A Saturday in Hobart

Hobart turned it all on last Saturday! A day FULL of fabulous, free and (of course) educational stuff to do. After all what isn't educational for a 2 and 5 year old?

In the morning, St David's Cathedral opened it's bell tower to celebrate it's 75th birthday. The calves climbed 127 steps to see the view over Hobart and feel the tower sway. They were able to watch the bells being rung and learn about how it all worked. The largest bell is 2 tonne - quite impressive to a 15kg two year old!

After that we strolled down to the waterfront only to stumble across a huge procession of motorbikes of all descriptions. I think every awe-inspiring, grunting bike in Tasmania must have been there! As any motorbike is the love of the youngest calf at the moment (especially the orange ones), we oohed and ahhed surrounded by more leather than on a herd of cows.

Then off to the day's next adventure - the highlight of this wonderful day.

Any of you familiar with the work of the Sea Shepherd, will know of their ship the Bob Barker. Those of you who don't know, the Sea Shepherds are those crazy guys chasing whalers out of the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. They have managed to save 1000s of whales during their seven years of campaigning and actually succeeded in stopping them completely last season. The Bob Barker was docked in Hobart for refueling as it does and was giving guided tours.
The calves had the amazing opportunity of seeing the whole ship, the mess, the lounge, the bridge, the decks and the eldest calf even sat in the captain's chair and looked out the window with binoculars in search of whales. She also decided to take her book on the life of a humpback whale and had it autographed by the crew.
Such an amazing opportunity, we did the tour twice (wonder if they noticed)?

The eldest calf has had lots of time this week to watch old episodes of whale wars and talk about what she learned through the experience. Something Paul Watson said that resonated with me below.

"It isn't governments that change things, passionate people do" - Paul Watson

And, just as a side note. The Anglesea Army Barracks had their 200th anniversary on Saturday. We missed their open day with all the above going on but were treated to a death-defying aerial display over Hobart all day.

So thanks Hobart. How we love and worship thee!