The last long ride home

It is about 2500k from Melbourne to Hervey Bay. Our first impulse to race back but after due consideration we won't.

Our first night was in Rosevale, under the Freeway. Well it felt like that, we were actually on a lovely grassy site but very close to the road. There are a lot of very big trucks that use the A1, and all have air brakes.

Next stop we thought maybe it would be a good idea not to camp beside the A1, so took a quick detour down to Corringle Beach opposite Malo which is where the Snowy River pours into the sea. Very good choice, here we have the pounding surf to lull us to sleep. When we arrived lots of kayaks on the river beside the camp site, so off came the kayaks ready for tomorrow. Unfortunately the weather changed and it is raining, it does mean I can get on with the blog.

The beach at Corringle
Me standing in the Snowy River as it hits the sea
The river Avon, Stratford
Proof

Last few days in Tasmania

After we left Snug it was a very quick trip up to Devenport.

We stopped at Triabunna for one night and on the road the following day we met about 400 cyclists from Victoria on a cycling holiday, on their way to Triabunna. Odd thing, they stopped at the same coffee shop as us so it was a bit of a crush to get served, we won.

Our last two nights before Devenport were at Narawntapu National Park opposite Port Sorrel. Lovely and peaceful on the estuary.

Last night in a cabin in Devenport, with a trip to the cinema to see Quartet, brilliant film but made me cry heaps.

Spiky bridge outside Triabunna
We got our coffee first, they were too busy on the phone
View from the tent Narawntapu
Ferry coming in the night before we left Tasmania

Wooden Boat Show. Day 2

It's was a serious day looking at wooden boats so we arranged to be there all day, and we needed it, so much to see.

1. This man worked all day cutting wooden fence rails from tree trunks, he worked the axe, adze and the splitting blocks all by himself and by the end of the day I think he must have done 3 trees.
To think that they used these tools to make wooded boats seems remarkable that the workmanship was so fine.

2. This boat was built by one man with recycled timbers, it's for sale. No, not to me.

3. Very skilled man, he did this for hours, just sculling about the harbour.

4. One of the tall ships taking enthusiasts out for a sail.

5. Green woodworking. We thought this meant working with green wood, wrong, it means working with hand/foot generated power. This is a foot lathe, made from wood.


6. Lovely, men's choir singing sea shanties.

Bruny Island

Spent the most wonderful day travelling around Bruny. Great weather, winds have gone and sun is shining.

Ferry leaving Kettering
Penguin Rookery on The Neck
Lighthouse at Cape Bruny
Cloudy Bay Lagoon
Cloudy Bay beach
Clements Top Mill site
Bruny Cape, Quiet Bay

Wooden Boat Show, Hobart. Day 1

Watched the sail past today, just our luck that they decided to use the far side of the river, so we didn't get too good a picture of all the boats sailing. Will make up for that tomorrow when we go to see them in the harbour.

After boats we went up the mountain to have a look at boats form a distance. Long way up Mt Wellington but the view is worth it. A lot of smoke from bush fires made it a bit hazy but only in one direction.

Outside our tent this morning, campsite at Snug.
Sail past on the other side
This one came over to our side to tack.
Loved the rudder on this one
This poor man rowed up the course, I have no idea what time he must have got in, he had wind and tide against him
View from the top of Mt Wellington

Week 61. Ulverstone and Bothwell, Tasmania

We made it to Tasmania, couldn't find anywhere to sleep in Devenport when we got off the ferry so went along to Ulverstone where we splurged on a cabin, warm, comfortable no wind, heaven.

Drove down the middle of Tasmania as we haven't been that way before, past the Great Lake and stopped in Bothwell. After going to Deloraine and Latrobe, great patchwork shop in Latrobe.

Bothwell is the home to several famous people we were told, one of them being a German who did low frequency radio radio telescope, Australia must be good for this so many of them.

As a bit of interest the optical telescope we saw in Siding Springs has been damaged by fire, not sure how bad.

Leaving Port Phillip Bay
RAAF monument Ulverstone
Patchwork Shop, Latrobe
Campsite Bothwell
Steppes Homestead, midland Tasmania.

Week 60. Airys inlet

We had such a wonderful week at Airys, peace, quiet and a comfortable bed. Anne and Graham who I got to know in Fraisse Cabardes, house swapped with me and we got to stay in their lovely cottage in the bush at Airys Inlet.

A week of doing not a lot and enjoyed every second, so my thanks to Anne and Graham, your hospitality is second to none.

The garden after a refreshing shower
The lighthouse, Airys Inlet
The beach at Airys
The coffee shop at the lighthouse, yummy scones
Surfers at Bells Beach.