Mar 1st - 14th
1st March
As Rosebery doesn't have many tourist attractions we headed for Strahan.
We got there by lunch time and had an enjoyable time exploring the small town nestled on the banks of Macquarie Harbour. The town has a lot of history around the Huon Pine so there were many shops and galleries displaying the craftsmanship - Mike really enjoyed this.
2nd March
Tried to pay our camp fees but the caretaker was nowhere to be found so we hit the road. Headed for Derwent Bridge and 'The Wall' a hand carved Tasmanian Oak wall. It is currently under construction and will be for years to come. The wall is being carved by one guy and he is building a time line of history of Tasmania - it has to be seen to be appreciated amazing detail.
After our wall visit we left for the Mt Field National park to see the Russell and Horseshoe Falls. On the drive in Mike spotted a sign for veggies so we pulled in and got some carrots - Bec was guaranteed their freshness - She watched the guy pull them out of the ground!
Knowing Charlie wouldn't be allowed in the National Park we left Charlie and the bus outside and walked into the park and the falls. The place has certainly changed since Mike was last here with a new visitor's centre and a $45 dollar fee per car to walk to the falls but as we had no car we skipped the registration and walked to the falls! Another beautiful set of falls.
With nowhere to camp in the area we continued on to New Norfolk a nice drive and a really nice town. We found a nice spot on the foreshore to camp but the council was on to us here. They had both a No Camping sign and a No Motorhome sign, so we continued to the sports ground and camped there.
Took Charlie outside for a walk and collected some Blackberries for dessert. Half the town's kids were at the park chasing Charlie one two headed Tassie girl said to us "My friends name is Charlie but she's well more like a human!"
3rd March
Left the sports ground and headed back to the No Motor homing area for breakfast overlooking the river. Watched the jet boat and took Charlie for a walk before we packed up and headed for the big smoke.
Drove into Hobart and spotted a Show Ground which looked like it had been taken over by motor homes. So marked it in the GPS and continued into the tourist info centre. This has become our usual trick when we enter into town as we usually find out about some camping spots and the best place to park the bus. Most tourist info places have a caravan parking nearby.
Parked in Hobart and went to the infamous Salamanca markets. This place is hippie central but a nice culture burst for us. Plenty of arts crafts and food to buy, spent about 2 hours just wandering around looking at all the wares.
Headed back to the show grounds to set up camp - a pretty basic site but clean and cheap! Met or rather got stopped by a guy in the show ground - He was a 70 yr old guy from the UK - he proceeded to give Mike two pieces of advice through the window of the bus -
Number One
Love your wife as she is the best thing that will happen to you and you might think the grass is greener on the other side the fence but when you get there it aint "orl right" Cause then you’re on the other side and your lookin back "Aint Ya"
Number Two
Don't have kids, because when you have kids all your missus is worried about is the kids and the poopie nappies and feedin em an all that stuff like! You become the third or fourth thing in her life and you defiantly don't get none when your number free now do ya!
The above two are heaps funnier if read with a really heavy English accent!
Took care of some much need domestic stuff like washing and cleaning.
4th March
Happy 1ST Anniversary Nadine and Wayne Smitty (aka Jeff and Dutchy)
Headed into the Hobart CBD and went for a walk and a look at the shops. Not much was open as Hobart isn't really into Sunday trading! Oh Well! Mike actually bought a pair of shorts! Went back down to the wharf for Fish and chips, really nice lunch!
Went for a drive through some back streets and checked out some of the buildings and went past the Wrest Point casino. Wasn't much of a casino so just drove around battery point and some of the coast. Headed back for the camp area and did some food shopping.
Met some people in Kombi in fact four of them! Two Scottish girls and two guys from Melbourne. Really nice people though didn't get to spend much time with them as they were splitting up the next day two of them heading back to the mainland and the two others continuing down the coast for Port Arthur.
5th March
Left camp in search of a new CD burner, Oil filter and Oil for the bus as she is now due for a service and the computer is no longer burning CD's. Had a bugger of a time and didn't find any of the stuff we needed so gave up and left town.
