Bluebottles.

The Bluebottle jellyfish, but not really a jellyfish, (Physalia utriculus) is a regular visitor to Tasmanian waters, especially the east coast.  Of course, they can be found in many parts of Australia too and in other parts of the world but mainly on the east coast of Australia.

Bluebottles live in the open ocean, and they drift along according to the winds. As they drift downwind, their long tentacles float beneath them.

While the tentacles can give swimmers a nasty sting, they are not dangerous.

In the past I've spent many hours at the beach and in the sea and I've only ever seen two!

How to treat a bluebottle sting.

1. Do not rub the sting area.

2. Remove any adhering tentacles.

Rinse the area really well with seawater (not freshwater) to rid of the stinging cells.

4. Place the sting area in hot water for 20 minutes (e.g. hot shower, as hot as can be tolerated).     

5. If the pain is unrelieved by heat, or if hot water is not available, apply cold packs or ice in a dry plastic bag.

6. Seek medical aid if symptoms persist.

The size of the bluebottle is typically 6 to 10 cm long, though it can reach 15 cm, with trailing tentacles that can grow up to 3 meters.

Photos from the Internet.

Lavender Time

A look back at Bridestowe Lavender Farm/Estate at Nabowla towards the north-east of the Island where I Iive in Tasmania, Australia.  Time for the lavender to bloom is December through to January making a pretty picture and attracting so many bees which is good.

Bridestowe Lavender Farm/Estate runs over 260 acres and is the world's largest privately owned lavender farm.  It is estimated 650,000 plants are growing there and the lavender stretches for approximately 200 kilometers in total. 

The Denny family from England settled in the Lilydale area, they brought with them Lavender seeds from the French Alps, Lavandula Angustifolia (the true French Lavender.) before their journey.  They chose Lilydale due to it's climate similar to where Lavender was grown in France.  Eventually the farm was moved to it's present site which is not that far from Lilydale at Nabowla.

There is a shop near the gate where you can have lunch, morning and afternoon tea or just a lavender icecream.  There is another shop there where you can buy many items relating to lavender such as soap, oil and so on. 

The red doted area is Nabowla where the Lavender Farm is in Tasmania, Australia.  It's not too far home Launceston and it's a lovely drive.