Cairns for a few days



Cooking marshmallows



After my relaxing 3 days at Fletcher Creek I had decided to go as far as Greenvale to stop the night.  The attraction here are 2 'Sausage trees', 2 of only 4 known in Australia.  Nothing else to see so I kept going, when I passed a sign to the Undara Lava Tubes (this wasn't on my list of things to see) I stopped anyway.  Did a walk around the park and to the Bluff with my neighbours Ross & Bernadette to watch the sunset then after dinner listened to the entertainment around the open camp fire.  I toasted marshmallows when the singing had finished and shared some with a few backpackers who had not tasted them this way, among the guests was Barry & Debbie Maluga from Gladstone, it is a very small world. 



Sausagea tree



On Wednesday I did the guided tour of the Lava Tubes, very interesting and unusual, from the bus we saw some rock wallabies watching us.  They are very shy so we only saw their heads from a distance, we would never have seen them if it weren't for the guide who knew where to look.  Drove to Ravenshoe to stop the night, on the way paddled my feet in the natural hot springs at Innot, some spots were absolutely boiling, others were very pleasant and people had dug holes in the gravel and made their own private pools.  That night there was a town meeting to discuss the free camp spot that is near the railway line in town, my neighbours Rick & Jean were going so I went along.  The local businesses want it back so that is good for the travellers and locals, then we went to the local hotel for dinner.

Jean & I checked out the Vinnies across the road then I walked through town looking at galleries and shops, Ravenshoe township is the highest elevation of any town in Qld so a windfarm sits right beside the road at Windy Hill!!  The drive down to Innesfail on a winding road with low clouds was not much fun it was like fog at 3pm, I was glad to get to Fred Drew Park to stop for the night.
I met another Solo going to Cairns for the Ukulele festival here and we travelled together for the next 2 weeks.  Leo is a birdwatcher and bird survey volunteer so I learnt to appreciate the sounds of the bush and to spot a bird, things I took for granted before.
Saturday 30th we drove into Josephine Falls and as we walked up to where some were swimming I saw my first Ulyssus butterfly, what a magnificent colour.  Then to the Golden Hole for lunch before driving to Babinda to stop for a few nights, this town is Qld's wettest, so my solar wasn't working to well, used Leo's generator.  From Babinda you can see Mt Bartle Freer, Qld's highest mountain.
Monday we moved to The Boulders only 10klm away, another lovely camp spot, I am getting plenty of exercise walking to see the sights.


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at The Boulders



Tuesday it was Fishery Falls Van Park to charge my batteries and do the necessary filling and emptying of bits as well as washing.  The falls are on private property so I asked permission to walk to them, it is part of Cairns water supply.  Wednesday I drove into Gordonvale, didn't stay long the smell from the sugar refinery in the middle of town was terrible, I guess the locals just get used to it, then I met up with Leo at Aloomba to camp.  I have been doing lots more Uke practice as we get closer to Cairns, but wonder if I will manage to play for the 6 minutes we need to for the record attempt.

Thursday another short move, 10klm to Behana Gorge.  After a clean I had my own ensuite, with shower & toilet, it obviously hadn't been used in a long time.  A 3.5klm walk up what the sign said was medium incline, I would say steep.

Friday 6th July - Arrived in Cairns midday and had lunch on the Esplanade, walked through town and got groceries and some fruit & veg from Rusty's Bazaar markets.  There was a concert at the Hilton at 6.30 of Australian Ukulele artists, it finished at 11pm, thankfully it was a short walk to where we were camped.  Saturday morning I did a workshop with Manatoba Hal (a canadian I had never heard of) learning Blues for everyone, something to aspire to.  There were markets in Fogarty Park, as well as free workshops and lots of stalls all afternoon before the World Record attempt was made.  What a logistical nightmare, hats off to the organisers.  We didn't break the record but had 1,395 people playing the song 'Travellin' at the same time.

Sunday morning I went to Church, then spent the afternoon at the Botanical Gardens, it was raining but that just added to the rainforest feeling.  Monday I had the Van booked in for a service, Leo has a nephew in Cairns who is a mechanic, who fitted me in.  If I had taken the computer I could have written this while I waited!!!