We have been thinking of getting another dog as a mate for Charlie for a while now so we decided we would go to the pound and try and find a dog we could give a second chance at life. Found a nice dog but we were undecided so we left and headed south to the Huon Valley.
Drove down through some really nice country side. Went past a spot Mike and Jeff had contemplated diving at on one of their trips at a place called Tinderbox. Such an amazing area. Continued a little further south to a small town named Snug - I think because it's so cold you need to have someone to snuggle up with to keep warm! There was a nice caravan park in town but we stayed on the foreshore overlooking the ocean.
Cooked a BBQ in pouring rain then hopped into bed and snuggled as it was very cold!!
6th March
Left Snug and headed for Cygnet were Bec was hoping to find herself a Devonshire tea! She was devo'd to find that no one had devies! So she settled for a coffee and some slice before a walk around the quaint little town.
We intended to stay in town but after a visit to the camping area we decided to move on in the hope of something a little nicer. Made it to the town of Huoneville. Walked around town and went to the Laundromat to catch up on the dreaded clothes washing.
There were no camping areas near town so we headed to Franklin just south of Huoneville. Found a really nice camping area right on the river. Met some people in a Winnebago got talking and found that Brian and Helene had just started playing UNO so we invited them over for a game after dinner. Had a few drinks and laughs playing UNO - took a while for us to agree on the rules as we had both been playing differently!
As Rosebery doesn't have many tourist attractions we headed for Strahan.
We got there by lunch time and had an enjoyable time exploring the small town nestled on the banks of Macquarie Harbour. The town has a lot of history around the Huon Pine so there were many shops and galleries displaying the craftsmanship - Mike really enjoyed this.
2nd March
Tried to pay our camp fees but the caretaker was nowhere to be found so we hit the road. Headed for Derwent Bridge and 'The Wall' a hand carved Tasmanian Oak wall. It is currently under construction and will be for years to come. The wall is being carved by one guy and he is building a time line of history of Tasmania - it has to be seen to be appreciated amazing detail.
After our wall visit we left for the Mt Field National park to see the Russell and Horseshoe Falls. On the drive in Mike spotted a sign for veggies so we pulled in and got some carrots - Bec was guaranteed their freshness - She watched the guy pull them out of the ground!
Knowing Charlie wouldn't be allowed in the National Park we left Charlie and the bus outside and walked into the park and the falls. The place has certainly changed since Mike was last here with a new visitor's centre and a $45 dollar fee per car to walk to the falls but as we had no car we skipped the registration and walked to the falls! Another beautiful set of falls.
With nowhere to camp in the area we continued on to New Norfolk a nice drive and a really nice town. We found a nice spot on the foreshore to camp but the council was on to us here. They had both a No Camping sign and a No Motorhome sign, so we continued to the sports ground and camped there.
Took Charlie outside for a walk and collected some Blackberries for dessert. Half the town's kids were at the park chasing Charlie one two headed Tassie girl said to us "My friends name is Charlie but she's well more like a human!"
3rd March
Left the sports ground and headed back to the No Motor homing area for breakfast overlooking the river. Watched the jet boat and took Charlie for a walk before we packed up and headed for the big smoke.
Drove into Hobart and spotted a Show Ground which looked like it had been taken over by motor homes. So marked it in the GPS and continued into the tourist info centre. This has become our usual trick when we enter into town as we usually find out about some camping spots and the best place to park the bus. Most tourist info places have a caravan parking nearby.
Parked in Hobart and went to the infamous Salamanca markets. This place is hippie central but a nice culture burst for us. Plenty of arts crafts and food to buy, spent about 2 hours just wandering around looking at all the wares.
Headed back to the show grounds to set up camp - a pretty basic site but clean and cheap! Met or rather got stopped by a guy in the show ground - He was a 70 yr old guy from the UK - he proceeded to give Mike two pieces of advice through the window of the bus -
Number One
Love your wife as she is the best thing that will happen to you and you might think the grass is greener on the other side the fence but when you get there it aint "orl right" Cause then you’re on the other side and your lookin back "Aint Ya"
Number Two
Don't have kids, because when you have kids all your missus is worried about is the kids and the poopie nappies and feedin em an all that stuff like! You become the third or fourth thing in her life and you defiantly don't get none when your number free now do ya!
