Tasmanian Devils – and more about Tassie

Well, in my last post I did promise to tell you a little about this beautiful part of Australia that my husband and I have “retired” to. I use retired like that because I’m still not quite sure what this “retired” means – for us at least. Although he is now an officially retired minister, Ray is still preaching wherever he has an opportunity to share truths from the scriptures. For both of us our days are filled with reading, writing, family and our local church and friends. So, while we have now lived here for over six years, there is far too much of this island state that we have not explored.Tasmania is the large island across Bass Strait south of Melbourne. It became a penal settlement in 1803 and although such a beautiful place the history of early European settlement is not pleasant reading. It has been said that Tasmania's history is the most colourful but tragic of all the six Australian states. If you would like more information this is a good website: Discover Tasmania

We live on the estuary of the Tamar River north of the second largest city, Launceston and take nearly three hours to drive south to our capital, Hobart. This is the view from a hill near us looking to the mouth of the river and Bass Strait.

The population of Tasmania has almost reached 500,000 and has its own state government. As well as attracting many from overseas, it is a favourite holiday and tourist destination for the “mainlanders” - as Ray and I are learning to call anyone from the rest of Australia. The photos below are of a couple of well known places.

A friend from England is rugged up when viewing Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake. This a favourite place - especially for those who like to go for long hikes. There is one that will take a few days in this beautiful wilderness area. And no, I haven't done that one!


But we do have the famous Tasmanian devil you may have heard about in the news. Scientists are trying very hard to discover why they are developing facial tumours that are threatening their existence. Although it is officially extinct, the Tasmanian Tiger is still claimed by some to be hiding out in some wilderness areas. We would all hate to see another creature only found in Tasmania disappear.

Mt Wellington looms over Hobart. These photos were taken when there was no snow as there often is during our winter- and spring and autumn sometimes!I only discovered a few months ago that the koala, one of our Australian animal icons, does not live here. Perhaps because we are so close to Antarctica it doesn’t like our cooler climate?


The devils are fascinating little creatures. I haven’t discovered yet just why they were given this name but they are carnivorous with a set of very strong, dangerous looking teeth and like to fight!





I also did manage to get acquainted with a fund-raising “devil” one day visiting our part of Tasmania! Of course, the question I am asked is “will you be writing a book set in Tasmania?” And that is something I’ve been giving some thought to. Ideas keep pelting their thoughts at me so I know I need to keep on jotting them down for when I can start seriously considering this. However, right now I am trying to get Book Three, Justice at Baragula, written and it is set back in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales.

In fact, that is just what I should be doing right now – writing more of that manuscript!

However, I’d love to show you more of Tasmania and will send a calendar with photos of this beautiful island to a winner from those who leave a comment before 15th December.