Housesitting in Don Part II



Would be spectaclar after rain



After a sleep in and a lazy morning, I will continue.  On Thursday we drove to St Columba Falls, a beautiful 10 min walk through Rain Forrest into the highest falls in Tasmania, a drop of 90mtrs had picnic lunch there before visiting the Holy Cow Cafe and Cheese Factory and indulging in REAL ice creams. Had a quick visit to St Helen's on the way to The Bay of Fires, the water was the most amazing colour blue which beckoned for a swim, then we sat on the beach watching the board riders till after 5. 

Friday after talking to locals last night decided against going out to Cape Naturaliste, the roads were not good, so I didn't get to visit Gladstone in Tassie and came back to Scotsdale to stay the night, Therese was heading south so stayed it was such a lovely spot, it was nice to have a travelling companion for a few days.



Any guesses what this is?



Saturday morning I walked through the wetlands behind the camp spot and heard then saw lots of Paddy Melon wallabies then drove up to Bridport.  Had fish & scallops (wasn't specific and got the fishy kind Yuk, not potato ones I was inticipating!!) for lunch.  Then to George Town a place with lots of history, at the Bass & Flinders Centre I climbed aboard a replica of the "Norfolk" and had a rest on the Captain's bed then Ivy the volunteer guide explained the bathroom facilities and I decided it wouldn't be much fun after all!!  Drove out to the Lighthouse and walked around the cliff edge, before camping with others at the Information Centre.

Sunday I attended the Baptist Church and again thought I knew someone.  While having morning tea later realised we had worked together in Gladstone in the late 70's on CWCI Committee for a year, Mary Hawkins is now an accomplished author, a long held dream so look out for her books.  At Low Head the Fog Horn goes off at 12noon, there are only a few working "G" Diaphones left in the world (all done by volunteers).  A powerfull yet eerie sound, likened to the roar of 1,000 elephants.  Visited the Pilot Station Museum then went to the George Town Watch House, a local had made a scale model of the town in pioneering days and there was a DVD of the work started by one woman to tell the story of the convict women and babies in those harsh times.  Then drove to Don which is a suburb of Devenport to housesit for 12 days, I talked with the owners for a few hours then set up camp, it was raining so I got into bed to read.

 Monday  I did some washing early then Robyn showed me round their little farm, I have 5 sheep, 8 guinea fowl, 4 geese and 11 bantams to care for.  There is a vegie patch and an orchard so I will be enjoying eating apples, pears and grapefruit (occassionally) straight from the trees and picking my tomatoes, lettuce etc as needed.  They left about 11 and I began a thorough clean of my little vehicle, I had picked up grease at a car wash bay in St Helen's and walked it on my mats, Napisan did the trick, then I rearranged all the bits behind my seats making better use of the space.  I fed the animals about 2.30 then go again about 5 to put the bantams to bed looking like farmer Joe in my wellington boots as there are snakes about.

Tuesday The sewing machine is getting a workout, I bought a flanelette sheet and Doona cover and had to cut them down to size, then I set about making bags for all my electrcal appliances (which I haven't used at all yet!!) to stop any rattles.  Mary who I walked up Cradle Mountain with invited me to morning tea today and I met her brother, another Motorhomer from Tasmania who will be going to the Rallies at Yarram and Sale that are on my itinerary.  I check the creek each evening in the hope of seeing a Platypus, no luck yet but who knows.