The above two are heaps funnier if read with a really heavy English accent!
Took care of some much need domestic stuff like washing and cleaning.
4th March
Happy 1ST Anniversary Nadine and Wayne Smitty (aka Jeff and Dutchy)
Headed into the Hobart CBD and went for a walk and a look at the shops. Not much was open as Hobart isn't really into Sunday trading! Oh Well! Mike actually bought a pair of shorts! Went back down to the wharf for Fish and chips, really nice lunch!
Went for a drive through some back streets and checked out some of the buildings and went past the Wrest Point casino. Wasn't much of a casino so just drove around battery point and some of the coast. Headed back for the camp area and did some food shopping.
Met some people in Kombi in fact four of them! Two Scottish girls and two guys from Melbourne. Really nice people though didn't get to spend much time with them as they were splitting up the next day two of them heading back to the mainland and the two others continuing down the coast for Port Arthur.
5th March
Left camp in search of a new CD burner, Oil filter and Oil for the bus as she is now due for a service and the computer is no longer burning CD's. Had a bugger of a time and didn't find any of the stuff we needed so gave up and left town.
We have been thinking of getting another dog as a mate for Charlie for a while now so we decided we would go to the pound and try and find a dog we could give a second chance at life. Found a nice dog but we were undecided so we left and headed south to the Huon Valley.
Drove down through some really nice country side. Went past a spot Mike and Jeff had contemplated diving at on one of their trips at a place called Tinderbox. Such an amazing area. Continued a little further south to a small town named Snug - I think because it's so cold you need to have someone to snuggle up with to keep warm! There was a nice caravan park in town but we stayed on the foreshore overlooking the ocean.
Cooked a BBQ in pouring rain then hopped into bed and snuggled as it was very cold!!
6th March
Left Snug and headed for Cygnet were Bec was hoping to find herself a Devonshire tea! She was devo'd to find that no one had devies! So she settled for a coffee and some slice before a walk around the quaint little town.
We intended to stay in town but after a visit to the camping area we decided to move on in the hope of something a little nicer. Made it to the town of Huoneville. Walked around town and went to the Laundromat to catch up on the dreaded clothes washing.
There were no camping areas near town so we headed to Franklin just south of Huoneville. Found a really nice camping area right on the river. Met some people in a Winnebago got talking and found that Brian and Helene had just started playing UNO so we invited them over for a game after dinner. Had a few drinks and laughs playing UNO - took a while for us to agree on the rules as we had both been playing differently!
5th March
Left Snug and headed for Cygnet were Bec was hoping to find herself a Devonshire tea! She was devo'd to find that no one had devies! So she settled for a coffee and some slice before a walk around the quaint little town.
We intended to stay in town but after a visit to the camping area we decided to move on in the hope of something a little nicer. Made it to the town of Huoneville. Walked around town and went to the Laundromat to catch up on the dreaded clothes washing.
There were no camping areas near town so we headed to Franklin just south of Huoneville. Found a really nice camping area right on the river. Met some people in a Winnebago got talking and found that Brian and Helene had just started playing UNO so we invited them over for a game after dinner. Had a few drinks and laughs playing UNO - took a while for us to agree on the rules as we had both been playing differently!
7th March
We've spent the last few days thinking about the lovely dog we found in Hobart so today we decided to head back to the RSPCA and let fate take its course. After walking Charlie around the little town of Franklin we packed up, said goodbye to our friends and headed for Hobart.
After driving around town to find an oil filter and oil for the next service on the bus we drove to the RSPCA and found that Min had been put on hold that morning by a lady who was going to run it by her husband that night. We left disappointed and feeling like it wasn't meant to be and we'd missed out on a beautiful girl. We did give the pound our details as a back up but we both didn't expect to hear back as Min is such a lovely pet.
We drove south to 7 Mile beach and just as we arrived the phone rang! It was the pound and the other couple had decided against her so we flew back to Hobart with excitement to collect the 4th member of our family.
8th March
This morning we woke up at the Hobart Showground's and decided to head to the Botanical Gardens for breakie and a walk. When we got there we found that dogs were not allowed in the gardens (which we half expected) but there was a long track just outside where they were allowed.
