2 lucky ducks on the road again

On the way back down to the Neck we stopped in at Pauls and Esther cooked a delicious lunch of lamb chops and vegetables. The following days we went to Hobart with Colin and Tanya I had to get a new phone as mine had died and I had to put my hearing aids in as they stopped working. We went metal detecting with Paul and Jackie.  There was a pirate festival on at the Neck along with markets, there was a play held in the marque of how pirates bay got its name, apparently 6 convicts escaped from Hobart made their way to the Neck and pirated a schooner that was there to make their escape, as we  walked on the beach to the blowhole  we saw a tall ship anchored up that had been brought in for the celebrations. When we got to the jetty we watched the boats bring in their mako sharks which they had caught in the competition. We looked after Jessie and the chooks for a couple of days while Tanya and Colin visited their grandchildren.

We took our time going down the highway and arrived at Anne's place around 11.30, we intend staying a couple of nights as she hasn't been so well being in a lot of pain so I plan to help her out as much as possible. Anne seemed to cheer up a lot when we arrived, I  believe that a lot of her problem is loneliness sice Len died. I pruned roses, Merv washed the car, we did what we could but mostly we were company for her.

On the roed again, as we headed South we passed through Derwent Bridge and just had to stop at The Wall, this would have to be one of the most amaizing pieces of artistic work anyone could imagine, it is all done by one artist who has sculptured panels of huon pine each approximately 4 metres high, these panels are joined and made one very long wall that is double sided, the sculptures tell a story along with native animals the whole thing is mind blowing, inside the entrance there are numerous sculptures of coats, hats, gloves everyday things and these sculptures look real. There are draws with the artists drawings these in themselve are wonderful to look at. Photos weren't permitted as there was books for sale showing the artists work. There was other sculptures outside made of metal which were also impressive. when we left there we travelled down the highway till we came to Brady's Lake. We found another great grassy spot for camping right on the edge of the lake...

Leaving our camp today we decided to stop in Strahan for another pastie and coffee after stopping at the fishermans wharf first. When we had finished our snack we went for a drive and came across the people's park with a trail that led to holgarth falls. It was an easy walk along the creek where we kept looking for platypus, without any luck, but the bush was lush and peaceful. We then headed towards Queenstown the road windier but not too bad then the nerve racking part of up Gormanston Hill, that one is something else so many tight bends up a very steep bald hill I am glad we were going up not coming down. We continued on and decided to camp for the night at Lake Burbury, another nice camp spot, clean with good toilets. As the afternoon set in the weather got extremely hot so we went down to the boat ramp, which was a very long cement ramp, we went for a swim, the water was so warm it was the best way to finish the day.

Tanya and Colin left this morning to go home while we continued down the coast to Strahan. The road between Zeehan and Strahan was flat, road in good condition overall a good trip. We arrived in Strahan and visited the tourist area with sales of huon pine, tbere was a mill as part of the area with lots of huon pine we bought some pieces to take home for coasters. As we went along we came across a bakery/cafe called the kitchen, we had a coffee and shared a pastie, thinking $7 was a bit steep for a pastie, but after eating it we both agreed it was the best pastery ever it was like croissant pastry. We then headed out to Macquarie Heads to the camp area near the beach, we found the nicest area, flat grassy and sheltered by bushes from wind, there was also good clean serviced flushing toilets, cost $15 per night, we booked for 2 nights. After setting up we went for a long walk up along the harbour and out onto the beach, there wasn't any phone reception in the camp so I tried to call ...

After lèaving Montezuma Falls we made or way through Zeehan out to Trial Harbour, the road wasn't too bad apart from the narrow 1km stretch going down into the harbour. We found a reasonable place to set up camp, there are lots of march flies but mostly buzzing and not biting. The walk across to the beach had us wondering how boats ever went in and out of there, it was just huge waves and white water right across, it was amazing to find out that large ships with passengers used to come to the harbour and the town was quite a large town tiill it was burnt out by bushfire, 30 years ago people started building houses back there but there isn't the shops, post office or police station as used to be. We were in a lovely sheltered area behind the bushes so enjoyed a good night. Next morning we all went for a long walk, we walked quite a few kms then down onto the beach that went for miles, we walked a bit but the beach was so clean without shells so we returned to the townsite, nice ...

