Before we continue our adventures in the south of Tasmania, I thought it time for an up-date in real time, and what better day to do it than on this special day of the year.
As those who read regularly will be aware, I remain eons behind the real world in my blog offerings, and despite my best intentions and some usually rigorous editorial vigour I am afraid that this situation is like to continue for the remainder of our stay on the Apple Isle.
There is just so much which is new, interesting and exciting (particularly for one like your scribe who has a self-confessed and oft shared interest in history). We have never come across anywhere in Australia before with such a raft of sites and buildings which can rightfully lay claim to 'the oldest', 'the first', 'the longest continuously running' etc. etc. And then, of course, there is the scenery which just keeps on giving (albeit with the towing challenges which go hand in hand on occasions).
So all in all it is now apparent that our Tassie touring will be coming to you lagged by about six weeks or so for the remainder of our stay here. Hopefully I'll really catch up on our return to Adelaide in early April when a requirement for some major dental work will keep me grounded for three weeks (with a dire need to deflect boredom!)
To date we have travelled throughout the south of the island and covered just about everything between Hobart and Cockle Creek (as far south as one can drive ....my next offering). We have spent time in Southport, Dover, and Huonville, taken a ferry across to Bruny Island for a week, toured around the end of the peninsular through Cygnet and other small towns in that area and spent a week in New Norfolk and its surrounds.
From there we travelled right up the east coast through Triabunna, Swansea, Bicheno, St Helens and thence across the north-eastern highlands (and they are high) through Scottsdale to Launceston.
As for now, we are happily tucked up at the home of good friends we first met at Spring Creek in 2015 (a free camp between Halls Creek and Kununurra). They live in a lovely home on 5 acres perched high above the western bank of the Tamar River at a spot called Rosevears (about 10 kms north of Launceston) and have welcomed us as 'house guests' with open arms.
For the past nine days we have used this as a base to explore 'Lonnie' itself, and most points north to the Bass Strait Coast, including the site of the mine disaster and incredible rescue at Beaconsfield, old Georgetown, Bell Bay and Low Head on the other side of the estuary and some of historical Launceston. We have taken a boat cruise up the Cataract Gorge on the South Esk River and wandered around the beautiful grounds of the First Basin park above the rapids on the South Esk.
We would have done more, but unfortunately Liz has come down with the most wretched bronchial infection. Chest X-rays have confirmed that she has no major lung damage, but if it is the same bug which laid me low in late October, she is in for a rough trot for a few weeks yet. The necessary doctor's visit and other matters medical have eaten into a deal of our time here. Poor Liz can only struggle through a few hours out and about each day, but such is life. We can always pop back later. Her recovery is more important that sightseeing.
Arriving here with absolutely no firm plans for Xmas, we were immediately invited (told!) we would be spending it with our hosts Judy and Gavin. "Oh, well, if you insist". "We do". "Done!".
So there it is.....we'll shortly be sitting down to a huge spread (turkey, pork, ham, all the veggies, salads, plum pud, pavlova, fruit salad) and raising a convivial glass or three as two of fifteen at table. We have already met most of the incoming relatives (all of whom either live on, or come from King Island), and the day promises to be a hoot.
After a recovery day tomorrow, spent in the traditional way, glued to the Boxing Day Test and the start of the Sydney-Hobart (with some pre-departure preparation during the breaks) we plan to reluctantly leave this idyll and head south again, back to Hobart, with a two day stop-over at historic Campbell Town en route.
Our Margate friends are prepared to put up with us again for a week during which time I plan to prowl around Constitution Dock and talk trash to off shore yatchies, we shall indulge ourselves at the annual 'Tasting Tasmania' festival and take our seats at Bellerive Oval for a Big Bash match (against SA as it happens) on 4 January. We plan a quick sortie down to Port Arthur from where I'll hopefully manage a boat cruise around Tasman Island and points beyond on that coast.
And then, and then.....well, Plan 'A' is back to New Norfolk for a couple of days to allow us to drive the 100 kms or so west out to Strathgordon and Lake Peddar (a bucket list kayak destination.....too far to haul the van there and back and no real facilities for us there anyway) and to visit the Gordon River Dam. Beyond that it will be off up to the west and north-west coasts before we head back south and toddle over to do a re-run at leisure (after the school holidays are over!) up the east coast and finally back to Devonport by the end of March (where we hope to catch up with two of my Cyprus colleagues who live there). And, at some stage in all of this, we'll make our way up into the central highlands and the Cradle Mountain area.
But that's Plan 'A'. We know by now that anything could happen....at least in Tasssie we can make an about turn and be at the other end of the island in two days at the most!
For now though, its off to the galley to make salads (green and fruit) and iron some glad rags for an unusual display of less than usually scruffy caravaners' dress in preparation for the big day. And, of course, to any with whom we've not been directly in touch, Season's Greetings from the Mobile Marshies.
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