After the walk we decided to head back to the RSPCA for some advice as Charlie is really trying it on when Mimi is in the bus. We want to reassure him but also know we have to discipline him but don't feel comfortable smacking him all the time as he's only doing what's natural and defending the small space that has been his home for the last 2 months. When we got to the RSPCA we saw Han's who is a really nice guy who we met on our first visit there. Han's suggested a quick squirt with a water spray bottle and gave us one to try out.
By the end of the day Charlie was realizing that every time he acted up he got a quick squirt with the water (which he hates) and as soon as you reached for the bottle he'd stop on most occasions.
We'd been told about a beaut little spot in Dunally where you're allowed to park at the back of a pub so we headed there - Mike couldn't wait!!
When we arrived we found a small town on the water with an unusual bridge that swung around on itself to let boats and yachts through the canal. The Dunally Pub was a lovely old Hotel and the camping area out the back was great. It was about a 3 acre grassy area that overlooked the water - not bad for free and especially when there is beer on tap close by.
Mike went in to the Pub this arvo and asked if they had any bar work going. We both have a few little jobs that we'd like to try on the road and pub work is one of them. We thought we'd find it easier to bluff to the Tasmanian's about our lack of experience and work in a small pub so we were hoping this would be our start. The bar tender wasn't sure if they had anything going so she asked Mike to come back and see the manager tomorrow.
Bec's Mum and Dad called tonight very excited that they'd booked their trip to come and meet us in QLD. They fly in to Brisbane on 11th August and will be with us for Mike's birthday which is fantastic as I'm sure we're going to find those special days hard being away from our family and friends.
Mum and Dad are going to hire a motorhome for 2 weeks and we are planning on going up the coast from Brissy to maybe Bundaberg and then inland back to Brissy. Bec's brother Mark and his partner Darryl live just out of Brissy so it will be great for Mum and Dad to get to visit them too - killing two birds with one stone! Mum is very pleased that it's all booked as Dad has been that excited that it's been driving her a bit loopy. Who knows it might be just the little taste to get them out on the road too.
9th March
This morning we woke and decided that we just needed to stop for the day in the one spot and relax. We took the dogs to the beach and soon found that Mimi loves the water. It was quite funny as Charlie has never liked the water but because he obviously wanted to keep up with her he followed her in. They ran for hours and hours whilst we explored the strange beach at low tide - it was full of you name it, tyres, car parts, bottles etc. They soon tired and had to be taken back to the bus for a bath each.
Mike went back to the pub to see the manager about work and unfortunately they don't have any at the moment - never mind we'll just try elsewhere.
This arvo we met a few couples at Happy Hour at the camp site. There is Di and Val (Val is the guys name and he told us we won't forget his name as he's the only male with a ladies name) who are from Devenport Tassie and are traveling with his brother and sister in law as well as Carol and John who are from Iluka, Northern NSW. Carol and John have a beautiful little dog called Tasha, she is a Papillion x with a Maltese and is that tiny.
A relaxing night around camp with a few drinks. The dogs are getting better and better with each other every day and Charlie is being very accommodating.
10th March
We planned on getting organized and actually doing something today but never quite got around to it! We slept in, walked the dogs, read and generally just hung around until Happy Hour. - It’s been so nice to stop in the one spot for awhile as we haven't been as yet in Tassie.
11th March
Today we headed to Eagle Hawk Neck for a drive and a look around at all the local attractions. It's a long weekend here so there are people and boats everywhere!! Mike spent a fair bit of time diving here on his previous trips to TAS with his family so he knew all the spots to take Bec to.
First we went to the blow holes and then out to Devils kitchen and then to the Tessellated Pavement. Mike and Jeff had actually dived right in the middle of Devils Kitchen which looked amazing and the Tessellated Pavement was something else - it looks so man made but was all made and formed by the ocean.
A nice site seeing day - we were going to head right down to Port Arthur but due to the crowds as well as the 1996 massacre we decided to give it a miss.
