Mt Wellington/Kunanyi, Hobart, Tasmania

Mt Wellington/Kunanyi is the impressive igneous mountain towering over the city of Hobart. I can remember the first time I ever visited here. It was freezing cold, windy, and covered in snow. Yes, it was just the end of Winter, and so that was expected. Whereas this time, we went and it was summer. Meaning that we had some really nice blue sky in-between white fluffy clouds..... for about 20 minutes. Then, in came a quick front, it smashed us with wind and even hailed while we were there. Then it happily returned to sunshine. That, to me, is the essence of Tasmania (Tassie to most Australians). I recall when living there working on Christmas Day and it snowed! This is in the middle of summer.... Yes, Tasmania is a completely different world to the rest of Australia.

This has to be one of the better toilet views in the world. 

Down the hill to Hobart.

A panorama from the top

Another panorama clearly

One of the walkways to a viewpoint.

As it got a little wild outside we popped into the observatory to ride out the storm. I love the reflections of people here.

and here.

I think we were getting close to that on the day we were there.

Here is the hail, wind, rain..... scary but fun.

It was hard to walk around, let alone get across the car park to the car!

Then to show you the contrast, as the front came from the SE here on the NW side of the mountain the rain created steamy situations on the road to the peak.

Worth the drive up to the top. If I had more time, and more appropriate clothing, I would have tried to take one of the walking trail to the top.

More Iseo Stuff

So, we wanted to go to the Monte Isola the largest lake island in south and central Europe. It sits in the middle of the lake, and only has a small population but is a really interesting place. The highest peak is 419m up and it is some tough going in 30C+ heat. We still thought it would be fun to climb it though.

Sun already blazing, even though it was early morning. Time to get on a ferry.

The lakes shoreline 

Sulzano from the water.

The trail to the peak

The view back across the lake as they dismantled the floating piers

The piers appear to be telling you the way to Taverna Bergamasca

Some unripe berries.

I do love a good meadow.

At the peak there is the Sanctuary of Madonna della Ceriola

A decent view down.

It stands from the 16th Century.

I think, and don't hold me to this, that these little tablets are recorded miracles attributed to Madonna.... I think....

out of the church.

We got to see them removing the underlay from the floating piers where they were on land.

It made some pretty cool patterns

Then we took the train home. Toot!