The day was still a little overcast when we left for the falls, the road was even more up and down and windy but the country side so green and beautiful with huge ferns and trees. I  wasn't so keen on the roads with steep drops of the sides but it was well worth it. When we arrived at the falls car park we found a relatively easy walking track to the falls, approximately 10km return. It is hard to describe the beauty as you walk down the track, so lush and green with the sound of the river running in the gully. There are still people working he river for gold, it is extremely steep deep gullies to the river the people working them earn every bit they get. There was some abandoned mine shafts we went in a short distance, there was some really big cave spiders with their egg sacks. When we got to the falls they were worth the walk in, there was a swinging bridge across the gully that goes to a 4wd track where people can drive in from Zeehan. There was supposed...

A nice day today, we have all decided to go camping down the west coast tomorrow, I  spent a bit of time in the vegie garden weeding then we packed up to leave. We are going to Sorell for the night doing what shopping we need to do, staying on the free stay and meeting Tanya and Colin further up the road tomorrow. Before we drove off the Neck we went for a walk on the beach and was surprised by the amount of blue bottle jellyfish washed in, some very large we stepped out to measure their tenticles, or stingers, they were 6 meters long and more. We walked to the tessalated pavements and even though I have seen it many times couldn't help but admiring the large trees hanging to the cliff virtually holding everything together. After spending the night in Sorell we left to go to Campbell Town were we were meeting Colin and Tanya, we went via the mud walls road coming out near Oatlands. We arrived approximately 1 hour before the others so we had a look around tow...

The day was very wet north easterly I have not been very well so I wasn't doing very much, in the afternoon Merv went for a big walk on the beach by himself then in the evening we watched cricket with Tanya and Colin. The next morning was much better so Colin decided he would take Merv for a big walk to the top of Mt McGregor, apparently it is very steep and rocky and even if I was feeling 100% the guys said they wouldn't suggest it for Tanya or myself. They drove up a 4wd track, McGregor link then walked approximately 2 km straight up extremely steep and rocky to the fire tower, then the track gets a little easier going through lovely mossy gullies. When they reached the top they were lucky the weather had cleared and there wasn't any low cloud, apparently the views are out of this world, but it is one place I will never be aable to go, too old now. It took the guys 3 hours return walking. While theywere away Tanya and I worked in the vegetable garden. When the guys got ba...

The weather was overcast patchy but warm so Colin and Tanya took Merv and I to Hobart with the idea of showing Merv some areas he had not seen. The first place we stopped I never even knew existed it was Kangaroo Bay lookout, this area had amazing history, in the early 1800s England was still fighting with France so they built the most amazing gun battery to protect the river, the cannons were huge and were mounted in away so nothing could get  past, the cannons were also rifled which gave them incredible distance and accuracy, while walking around it is hard not to be awe struck by the workmanship of the convicts who built them. After we left the battery we went down to Bellerieve marina for lunch I had scallops and chips, Merv flathead and chips both served with a delicious salad. We ate so much after lunch we went for a huge walk along the river on a bike path to Geilston bay, the  areas are old with magnificent gardens, trees...

The two weeks since Christmas has seen us go on many daily walks on the beach, the weather has been a little intermittent. One evening we went to the beach to watch the little penguins come ashore, we were lucky enough to see 2 large groups come in but decided not to stay and watch anymore as the torch was disturbing them. While we were waiting we saw a water rat enter the water Merv commented that they must be good swimmers, I said they reminded me of otters then when we looked them up on Google they are also known as Tasmanian otters. when the weather turned a bit rainy we went up and stayed with Paul and Esther for a couple of nights, during the day we visited Lola, Tammy Lillian and Anne, we were going to have dinner with Lola but Esther and Will had been close contact with covid positive people, once we found out we didn't want to risk Lola's Merv, we will go around again soon. We left on Saturday stopping at Sorell to shop and fill with...