The pub has got a Sunday Roast on tonight and as we haven't had a roast since early January at Nadine and Wayne's we are absolutely hanging. 8 of us went over for tea and a few drinks and in Val's case stealing of some souvenir Dunally Pub wine glasses as well. The roast was to die for and the potatoes where something else!! Almost better than Mum's. A nice night out with our new friends.
12th March
Today we decided to head back up to Sorell and stock up on supplies before starting the East Coast of Tassie, John and Carol decided to join us too.
We did what we need to do around town and then headed to a camping area at the back of the council building. There had been a market there today so it was just finished being packed up when we arrived. We settled in for the arvo and as John had his jenny on Bec was able to blow dry her hair for the first time in days (yay!!)
We had a few drinks, for a change!! Whilst watching kick boxers train in the building beside John and Carol's caravan.
A nice quite night.
13th March
As we needed to do some washing at the local laundry mat Carol and John went ahead and called us from Swansea to let us know that they're had been nothing suitable up that bit of coast for dogs. They decided to stop in Swansea and wait for us and we had lunch and a walk around Triabunna and then headed for them.
About 15kms South of Swansea we found a lovely spot called Mayfield Bay. It was a staggered camping area overlooking the beautiful beach and sea as well as they Maria Island. It was a conservation area but it did allow dogs so we got on the phone and told our mates. John and Carol had just assumed no dogs due to the conservation signs so when they found out you were allowed to stay there they headed straight back.
We ducked into Swansea for some bait, fire wood and grog (the essentials to any bush camping experience) and then back to Mayfield Bay. By this time the Fletcher's where set up and had found us a beaut spot in the sun for our solar and washing.
We all went for a lovely walk on the beautiful while sandy beach this arvo. The sand is very similar to that of the beaches in Esperance and it actually squeaks when you walk on it. We found the 3 arches bridge on our walk which is a bridge that was built by convicts in the first settlement in Tasmania. An amazing structure and to think it's that old.
We got set up and then the men started the fire or roary as Mike likes to call it. We knew it must be 5pm somewhere in the world so declared it happy hour! The Fletchers have been traveling on and off for about 20 years and have camp ovens and swear by them so tonight we cooked tea on the open fire. They are apparently very versatile so we'll have to look into getting one of them as you can cook anything from a roast to a cake in them.
The rest of the night was spent star gazing, satellite spotting and drinking. We saw the most amazing falling star, it was that bright and almost a fluro green. Tonight we nick named John Pop's after he lent Mike his poppy slippers after buying some new bargain ugg boots. Poor John he's only a year older than Bec's Dad but it really fits. John and Carol distill their own spirits so a few night caps with Pops can be quite dangerous with every potent spirit available to mankind on the offer.
14th March
Yesterday on our walk we saw a small jetty so Pops, a lady we met this morning called Marg us and the kids decided to walk there in the hope of finding oysters or abalone. We walked the approx 2km walk there not finding a thing except dead sharks on the beach - the area is a shark breading ground so remind me not to go swimming or diving! We decided to head on to the next set of rocks a fair few times and probably ended up walking about 10kms in total, you think the dogs would be knackered but they just kept going and going. We found absolutely no oysters or abs but did stumble across two skinny dipping ladies!! Pops and Mike spotted them (how surprising!) they saw us coming and bolted up out of the water and into the sand dunes, they obviously weren't expecting us to walk all that way as when we passed they were still sitting at the edge of the dune feeling very embarrassed. I don't know what would have been worse the seriously cold water or the thought of getting bitten by a shark!!
After our big adventure we were all stuffed so an afternoon nanna knap was definitely in order. After our nap it was time for happy hour and starting to get tea organized.
A couple from QLD pulled up this arvo Bill and Jill, Bill was a made keen trout fisherman who loved a yarn but Jill didn't love anything and she especially hated talking! So we had a chat with them and they used our BBQ to cook dinner. I have to question his fishing technique though he had been fishing for four weeks every day and had not caught one fish!
We then went out to the Hogarth Falls and the 3 of us enjoyed a 3km walk to the base of another lovely fall. It's hard to know what's more beautiful the amazing walk in through the bed of the rainforest or the waterfall at the end.