Bye for now

at Cairns Gardens

Now in Charters Towers

I have added some photos to the last post and finally come out of the bush.

Lightening Ridge sunset

When I was leaving Lightning Ridge I had gone to pack up when the raffles were being drawn, then heard my name and won a beautiful solid white opal, not sure what I will have it set into.  I had bought myself a small red on black opal ring for my pinky finger in town Saturday, oh well a girl can't have to much jewellery.  After my time at Dunkeld I drove to Mitchell to meet up with some friends who are doing a Tag-A-Long through to Darwin, it was lovely to see some I knew who had come from Brisbane and the coast for just a few days.

Neil Turner Weir

Tues 12th June

Stayed a few days with Darryl & Rose who I knew from Gladstone Pipe Band days.  Took the bike off and rode around town, there was a great patchwork exhibition in the Gallery.  Rode out past the Neil Turner Weir to where others were camped at the Race Course for afternoon tea and a chat. There were campfires at night under the stars again, the weather has been very kind, beautiful days and just a bit cool at night. There was so much mud on all our vehicles, Darryl brought out his pressure washer which was kept busy for the next few days.

Sat 16th June

After a visit to the local craft shop where Rose and other locals sell there hand made goods, I bought a bottle of lemon butter Yum.  I stopped at Roma and visited the farmers market then I drove to Injune to camp the night.

Sun 17th June

The Information centre recommended a trip into Carnarvon Gorge and I wasn't dissappointed.  Expensive to stay a few nights but all my free camping makes up for the nights I treat myself.  Walked around the park and found a family I had met down in Victoria so a pleasant happy hour + was spent with Rob, Leonia & Damon.

Ward's Canyon

Monday after a talk with Fred the aboriginal guide, I walked to the Art Gallery with Rod & Jenny who invited me to join them.  It was a great day, the art work I can't describe the feeling of just being there, I felt I had to speak quietly, a truly spiritual place.  We walked into Ward's Canyon then the Moss Garden on the way back to our camp and had quite a few stops to just sit on the warm rocks and enjoy the scenery.  I walked to the lookout back at Takarakka to watch the sunset, then an early night.

Tuesday I was to be at the Helipad for my first helicopter ride and I was so excited.  It wasn't meant to be as the oil gauge wasn't working so his 3 passengers got their money back and went on their way by road!!  I drove into Emerald, stopping at Rolleston & Springsure then camped beside the river which was still running very fast after the floods.

Wednsday 20th June

Maybe next time!!

Walked through town checking out the Art works some were by Margaret Worthington of Gladstone.  Then just had a relaxing afternoon, a couple from Vic I had met at Kyabram last Dec were near me so we enjoyed catching up over Happy Hour.

Thursday morning I had a new radio/CD and outside aerial put into the van, then drove out to Fairburn Dam for the afternoon.  I met a Solo for afternoon tea, she is working in Emerald just now not travelling but answered an email I had sent looking for company.

Friday morning woke Tess another Solo who had camped near me during the evening, then left about 9.30 to drive to Belyando Crossing, not much here but it had started raining & I needed to stop.  The road is long straight stretches and can get a bit boring. 

 Saturday I drove to Charters Towers, another little town with lovely old buildings,  I did the a Heritage Walking Trail, drove to the Lookout before going to Macrossan Park, a free campsite beside the Burdekin River, amazing to see the height the water came during many floods over the years. My camp spot was at Fletcher Creek and I was backed up to the water and could hear the water over the rocks, very relaxing, stayed 3 nights (the maximum stay is 1 month, not to many like that).  The Van got a thorough spring clean, after that nothing to do but read and enjoy.

Carnarvon Gorge stepping stones

Bye for now

In Dunkeld Qld

Jan with Dingo pup!

