The Famous Wineglass Bay

Wineglass Bay, Tasmania, rates highly as one of the top beaches in the world. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/wineglass-bay

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My girlfriend, who is soon moving to New Zealand, and I are doing a road trip in Tasmania, one last look for her before she leaves. Wineglass Bay was our first stop. On the way, we saw a sweet little echidna on the side of the road. They are quite common in Tasmania, but I certainly don’t see them very often. https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/echidna

It’s quite a steep trek to the Wineglass viewing platform. I love the boulders, their shape, strength and colour.

passing by boulders on way to the viewing platform

A quick sketch of the boulders

Scenes from the viewing platform.

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Wineglass Bay with Hazards Beach on the other side

My quick sketch of the view

On our walk back to the car park, going the Hazards Beach way, my friend suddenly stopped and screamed. It’s strange how childhood experiences embed in brains so deeply. I immediately thought there must be a bear ahead on the track, but at the same time my brain told me that there are no bears in Australia (I have encountered bears several times in Canada while bush walking) and then I saw a snake slither into the bush. I had to push my friend past as she is petrified of snakes.

We saw many fairy wrens in the bush, which inspired this inktober drawing (it’ll look nicer when I add paint :-). What does Wineglass Bay and Superb fairy-wrens have in common….?

a fairy wren being a good dad

…… they have both been voted #1 and they are both a brilliant turquoise. https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2017/08/six-things-you-didnt-know-about-superb-fairy-wrens/

After walking for four hours, we were grateful to be sitting down! We had a counter meal in Coles Bay where I met a fellow Belgian, Annabelle.

Two Belgians in Coles Bay, Tasmania

Thanks for visiting.

Cheers from PJ Paintings

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Lost World

I’ve been living in Hobart, Tasmania for about 22 years and have never walked one of the many Kunanyi (Mt Wellington) tracks.  I’ve taken visitors many times up to the top of the mountain and back down but haven’t explored the mountain beyond that, until now, and it was magical and awesome.  I was really keen to see Lost World as I have painted this scene with Tasmanian Tigers (Thylacines) integrated into the foreground.

Lost worlds

The walk started on Hunters Track, then along Old Hobartian Track and finally the Lost World Track, which was uphill, climbing over boulders all the way up.  Do not let the 45 minutes suggested time fool you, it is full on, constant rock climbing and took closer to 1.5 hours but well worth the effort, not to mention, fun clambering over rocks like a mountain goat (well not quite as nimble :-)).

While climbing over boulder after boulder, I couldn’t help think how much my brother and sister-in-law would enjoy this climb, the scenery along the way and the view.  Next time they visit, I won’t just take them to the top of the mountain.

Stepping over a fern

I spotted a bumble bee on one of the many healthy Banksia Marginata growing on the mountain

And then we entered the breath-taking Lost World.

Lost World, the rocks are a lot more angular than I painted them

The view from Lost World.

On our way out…

This was rock and tree was beautiful

It was an amazing day on the mountain, warm, windless and beauty everywhere.

Take care and thanks for visiting.

P.S. Prints of my Lost worlds painting are available at http://www.pjpaintings.com

Jug Island

I feel like I’m home when I smell the cedar and Douglas fir.  My brother and I usually do a walk in the forest whenever I visit Vancouver.  It was raining and hailing when we were driving to the starting point. We weren’t sure if the walk would go ahead but upon our arrival, the rain ceased and blue skies made their presence!

 

A tree bridge to a tree tunnel 

 

This time we did a walk to Jug Island, which I’ve never been to before.  The walk was about 7 km return.  The trails are well marked and the climbs up or down are not too steep.  It is well worth the effort because Jug Island is spectacular.

During our journey we passed a tree with its roots growing over a stump

We also passed a tall tree with steps nailed onto the tree.  I think you would want to bring a bag of nails and a hammer if you are brave enough to climb up!

We passed by some fungus and plenty of Skunk cabbage but the cabbage was not at its stinky stage of life.  It had hardly any smell.

 

And then we arrived at stunning Jug Island, B.C., Canada!

There were plenty of water birds near the shores of Jug Island.  It was a breathtaking and glorious day.

Thanks for visiting.