Cultural Adventure on the North Side

Great weather for ducks

Another wet and windy day but who can complain after the wonderful surprise the OGO gave me last Monday - keep those little minds pure please. Lol. 
 
After the wonderful day spent on the Ida Bay Railway we planned a trip to Salamanca Market for the Saturday, a day in the garden (rose pruning) on Sunday after a visit to Snug markets for produce, and a second 'adventure' to Bruny Island on Monday.  

Walking in the Rain

Best laid plans of man were not to eventuate - Saturday the OGO didn't look too good after a very sleepless night, so no drive to Hobart said Mrs OGO - day of rest for the OGO and time in the garden for me.  Good thing I worked in the garden that day - poured with rain all day Sunday, but we did manage a very damp walk with Billy on the Snug River track so not all was lost. 

Things didn't improve on Monday morning when Mrs OGO had problems walking - result - no 'adventure' to Bruny Island today! bummer. 

As the day, and Mrs OGO, improved, we continued our discussions with much fervour about what activities we wanted to fit in before we leave Tassie in three weeks time, including planning a three day trip to the East Coast (24-26 July). The 'bucket' list seemed quite reasonable, but of course a lot depended on the weather - not just for the planned activities but for work in the garden to finish the rose pruning - the latter being one of the main conditions of our house-sitting and main request from the owners before they left for their own travels.

'Bucket' list - another Bruny Island 'adventure'; 3 day trip to East Coast (already settled on date, just book accommodation); Salamanca market (include that at end of 3 day East Coast trip); Hobart CBD (can do on Monday 5th August - our extra day before leaving); and a visit to MONA (that would be a full day in Hobart). The latter required some internet work for times, costs, etc - and then suddenly an unpredictable, 'romantic' OGO appeared in our lounge room.  Where did he come from?!!

Panorama of Derwent River

Searching the MONA site we discovered that not only was MONA an unusual museum and gallery, it also had some rather unusual accommodation on the grounds.  
Now this is no ordinary motel - these are eight of the most expensive, elite SC apartments on the Derwent River - and not even in my dreams would I consider staying there.  But it seems an opportunity presented itself for the OGO to book an apartment for one night at half price (still not factored into the budget of the Minister of Peace and Finance) but it was only offered for Tuesday night (that being the next day!) --  and what do you know -- early Tuesday morning Mrs OGO is packing an overnight case for a romantic overnight getaway in Hobart! Knock me down with a feather.

Now you have to know the background to this development (i.e. MONA, apartments, and Moorilla vineyard) and have some knowledge of the owner, David Walsh, to appreciate the whole scenario that has unfolded here.

Entrance to MONA

David Walsh suffers from Aspergers (I think that is the correct spelling). He made his fortune through gambling on the horses, and other things, on money he borrowed from friends.  He had always 'collected' things from the time he was a small boy, and eventually his collection 'outgrew' his accommodation.  His story is quite amazing and very interesting - and so is MONA - the Museum of Old and New Art.  To get a better understanding of this very, very unusual and 'quirky' museum you should visit the MONA website at www.mona.net.au

Derwent River at night

For family and friends that have our email address/es you can even view the tours that we took through the museum by just 'retrieving my tour' under the 'O' on the top menu. You will need to enter the email address though.
This was quite an unusual 'cultural adventure' -- and  a wonderful place to spend a romantic getaway.

Here I shall leave you to 'investigate' the MONA site and all it has to offer visitors. In my next post I will give you a look at what we enjoyed on our day of 'cultural adventure' to MONA.