My last post a month ago was from Costerfield.  I drove from there to Shepparton to drop off the quilts I had made, then met the Goulburn Valley Gypsies at the Dingo Farm at Nalinga.  The afternoons activity was to catch yabbies in the dam which were then to be raced for the opportunity to win a great trophy.  No luck and only one yabbie was caught despite our best efforts.  Those who wanted could then go and help feed and mix with the dingoes.  After a BBQ dinner we sat around the camp fire under the stars.  Sunday was cold and wet so all headed off before lunch, I had to drive through a wine growing area called Upottipotpon!! just to see the sign for myself and make sure someone wasn't pulling my leg.  It was Mothers Day and all the family phoned I stayed with a friend in Corowa the night.



I arrived at the Blaze Aid Camp in Wagga Wagga about 3pm and was met by Eugene the co-ordinator, I had a guided tour and then met other workers over dinner.  Tuesday the alarm went off at 6am and the temperature inside my van was 2.1o Brrrrrr  Cam drove the team of 5 30klm to our farm where we removed debris most of the day.  It was good to get in a hot shower as I hadn't done anything that physical for a while. 

Wednesday went to Wantabadgery Station and Sally Sara from ABC and a team flew in by hellicopter to do a story on the floods in the area and Blaze Aid's involvement.  I was asked if I was willing to be  interviewed and photographed, they spent the day with the team and then came back to the camp ground that evening.



Blaze Aid in Wagga



By the 3rd morning I was getting used to the cold, with frost on the fences till about 9am, got some great photos.  We were working along the Murrumbidgee River bank today and it is a thrill to see the before and after and know I helped a little.

A day off and went into town, met Allan free camped and he helped put Wikicamps on my phone.  I am enjoying all the technology now even though it takes me a while to recall the instructions some times.
Back to work on a different farm, clearing debris then rolling damaged wire and afterwards setting fire to the dry grass. Sunday was my last day and a new skill was learned.  I am now officially a twitcher!!  This is simply tying the wire onto the fence post with a small piece of plain wire. Back at camp after dinner I played a few tunes on my Ukulele as a few of us sat in front of the log fire.  Before leaving on Monday I did some mending of trousers for Eugene and Graham.  Graham and I had gone to Nimbin High School together, it really is a small world.  Went into Wagga at lunch time then drove to Jugiong to camp for the night.
Tuesday did my usual check of the van before taking off and found a flat tyre, Oh Bother.  The NRMA man came and changed it but it couldn't be repaired.  Drove to Yass they had none the right size, drove to Goulburn and thankfully they checked all my tyres and I had odd sizes so now have 2 new tyres.  Finally arrived at my cousin Marilyn and Keith at MossVale at 4.30 not before lunch as planned.  We hadn't seen each other since teenage years and she is doing family history and contacted me, it was a wonderfull time of catching up.
 I left after lunch next day to drive to my sister-in-law at Barrack Heights not enjoying the trip down Macquarie Pass.  I am now the proud owner of 2 Ukulele's as Sue has given me a very old one that has been in her family, I will have 2 new plugs made for strings and look forward to playing it.  Then it was off to Sydney to spend a week with Cath's family who are still settling in after moving from Melbourne.  I slept in the Van and Georgia would phone me to say breakfast was ready, they loved to come a have a picnic or watch TV.  Lily was home from school with a bout of Croup and with wet cold weather they were getting cabin fever.
One of my great highlights was sailing on Pittwater, I met Barbara & John while in Tasmania and they had invited me to come and stay.  I took them up on the offer and enjoyed 2 nights stay and a beautiful day on the water.  Barbara also took me Square dancing with her, I hadn't done that since I was very young.


Georgia & Lily



Back at Cath's and on Friday night I went to her Craft Group and helped prepare the goodie bags for the 'Sew It Together' workshop she is attending in Canberra next weekend, sounds like lots of fun except for the cold weather -7o forecast.

Saturday afternoon I went to Sydney Wanderer's weekend at Wheelers Hill just up the road from Cath's, I took Lily for a sleep over which she enjoyed despite the rainy weather.  She was delighted to win a box of chocolate coated shortbread from the raffle.  A very interesting talk on tyres after dinner I learnt a lot.  Pancakes and maple syrup for breakfast next morning before Lily was picked up to go out for the day.

