Tasmanian wanderings

Posted on July 10, 2011 by cityhippyfarmgirl

Lured by her siren song, Tasmania has been calling for a long time now. A whispered song at first. Easy to be ignored, turned away for another day, another time. Happy memories of a trip from years before keep the song going. Time moves on and the songs tempo changes. A quickened beat, thoughts of, I wonder…

A fleeting weekend, changes the beat of the song once more. She calls more insistently now. A winter week away beckons…

A week of real winter weather

History

Long quiet nights of reading

Soft snow falling

Apples

Meeting the fabulous people behind the fabulous blogs

And more wonderful food than is rightfully so.

Going back to the Hobart Farmers Markets with the family was like stepping into a familiar pair of comfortable worn shoes. Some of the stalls were different, but some were the same. I was happy to wait while people lined up to make their local food purchases. Gave me a chance to soak it all in. Not as much soaking as I would have liked this time though. The Monkeys were pulling my legs and tweaking at my fingers… as there was cupcakes on the line.

C & C Cupcake Factory make seasonal cupcakes sourcing sustainable and local products. Rhubarb from the garden, quinoa milled from not far away and cupcakes that left us all wishing we weren’t leaving before they were next going to be selling at the markets. I had to reign in the excited puppy within while talking with the lovely Michelle. She had swapped Sydney streets for a slower Tasmanian life years before and I would have happily quizzed her until closing time. I didn’t though, and went and filled my arms with more goodies for meals over the next few days.

I hadn’t got to try any of Rare Food’s piggy treats last time, but this time The Monkeys had put in orders for bacon and what sort of mama would I be if I denied them? Heritage breed, locally bred, locally made products, and I get to talk with the producer. Ticks all the boxes that I’m after. Matthew Evans was also selling his new book just out, which I had heard whispers of.

I wasn’t going to buy it I really wasn’t. I didn’t need a new recipe book, and I had been really happy with the Real Food Companion. But, I did buy it… how could I not?

Winter on the Farm is the kind of book that makes you want to curl up in front of a fire, hot tea by your side, biscuit crumbs on your chest and slowly read your way through. Book marking every second page for further reference. These are the kind of recipes that I like. Recipes that can be easily tweaked, with ingredients that you might have on hand… and the photography is truly, beautiful.

* More Tassie bits to come…

53 thoughts on “Tasmanian wanderings”

Celia on July 10, 2011 at 12:35 pm said:

I hope the more Tassie bits to come includes you locked in a big smooch with Matthew Evans… 😉

I’m just teasing, Mr Chocolate, just teasing.. 😉

So good to see you’ve been having a good time, thanks for sharing your holidays with us, Brydie!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 10, 2011 at 7:16 pm said:
  
  Oh behave Celia 😉
  
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bagnidilucca on July 10, 2011 at 12:40 pm said:

Tasmania is very beautiful and the food is wonderful. Have a great time.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 10, 2011 at 7:16 pm said:
  
  It is beautiful and a whole lot of wonderful. Back home now though.
  
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Kari @ bite-sized thoughts on July 10, 2011 at 2:53 pm said:

I’m going to love seeing your photos and recollections and finding the overlap 🙂 Gorgeous shots thus far.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 10, 2011 at 7:18 pm said:
  
  We got back last night too Kari, can’t wait to see your pictures. Your big jacket come in handy?
  
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Zara on July 10, 2011 at 4:13 pm said:

You are so lucky. After watching Gourmet Farmer (and buying the DVD) and reading about Michelle’s lifestyle in Country Style I really want to visit Tasmania, and one day even move there. The way of life their seems so idyllic. For now I’ll just dream.
Zara

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 10, 2011 at 7:20 pm said:
  
  Dreams are good Zara. Dreams turn into things if you dream hard enough… and I’m right there with you.
  
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teawithhazel on July 10, 2011 at 4:44 pm said:

i’ve never been to tasmania even though ive been wanting to go for years..your photos reinforce my expectations that i would love it..looking forward to seeing more of your photos..jane

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 10, 2011 at 7:36 pm said:
  
  I don’t think I’ve met anyone that was disappointed on going there
  
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Christine on July 10, 2011 at 5:05 pm said:

Welcome back! Lovely pics so far..looking forward to hearing more about your trip. Have you read Living the Good Life by Linda Cockburn? She traded a life of hustle and bustle in (suburban QLD in her case) for a slower pace and strawbale cottage dream in Tassie. It’s a great read! She has a blog too..

