Launceston and beyond!

Our first few days here in Launceston were spent familiarising ourselves with the local area and of course, settling in to our new place and getting to know our new family of pets! Here we are looking after 3 Schipperkes; Ebony (4) and mum to Max and Evie (2), then there is a chihuaha-X called Threepence who is 17 years old and a delightful little girl and finally, a lovely cat, Buddha!

Almost 2 weeks here and we are getting along famously - they have us right where they want us!!

Launceston is dominated by the Tamar River and the countryside is not dissimilar to Devon back in the UK, with haystacks and grand Victorian houses nestling on hills above the riverbanks. Launceston is the third-oldest city in Australia (first settled in 1804), and whilst little of its elegant colonial Georgian architecture remains, the city does have in abundance many fine examples of colonial Victorian architecture. The real attractions though are its natural assets. It is situated at the confluence of the narrow North Esk and South Esk rivers with the breathtaking Cataract Gorge only minutes from the town centre.

The surrounding countryside, reminiscent of home, with rolling green hills and strawberry farms but also, wineries and lavendar plantations. It is idyllic.

Our "home" for the month is in the eastern suburbs and from where we have a spectacular view of the bush-covered hills which fold back in to the distance to Ben Lomond, a popular winter skiing destination.

The gardens are chock full with the most fragrant flowers and roses - jasmine trails over the fence and as quickly as we cut the roses there are more blooms - everything really is rosy in this garden! Hayfever has really taken hold but 'tis well worth the sneezing and runny eyes to see nature at its best - one of the many feathered visitors to the garden is the blackbird whose sweet shrill we have missed since being away from Europe - it's nice to hear the birdsong as opposed to the birds squawking!!!!