The beret I had crocheted for myself was far to big so Cath got that one and I will make another.  Said goodbye to them all and drove to visit my sister Marion at Berowra for lunch and afternoon tea before leaving Sydney.



Hunter Valley Gardens



Tonight's camp was at Ourimbah and I woke Tuesday to the sound of the Bellbirds.  Thankfully it was a lovely fine day, I went to Wyong for Gas along the old Pacific H'way.  Stopped at the Cessnock Info Centre who recommended the Hunter Valley Gardens, I opted for the guided tour in a gold buggy but then went back to take photos and was there for hours. It was just beautiful.  My camp tonight was at Casillis as the book said power and showers and I needed my heater there was a bitterly cold wind blowing.

Wednesday 6th June - The Transit of Venus a once in 100+ years event.  I got updates thanks to a facebook friend who was able to take photos.  Stopped at Dunedoo for a hot pie lunch then as I drove through Mendooran saw Allans van parked and stopped to say hello.  This was a good free camp so I stayed the night, the offer of a camp fire was a good decider but the rain chased me in at 6pm.

This orning it was athe Kookaburras laughing that I could hear from my bed.  Drove to Coonabarabran and then in through the Warrambungle National Park.  I visited the Siding Springs Observatory then walked ato Fan's Horizon a steep rise with over 1,000 steps.  It was getting late so I stayed in Camp Wambelong for the night.

View from Fan's Lookout - 1,000 steps up!!

There was some dirt road but only for 8klm on the way to Gulargambone, stopped at Coonamble for groceries, at Walgett for water and a gas bottle refill and arrived at Lorne Station, Lightening Ridge about 5pm.  The road into here was not what I had expected, I almost turned around but pulled over and waited for another vehicle to go through a huge mud crossing then I followed. I was driven into town to experience the Hot Springs and sat in 40o water for about an hour, thoroughly enjoying it.  Spent the next few days with some new and old friends enjoying the bush, cricket matches, sight seeing and sitting under the stars in front of a log fire.

I left Sunday to drive to Dunkeld to help with Blaze Aid again, have never seen so much wildlife on the road emus, cattle, echidnas, deer & roos.  I worked at the base this time helping in the kitchen, cleaning amenities and tidying the garden around the golf club rooms where we were staying. 

Bye for now   

Now in NSW



Costerfield gold mine ruins



Mon 7th - Wed 9th was as relaxed as last week, with gardening and more craft, the weather has really turned cold with frosty mornings.  I rode my bike to collect the mail and passed the remains of what was once a gold mine employing up to 700 workers 100 years ago.



Autumn in Costerfield



Thurs 10th - Took the Van to Heathcote for a new radiator and some belts to be replaced, he also reset the timing from the problem I had last week and was most apologetic.  Heathcote is a very Historic town and I walked up and down looking at some of the original buildings.  The highlight was a walk through the Valley of Liquid Ambers, the colours of Autumn were absolutely spectacular.  I found more material at the Op shop so had an early tea then made up another quilt.

Fri 11th - My last day so spent it packing the Van and getting the house ready for Margaret's return.  Drove into town for petrol, gas bottle refills and some shopping.  Margaret arrived at 9.30pm tired from a day and a half travelling.  She brought me some Irish tea towels and lovely Celtic monogramm bookmark.


Yabbie fishing


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Jan and dingo pup



Sat 12th - I got away just after 8, Drove to Shepparton to leave the 5 quilts I had made with a friend of Nell's.  Found an RV shop and bought edge stripping to do some maintenance on the Van at my next stop.  I arrived at the Dingo Farm at Nalinga after lunch to meet with the CMCA Goulburn Valley Gypsies.  The afternoon's activity was to catch a yabbie in the dam to have a yabbie race tomorrow morning.  Only 1 yabbie was caught between the lot of us (it was far to cold) so no race!!!  There was chocolate cake for all the mothers at afternoon tea.  At 5pm most went up to see the dingoes, and help feed some of them.  Alan had cooked a BBQ for everyone for dinner which was very welcome.  Then we sat around the camp fire under the stars till about 9pm and the cold sent us indoors.   

