Happy New Year!!!

Sunday, December 31, 2023
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
We were up and on the footpath early, with a plan to walk to Sandy Bay and Wrest Point. We figured we could get some breakfast in Sandy Bay, so we headed in that direction. We passed beautiful old houses along the Sandy Bay Road and into the suburb of Sandy Bay. We kept going,  thinking the water view would be better for breakfast. However, there was nothing open there, so we turned back and made our way to The Duchess Cafe in Sandy Bay.
It was quite busy, but we found a table on the lawn. A waitress brought us menus, took our coffee orders and water, delivered the coffees and then disappeared for about 40 minutes while we chatted and tried to catch her attention. Finally, she saw us and took our orders. The food didn’t take too long to arrive and was pretty good. It took a long time, but we were mostly happy relaxing in the shade. It was finally a sunny, warm day. The sun packs quite a punch when in pops its head out.
After the long brunch, way too late now to be breakfast, we were back on the footpath to the Sandy Beach foreshore where the boats on the water created a pretty picture. We continued on to the Wrest Point Casino complex. Wrest Point was the first casino in Australia. It’s not the greatest looking building and the gardens seem a little tired. We enjoyed the cool of the shaded trees and the views over the water before traipsing around and finally finding the entrance. Clare and I went in for a quick look, it’s fancy-ish hotel inside with a few restaurant choices.
We headed back towards the city, staying close to the water’s edge. We passed the yacht clubs and yachties arriving for some sort of event. The views were lovely and the walk was enjoyable, even when we hit the big hill taking us back up to Battery Point. We declined to walk up the stairs at Nanny Goat Lane, opting for the shorter set at Billy Goat Lane. The neighbourhood is pretty and soon we were meandering back down Kelly Street and into Salamanca Place in the heart of Hobart.
We had earned a good lunch after all our walking and stopped in at the Post Street Social with views over Constitution Dock. We shared a few plates and had a drink while taking in the view and the activity as things were set up for the NYE festivities.
We started towards our hotel, the boys went home for a nap but Clare and I stopped in for coffee and cake at Daci and Daci, a fancy patisserie. We had coffees and shared an almond tart before heading back home. 
I had booked a table at the Telegraph Hotel for 8pm. It was buzzing when we got there with a musician playing and the crowd growing. Karen and Darren joined us and then Anthea and Trav arrived. It was so good to see them. We chatted and had a few drinks, then Trav decided it was time to order some food. Good call - we almost missed dinner. The kitchen was closing, a few plates were no longer available, but we all managed to get some delicious food.
It was a fun dinner, but the hour of midnight was approaching . Clare pulled out the party hats ready to celebrate. Anthea and Trav left early to beat the traffic as Trav was flying back to Perth in the morning. The rest of us headed out to the waterfront where the crowd was massive. For a small population there was a lot of people there, with many levels of inebriation. It was a fun crowd and then the fireworks started and were impressive over the water and all the yachts in dock.
We walked back to the hotel with the crowd as everyone dispersed in different directions. Karen and Darren had parked close to our hotel, so we were almost home when we said our goodbyes to them. It was nice to meet them and spend New Year’s with them.
In to bed, ready to leave the city the next day. 2023 is done. It has been an excellent year.

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2025-02-09

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