POST XMAS HIGH JINKS - PART 2 - THE TASTE OF TASMANIA (31 DECEMBER 2017)

Hallelujah......we are almost into 2018 in both blog and real time. Indeed this will be the last of our adventures in 2017! 

The Taste of Tasmania was a Hobart waterfront post Xmas event which we could not resist. Would it match the various similar wine and food bashes with which we were all too familiar? The Barossa Gourmet Weekend, the Clare Food and Wine Festival in its variety of recent forms, Sea and Vines at McLaren Vale....we in Adelaide are spoilt rotten when it comes to these types of events. Let's see how our Apple Isle cousins fare (think about it - it's not too often I can get in a double pun!).

Beginning on 28 December and running over the next seven days, this foodies frolic, with a decent dash of beers, ciders, wines, and spirits thrown in for good measure, attracts thousands.

The Princes Wharf Shed and surrounds were transformed. Over eighty food and beverage stalls were spread throughout the various defined sections of the event.....the Shed, the Atrium and the Lawns. 





A kiddies' playground was established in the park opposite the docks 















and an outdoor stage 











and seating was all set for a big concert and following fireworks on New Year's Eve.













The transportable temporary Police Station was right in on the act,











and one of the the ambulances on station across the road had to the be smallest in Australia.












We followed the signs
















and joined the throng awaiting the signal gun at the entrance gates











where the gathering crowd was right royally entertained by this strategically placed pianist whose well rendered classical tunes struck me as just a little out of character with the event. "Liven it up a bit, my man...this is a party!"











Once through the entrance portals, Liz decided that these novel looking green seats were the ideal spot 













for a quick costume change. "What ever you like, my love....just make sure it's something bright so I'll be able to find you!"

We had arrived early. The courtyard area in front of the Princes Wharf shed was anything but crowded (that didn't last long)













as we made our way into the Shed,












the larger of the two undercover food stall areas.













For those happy to dine al fresco, these tables and benches under the spreading umbrellas of 'The Waterfront' were just the ticket. We were tempted, but despite the sunshine, the breeze off the Derwent was still a tad chilly. 










We opted instead for an indoor seat in the Shed but we could have ventured further along the wharf where 'The Atrium'












offered more undercover seating at long tables under the oddest ceiling decorations.

 





Here the table decor consisted of these rows of planter boxes....salad leaves and the odd herb or two at the ready. How novel!










There were also rows of outdoor food and beverage stalls, where this almost empty walkway soon became the site of a heaving mass of humanity, all hell bent on 'tasting' for all they were worth.....and, if you made a real day of it, you would have to be worth a bit!



I have no wish to sound snippy, but it does annoy me when the 'tasting plates' are just not that at all. Here, with just the odd exception, the fare on offer came as mini meals, and was priced accordingly. The upshot of this, of course, is that 'the tasters' are left with two alternatives.....try but a few dishes or settle in for a very long session. With most plates averaging $10 + (and some 'platters to share' coming in a t, a long day would also be a very expensive one.




But, undeterred, we plonked ourselves at one of the tables in the Shed and set to, very happy to have arrived early when seats were freely available and the punters at the food stall counters were less than ten deep.









And here we found at least one old friend, Frank from Franklin, a cider house of distinction we had happily visited when camping at that delightful Huon River village many weeks previously.









You may recall that on that occasion I had been tickled to see one of the serving lasses wearing a 'T' shirt imprinted with 'No, I'm not Frank'. It was clear that their sense of humour had not deserted them here either.








Within a hour or so or our arrival, things were beginning to liven up. Jostling crowds are not my thing (decidedly not my thing!), 







so we were very pleased with our decision to kick off early and 'retire hurt' well before this entire area was one big crush.....when long queues became the norm, drinks were inevitably spilled and finding a seat was a challenge equivalent to those on 'Mission Impossible' (as this shot, courtesy of 'discovertasmania', so amply demonstrates).




The same thing happens outdoors as well (thanks 'tasmanianlife'). 






Whilst scenes like these were altogether just too busy for us it goes to show just how popular this event has become for locals and tourists alike. And I have to say the whole thing was very well managed.

This extremely informative pamphlet (all the 80 + stalls were listed on the other side) provided all that we needed to know about venues, special events, timings and charges,


and although we did arrive and leave early, we were more than pleased with the decision to include a visit to 'The Taste of Tasmania' on our post Xmas itinerary. 

Oh, and yes, the fare on the couple of plates we did sample was delicious (especially the scallops...yet again...as they say, 'when in Rome'!).

And just before we leave the Hobart waterfront for good and all, let me share a couple of final photos of two visiting vessels, craft which had one thing in common......they were huge.  But other than that they could not have been more different.......

....the 82,000 ton Rotterdam registered cruise liner 'Noordam'


















and this most impressive sailing ship.....origin, name and purpose all sadly unknown (Liz took these shots whist I was otherwise engaged, and unlike me did not go and nose around a bit more). With its three furling headsails and massive main and mizzen rigs, I would have loved to have seen this giant yacht under full sail.















What a complete contrast these two were,  








and what a great way to finally farewell Constitution Dock and all its adjoining wharves and marinas, without which Hobart just would not be Hobart.