Road Trip 2012

Day 1. Drove through snow on Mount Arrowsmith on way to Queenstown. Had a stop off at Derwent Bridge to view the wall in the wilderness, a fantastic mural wood carving depicting the industry of the area, and the history of the region. Then on to Queenstown and met up with a friend from a forum site. Was lovely to actually meet up in real life as we seemed like old friends it was just that we hadn't actually met up previously, and have planned to catch up again soon in the south of the state. Then onto Strahan.

Day 2. Gordon River Cruise, absolutely marvellous day out....very informative out through the heads and into the ocean, a historic tour around Sara Island in Macquarie Harbour, a look at Aquafarming, stop off for a walk in the forest and then back to the harbour and a look at a sawing mill. Lunch was a delicious smorgasbord on board the catamaran "The Eagle" it was an open boat, so we got to have a chat with the Captain and see all the navigational features of the vessel too. Then onto the North of the State and a stopover with friends in Ulverstone.

Day 3. Trip to visit friends in Smithton, with a stop off at the Tarkine Wilderness Forest at Dismal Swamp and a slide into the Forest through a large fibreglass, covered slide which reaches speeds of up to 45 kph, lots of twists and turns on the way down... loads of fun. Then a walk on elevated walkways through the swamp, with viewing platforms and loads of information on native flora and fauna. A look into Stanley and a walk around this beautiful little township.

Day 4. Drive across the north of the state with stop off at Bridport en route to Bicheno. Really good deal at the Beachfront at Bicheno Hotel, Ocean View room, meals in the Bistro.... Fillet Mignon (with either chips and salad or veg) which was delicious and a continental Breakfast too for $169 for a double.

Day 5. Headed for home, with a look at Diana's Basin ( where Powerboat races took place in previous years) Swansea,The Pub in the Paddock with its famous beer drinking pig Priscilla, and a cheese tasting at Pyengana.

Yay! I think I found him!

Well, after some unusual meetings with guys, and some very short dates.....(20mins being the shortest!) I think I have found a keeper..... a really lovely guy with my kind of sense of humour....fantastic personality, Honest, Hardworking, and just a great person.... we have been going out for the last 6 weeks, and things just keep getting better.   Trips to Mona, (Museum of old and new art), Art Galleries, Movies, Meals at the Motor Yacht Club, he is just a pleasure to be with... I am so happy!

July! what happened to the first 6 months!

Well, shock, horror! We are halfway through the year already, and I have obviously not been doing much this year.....lol.    I am still on the dating sites....but don't think it is really worthwhile, I have had a few meetings, a couple of nil sparks, and one who swept me off my feet, plied me with gifts, and then seems to have lost my phone number..... oh, shucks!  Have thought about coming off the sites, but am still giving it a shot at this stage.
I am volunteering at Bushy Park Market on Wednesdays, and am President of the Market sub-committee, I really enjoy my day at the Market. My co-workers are lovely, and it is great to meet people from around my neighbourhood.
I am doing a little writing, and have had two articles accepted on the Helium site. I have also come across some things I had written some time ago, so will be giving them a bit of a rewrite. I also have a rough plot for a short story which I will be working on over winter.
I am still doing a bit of knitting, and have a couple of other crafts that I want to have a go at as time permits.
There is a small group of singles that shared a table at the local Christmas Dinner, we have been meeting once a month for lunch or tea, and checking out different establishments around our area, it is lovely to meet up and swap news.
I have been to the movies and seen Exotic Marigold Hotel, loved it so much actually went twice. I hope to go to see The Way soon.  I have also been to see The Platters and The Drifters at Wrest Point Casino, great show.
Have joined a couple of survey and review sites and have earnt a few vouchers and gift cards which have come in handy and have helped the budget along.

Finding Mr Right.....

Well, I had started of 2011 as a widow... and was really missing my dearest partner who had been deceased for 4 months.... and thought well life goes on.....will go onto a dating site.

Reviewing the past year bought to mind several meetings with pleasant enough chaps that just didn't have that "spark"...
 