Sun 13th - I woke at 7 but stayed in bed reading till 9, there was a cold wind blowing this morning.  The fire was relit & I played a few tunes on my Ukulele while others sang. It started to rain at 11 so it was time to leave.  I had heard that the name of the area near us was Upottipotpon, so I had to go for a drive and find it, I wonder what the origin of that name was?   I drove to Corowa to visit a friend so am now in NSW.



My welcome to NSW



A week in the country

This has been a quiet week with my days spent doing some gardening, sewing and watching movies from Margarets large library.
Monday 30/4 - I put binding onto a second quilt and watched the movie 'Nell' in the afternoon.

Tuesday 1/5 -  The binding went onto a third quilt and I spent the afternoon on the computer, working out how to use the Hot Spot from my Smart Phone.  It took a while but I was determined to make it work.

Wednesday 2/5 - a neighbour gave me a lift into town to collect my Van from the mechanic in Heathcote, I had planned to get a Tune Up here after the problem in Sale.  Margaret had offered me the use of her little car while she was away so I was glad of that but happy to have my own wheels back.

Thursday 3/5 - I drove to Bendigo to see the Grace Kelly Style Icon Exhibition, this was fabulous and so popular it was necessary to purchase tickets to attend at a specific time of day. After checking out a few shops I had afternoon tea with one of Margaret's friends before driving home.

Pink Cliffs - Heathcote

Friday 4/5 - Went into town this morning, drove just a few klm out of town to see the Pink Clifs, a colourful reminder of the Gold Rush era in the early 1900's, on the way home I saw an Auction at a Farmhouse so decided to stop for a look, a real country experience but I wasn't tempted to make any bids!!!  The movie after dinner tonight was 'The Kiss'.





Costerfield Post Office



Saturday 5/5 - I started sewing my 4th quilt then finished the Christmas wallhanging I began at Tannum Sands last July.  I stripped the vinyl floor of the Van and put 2 coats of sealer on it.  A friend from Kilmore phoned to invite me to dinner, so I drove with the intention of staying overnight.  I hadn't seen Fay for over 20 years when she lived in Rockhamnpton, so lots of catching up on what we and our families were doing now.

Sunday 6/5 -  When I went to leave there was oil on the road where I had been parked.  Another call to RACV and I was missing a bolt from the Distributor!!!  No damage done so it was replaced and filled with oil before I drove home, the dogs were very happy to see me.  I put 2 more coats of sealer on the van floor then watched the movie 'Beyond Borders'.  Now have less than a week before it is time for me to move a little further north.

This was our view of Melbourne from The Edge

Where did that month + go

I am not going to try to catch up by days, as all my good intentions to finish my trip around Tasmania the day after my last post obviously went wrong. 

On Fri 9th March - I attended a concert at the Hobart Casino of The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, I had planned this since January and was not dissappointed, staying behind to have them all sign my Uke.  Saturday visited the Botanical Gardens then drove up Mt Nelson & Mt Wellington and it was a beautiful clear day, I was there in 2006 and it snowed on Mt Wellington.

The Foxhunters Return

On Tues 13th - I was given a tour in Campbelltown of the "Foxhunters Return", (usually only for paying guests) this is a beautiful B & B incorporating an amazing bookshop underneath which was once quarters for the convicts building the nearby bridge. This old building has so much history and I was included because a cousin once owned it in the 80's, they were part of the restoration process (the local council wanted to knock it down!!)  On Wednesday evening I boarded the Spirit of Tasmania, it was a long wait but next morning meant I was the 4th vehicle off and arrived to a noisy welcome at the Robert's home, for a few days was treated to Cath's great cooking, she in turn had some time out while I had fun with the girls.