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 10, 2011 at 7:48 pm said:
  
  Thanks Christine. Just reading through her blog now. I think I had heard of the book a while ago but it had escaped through a crevice in my brain. I think I need to read it…
  
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alison@thisbloominglife on July 10, 2011 at 6:31 pm said:

I looooooove Tassie. Did you try any Bruny Island Cheese? And absolutely fantastic op shopping ssssssh don’t tell anyone. We try to go once a year and always bring back the most amazing mementoes be they art/craft/antiques/food/memories.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 10, 2011 at 7:50 pm said:
  
  I did have some of Bruny Island Cheese and it was delicious. Even went over there to sample some more but it was closed…which was a bugger.
  
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Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on July 10, 2011 at 6:57 pm said:

YAY I love your Tassie stories! And I’ve got one to go too on Hobart. Isn’t it great there? The produce is just so story worthy!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 10, 2011 at 7:53 pm said:
  
  There are so many fantastic looking foodie places to eat in Hobart. So many great options, that are just begging to be sampled.
  
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Joanna @ Zeb Bakes on July 10, 2011 at 7:27 pm said:

What’s the building in the very first pic? Is it a mill or a shot tower? Tasmania is the other side of the world for me, so it is wonderful to read about your trips there as if it was the Isle of Wight 😉

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 10, 2011 at 8:03 pm said:
  
  Clever girl. A shot tower it is, built in 1870. The whole process of how a shot was made is quite amazing.
  We climbed to the top on some rickety looking old stairs. The Monkeys frollicked ahead and I gripped on with sweaty hands. Heights and I aren’t the best of friends.
  
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heidi on July 10, 2011 at 9:43 pm said:

So the little monkeys got piggy and cupcakes, you got an autographed recipe book, what treasure did Mr. Chocolate get?
What a great adventure- you – once again in pure food land!
I love the photographs- especially the moss in the snow. So clear and clean! It is nice to see a little snow in the middle of a hot and sticky summer (here).
I’m looking forward to your adaptations of the recipes!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 11, 2011 at 6:21 am said:
  
  Mr Chocolate got…chocolate…and fudge, and then a bit more and all was well in the world 🙂
  
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Richard Elliot on July 10, 2011 at 9:48 pm said:

Glad to hear you had a good time. I loved my visit to Tasmania in February. My only regret was that I didn’t manage to visit Hobart on a Saturday for the market.

I need to pop into a book shop to check out Matthew Evan’s new book. I love the Real Food Companion.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 11, 2011 at 6:24 am said:
  
  The Salamanca markets are great. Lots of goodies.
  …and the book? I dare you not to buy it Richard 😉
  
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sheof108names on July 10, 2011 at 10:36 pm said:

Lovely pics of Tassie. It’s reminding me of the Gourmet Farmer series – which I found out about on your blog – a very satisfying DVD purchase. Just watching that show made me want to move there!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 11, 2011 at 6:26 am said:
  
  The new series should be out a little later on in the year, and I suspect a whole bunch of realestate bought up in Tasmania because of it. It does fuel dreams…
  
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Gina on July 10, 2011 at 10:38 pm said:

Oh I love Tassie so much. Naughty girl, buying the book… (is it fabulous? I bet it is!)>

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 11, 2011 at 6:28 am said:
  
  I ditched candles on my bookshelf to make room for the book yesterday. Who needs candles with kids around anyway!
  
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Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide on July 11, 2011 at 12:10 am said:

What a great place. I want those sausages! Have you seen the blog A Bloke Who Can Cook? He lives there and is always talking about the local products. Sounds so cool.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 11, 2011 at 6:29 am said:
  
  I have! And actually found him just before we went through you!
  I really like his blog.
  
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Choclette on July 11, 2011 at 1:11 am said:

Never mind Matthews book – what about your book? You have such brilliant poetic prose and I know could do a brilliant book. Signed copy for me please 😉

If it wasn’t for the gum trees in the background, I’d have thought that mill was in England somewhere. Hope the rest of the trip was as good as this first bit.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 11, 2011 at 6:40 am said:
  
  Aw shucks Choclette…too kind.
  
