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Published: November 12th 2012
Penguins at Bicheno
Penguins at BichenoEach Saturday every man and his dog in Hobart strolls around Salamanca Market - as our hotel was only 200yds from the market we opted for conformity. So when Pat arrived we all sauntered over there. There was a lovely atmosphere with buskers every 100yds. JC soon tired of this shopping experience and wandered off to cast an eye over some classic cars parked nearby and to award marks to the many buskers. In the afternoon Kate and Pat visited an open garden - JC decided to give his lingering cold bug a power nap remedy.
Late afternoon we headed off for our 2nd aussie family BBQ - this one included kangaroo meat which Kate and I approached with cautious interest. Allegedly very healthy, we both found the meat very gamey - our minds wandered back to that dead 'roo we'd seen travelling along the Great Ocean Road!!
Sun 11th Nov: Hobart to Swansea After a relatively peaceful nights sleep (by the standards enjoyed in our hotel!) JC picked up a hire car and we set off to Swansea. The coffee stop at Triabunna served me a damned fine mocha and a delicious blue
Swansea B&B
Swansea B&B berry muffin, whereas Mayfield Beach provided deserted sands for us to stroll up and down. Our arrival at Redcliffe House B&B (recommended by Terry D) confirmed our expectations - laid back and mock-colonial. Before I could say 'Jack Robinson' Kate was onto Skype and booking us onto a dusk penguin watching trip in Bicheno.
In preparation JC grabbed a power nap on the front porch and Kate did some 'Kindling'. Bicheno is about 30 miles from our B&B and pitching up scruffily in jeans and thick sweaters - highly recommended for penguin watching - we opted for the Aussie equivalent of a carvery. Then the tour - JC's scepticism was soon overcome as we saw these little critters (aka little blue penguins) up close and personal. They walked past us; we walked past them; we needed to be careful not tread on them; we needed not to move in places in case they poo'ed on us; we need to keep our hands to ourselves in case they pecked us; and we even looked into a couple of their nests. A very enjoyable and informative evening was followed by another hairy drive home in the dark along country roads. We
Mayfield Beach
Mayfield Beach only needed to swerve once (to avoid a meandering possum) but saw recently dead wallaby just outside Bicheno.
A glass of port awaited us in our room & a Terry's twilight chocolate (not to mention a four poster bed)- very civilised!!
Kate's Thoughts Pat's family were so welcoming and friendly - it was lovely to meet them all.
I was however glad to say good bye to the Custom's House and looking forward to moving somewhere quieter!
The journey to Swansea was really spectacular-lovely views of beautiful blue sea and sky. I can't beleive how many empty beaches there are in Tasmania.! Mayfield Bay was like a scene from Robinson Cruesoe.
Thank's to Terry for his reccomendation of Redcliffe House- it is beautiful and it was lovely to sit in the garden this afternoon and catch up my book club reading!
I shall always remember the little penguins waddling across the beach and up the path to feed their chicks, it was really magical to be so near to them and to observe their family life.
Another full and busy day but some time to chill out as well
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Carolyn Barrett
non-member comment
Kangaroo meat
I'm glad you had a chance to add kangaroo to your culinary diary. David and I had it a few times when we were visiting a friend in Victoria and really enjoyed it. Sorry you didn't get the same pleasure from the bouncy beast.