We had the great fortune of being able to have my sister stay with us for a week on her little farewell tour before moving to Japan to teach English for a year or two. It was so awesome to have her here and to be able to hang out, sight see and chat. The Munchkin was particularly pleased to have a captive "ordinence" (as she says). We have not had the opportunity to live together before, grew up in different parts of Australia/Norfolk Island but to put us side by side we are unmistakeable as sisters... looks, mannerisms, likes.... amazing! When we are together people always look at us and say "you are sisters aren't you!" and it is a lovely feeling. My sisters Bridget and Olivia and I have similarities in looks and personalities but not that blindingly obvious genetic "look".
Anyway the first tourist destination was to the
Makers Workshop for Chai, a play in the Excavator and a tour of the
Paper Makers Mill where we were able to make a piece of paper each! We were both inspired to try paper making ourselves one day - I even brought an old wooden picture frame on our Oppie trip later in the week to convert and will be sure to share with you how it goes.
The weather while Matilda was here was suitably Tasmanian Wintery so we worked around it. The trip to Cradle Mountain to play in the snow I had hoped to make was not to be due to road closures and bad conditions however, a trip to
Tazmazia covered the snow aspect most surprisingly. As we got close Mt Roland was covered in a decent amount of snow and as we pulled into the carpark snow was falling gently like cherry blossoms! It was the most magical thing I have seen for a long time and once we decided to brave the maze (it was of course bitingly cold!) we had the most amazing time pretending we were in an Enid Blytion novel or two; playing amongst the hedge maze, climbing stiles, the snow falling on our coats and resting there...breathtaking!
Once you get through the maze you arrive at The Village Of Lower Crackpot which is the coolest village of tiny houses. We once again felt like characters of a book as we wandered giant-like amongst them. We even got to Op shop and have a warming brew...
well not quite...haha.
Despite how freezing and windy it looks the maze really protected us and we were very well rugged up for the occasion. The Munchkin was trying to catch snow on her tongue in the 3rd snow photo!
Once we got back to the car we indulged in a Tasmanian cheese and pate platter with hot tea from our thermos which was a lovely end to our adventure there. The rest of the week was full of eating yummy food, visiting
Nat at the delicious Nest in Penguin, watching movies, playing and chatting.
I must say that after such a wonderful week The Munchkin and I are really feeling not having Mattie here with us now. The Munchkin burst into tears twice this afternoon, over a week after the departure and said she was missing Aunty Mattie :(
We wish her a safe, fulfilling, eye opening journey though and look forward to welcoming her back here again in what I am sure will feel like no time at all, and hey, a care parcel of kawaii goodies every now and then will help heal the pain I'm sure xx
Yours in delight,
Allana xxx
