February 29, 2012

a horse! my industrial zone for a horse!

Amazing the things you find when you take a detour. In the vacant blocks behind the Invermay industrial zone, I found a trio of horses. I imagine they're pretty content with their lot, considering the space to roam and the amount of grass just waiting for a good munching.

February 28, 2012

excavation


Work continues on the old BP site. Or, more correctly, it's still looking for all the world like a condemned man...

February 27, 2012

I love the smell of coal tar in the morning...


On Cimitere Street, you'll find the outer supports for one of the former gas cells for the gasworks complex. My understanding is that gas was extracted from coal via heating, in a process known (rather whimsically) as "coal gasification".

When the innards of this gas cell was demolished in the middle of last decade, there was a rather strong lingering smell of coal-tar - the main by-product of gasification - for quite a few months. Not the most unpleasant smell in the world to some of us weirdos!

February 26, 2012

"cook with gas"


Another angle on the former gasworks complex. in a neat little bit of convergence, a contemporary LPG distributor have located on site in the last few years. More to come on this site, as I took quite a few photos here last week.

The familiar "COOK WITH GAS" sign at the top (also on the other side of the building) is composed of holes in the brickwork, so on a nice sunny day it makes an impression.

February 25, 2012

constant vigilance


While I was taking some photos in the industrial area of Invermay on the weekend, this guy made sure I was (constantly) aware that these boats weren't mine. In fact, everything behind the fence belonged to this guy, and this guy alone.

I sure wasn't going to argue.

February 24, 2012

brave little bridge


Wading out into the raging waters like a concrete hippo, is the bridge-without-a-name. Funny, I never thought to ask what it's name is, or if it has one. It's the one that takes the West Tamar Road onto Trevallyn and beyond.

Still, it is a lot braver than I, dipping its feet into a somewhat swollen South Esk.

February 23, 2012

path closed due to flooding...


Back in August, we had some fairly heavy rain in the north-east of the state. Usually, this means we end up with a lot of water draining through the Esk Rivers, and ultimately the Tamar. Richie's Mill, which sits a few metres above the high tide level of the Tamar & South Esk confluence, looks fine. This time, it was probably a tad close for comfort, as the sign & debris indicate the water came up over this section of boardwalk.

We have things in place in Launceston to avoid widespread damage from flooding, however eagle-eyed locals will have noted there are a few buildings that exist on the other side of the flood levees...

February 22, 2012

two little ducks


A pair of pacific blacks, out for a lazy paddle along the North Esk. They really didn't seem in a hurry - usually when I'm trying to take a photo like this, they inevitably move on before I've taken my shot.

Thanks guys.

February 20, 2012

adieu, BP


You could use all the cliches in the world, but the fact is that small suburban petrol outlets like this in cities are an endangered species. This was one of the very few who still offered driveway service, and the staff were always very helpful. Unfortunately for outlets like this, the majority of people would rather drive to the supermarket-supported petrol stations in order to get that extra 2-3 cents a litre discount.

February 19, 2012

silt


One of the mild ironies of Launceston is that the Old Launceston Seaport development is actually a fair way inland. In fact, the Tamar River is Australia's longest estuary, clocking in at 70km before terminating with the two Esk Rivers.

One of the defining features of estuaries is that they are tidal. So every now and then, the water runs back out to Bass Strait and we're left with the exposed river bed, which is pretty much just mud. This mud causes a lot of angst in Launceston, and millions of dollars have been spent over the years raking, dredging, blowing up, and generally just trying to shift it.

The ducks don't seem to mind the mud, though.

As an aside, I have started a new photography project titled Hong Kong In The 80s. It's worth popping in once a week to have a look, and should appeal to people who like old photos, Hong Kong, and the 80s.

February 18, 2012

when two become three


Like a lot of people who love taking photos, I really dig old rusty crap. And the Inveresk railyards are full of derelict and sort-of-neglected bits and pieces.

I say "sort-of-neglected" because between the 1960s and the new millenium (still sounds fancy to say that), this area lay abandoned - a bit of an eyesore. However, in the 90s someone (or someones, I'd say) saw the potential for this inner-city industrial scab to become the city's cultural heart. A fair bit of money was poured into the project, and in the early part of last decade it became the sort of place you could go to have a coffee, see a play or football, view some art, play on old trains without fear of tetanus, or study.

It's really a swell place to spend a Sunday afternoon, if you're so inclined. Just follow the train lines...

February 17, 2012

a house by the train line


A little cottage at the Inveresk railyards. I'm not quite sure what purpose it served, but as it's right beside the derelict line that crosses via a narrow bridge over the North Esk River my guess is it was some kind of toll house or check-in-booth for trains coming to the railyards.

Of course, nowadays it mostly functions as a target for graffiti, an object of curiousity to passers-by, and a subject for daily photo bloggers.

February 15, 2012

corner shop


I see quite a few people pop in here on the way to work of a morning (or home of an evening), and coming out with a coffee, salad roll, newspaper, or an ice cream.

February 14, 2012

orphans


I've been walking past these two drink containers for about three weeks now. They just turned up one day and never left. Since last weekend, they have been joined by a beer bottle as well. As of this 7:45 morning, they're still in the same spot...

As an aside, I quite like the tiles on the pillar of this building. They remind me of sprites, Spectravideo-style.

February 13, 2012

Party in the Park

Every mid-February, thousands of people descend on City Park to attend Festivale - three days of food, drink, and merriment. The weather's good, and Tasmania gets a chance to show just how good the stuff we make & produce actually is.

I had a good time, thank you for asking.

February 10, 2012

corridor


Once upon a time, this building was the local infectious diseases hospital, as well as an aged care facility. These days, it houses offices that support the local health department.

February 9, 2012

a happy little munchkin


This little girl has been camped out at my work quite a bit recently. One of my colleagues is looking after Ruby here, and I've been meaning to bring my camera in to work for weeks.

And finally, after quite a bit of nervous fidgeting from the subject, and cursing of slow reflexes on my part, Ruby struck a pose and held it for the fraction of a second it took to snap this one.

For the record, Ruby is a Tasmanian Pademelon (Thylogale billardierii), endemic to Tasmania. Quite a common beastie in forests, scrublands, and basically anywhere else you'll find open areas for feeding, and covered areas for shelter. They generally eat grass, but I'm reliably informed that Ruby here is partial to a bit of sweet potato when she can get it.

February 8, 2012


Another one of those old Launceston buildings, dotted around the city here and there.

February 5, 2012

A coffee shop with a sign...


One thing I do like about going out for a coffee, is when it's a warm day, and you can sit in the shade with said coffee, watching the world go by, snapping away at the interesting stuff. Of which this sign is a good example.  

The eagle-eyed might even spot the generally shy author/photographer in shot...

February 4, 2012

NO HIPPIES


It's not discrimination, it's just that by and large, Tasmanians love their humour with a spoonful of irony. Seen in the window of an excellent vegetarian/hippy cafe on Charles Street.

The blueberry bagels with jam & cream cheese are particularly nom-worthy.

February 3, 2012

Dressing room

Shoes...a full length mirror...

...in a bank vault. Formerly. Now, it's the changing room in a boutique clothing store.

February 2, 2012

Holyman House

You can't really do a photo blog about Launceston without including Holyman House. It's a fairly prominent art-deco building, and it's just so photogenic.

To me, it looks like the corner of an unfinished streetscape. Off to the left of shot, you can see the adjoining buildings don't quite fit in look or size - so Holyman House looks to me a little like a lonely cruise ship.