Thulani in Tasmania - Day 8

Day 8 Monday 25th April:
 
Today is ANZAC day.
 
The clock in this photo is our war memorial in Ulverstone. The 3 columns represent, the army, navy and air force, and Each ANZAC day ex-patriots and/or their families march and lay wreaths of remembrance at the base of the clock. This clock is at the top of our main street in town.

Today Thulani went up to a farm to see some cattle being fed. They were very curious, and Thulani got to sit on the 4 wheeler motorbike. 

 
 

This afternoon we watched a game of Australian rules football.

The Ulverstone team wears red and black. They are called the robins. They played Penguin who wear blue. It was cold there, but we had a great day.

Thulani in Tasmania - Day 6 & 7

Day 6 Saturday 23rd April 
Thulani went shopping with Rosemary and sat quietly while she had coffee with her partner Viv. We bought new pillows!

An aerial view of Ulverstone which is at the mouth of the Leven River.

 

Day 7 Sunday 24th April 
Easter Bunny came to our house. He left a Cadbury egg and some tiny eggs for Thulani.

Cadbury chocolate is made in Hobart, Tasmania and it is the BEST chocolate in the world!

Thulani in Tasmania - Day 4 & 5

Day 4 Thursday 21st April: 
Thulani was back at school for our Cross Country running carnival. The children competed in long distance running. It was a great afternoon and Thulani thoroughly enjoyed himself.
 

Day 5 Friday 22nd April:

 
Today is the beginning of the Easter celebration. We traditionally eat fish on this day. It is a public holiday, and we have the day at home with family and friends. Thulani was lucky enough to eat some of Erin's chocolate coated strawberries from the local strawberry farm.

 

Thulani in Tasmania - Day 2 & 3

Day 2 : Tuesday 19th April: 
Thulani went to Somerset to a nursing home to visit one of Beryl's very dear friends. Her name is Joyce and she is very very ill. She was delighted to hear the story of Thulani, and he brought a smile to her face when Beryl told her of his adventures so far and where he was to go next. He also went to visit some other elderly people at the home and brought great joy to them as well.

Day 3 Wednesday 20th April:

Thulani went to East Ulverstone Primary School where Rosemary is the Acting Principal. Some of the children mapped his journey on an interactive white board and were interested in hearing his story.

Thulani in Tasmania

Day 1: Monday 18th April
 
Thulani arrived safely in Ulverstone, on the North West Coast ofTasmania. Tasmania is an island state, south of the mainland and it is also known as the "Apple Isle". We have beautiful mountains, rivers, beaches and forests.
 

Tasmania is well known for it's fantastic apples, but we also have wonderful seafood, dairy products and wines!
 
Thulani is living with 3 generations of women...Beryl (84), Rosemary (49) and Erin (18). Thulani met Rusky, our pet samoyed, but Rusky is a bit boisterous and playful so she only got to have a quick look at him!

Thulani in Adelaide - Day 6

Day 6 – 10 April 2010

There’s no place like home…

So Sunday rolled around and it was a rainy, grey, drizzly day – the perfect pyjama day!!

Daniel and Gavin made a spy headquarters out of the big box from our new bathroom vanity unit.  Of course Thulani was allowed inside to inspect.  Daniel liked the hidey hole so much that he settled inside with a pillow, blanket and his much loved dog, Snoozy Suzy and Ted Bear.

After the novelty of the box had worn off a bit, the boys showed Thulani some of their Lego. He seemed to particularly like the police station.

So after a pancake dinner (traditional weekend fare in this house), it was off for an early night, ready for school in the morning.  Thulani needed his rest too as he was due to leave us for his next family in Tasmania.  Happy travels Thulani!

Thulani in Adelaide - Day 5

Day 5 – 9 April 2010

Something BIG!!

Australia is known for it’s big things. The big pineapple, the big banana, the big penguin, the big guitar, the big potato, the big prawn, the big croc, the big gumboot, the big koala, etc.  Have a look at http://www.amazingaustralia.com.au/bigthings.htm to see more big things.  So it only seemed fitting to take Thulani to see something big.

Gumeracha (pronounced Gum-u-rac-u) is a township set in the beautiful Torrens Valley region of the northern Adelaide Hills, 36 km north-east of Adelaide in South Australia.  Set in the rolling hills, the town is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, orchards and farmland and is home to the big rocking horse.

We took Thulani to feed the kangaroos and wallabies (small kangaroo species). 

He even managed to pet a grey kangaroo who was enjoying the Autumn sun!

After all the excitement of the animals, Thulani strolled through the toy shop, having his picture taken with a number of Australian natives – wombat, koala, platypus, kangaroo and devil. 

He even hitched a ride in a kangaroo’s pouch! 

After an obligatory ride on a correctly sized rocking horse, Thulani joined us for a picnic tea before heading back home.  The windy road through the green hills was so similar to the Natal Midlands – it’s uncanny!