dreaded Tassie chest infection which we now knew was all pervasive throughout the island. My normally very sprightly and active travelling companion was laid low indeed and apart from the personal discomfort she was suffering, climbing hills was virtually impossible.
On a couple of occasions the climb up the hill for the home based afternoon happy hour was too much for her, but we soon solved her mobility problem.....a personal taxi in the form of the property quad bike on which Gavin would normally tear around the place like a man possessed.
To Liz's great relief, Gavin curbed his natural enthusiasm for all things rapid whilst she was clinging on the back and her progress up the hill was much more sedate. As I wheezed and puffed along behind on foot, I did find the calls of "what's keeping you?" and "how long do you want us to hold the gate open?", a little unnecessary not to mention unkind!
The stroll home was always much easier, with the exception of one particular night after a very long dinner, when my logical suggestion that progress would be much safer if we reduced the angle of descent by zig-zagging across the driveway was met with scorn and derision. I pressed on regardless.....it worked for me even if I was late back and I still refute the suggestion that my progress home had more to do with the preceding revelry than any desire to limit the steepness of the descent!
The views over the properties below us out to the Tamar on offer from our site,
and from the house, were sensational. From here we could see some of the local vineyards and the cattle properties on the opposite bank.
At the other end of the front balcony we could gaze out over the estuary downstream of Rosevears towards Gravelly Beach.
The bend in the waterway downstream from our digs looked completely different in the early morning light,
and from time to time we were treated to the sight of quite substantial craft making progress along the estuary.
A visit to nearby Bradys Lookout provided even greater scenic rewards. From here we could see out over serried rows of neatly trellised vines (the Tamar Valley is one of Tasmania's best known wine regions)
and, in the same direction but in close up view, an original old homestead in the foreground with the cluster of much newer houses on the bend which is Gravelly Beach.
In the opposite direction the broad waters of the estuary stretched away towards Launceston, 17 kilometres upstream.
Silting of this waterway is a constant problem. From the lookout we could see evidence of this in the form of mudflats extending out from the western bank, a phenomenon which was common along this section of the Tamar.
Grazing properties and small housing developments are a feature of the Windermere area on the opposite side of the valley,
but without a doubt the stand-out building of this district, directly opposite Bradys Lookout, was St Matthias' Anglican Church.
I was more than disappointed with the outcome of my amateur efforts with the camera (it was a hazy day) and have resorted to the excellent website 'Discover Tasmania' to present a much better shot of this historic church.
I am also grateful to this same site for the text which accompanied the photo which tells the extraordinary tale of this lovely little church.
"St Matthias' Anglican Church, surrounded by a beautiful, peaceful 173 year old graveyard, is located in the rural village of Windermere and is a heritage-listed icon in Northern Tasmania. The church was built in 1842 fulfilling a promise by Dr Matthius Gaunt to his young wife before they left England. His wife was concerned that there may not be a church in the area where they would make their home. Dr Gaunt promised that if there was not, he would build one for her. St Matthias' is one of Australia's oldest rural churches and has been in continuous use since its foundation."
I was more than amused to read on another site which extolled the beauty of this church and its history, the footnote which told all and sundry that the fishing in the river at this point was excellent.....nothing like keeping things in perspective I thought!
As we were quickly learning, the Tamar Valley is a delightful part of Tasmania, and beyond the sprawl and industry of Launceston, much of it remains quite rustic.
This even included our digs, where the slopes above and below our caravan site were the grazing grounds for Gavin's sheep,
many of which thought nothing of wandering past the van bleating a vain message of hope that something more than the grass of the paddocks might be presented for them to munch.
Very shortly after our arrival, Liz was in a state of high excitement as she pointed to what looking initially like a small dark blob on the slope below the van. Could it be?
Indeed it was, and it became a regular late afternoon visitor as it grazed its way across the lower section of the property....a pretty little pademelon no less.
These appealing looking wallaby type marsupials are to be found throughout Tasmania. Our first introduction to them came with our arrival in Devonport. Here signs posted in the amenities block of our caravan park advised guests to be cautious about blaming dogs for the small dark offerings to be found dotted all over the grassed areas each morning. Pademelon scats and dog droppings share a remarkably similar appearance, and I have to admit that as we set up at Devonport I had already made a few unkind and quite erroneous comments about irresponsible dog owners as I surveyed the lawn strip next to our van pad before the notice made me pull my head in!
Here at Rosevears this little chap was more than at home, nibbling away contentedly at the grass, often in company with the sheep, but even more remarkably, as we saw on one particular evening, in alarminlgly close proximity to a very large neighbourhood cat. Amazingly these two completely ignored each other.....talk about 'the odd couple' and talk about 'rural Rosevears!
What a setting this was for a most delightful Xmas celebration. We arrived with no expectations at all, but were more than happy to accept Judy's immediate invitation to stay on for the big day.
Xmas was certainly in the air from the moment of our arrival. The tree was trimmed and the numbers of gift packages were increasing around its base daily.