Drove out to the closest campsite but it was out on a poorly maintained gravel track and HoneyMoonin had just been washed! So we left Strahan and headed east. We passed through Queenstown and got to see the devastation of the forest from mining back in the early 1900's. Very sad looking area so we kept on driving and found a really nice camping area at Burbury Lake right near the water with some nice grassy camp sites.
Relaxed with a wine and beer while Bec worked on her scrap-booking in the funky scrapbook Em and Shan gave us for our engagement present (Bec's not very artistic so she might have to borrow Em's artistic talents in Melbourne)
We took Charlie and our new daughter to a local park where the two could make acquaintances and we soon found that Min loves to play go fetch with a tennis ball - so much that Mike had a very tired arm. The two of them got along great guns whilst outside of the bus but unfortunately and understandably Charlie is really playing up when they're together in the bus. (The jealousy is that you'd expect from real children - god help us when we have real kids as this is really challenging)
That night we decided to stay close to Hobart in case things didn't work out with Min as the RSPCA have a 7 day return policy. We also decided that Min was a little oriental for our liking and we knew it wouldn't be fair to completely change her name as she is approx 12-18 months so we decided to alter it slightly to Mimi. (Mike's suggestion after Mimi McPherson)
PS Mimi is a Papillion x - see photo of her and her new brother (I don't think we'll ever live this one down, we have a Tasmanian daughter!!)
Left Snug and headed for Cygnet were Bec was hoping to find herself a Devonshire tea! She was devo'd to find that no one had devies! So she settled for a coffee and some slice before a walk around the quaint little town.
We intended to stay in town but after a visit to the camping area we decided to move on in the hope of something a little nicer. Made it to the town of Huoneville. Walked around town and went to the Laundromat to catch up on the dreaded clothes washing.
There were no camping areas near town so we headed to Franklin just south of Huoneville. Found a really nice camping area right on the river. Met some people in a Winnebago got talking and found that Brian and Helene had just started playing UNO so we invited them over for a game after dinner. Had a few drinks and laughs playing UNO - took a while for us to agree on the rules as we had both been playing differently!
7th March
We've spent the last few days thinking about the lovely dog we found in Hobart so today we decided to head back to the RSPCA and let fate take its course. After walking Charlie around the little town of Franklin we packed up, said goodbye to our friends and headed for Hobart.
After driving around town to find an oil filter and oil for the next service on the bus we drove to the RSPCA and found that Min had been put on hold that morning by a lady who was going to run it by her husband that night. We left disappointed and feeling like it wasn't meant to be and we'd missed out on a beautiful girl. We did give the pound our details as a back up but we both didn't expect to hear back as Min is such a lovely pet.
We drove south to 7 Mile beach and just as we arrived the phone rang! It was the pound and the other couple had decided against her so we flew back to Hobart with excitement to collect the 4th member of our family.
8th March
This morning we woke up at the Hobart Showground's and decided to head to the Botanical Gardens for breakie and a walk. When we got there we found that dogs were not allowed in the gardens (which we half expected) but there was a long track just outside where they were allowed.
After the walk we decided to head back to the RSPCA for some advice as Charlie is really trying it on when Mimi is in the bus. We want to reassure him but also know we have to discipline him but don't feel comfortable smacking him all the time as he's only doing what's natural and defending the small space that has been his home for the last 2 months. When we got to the RSPCA we saw Han's who is a really nice guy who we met on our first visit there. Han's suggested a quick squirt with a water spray bottle and gave us one to try out.
By the end of the day Charlie was realizing that every time he acted up he got a quick squirt with the water (which he hates) and as soon as you reached for the bottle he'd stop on most occasions.
We'd been told about a beaut little spot in Dunally where you're allowed to park at the back of a pub so we headed there - Mike couldn't wait!!
When we arrived we found a small town on the water with an unusual bridge that swung around on itself to let boats and yachts through the canal. The Dunally Pub was a lovely old Hotel and the camping area out the back was great. It was about a 3 acre grassy area that overlooked the water - not bad for free and especially when there is beer on tap close by.
Mike went in to the Pub this arvo and asked if they had any bar work going. We both have a few little jobs that we'd like to try on the road and pub work is one of them. We thought we'd find it easier to bluff to the Tasmanian's about our lack of experience and work in a small pub so we were hoping this would be our start. The bar tender wasn't sure if they had anything going so she asked Mike to come back and see the manager tomorrow.
