Peace (and cuteness)

Today was my last full day in Launceston so I was trying to gather in a few things I hadn't had the time to do.  When I was on the Tamar River Cruise a few days ago, the Wetlands were pointed out to me (and then I drove past them yesterday when I felt like taking the alternate route back to town  to buy my 'funky boots').  I really wanted to give it a visit as I honestly can't remember the last time I visited a wetlands.

I also wanted to squeeze in some wineries as I had my recommendations now (and had checked out the web to confirm) and I'd been told of a pottery studio which was worth the visit.  With regard to my souveniers I like to get something which is good quality but able to be used.  Not that I don't adore some of my pretty, pretty 'dust gatherers' but I also love the reminiscences I can get when I use something I bought while on holiday.  I tried to start out early, but failed (again)



The Wetlands were really worth the visit (and very well organised actually).  I was met my a volunteer before I even got to the visitors centre and he pointed out some frogs sitting by the side of the river.



He was saying how these frogs are actually a different colour than usual in that Green and Gold Frog usually has a more vibrant colouration.  This led us to chatting about what advantages the change in colour could have.  Which then got him to mention that this particular frog species is the most commonly seen in the wetlands as they have the habit of sitting on the edge of the river looking into the water.

If their natural predator came from the water it would make sense, however it comes from the land and is a snake.  So we then started chatting about dangerous creatures in Tasmania, and apparently the animal which causes the highest number of deaths each year in Tasmania is an ant!  Specifically, the Jack Jumper Ant.  If it stings someone who is sensitive to their venom they can go into anaphylactic shock and if they don't have an epi-pen with them...

From Wikipedia:

jack jumper ants cause more deaths in Tasmania than spiders, snakes, wasps, and sharks combined

Anyway, after that really interesting discussion, I continued my course through the wetlands (over the walkway)




It was low tide when I was there and on the second bridge I came across the black swans who lived in the wetlands.



Including one who decided that he needed to walk through the mud to get to the reeds.



And he just kept going until he got there (then I lost sight of him I confess)



Finally I reached the island at the edge of the wetlands.



I found a nice quiet spot and just sat for a while and enjoyed the quiet.



I even had some visitors. I could only capture one in a picture, he's in the shadow.



On the way back to my car the tide had started the come in (in such a short time)

Beautiful!

Then it was off to the wineries.  I didn't really get many pictures (too busy tasting) but one of the highlights was the Jantz vineyard / cellar door.  They keep ducks and they were on the way back to the pond when I was leaving.



Well, truthfully I don't know if it's them or Piper's Brook (neighbouring) but it didn't dimish their cuteness in any fashion.

I visited 4 cellar doors all up (Velo, 9th Island, Piper's Brook, Jantz) and bought something from each of them.  At Velo I got into a conversation about travel and was told about a walking tour through Turkey which sounded mega-fun (I've misplaced the piece of paper the details were written on for me, I'm hoping to find it when I unpack).  Then at Jantz I was told about the Ten Days on the Island which I'd missed.  I got a copy of the brochure and I'm thinking that if I do come back to Tasmania again that I'd like to ensure I come when it's on.

By the time I located the pottery at Underwood it was 16:50 so I didn't think it was a good time to go.  I'll try to swing by there on the way to Swansea tomorrow (at least I know where it is and that if you enter the road at the other end to the one I used it's really close to the main road).

Then it was time to head back into town as I hadn't done the Cascade Gorge walk as yet, not the long circuit, just the easy one along the Gorge itself.  I got there at twilight and it was magical.  Unfortunately my pictures don't exactly show this (due to the lighting) but please believe me..



On the lawn near the rotunda I also saw some members of the wallaby family (I think) but couldn't see enough to be sure of what they were but the shape looked right. 

Dinner I was in a bit of a mood and just drove around aimlessly as nothing seemed right so ended up not having anything.  I wasn't hungry anyway.

Here's the link to all of my photos for today.