The big day itself dawned fine and sunny. The festive table was set and wonderfully decorated and the clear skies gave us a 'million dollar' view out over the Tamar.
With some family members already in house and others arriving for lunch, the large kitchen became a very busy spot for much of the morning. All was ready at the appointed hour. The kitchen benches were laden, as were our plates in no time at all.
Liz dressed for the occasion in her special red and white 'Xmas' shirt, the festive bubbly flowed, and we all sat down to a traditional feast.....turkey, pork and ham and all the trimmings. Sumptuous!
And then, after a 'polite pause' it was time to queue again at the servery where the meats and veggies had by now been swept aside and replaced with a traditional plum pud sitting side by side with a good old Aussie pavlova and a bowl of fresh fruit salad for those with a desire to limit the excesses of the day. I did not number myself amongst them, believe me, well not at this stage any way! Tomorrow could be a health day.
And then it was all over. Time for an after luncheon chat over port and coffee whilst others basked on the outside patio
being royally entertained by the antics of Millie, the indefatigable the sheepdog, as she splashed and slopped in her outdoor bath. Well, it was a warm day, particularly for Tassie.
I was more than disappointed with the outcome of my amateur efforts with the camera (it was a hazy day) and have resorted to the excellent website 'Discover Tasmania' to present a much better shot of this historic church.
I am also grateful to this same site for the text which accompanied the photo which tells the extraordinary tale of this lovely little church.
"St Matthias' Anglican Church, surrounded by a beautiful, peaceful 173 year old graveyard, is located in the rural village of Windermere and is a heritage-listed icon in Northern Tasmania. The church was built in 1842 fulfilling a promise by Dr Matthius Gaunt to his young wife before they left England. His wife was concerned that there may not be a church in the area where they would make their home. Dr Gaunt promised that if there was not, he would build one for her. St Matthias' is one of Australia's oldest rural churches and has been in continuous use since its foundation."
I was more than amused to read on another site which extolled the beauty of this church and its history, the footnote which told all and sundry that the fishing in the river at this point was excellent.....nothing like keeping things in perspective I thought!
As we were quickly learning, the Tamar Valley is a delightful part of Tasmania, and beyond the sprawl and industry of Launceston, much of it remains quite rustic.
This even included our digs, where the slopes above and below our caravan site were the grazing grounds for Gavin's sheep,
many of which thought nothing of wandering past the van bleating a vain message of hope that something more than the grass of the paddocks might be presented for them to munch.
Very shortly after our arrival, Liz was in a state of high excitement as she pointed to what looking initially like a small dark blob on the slope below the van. Could it be?
Indeed it was, and it became a regular late afternoon visitor as it grazed its way across the lower section of the property....a pretty little pademelon no less.
These appealing looking wallaby type marsupials are to be found throughout Tasmania. Our first introduction to them came with our arrival in Devonport. Here signs posted in the amenities block of our caravan park advised guests to be cautious about blaming dogs for the small dark offerings to be found dotted all over the grassed areas each morning. Pademelon scats and dog droppings share a remarkably similar appearance, and I have to admit that as we set up at Devonport I had already made a few unkind and quite erroneous comments about irresponsible dog owners as I surveyed the lawn strip next to our van pad before the notice made me pull my head in!
Here at Rosevears this little chap was more than at home, nibbling away contentedly at the grass, often in company with the sheep, but even more remarkably, as we saw on one particular evening, in alarminlgly close proximity to a very large neighbourhood cat. Amazingly these two completely ignored each other.....talk about 'the odd couple' and talk about 'rural Rosevears!
What a setting this was for a most delightful Xmas celebration. We arrived with no expectations at all, but were more than happy to accept Judy's immediate invitation to stay on for the big day.
Xmas was certainly in the air from the moment of our arrival. The tree was trimmed and the numbers of gift packages were increasing around its base daily.
The big day itself dawned fine and sunny. The festive table was set and wonderfully decorated and the clear skies gave us a 'million dollar' view out over the Tamar.
With some family members already in house and others arriving for lunch, the large kitchen became a very busy spot for much of the morning. All was ready at the appointed hour. The kitchen benches were laden, as were our plates in no time at all.
Liz dressed for the occasion in her special red and white 'Xmas' shirt, the festive bubbly flowed, and we all sat down to a traditional feast.....turkey, pork and ham and all the trimmings. Sumptuous!
And then, after a 'polite pause' it was time to queue again at the servery where the meats and veggies had by now been swept aside and replaced with a traditional plum pud sitting side by side with a good old Aussie pavlova and a bowl of fresh fruit salad for those with a desire to limit the excesses of the day. I did not number myself amongst them, believe me, well not at this stage any way! Tomorrow could be a health day.
And then it was all over. Time for an after luncheon chat over port and coffee whilst others basked on the outside patio
being royally entertained by the antics of Millie, the indefatigable the sheepdog, as she splashed and slopped in her outdoor bath. Well, it was a warm day, particularly for Tassie.
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