me & my monkey

We left Dunalley early and made our way to the Port Arthur Historical Site. We were amongst the first through the door which was probably just as well going by the crowds that descended later in the day. I suppose this is the highlight of the trip to Tasmania, the sense of history is palpable and the way the tours are run was very good. We spent five hours exploring the site.

When we went to leave we were stuck. All the lazy car visitors had parked in the Caravan and Motorhome car park but hadn’t left us a way out. Luckily a lady returned to her car and we were able to squeeze our way out. We visited the nearby Eagle Neck blowhole on the way north before heading up to Buckland to stay at the Old Buckland Inn for the night. A really interesting day.

We left Southport around eight to head north to Bothwell and the Nicholas ancestors stomping grounds. It was an uneventful trip back up the main roads to Hobart , doing a bait shop at Franklin and a grocery shop at Huonville before arriving in Bothwell in time for lunch. Stopped in at the cemetery for a chat with Jenny’s relos (they didn’t get a word in).

We then travelled out to Nandt to check out the old buildings (we didn’t partake of the whiskey) The young lady behind the bar filled us in on the facts about the buildings and was very helpful.

We left there and headed down to Richmond to view the old town before continuing on to Dunalley to stay next to the pub for the night. Jenny is upset because we can’t have a fire tonight.

Last night no Tassie Devil but we did have a Spotted Quoll. The cute little fella even stood on my foot while I was sitting there and checked me out. Fortunately the shock didn’t kill him so it was just another wildlife thrill! Amazingly the people in the Caravan next door didn’t venture out even though passers-by were coming in to check with us if we had had any sightings.

We set out this morning on our journey North – except, at this rate, it may take us a while. We went as far as Hastings Caves and Thermal Reserve where we did a guided tour of the Newdegate Cave. A really good tour. We had lunch at the Visitors’ Centre before going for a dip in the “Thermal Pool”. Ah no, that ain’t thermal- average temperature 27º but certainly didn’t feel that hot. I lasted about ten minutes before I headed to the hot shower in the change rooms. From there we moved onto Southport to stay in the Caravan Park so we could do some laundry. No mobile service in this neck of the woods so there’s a time delay on this post😀

The forecast rain turned up early this morning and continued steadily throughout the day. No getting away from this precipitation – we’ve had at least 20mm and it still hasn’t let up. Unfortunately, because of the angle we’re parked on, there is a slight leak in the range hood and from the exhaust fan in the shower. I might try some on the road repairs tomorrow night just in case it rains again this trip.

I’m really pleased with the modifications I made to the Solar and Battery system. We’ve been sitting here for two days and even in these overcast conditions we have full batteries and freezing fridges. This is our fourth night out without power and we could continue at this rate indefinitely (mind you I think we may be due for a shower, only long drops here)

Excitement plus last night. We had a Tasmanian Devil come in to the camp and devour food that our next door neighbours had left out to attract him. Quite unconcerned with our presence and happily continued feeding even with all these people and their cameras clicking away, illuminated by our torch light.

Today was our first full day of sitting and relaxing- Bob and Jenny fishing, while Deb and I continued our reading. I finished my book (Archie Roach’s biography) before heading down to the beach to see how the fishermen were going. Jenny caught another small flathead so its frozen salmon for tea tonight.

The weather forecast is predicting rain for tomorrow so we figure we will stay here until the rain passes by. No use travelling in the rain we can’t really stop and look at anything

We awoke this morning to much calmer conditions. Still cool but the wind was basically gone. After breakfast Bob and Jenny went for another fish from the Huon Yacht Club Jetty, while I caught up on the news and my housework. Deb relaxed with a book so it was a pretty laid back affair this morning.

The fishermen had some success, bringing back a Black Bream and a solitary oyster. We were able to fill up with fresh water at the free camp before we headed off, stopping at Geeveston to check out the Information Centre then had lunch in the park. From there we pushed south to Cockle Creek NP Campinground. We are intending to stay at least a couple of nights so Jenny and Bob can get some fishing in. Meanwhile Debbie and I will struggle making do with the view

We left the Showgrounds around nine to visit Jack and Jenny Smith (Jenny’s cousins) right in Hobart. We called in at their unit before Jenny guided us around to the Nursing Home where Jack now resides. Beautiful home situated in glorious established gardens. We had a great visit, Jack was having a good day. We had coffee and cake in the little cafe run by volunteers.

We left there at around eleven and caught up with Bob and Debbie at Kingston where we had lunch before taking a meandering trip along the coast past Margate down to Franklin before setting up camp at Shipwrights Point Foreshore camping area at Port Huon. The fishermen took the opportunity to throw in a hook despite the strong winds and mists on the surrounding hills. Jenny caught a little flathead but it was crying for its mother so she had to return it to the sea. No other bites other than the biting wind after dinner. We gave up and retired to our motorhomes after a medicinal Old Tawny.

The ladies went to the bric-a-brac market here at the Showgrounds before we caught the bus into the city again. We walked around the waterfront for an hour before rejoining the red Double Decker Hop On Hop Off tour of the city. This time we did the complete loop taking in all the sights of the city from the open top-deck.

After a brief coffee stop in the city we headed out to the Cascade Brewery on the Big Red Bus where we disembarked to have lunch at the Brewery’s Visitor Centre (that is the bar and cafe). Very nice meal – Beef and Stout Pie on mash with minty mushy peas, followed by French chocolate crepes with cream and ice cream. No dinner tonight. After lunch we went for a stroll in the Brewery’s gardens before returning to the city and catching a bus back out to the Showgrounds.

Still windy this morning but as we are staying at the Showgrounds we were able to catch the bus into the city rather than take the vehicles. A very kind Taswegian lady guided us through the CBD to the market, pointing out the important landmarks we needed to know along the way. We hit the markets with high expectations but didn’t realise how busy it would be. The Arcadia Cruise Liner was in town so that helped swamp the place. We spent a couple of hours there before boarding the Big Red Bus Hop On Hop Off city tour.

We disembarked at the Tourist Information Centre, then had fish and chips at Station Pier before boarding a Mt Wellington Tour bus. Very informative and a perfect day to visit the summit of Mount Wellington. Sunny with a relatively gentle breeze we spent almost an hour at the summit before heading down to “The Springs” where we enjoyed a hot cup party and a bite to eat.

We left Strahan early this morning (well around 8a.m.) and headed off toward Queenstown. The weather was still overcast with misty rain so we were a bit tired of the West Coast with its miserable weather. We were making tracks to Hobart today, with the aim of finding warmer weather and to carry out some minor repairs to Turtle. The weather was still dreary at Queenstown which accentuated the bare hills and the general gloom of that town. The climb out of Queenstown toward the inland was rather steep and we laboured up the misty hills hoping for better weather.

We stopped at Derwent Bridge for morning tea before heading on to Ouse for lunch at Grace Nicholas Park (one of Jenny’s ancestors). We then headed off toward Hobart only for me to realise that I had left my camera sitting on the table in the rotunda. It was a nervous 20 kilometre trek back to the park. When we arrived no camera on the table but then a grey haired Victorian gentleman came up and asked what I was looking for – he had put it in his vehicle to take to a local police station. Goes to show we Victorians are a reliable bunch! I shall sleep easily tonight, thanking my lucky stars.