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Sonya on July 11, 2011 at 7:08 am said:

Matthew Evans will be at Maleny this Thursday to launch his book – we’re booked in to attend. Love your photos of Tassie. I’m a bit scared to go there because I think I might never want to come back…

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 11, 2011 at 1:33 pm said:
  
  Sonya I’m willing to bet a whole big bunch of something that you would love it down there. Enjoy the book launch 🙂
  
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kim on July 11, 2011 at 7:57 am said:

So glad you had a lovely break away from the city. Sounds to me like you want to move to Tasmania. It really is a beautiful place and so untouched .

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 11, 2011 at 1:35 pm said:
  
  It is beautiful Kim, and as for moving there, I think that’s what we need to work out…
  
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MultipleMum on July 11, 2011 at 9:46 am said:

What a scrumptious trip! Tassie has always been about bushwalking and taking in that AMAZING countryside so this is a real treat. To see it through a Foodie’s eyes. I am going to take a look at that book at my local bookstore (a perve only because I still can’t buy anything new :-() x

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 11, 2011 at 1:38 pm said:
  
  Looking is still fulfilling MM 🙂
  
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dixiebelle on July 11, 2011 at 4:43 pm said:

The photos are fantastic! Oh, I hear Tasmania calling too, and this post didn’t help, but I think Bangalow is calling me more on these chilly Winter days though! It all looks so wonderful… big *sigh*…

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 12, 2011 at 2:07 pm said:
  
  Bangalow wouldn’t be a bad substitute at all. That place frequently calls me too.
  
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jo on July 11, 2011 at 10:20 pm said:

You are right Tassie is beautiful, i came for a holiday 5 years ago and didnt want to leave, we made a 5 yr plan and moved here last november. I live in the huon valley, close to the gourmet farmet and cup cake lady, surrounded by orchards, hills, and fresh air, it is the best thing i ever did. Dont just dream do it.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 12, 2011 at 2:09 pm said:
  
  I loved the Huon Valley. I really felt I could easily live there. Gorgeous, gorgeous countryside. I love hearing stories of how people got there… thank you.
  
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Amanda on July 11, 2011 at 10:48 pm said:

Oh, I just love Tasmania and haven’t been there for ages, now. I can’t wait to get back there – the food, the wines, and the magnificent scenery – they have it all!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 12, 2011 at 2:10 pm said:
  
  Yep, yep, and yep!
  
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Amanda on July 12, 2011 at 5:11 am said:

your pictures and descriptions make me homesick for winter.

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 12, 2011 at 2:18 pm said:
  
  I love winter. Gorgeous time of year.
  
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Bee Mary on July 12, 2011 at 10:47 am said:

I love your blog and the beautiful photos. Can’t wait until my own Tasmanian adventure in the Spring. If you have the time to reply, I would LOVE to know how you watermark your photographs. Please tell me how to do it to my own photos. Many thanks, Bee at http://eggsandhoney.wordpress.com

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 12, 2011 at 7:39 pm said:
  
  Thanks Mary, that’s really kind. I hope you have a wonderful trip to Tasmania!
  …will pop over your way re: watermark
  
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Maria @ Scandifoodie on July 12, 2011 at 5:49 pm said:

This is perfect! We’re planning a trip to Tassie in September!

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- cityhippyfarmgirl on July 12, 2011 at 7:40 pm said:
  
  I’ll look forward to your gorgeous photos Maria 🙂
  
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tinytearoom on July 12, 2011 at 7:59 pm said:

I here Tasmania calling me through your blog post. It all sounds so amazing. Richard recommended the Real Food Companion on a number of occasions. It looks like I’ll have to get both books soon.

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spiceandmore on July 18, 2011 at 10:15 am said:

Aahh…Tasmania…and you got to meet Matthew Evans too! Lucky you. Since watching the first series of Gourmet Farmer Tasmania has been on my list of places to visit as well. Can’t wait for the new series to start!

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Kristi on July 18, 2011 at 8:30 pm said:

i love that photo of the beach boxes and your words about tassie singing you their. i faintly hear it singing to me.

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turid on July 20, 2011 at 5:44 am said:

Stunning, stunning photos.I know the earth is round, but I still find myself amazed that you have winter and snow now. Beautiful. Your writing melts together with the images, and they remind me of the book I am currently reading. What a beautiful place you live in.

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