TASMANIA AT LAST
TUESDAY 27 JANUARY
Arrived at 7am and headed for a local hotel for brekkie (special tickets from the ferry company for a full breakfast for $9.95 each) Very good too. After breakfast we called in at the Devonport Maritime Museum and spoke to some of the volunteers who man the place. It’s a very well thought out museum with so many fascinating artifacts and information. Jeff of course talked ‘knots’ to them and they mentioned that they knew our friend Frank down in Hobart – there were actually some of his bellropes attached to bells throughout the museum. There were some lovely wooden models of ships and I mentioned that I was interested in carving some Tasmanian wood, and one of the guys went out back and returned with some pieces of wood for me to try – really kind. They have asked Jeff if he would call back to the Museum on our return to Devonport at the end of February and show the visiting public a little bit of knot-tying. I expect we’ll spend a couple of days there.
On leaving the Museum we set off to explore a little of this beautiful island. We headed eastwards for the town of Exeter on the Tamar River and then turned north. We got as far as Beaconsfield and decided that as we wanted to go up the eastern side of the Tamar we should turn round and head for the nearest bridge across. This was the Batman Bridge (no, nuffink to do with the one with the little friend called Robin – it was named after a Mr Batman, who was, I think, an explorer or summink. We stopped for lunch here – very picturesque and a rather impressive bridge. Over the river and we again turned north ending up at Low Head by the mouth of the Tamar. Visited another Maritime Museum this time part of a group of buildings which used to accommodate the Pilots Station for big ships going up the river to Launceston. A nice little museum in the middle of expansion and renovation. On our way to the museum we had passed a caravan park so we returned there for the night. Had a nice evening walk along the river.
WEDNESDAY 28 JANUARY
Set off this morning for St Helens on the east coast. Jeff thoroughly enjoyed the drive along some very winding roads through some very hilly country. Outstanding scenery, but I felt distinctly uncomfortable with it all – still I’ll just have to get used to it – nearly the whole of Tazzie is like it!!!
Tiny town with beatutiful carvings commemorating seven men who died in the First World War
THURSDAY 29 JANUARY
Another day in St Helens spent visiting various tiny galleries and craft shops.
FRIDAY 30 JANUARY
Down the coast now, still more smashing scenery, but still more winding, hilly roads. Found the Triabunna Caravan Park in the little coastal town of Triabunna. Met Marge and Harvey, very nice couple who were staying there with their grand-daughters.
SATURDAY 31 JANUARY
Still in Triabunna – had a stroll around town. Not much here although Jeff took himself off for a couple of hours fishing and came back with two flathead – very tasty.
SUNDAY 1 FEBRUARY
Carried on down the coast and then inland. As we passed through a town called Sorell we spotted what looked like a Car Boot Sale – yes it was a Car Boot Sale so we had to stop and have a look. Jeff found a guy who made some great things out of braided leather, and of course I checked out all the books on sale – found a couple, too. And some wooden things for me to pyro.
Down to Port Arthur today to explore the old convict settlement. Our ticket included a 20 minute trip on a boat around the harbour. Fascinating place. We stayed over night at the Port Arthur Caravan Park – good site.
MONDAY 2 – MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY
The ticket we bought yesterday entitled us to a second day’s visit to the convict settlement, but we woke up to rain drumming on Betty G’s roof. Grey skies told us that the rotten weather was set for the day so we decided to give up on our second visit and head straight for Hobart. We called in on Frank and Lynn in Rosny to let them know we had at last arrived, did a bit of shopping and then started looking for somewhere to stay. We looked at one caravan part but didn’t fancy it. It was rather expensive and situated almost next door to a prison!!! I then found another site not quite as close to the city but appeared to be rather nicer – and cheaper. This was the Barilla Holiday Resort at Cambridge. It was also a Big4 site so we could get a 10% reduction.