Well I wasn't too far out when I thought I might be blown away while at Stanley, I stayed the night on the wharf with about 20 other brave campers and experienced the Roaring 40's, there were some dedicated fishermen out on the jetty with waves crashing about them!! I attended Church on Sunday morning, then drove to Green Point via Forrest a pretty drive through farming land. I had a great view at a favourite surfing spot but not even the surfers were out, it was wet and windy again, after dinner I decided to drive to a safer spot and sheltered in Marrawah the night. The winds still rocked my van all night and on Monday I was told they were about 150+kph.
Monday the sun came out so I took a Cruise up the Arthur River, had a gourmet lunch then walked in the Tarkune Forrest to Warra Falls which are not high but covered in moss and looked spectacular. Saw tree ferns up to 1,000 years old. Fed White Bellied Sea Eagles and watched Wedge Tail Eagles soaring above us hoping for their dinner. Drove to the Edge of the World, what a strange feeling to know there is nothing between me and South America. Decided to stay at Peppermint camp ground in Arthur River for some protection but as is usual in Tasmania the weather had come good.
Tuesday I went to the Tarkune Adventure Camp at Dismal Swamp, the forrest floor is in what's called a sink hole which you can walk down to but I took the slide - twice!! Had to get my money's worth, the second time I was lucky enough to get a ride back up in the staff buggy and not have to walk. After a Hot Chocolate and lunch I visited the Allendale Gardens, what was a family farm that in 1980 the couple lovingly began turning into acres of gardens of all different kinds with something always in flower and a section of forrest. I drove to Penguin and camped the night at the surf life saving club.
Wednesday as I had such a great spot I decided to stay another night here so it was time I got the bike off the back. It was 3k into town and I took what I thought was a bike track to avoid the hill only it ended about 1k along so I walked along the railway line till I met the road again. Had the best spinach & fetta pastie yet for lunch and checked the op shops and got supplies. Surprised myself and made it over the hill on the way back. I walked along the beach and watched the dragon boat teams practicing the water looked so lovely I had a swim about 5pm, it was wonderful. Thursday no back roads today I came down the highway stopping at Deloraine for washing and sorting the van for my week at Launceston at the CMCA Rally, I collected my new glasses from Specsavers ( had ordered them while in Melbourne with Cath), Telstra still haven't got my phone sorted I left it here 3 weeks ago. Was greeted at the Rally by Ross, I had met he and Lyn when they were travelling in Qld 2 years ago. About a minute later Richard was waving at me (he lived near Maryborough till a few years ago) my concerns of not knowing anyone were put to rest. Happy Hour was at 4pm to then after dinner an official opening by the mayor followed by entertainment which was a great C & W singer Gina Timms.
Friday a lot of the morning was spent learning about LED lighting for the van and changing some of my lights over. then catching up with others I had met on the road or Solo's I had been emailing prior to coming to Tasmania. Played in the Disc Bowls competition with John and Barbara so our team was called the "Tall Stories". Dinner was at the Bowls Club and they did a mighty job for a little club to accomodate so many extras, it was a wait but as one of the last to eat the meals were still delicious. Only problem was I got the last dessert (4 missed out, I did offer to share my cheesecake). The local Rock & Roll club came in and some of us danced till 10.30.
Saturday, Rainey bought some new LED lights today, she blew a fuse as one bulb was a wrong fitting so we all learned a lot. At 11.00 Rainey Therese and I left to spend the out, we visited the Farmers Market (a first for Launceston) where I tried rhubarb ice cream. Then went to Festivale' a food, wine and entertainment fest (Chefs in photo at Festivale'), we enjoyed tasting (the Tempura Mushrooms were good) and listening to musicians till almost 4. Back for Happy Hour & I was surprised when called to get a medal for coming 3rd in the Disc Bowls competition. A quick snack before being entertained by a concert put on by the Tasmanian chapter groups which was lots of fun.
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