Fossicking at Weld River, Tasmania

The other week our family and some dear friends went to Weld River, in Tasmania to go fossicking for Sapphires and Topaz!!! We camped for 2 nights in the area and had a wonderful time on an Autumn sunny day at the river. 

 Early morning sun rays over the trees

 Esther cooking some toast by the camp fire!

 Gorgeous Coral Lichen!! Sometimes called Snow Lichen due to the white colour! 

Read more HERE.

 

 There were loads of tiny black stones which Anita says is a good sign but 

sadly we didn't find anything... this trip!!

 

 

 Playing at the camp site in Blue Lake, Tasmania.

We did however have an amazing time out in nature and enjoying this Autumn season, excited to go out again and find some of God's precious treasures!
Smiles The Torrents'

Fossicking for Fossils (Poatina, Tasmania)

Recently the homeschool families went on a field trip down to the creek to fossick for some FOSSILS! There are some AMAZING finds in one particular spot and we certainly found some fantastic samples.
Hannah Cooper (from ROCKsalt Arts) lead the talk and showed the children different rocks and what to look for when searching in God's wonderful world!

 These are dolomite rocks and are very easy to find at the top, surface level of Poatina.

 

Wonderful example of smokey quartz lodged in the ground.

 Finding FOSSILS!!!

 Sea shells and what looks like a starfish! AMAZING!!!

 

 Sophia and Mrs Dougal extracting a rock from the side of the path.... what will be on it??

 

Now the rock is out, look what is in/on it.... Lots of delicate shell print fossils!

What a super cool time of discovery and wonder and learning and finding! I've taken some of the fossils we found to the Queen Victoria Museum (In Launceston) to have them assessed! Can't wait to find out exactly what we found. YAY for fossicking!
Smiles The Torrents'

Wonderful World Wednesday - Deer spotting and a bush walk!

I am truly in my happy place when I'm out in nature! Since moving to Poatina there has been many an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors! This walk was full of wonder as we had a good friend come along with us and he is a keen deer spotter!!

 

 

He told us how deer rub their antlers on young trees to scratch themselves and also to remove the velvet coating that is on their antlers. He spotted quite a few trees that were totally DEER LOVED and could tell us if it was from this season or last when it was used!

 

He found some tracks, (though this pic doesn't really show them very well) where there was clear evidence that a doe and her young had been walking together!

As well as all the deer facts we also found some fossils! WOW these are sooo awesome to come across!! I get SUPER excited when discovering a fossil!! (which I've only ever done since moving here!)

 

 Sophia liked this rock in particular as it looks like Tassie or a love heart.

Lastly we found these HUGE animal burrows, they really were HUGE!!! Wombats we were thinking but no sign of "doings" near the entrance made it hard to know for sure.

Autumn mushrooms are also popping up!

 Heading back home and time for a selfie with Sophia, 

 

 

 

So that was our Wonderful World Wednesday, truly wonderful in every way!
Smiles The Torrents'

Wonderful World Wednesday - The Beach in Winter

Have you ever been to the beach in Winter?? It's not something that you would probably think of, isn't that a Summer activity? Well yes, you are right, but the beach in the Winter is an amazing place full of surprises, well that's what we found in these last school holidays!
Headed for Friendly beaches on the East coast of Tasmanian, we enjoyed an AMAZING time of sunshine, rain, rainbows, discovery and enjoyment of God's awesome creation!

 

 

 

 

We also ended up at Coles Bay (after all it was only another 25 minutes or so down the road) where I took my children to a beach that I played on when I was little! A place that I hold very dear, memories full of happiness, it was wonderful to share that with our precious children.

Can't wait for our next trip,
Smiles The Torrents'

History of Launceston for Kids - Prince's Square

Tuesday's are our History learning days. We are having a ball getting out and about in the crisp Winter air and discovering the wonder of the History of Launceston.

 

Prince's Square, once called St John's Square is a remarkable place of interest! Whether it be the stories about the amazing fountain in the center, of the fact that convicts used to make bricks there or even that the Duke of Edinburgh himself planted two Oak trees (that are still standing.) There is PLENTY to learn about this square!!

Like why is there a statue of Dr William Russ Pugh on the steps of the park??? Well you will need to read on HERE to find that out.....

Here is the old hospital building that he worked at... the plaque tells all about it. Hannah is reading it out to everyone.

See the awesome old sign in the footpath...... sooo very cool!!
WE are loving this,
Smiles The Torrents'