No 1, I remember having a sleepless night before the first "face to face" meet up, which was a pleasant cup of tea at my favourite local cafe "The Patchwork Cafe" in my nearest township of New Norfolk.    Nice guy, bit younger than me, lovely afternoon strolling around the township looking at antique shops. 

No 2 was better, good sense of humour, we actually hit it off quite well there for about 5 months... then he asked for 3 weeks to make a decision as to whether to continue seeing me or go back to his ex.... excuse me... why do you need 3 weeks.... toss a coin, saves a lot of time.... I actually rang her in the end and asked if she was going to take him back or not....that helped to clarify the situation and brought things to a head..   (she was willing to try again, and I am not about to become the "other woman" so adios number 2)

No 3 was quite nice, except he was about 7 years older than me and thought I was "too frisky".... do occassionally meet up with him still and have a drink and pass on some books.

No 4 a DJ (got me I love music) we met up for a coffee, but the meal invite was not forthcoming... I think I let myself down when we were talking wines, and he asked me what my favourite tipples where and started naming Wineries.... I said I usually drink Chateu Cardboard.... or something from the special bin at BWS.

No 5 a travelling salesman dealing in mobile phones... no spark

No 6 nice enough person,  meal together, I rang him and disturbed his afternoon sport watching nothing else happening there.....

No 7 bought flowers to the first meeting, more flowers to the second meeting, had a meal together he bought some wine, I cooked a meal, quite nice, then he dropped in uninvited after having driven 90kms, was upset because that morning I had said I was home... all day... when he had phoned.  I was in the township, visiting a friend, meanwhile he then went to someone I had introduced him to, and poured out his heart and soul... apparently I was the best thing since sliced bread, I was the answer to his prayers... it was meant to be... I came home and prepared some lunch.... he shared how he had been disappointed that I wasnt where  I had said I would be when he arrived.... I gave him the brush off... too possesive...on a third meeting...

No 8 nice... family issues, we are friends....and that is all it is likely to be

No 9. Ah now this one will take a while.... reading the profile fishing, boating, BDSM, all on one line, then gardening, and other hobbies all on seperate lines, when the chat feature comes up, this person is online and would like to chat to me..... well why not, the little chat box comes up and obliterates a large centre part of the profile, but obligingly we chat away for over an hour, he seems a wonderful sort of person, my sense of humour...easy to chat too....we arrange to chat again the following night, I list him as a contact.... and we part company for the night,  I re-read his profile and wonder what on earth BDSM is... it is obviously related to the fishing and boating being all on the one line, must be something like big deep sea marlin fishing, wouldnt you think.... so I googled it... as you do... I went straight from a glass of wine, to the bottle of port..... Bondage, Domination, discipline and submission, also Sado Masochism... Oh far out.... avoided the site for a couple of days.... When I next go online to this site, up pops a message, good to see you.....it is him.... Mr BDSM, I said I didnt think we had a lot in common, especially since I had now found out what BDSM is, and it is not Big Deep Sea Marlin fishing..... he rolled on the floor laughing,..and asked me why I thought it was that... I explained it was all on the same line....more laughter.... he then asked "have you never wanted to tie someone up, and do what you want with them"
My response to this question.... of course I have..... but I divorced him, it was easier...... lol,

No 10, met up  chocolates, flowers and a walk, cuppa at a local cafe...very nice.  Phone call inviting me to lunch the following day in a Hobart suburb with lovely cafes along the main strip.  Got up, showered, did the hair and make up, took some time getting ready I was certainly our to impress; Arrived at arranged meeting place and we started to walk away from the main strip towards The Salvation Army Corp for that area, and in we went to their Community Lunch which is free the first time you go and they only ask for a coin donation at other times. For the first time in my entire life I was the most well dressed person in the room.... and apparently I am a bit posh.

and that sums up the dating scene for a 57 year old female in 2011.....

In December I bought myself a lovely dog called bronc..... he did run away after only 1 week in my tender loving care, but was brought back, and is the only male in my life at the moment other than my gorgeous grandsons......

ps - I am still on the sites... will keep you posted.....lol