Kangaroo Paw, Western Australia

 The plant Kangaroo Paw is a native plant that you find growing in the Australian Bush in Western Australia.  The flower reflects a kangaroo paw hence it's name. A collection of colours of Kangaroo Paws [ here ] plus photos of the plant close up.  The colours are more intense in cooler climates.

These photos were taken by me not far from Ravensthorpe in Western Australia several years ago. I'm really enjoying looking at my past travels of Australia in our caravan and finding photos to share. 

The Kangaroo Paws like to grow in sandy soil slightly acidic so the air can get to the roots.

Salt bush growing in a similar area and the Indigenous Australians used saltbush as a versatile food, natural seasoning, and traditional medicine.  They roasted and ground the seeds to mix into damper (bush bread), used the salty leaves to wrap and flavour meats, and applied crushed leaves as a poultice to soothe burns, wounds, and skin sores.

Many farm animals, native wildlife, and insects eat saltbush which serves as a tough, salty food source in dry area - including sheep.

From Launceston to Ravensthorpe is 3,550 km, 44 hours and 9 minutes (2,205 miles)

Two maps as it gives better idea of the distance. You can see the marks on the map.

A Special Day it was

 Update, I've added a video that has just become available - it's below!

Yesterday, Sunday 23 August 2026 the new ferry called The Spirit of Tasmania 1V arrived to it's home port in Devonport, Tasmania about 1 hours drive from home, Launceston, Tasmania.   It is now berthed in the Mersey River, Devonport for a trial run to see if all fitted!  The ferry sails between Devonport and Geelong in Victoria across Bass Strait some 459 kms (285 miles).

The river isn't that wide it's about 200 to 300 meters (656 to 984 feet) from one side to the other.

Our Great nephew A in his early 30's (his parents I mentioned in the post before last) was the Pilot of the Pilot boat that guided the ferry into the river and berth.  He is the Harbour Pilot and he had been a Captain of a ship previously for a few years before taking on his current position.  

Some photos I borrowed from the Internet, the remainder his Grandmother sent me (my husband's sister) of Sunday's morning happenings in Devonport.   

A, with Pilot written on his clothes in the Pilot boat.

Amazing how the ferry fits into it's mooring backing into it, and of course it has to turn around to do this.

The Spirit of Tasmania 1V and there is another called The Spirit of Tasmania V, this latter one will arrive later, as the ships cross in the night one of course going to Geelong in Victoria and the other coming to Devonport, Tasmania.  

The ferry is built to carry up to 1,400 passengers and 500 vehicles per crossing across Bass Strait.  The ships were built in Rauma, Finland. 

A, in the Bridge of the ferry as he had to climb up the ladder of the ferry to enter.

The video of the arrival in Devonport on Sunday.  The video just became available.  If you wish to view it and see how it turns around, that happens about 6.34.  Beautiful sunrise to welcome The Spirit of Tasmania lV.  The birds are having their say, you can hear them.

A Foggy morning

  On one of our trips home from Queensland we came through a back road in New South Wales and being early morning time and in winter we came across some fog..just a few photos of the trees and road.  These photos were taken with my phone at that time from inside the car.   Where those little red dots are on the map below is the road we were on.  Muttama Rd, Muttama.

There is just something about foggy mornings, a mystery as to what is up front, at the sides or behind maybe!

A lovely Drive

Last Monday we decided to go for a drive, so 4 hours later we arrived home in the dark.

We went along the Tamar River on the western side and first stop was at Blackwall then Clarence Point, and Beauty Point by the time we got to Brady's Lookout it was dark but twilight. 

I took my camera for a change but had my phone, these photos were taken with the camera.

The drive wasn't that far from home but seeing as we diverted here and there, stopped and looked at the view it all took time.

The Tamar River is officially 70km long (43 mile) and despite being named a river, the waterway is a brackish and tidal estuary over its entire length.

There are fish in the river such as Southern Black Bream, Flathead, Snapper, Silver Trevally, Rays, Salmon, Whiting, Mullet, sea-run Brown Trout, amongst many others.  

I've tried to insert a map at the bottom of the photos but alas it won't appear!

We believe these things in the river are oysters but unhealthy to eat.

Clarence Point.  Our eldest niece and her husband are going to live here, they have a beautiful view up the Tamar River.  

Beauty Point and below Seahorse World.

Brady's Lookout looking up the Tamar River (north)

Kewarra Beach, Queensland

Another Beach we have visited on our travels is Kewarra Beach in Queensland some 3441 km (2138.14 miles) from home here in Launceston. 

Kewarra Beach is a coastal suburb of Cairns in the Cairns Region and a 20 minute drive from Cairns. There are approximately 6,133 people living in the area.

The area was primarily used for growing sugar cane until the suburb was developed in the 1970s and 90s.  The western side of the highway was developed with a golf course (Paradise Palms) with housing to the north and south.

These photos were taken in the wintertime and Kewarra Beach is in the tropics.

Glebe Garden 3

Glebe Garden here in Launceston and my continuation of what they sell there.

What's growing in the Garden

 The flowers that are in bloom in my garden right now.  Daffodils, Helleborus, Camellias taken on different days. The header photo is Margaret Davis Camellia which is also in bloom. There will be more as the winter progresses and when spring arrives in September.