We are at it again...

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Taking time to smell the apples….



It was Sunday 9^th of March when we hitched up and headed off to Port Melbourne to catch the ‘Spirit’ and commence or latest trip. We were so prepared this time it was worrying – something had to be wrong! Well, so far we have yet to find out what we have forgotten, so we must be getting better at the preparation side of things. The other worrying thing was that we had masses of space free after packing everything, what have we forgotten… it is definitely a worry.

Departure day was right in the middle of Moomba and the Grand Prix, and although Geoff was tempted to try the rig out around Albert Park, Marg persuaded him to proceed directly to Station Pier and the Spirit of Tasmania. We arrived at 4.05 pm, in plenty of time and proceeded to the entry gate only to be told that they would not let anyone in until 4.30 pm! Sacre bleu, where do you find a parking spot for 13 metres of car and van on a sunny holiday weekend in Port Melbourne?? We travelled back into the industrial area of P.M and found a spot for 20 mins before returning and jostling with the cars and bikes. Past immigration (well it is overseas) and inspection for weapons (e.g. spear guns), inflammables like fuel in the jerry cans and fruit and veg (when are they going to realise that we buy our stuff in a supermarket that sources its products from all over the country) and into the queue. Waiting…waiting…waiting.



Eventually after a lot of waiting we drove on board and dumped our overnight things in the cabin and went up to see our departure from Melbourne. The weather was hot and fairly still. We had a drink or two and by that time we were hungry and went to the café for dinner. We joined another couple and chatted and then another couple joined us. At first Marg thought she might not talk with them, but in the end was glad that she did. Looks can be deceiving! They had been and done more than most of us and were going to a thing called “Golden Talk” in the town of Beaconsfield. She had written a couple of children’s books and there were other authors going there including Maggie Beer. They had taught aboriginal children up at Kalumbaru (north of Mitchell Falls in the far north of WA) and met a Kenyan priest there who invited them to come to Kenya and stay with him. They had also travelled to Vietnam and Cambodia and who knows where else. After Geoff managed to spill 2 cups of fresh coffee over himself, we retired to our cabin. Marg had taken the precaution of a Kwells for travel sickness and was fine, however it was actually fairly rolly and sleep was not easy before we were woken at 5.45 for disembarkation. Of course the people in the caravan in front of us (they were first in the row) did not come down for at least 20 minutes and then could not find their keys!



Eventually we were on our way – a full 44 kms or so to our first campsite at Bakers Beach in Narawntapu National Park. It was a lovely campsite in the bush and we could not see the other campers from our site. The great white hunter decided to do some fishing and not to disappoint you all – no bloody fish for dinner AGAIN! It also rained and the hunter got wet. Marg, during this time sat near the van and had an intimate meeting with what we think was a paddymelon (similar to a small wallaby) which came out of the bush and nearly up to her feet. That night we were woken up by something trying to get into the van. Brave Marg opened her window and saw a large-ish black animal with a bushy tail and we assumed that it was a Tasmanian Devil. There were also many wallabys in and out of the camp area.



The next day we found a paw print near the arm of the awning and some muddy (sandy) stuff up the arm of the awning and we assumed it was woke us up and was trying to come into the van. That day we went touring around the area and over to Port Sorrel. There were long deserted beaches and lots of bush tracks that we ventured into. Later that afternoon Geoff went fishing again; a terrific thunderstorm blew in, and guess what – no fish and he got wet again. It cleared in a few hours and there was a most wonderful sunset. It became an incandescent orange and Geoff went out again to capture it on the camera.



Greens Beach at the top of the Tamar River on the west coast was next on our agenda, and after another 85 kms we were at the quaint caravan park in a lovely little holiday village at the end of the West Tamar hwy. The caretaker was not in his office (it appears that he may never be in his office) so we followed the instructions to select a spot and fix it all later… We had all afternoon to investigate the area to the south and took the opportunity to visit the Beaconsfield mine museum and check a couple of the local wineries. The wineries lived up to our recollection of being expensive, and so very little has been bought, but we have enjoyed the sampling… After doing a bit of local sightseeing and even travelling down to Launceston the next day, it was time to be moving on.



Towards the N.E corner of Tas is a place called Tomahawk, and who could resist a stay in a place with a name like that? The caravan park is not listed in our version of the bible, but was in the previous version so we thought we would give that a try; most of the free camping in the area is not suitable for our van. The C.P is … interesting. It would appear that many folk have found a way around paying lots of money for a regular block on this seaside village and have instead invested in “on-site vans” in the C.P. Now this happened a long time ago and some of the vans have either disappeared or been enveloped inside far more substantial annexes/new homes. We have spent the day exploring free camp options around here, but have not found a lot that would be suitable; we have certainly seen many magnificent beaches, but not many places for caravans. The fishing rod has not been out here although we are right on the beach… there is only so much disappointment a person can take.



Off to the Scottsdale area tomorrow. More after that.

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Comments

[Eug]

Fantastic pics again
Have fun you two !! xx