37 Black Swans: Sphagni search and more...

We set out Good Friday after breakfast and head out along the New Norfolk Road.

We stop for morning tea at Hamilton at an old Pub...Tom loves the table soccer game they have there

Further on we drive in to Tarraleah...and old Hydro town and have a look about there..

Tom spies these trees has has a delightful time climbing them

We explore an old track just before Derwent Bridge in the hope it will lead us to a marsh marked on the map..a lovely walk...but we abandon the idea as it becomes more and more overgrown..

Extraordinary red leaves that seem to light up when the sun shines behind them..
Some trees only has one or two...giving the impression of decorations hanging on the tree

We drive down a track further on and walk out to explore a substantial marsh area..

John spots some Sphagnum moss growing at the base of a tree in the marsh

The creek that runs from this marsh area is the place we harvest our water..beautiful pristine country .

We drive to Lake St Clair and have a look at the surrounding area..

Our accommodation is in Derwent Bridge...a self contained little cottage...cosy.
We walk down to the Derwent Bridge Hotel and enjoy a delicious dinner.
Tom delights in spotting a number of small kangaroos on our walk back.

Saturday we decide to do short walks around Lake St Clair before heading back to try and locate the large marsh area that feeds the creek where we got our water yesterday. On the map it looks to be a magnificent area...and we'd like to sight it .
The weather is cool and grey...good for walking though.
We really enjoy wandering through the forests...seeing the huge trees

Our long walk out along a forestry road is rewarded. It's about 6 km each way ...but we find the most magnificent marsh area and sight the source of the creek draining the marshland.. stunningly beautiful country and prefect for our needs..

We stop at Tarraleah for late lunch at 3.30pm.. then we drive home to Cygnet arriving about 7-ish..
Plenty of time to unpack , shower and have a nice read before bed..

It's a grey and wet Easter morning...but the sun makes an appearance as it rises over the hill and creates a wonderful rainbow over St James church... a fitting Easter morning effect.

Tom is delighted the "bunny" came and continues to find eggs throughout the morning hidden in strange places..

Forgot to show you Tom's Easter Hat

We have a big order from Taiwan...so get started on making several batches of creams to fill the order.
Hannah arrives mid-morning and gets down to study.
We enjoy a delicious baked dinner followed by apple crumble.
After lunch John, Tom and I go up on the hill to chip gorse and collect kindling...as it is cooling down.

Back home and the boys make another cream while Hannah and I do a circuit walk up through the golf course and back through town.
Tom spends some time with his Lego Hero Factory figures.

We watch a DVD about Wild Tasmania after dinner then Hannah and I set up the laptop in the shop and watch "Singing in the Rain" before bed.

Monday morning is wet again..
We label and box up creams. The order is coming together.

Hannah does more study work ...then she and I have morning tea at Red Velvet.
I prepare a beef stew with parsley dumplings to slow cook for dinner..and baked quince for dessert
After lunch , I set out to walk up to Wattle Grove. The boys are heading up to collect seed from the various trees .. I have a lovely walk...a bit challenging at times walking into a headwind.
The clouds up on the hill are amazing..

We head home and get organised for an early dinner as Hannah has been called in to work tonight.
It is a grey evening.. cosy inside though.

Tuesday is a Public Holiday in Tas so Tom is home. We open up and are very busy with orders etc.
Tom works hard with John all morning...after lunch they go into Huonville to the Red Shed recycled material shop...and buy a timber window for the cubbyhouse on the hill.
After dinner we drive up to unload the window into the old dairy shed. It's bitterly cold up on the hill...and rain starts to fall.
The boys drop me off at the sailing club so I have a good walk home.

Its chilly enough for a fire in the work area today...

Lovely rainbow appears in the afternoon..and we have a visit from a welcome local..

Thursday is cool and clear..

At community Garden this week we weed, move chooks and transplant brassicas (Kale and Purple sprouting broccoli) to a newly dug over bed. It is so warm in the sun..I have to keep taking layers off.

John goes up on the hill to meet with Paul our architect and Sven - a soil specialist.. we need to look at the dispersive soil issue on the new house site. We get the all clear which is good news.

After work we go up on the hill for a walk and to pace out the cubby site... it's pretty chilly.

After dinner we enjoy watching Matthew's latest adventures on Gourmet farmer...then tune into Orbit on ABC...fascinating stuff...

I take the car into Hobart for a service after an early morning walk in the dark..

Hannah meets me and we have a lovely time shopping for winter clothes for her and I pick up some goodies too.We have a delightful lunch at Raincheck Lounge..

John has a Friday afternoon order that we rush to get in the post...

Tom has a beautiful morning for Sailing...not real windy though.

After lunch the boys set out to visit Victoria (a woman who lives locally and has offered John Cubby House materials) I decide to walk up to Wattle Grove and meet the boys there..