Bec's Mum and Dad called tonight very excited that they'd booked their trip to come and meet us in QLD. They fly in to Brisbane on 11th August and will be with us for Mike's birthday which is fantastic as I'm sure we're going to find those special days hard being away from our family and friends.
Mum and Dad are going to hire a motorhome for 2 weeks and we are planning on going up the coast from Brissy to maybe Bundaberg and then inland back to Brissy. Bec's brother Mark and his partner Darryl live just out of Brissy so it will be great for Mum and Dad to get to visit them too - killing two birds with one stone! Mum is very pleased that it's all booked as Dad has been that excited that it's been driving her a bit loopy. Who knows it might be just the little taste to get them out on the road too.
9th March
This morning we woke and decided that we just needed to stop for the day in the one spot and relax. We took the dogs to the beach and soon found that Mimi loves the water. It was quite funny as Charlie has never liked the water but because he obviously wanted to keep up with her he followed her in. They ran for hours and hours whilst we explored the strange beach at low tide - it was full of you name it, tyres, car parts, bottles etc. They soon tired and had to be taken back to the bus for a bath each.
Mike went back to the pub to see the manager about work and unfortunately they don't have any at the moment - never mind we'll just try elsewhere.
This arvo we met a few couples at Happy Hour at the camp site. There is Di and Val (Val is the guys name and he told us we won't forget his name as he's the only male with a ladies name) who are from Devenport Tassie and are traveling with his brother and sister in law as well as Carol and John who are from Iluka, Northern NSW. Carol and John have a beautiful little dog called Tasha, she is a Papillion x with a Maltese and is that tiny.
A relaxing night around camp with a few drinks. The dogs are getting better and better with each other every day and Charlie is being very accommodating.
10th March
We planned on getting organized and actually doing something today but never quite got around to it! We slept in, walked the dogs, read and generally just hung around until Happy Hour. - It’s been so nice to stop in the one spot for awhile as we haven't been as yet in Tassie.
11th March
Today we headed to Eagle Hawk Neck for a drive and a look around at all the local attractions. It's a long weekend here so there are people and boats everywhere!! Mike spent a fair bit of time diving here on his previous trips to TAS with his family so he knew all the spots to take Bec to.
First we went to the blow holes and then out to Devils kitchen and then to the Tessellated Pavement. Mike and Jeff had actually dived right in the middle of Devils Kitchen which looked amazing and the Tessellated Pavement was something else - it looks so man made but was all made and formed by the ocean.
A nice site seeing day - we were going to head right down to Port Arthur but due to the crowds as well as the 1996 massacre we decided to give it a miss.
The pub has got a Sunday Roast on tonight and as we haven't had a roast since early January at Nadine and Wayne's we are absolutely hanging. 8 of us went over for tea and a few drinks and in Val's case stealing of some souvenir Dunally Pub wine glasses as well. The roast was to die for and the potatoes where something else!! Almost better than Mum's. A nice night out with our new friends.
12th March
Today we decided to head back up to Sorell and stock up on supplies before starting the East Coast of Tassie, John and Carol decided to join us too.
We did what we need to do around town and then headed to a camping area at the back of the council building. There had been a market there today so it was just finished being packed up when we arrived. We settled in for the arvo and as John had his jenny on Bec was able to blow dry her hair for the first time in days (yay!!)
We had a few drinks, for a change!! Whilst watching kick boxers train in the building beside John and Carol's caravan.
A nice quite night.
13th March
As we needed to do some washing at the local laundry mat Carol and John went ahead and called us from Swansea to let us know that they're had been nothing suitable up that bit of coast for dogs. They decided to stop in Swansea and wait for us and we had lunch and a walk around Triabunna and then headed for them.
About 15kms South of Swansea we found a lovely spot called Mayfield Bay. It was a staggered camping area overlooking the beautiful beach and sea as well as they Maria Island. It was a conservation area but it did allow dogs so we got on the phone and told our mates. John and Carol had just assumed no dogs due to the conservation signs so when they found out you were allowed to stay there they headed straight back.
