My last meal in Hobart was a dozen oysters. Liz was at the Hobart library, presenting at a meeting she had to attend—even on her day off. We had parted ways after an unsatisfying lunch at the Hanging Garden. I wandered around downtown, did a little shopping haul at Red Parka, and ended up at the first place we arrived when we came to Tassie a few days ago, Franklin Wharf.
I walked around the water and decided to stop for some fresh oysters as I couldn’t think of anything better to do in Hobart or Tassie, for that matter.
A Dozen Freshly Shucked Oysters from The Fish Man
I had a few options and almost went to Mako Seafood before finally placing my oyster order at the most Tassie-looking one—The Fish Man—served by someone who looked like the fisherman behind the stall’s logo.
Minutes later, I got a dozen freshly shucked oysters and proceeded to eat them right there on a bench beside the stall—in the small, somewhat clean space between white streaks of seagull poos.
Next to me was a couple who had just placed their order. The woman gave me a nod—maybe in recognition of me eating a dozen oysters all by myself, like I had no problems in life. I nodded back, acknowledging the boldness it takes to wear a cougar-print (hopefully faux) fur coat in public.
Queen recognises queen.
My attention then returned to the blue tray of fresh seafood in front of me. I enjoyed them—each with a generous squeeze of lemon—while also keeping an eye on a bold seagull that was hovering far too close for comfort. It was bad enough that I had to eat my oysters while ignoring all the bird poo marks—undoubtedly left by it and its friends—around me. I would’ve been furious if it stole one.
But wait… do seagulls even eat oysters?
All this wondering, and suddenly all my oysters were gone—all eaten by me.
Me 12 – Seagull 0.
I was contemplating getting another dozen when Liz messaged to say she was done with her presentation and offered to meet me here for an ice cream date at Van Diemens Land Creamery
next door.
The next dozen will have to wait until my next Tassie visit; maybe I’ll try Mako Seafood then.
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