Tassie On My Mind, March 2011
- Tasmania is cool

So summer has officially come to an end. Can we start to expect cooler weather soon? Much cooler weather is already here! In fact things are very cool in Tasmania, in more ways than one...

This issue:

• Six degrees in summer
• Relax and make friends in Hobart
• An event that shines
• It's the word...
• No less than ten days

Plus... your chance to be a part of tasmania-attractions.com!

Six degrees in summer

To those of us trying to cope with sweltering heat at the time, six degrees would have been very welcome! Six degrees? Hmmm... Well maybe I'm not thinking clearly (which has been known to happen).

In any case, it's a reminder that when in Tasmania, be prepared for all kinds of weather.

Six degrees in February, even if you're not that far from the Antarctic, is still pretty unusual though. By 9am the temperature did rise however... To 7.5 degrees!

Whatever the weather, Mount Wellington and its natural wonders are always pretty awesome.

And of course the many attractions of Hobart always beckon to me...

Relax and make friends in Hobart

Hobart also did well in the most-friendly category, coming in joint second with Perth.

Well I've certainly done a lot of relaxing in Hobart. It's a great walking city. I loved walking around Constitution Dock, Salamanca Place, Battery Point and through the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. I even relaxed without walking - sitting down with a beer at Cascade Brewery.

Is Hobart a friendly city? It is in my experience. Too many tales to tell here. Maybe just one. The time we rocked up to the Theatre Royal hoping to join a tour of this lovely historical building, only to find out there was no tour going that day. One of the staff then kindly offered to take us in to have a look at the inside of the theatre. For free! How very kind and thoughtful...

An event that shines

I could figure out that "mineralogical" is to do with minerals, but what about lapidary? I had to look that up. Apparently, "lapidary" is to do with stones. No surprises there I guess...

At the website of the Lapidary Club of Tasmania, you are invited to see "Tasmania's Hidden Treasures" at the Hobart Showground in Glenorchy, on the weekend of the 19th and 20th March from 9am to 5pm each day.

You will get to see:

• jewellery
• gemstones
• crystals
• fossils
• minerals

There will also be:

• children's activities
• raffles
• books
• demonstrations
• sales

Like many ladies (and many kids too), I am attracted to shiny things. Kids like to play with them, I like to wear them. Not too many shiny things though, I leave that to Christmas trees. I love to stop at shop display windows and admire whatever's shining and got my attention in the first place. Sometimes I get a little mesmerised and need to be gently reminded by hubby to stop dawdling.

Are you like that too? Well this event might be perfect for you. You can gawk at lots of shiny pretty objects for extended periods of time...

It's the word...

Have you ever seen Grease? It will be playing at the Longford Town Hall, on Fridays and Saturdays in March.

The movie, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, was great. The play would be something else.

In this particular production, there will be a cast of 17 and a live band. And you will get to see some of the best Tasmanian talent around.

Plus, as I discovered, there are plenty of other attractions around Longford too.

I will never forget seeing the movie with my friends, to celebrate completing all my exams one school year in my younger life. Not just a fun movie, it brings great memories too...

No less than ten days

From 25th March to 3 April, here's a taste of what's ahead:

• Opening Night featuring a Dinosaur Petting Zoo and Dance Hall action
• 1 Hour Readings to celebrate Tasmania Book Prize 2011
• Hidden Republic showcasing the music of Aboriginal Australia

And there's so much more...

Read all about it at the Ten Days On The Island website.

Well that's it for this issue.

Last month I sent out my thoughts and good wishes to those affected by the recent floods and cyclones. This month I'd like to send out warm heartfelt wishes of peace to those affected by the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand. I spent a couple of years of my life in a small town in South Island and enjoyed many happy times in Christchurch.

We don't know what tomorrow may bring so treasure your loved ones and keep doing what you love. As you can see, I love talking about Tasmania!

Wherever you are, stay safe and take care...

See you in April!

Here's your chance to be a part of
Tasmania-attractions.com!

What if you had just one day in Tasmania? Where would you go? What would you do?

Share your dream with us. If selected, your dream will appear as a page at tasmania-attractions.com

It doesn't matter if you have never been to Tasmania. I would love to hear your thoughts too. It's easy to find out about Tasmania, at tasmania-attractions.com or elsewhere.

This is your chance. Join in the fun. Share your thoughts with us.

We all gain so much from each other's ideas.

Hit us with your best shot

Your best wildlife shot, that is...

Have you ever been in just the right place at just the right time and snagged a great wildlife photo?

Share that photo with us. We would love to see it. Not only that, we would love to get your tips on how you got the photo.

How did you manage not to scare the animal away? What did you do to prepare for the shot?

If selected, your photo and story will appear as a page at tasmania-attractions.com

This is your opportunity to shine. Let's share our stories around.