We got up this morning with no other plan than to wander around the city. Then we came across the Red Explorer bus, and sitting on a bus tour seemed more appealing than walking. This is one of those buses where you can hop off at any point and then hop on the next bus. We just stayed with this one, though. We saw sights such as the Cascade Brewery, the Female Factory and the Wharf. Well worth the money.

All over the country people took part in the March for Australia today. Hobart’s was in Salamanca Place just down the road from our hotel. The lefties, of course, organised a counter protest, hoping to provoke violence, and it was also just down the road from the hotel.

After the speeches and songs, they moved on to do the actual marching, which (surprise, surprise) took them towards the counter-protest, as they headed towards Parliament House.

We heard part of the speeches at the counter-protest. It was the usual leftist talking points about “fascism”, the evil landlords and capitalists and supporting the workers, all delivered in a private school/ university accent. Meanwhile the real workers were the ones carrying the flags at the March for Australia. That disconnect is what is driving the marches.

After the excitement died down, all the marchers dispersed, and after we had a nap, we went to a different park for a short walk before it got too cold. In the soft cool climate grass there are masses of alpine daisies.

Our Tassie holiday has come to an end. We fly out of Hobart at 11.35 tomorrow morning, arriving at Sydney about 1.35. From there we leave about 3.30, arriving in Tamworth about 4.30. Then it’s just a short 2 hour drive home.

Today we moved on from St Helens to Coles Bay, a 2 hour drive. We spent some time having lunch and checking out Bicheno. The ocean was amazing in its range of colours today, from really deep blue to the turquoise close to the coast.

There was a raging westerly gale today. It snowed in the highland regions. We are so thankful that we did that part of the trip last week. They are talking about snow down to 300 metres tonight, perhaps even in Hobart.

Although we weren’t able to get to the Bay of Fires yesterday, both these photos show the orange lichen growing on the rocks which gave the bay its name.

At about 2 pm we rocked up to our studio apartment in Coles Bay. THis will be our home the next couple of nights

It is very cosy, and much better than just a motel room. The first thing that Margaret did was get some dirty clothes into the washing machine and then the dryer. The apartment comes with a wood heater that I think we might be lighting tonight.

And here is the view from our front door.

As the sun set behind us this afternoon, it really lit up those mountain peaks. I won’t be too surprised if they are white in the morning,