We ducked into Swansea for some bait, fire wood and grog (the essentials to any bush camping experience) and then back to Mayfield Bay. By this time the Fletcher's where set up and had found us a beaut spot in the sun for our solar and washing.
We all went for a lovely walk on the beautiful while sandy beach this arvo. The sand is very similar to that of the beaches in Esperance and it actually squeaks when you walk on it. We found the 3 arches bridge on our walk which is a bridge that was built by convicts in the first settlement in Tasmania. An amazing structure and to think it's that old.
We got set up and then the men started the fire or roary as Mike likes to call it. We knew it must be 5pm somewhere in the world so declared it happy hour! The Fletchers have been traveling on and off for about 20 years and have camp ovens and swear by them so tonight we cooked tea on the open fire. They are apparently very versatile so we'll have to look into getting one of them as you can cook anything from a roast to a cake in them.
The rest of the night was spent star gazing, satellite spotting and drinking. We saw the most amazing falling star, it was that bright and almost a fluro green. Tonight we nick named John Pop's after he lent Mike his poppy slippers after buying some new bargain ugg boots. Poor John he's only a year older than Bec's Dad but it really fits. John and Carol distill their own spirits so a few night caps with Pops can be quite dangerous with every potent spirit available to mankind on the offer.
14th March
Yesterday on our walk we saw a small jetty so Pops, a lady we met this morning called Marg us and the kids decided to walk there in the hope of finding oysters or abalone. We walked the approx 2km walk there not finding a thing except dead sharks on the beach - the area is a shark breading ground so remind me not to go swimming or diving! We decided to head on to the next set of rocks a fair few times and probably ended up walking about 10kms in total, you think the dogs would be knackered but they just kept going and going. We found absolutely no oysters or abs but did stumble across two skinny dipping ladies!! Pops and Mike spotted them (how surprising!) they saw us coming and bolted up out of the water and into the sand dunes, they obviously weren't expecting us to walk all that way as when we passed they were still sitting at the edge of the dune feeling very embarrassed. I don't know what would have been worse the seriously cold water or the thought of getting bitten by a shark!!
After our big adventure we were all stuffed so an afternoon nanna knap was definitely in order. After our nap it was time for happy hour and starting to get tea organized.
A couple from QLD pulled up this arvo Bill and Jill, Bill was a made keen trout fisherman who loved a yarn but Jill didn't love anything and she especially hated talking! So we had a chat with them and they used our BBQ to cook dinner. I have to question his fishing technique though he had been fishing for four weeks every day and had not caught one fish!
We then went out to the Hogarth Falls and the 3 of us enjoyed a 3km walk to the base of another lovely fall. It's hard to know what's more beautiful the amazing walk in through the bed of the rainforest or the waterfall at the end.
Drove out to the closest campsite but it was out on a poorly maintained gravel track and HoneyMoonin had just been washed! So we left Strahan and headed east. We passed through Queenstown and got to see the devastation of the forest from mining back in the early 1900's. Very sad looking area so we kept on driving and found a really nice camping area at Burbury Lake right near the water with some nice grassy camp sites.
Relaxed with a wine and beer while Bec worked on her scrap-booking in the funky scrapbook Em and Shan gave us for our engagement present (Bec's not very artistic so she might have to borrow Em's artistic talents in Melbourne)
We took Charlie and our new daughter to a local park where the two could make acquaintances and we soon found that Min loves to play go fetch with a tennis ball - so much that Mike had a very tired arm. The two of them got along great guns whilst outside of the bus but unfortunately and understandably Charlie is really playing up when they're together in the bus. (The jealousy is that you'd expect from real children - god help us when we have real kids as this is really challenging)
That night we decided to stay close to Hobart in case things didn't work out with Min as the RSPCA have a 7 day return policy. We also decided that Min was a little oriental for our liking and we knew it wouldn't be fair to completely change her name as she is approx 12-18 months so we decided to alter it slightly to Mimi. (Mike's suggestion after Mimi McPherson)
PS Mimi is a Papillion x - see photo of her and her new brother (I don't think we'll ever live this one down, we have a Tasmanian daughter!!)