Sat 17th - the 4 girls went to Daylesford for the day, Cath had wanted to see this little town before leaving Victoria.  After checking out the shops we had a picnic, hired a paddle boat, had ice creams and visited the Chocolate Factory.  On Sunday afternoon we 4 girls went to the city, afternoon tea at a River Cafe and dinner at Crown Casino.  Jonathan was happy at home quietly watching the Grand Prix. 



Therese, Louise & Helen (hippies)

 Wed 21st - I headed for Yarram to attend the Solo Rally, my last experience was at Macksville 2 1/2   years ago so I stopped at Morwell and bought Wellie boots and a hooded raincoat, which were both well used for a few days.  It was a great week, I met old friends and made lots of new ones, improved my Ukulele skills slightly, had fun at the Hippie Ball and so much more.  There were bus tours (I went to the Tarra Bulga National Park), workshops and I did enjoy the Poet's breakfast.


Sunrise at Port Albert



Thurs 29th - it was all over, I had lunch with Helen & Therese in town before leaving, we were all going in different directions, I had booked the Van in for a service, unfortunately for him I didn't fit into his shed!!  He sent me across the road to the opposition but a mate who did a fine job at short notice, one of the good things about small towns.  Drove to Port  Albert and found about 12 others from Yarram also there, it was a lovely spot beside the Marina. Next day as I contemplated where to spend the next few days, friends from Bundaberg found me and invited me to go with them to Boolarra.  I followed Arthur taking the scenic route over the Strezelecki Ranges, it was a lovely drive.  We camped beside the Pub and I met many of Arthur & Wendy's Forum friends.  A huge Hunstman spider decided to camp in my van and Allan was no help saying it was harmless, it may be but after an hour I caught it and threw it and the collander it was in out the door, lights out 10pm.  I rode my push bike part way along the Grand Ridge Rail Trail the next day, a few of the men went the whole way, but I know my limits.



A Fly Past just for us at Sale



Wed 4th April - Met Helen in Sale to drive into the Rally together, this was my 1st big rally and a bit daunting.  Like Yarram it was lots of workshops, dance lessons, Ukulele lessons, and wonderfull entertainment.  We looked through the assortment of new vans on offer and checked out the many market stalls.  At 4pm it was Happy Hour somewhere, I attended different ones but Blaze Aid was to learn about volunteering.  Met past owners of my van and Ian wired in an LED light and checked out the hot water system while at the rally, I have been invited to visit he & Gail when next going past Caloundra.  Left Sunday morning to meet friends from Qld attending a function at the Melbourne Convention Centre.  Drove to Cath's and she put me on the train to the city, after dinner at a lovely waterside restaurant I stayed the night in their apartment and we talked till late.



It's a dogs life!!

 Mon 9th - A timely visit to the Robert's family again to help with the week before their move back to Sydney.  On Sunday we all went into the City to visit the Eureka Skydeck, 85 floors up!!!  Jonathan, Lily, Georgia & I survived The Edge (a giant glass cage that slides out from the building), Cath took photos. 

Mon 16th - This was moving day, a giant truck with 2 containers pulled up outside, I kept the girls occupied at the park and having picnic's in Grandma's van.  They left to drive to Albury at 4pm.  I stayed to let the cleaners in next day etc. 

Wed 18th - I started housesitting in Costerfield (near Heathcote in Vic) for 3 1/2 weeks, on a small property in the bush, I have 2 dogs, Gemma a Beagle and Jack a Terrier.  Not sure if they are company they sleep most of the day and bark mostly at the birds or rabbits.  I have had a chance to do lots of crafting, making rugs for the Wrapped With Love foundation and finishing off some of my UFO's.  Apart from pulling out a few weeds there is not lots to do so I am relaxing and enjoying the beautiful Autumn days.
Today Sunday 29th April - After Church in a small local hall at Tooborac, stoped at a roadside stall for local fresh supplies then had a restfull afternoon watching the movie Snow Cake (a beautiful movie) knitting another Beanie for my grandaughter Renae's Rep Hockey Team pals. 

Back on the Mainland

It has been about 3 weeks since I have used the computer, I had problems with Telstra and the Hot Spot on my new smart phone and decided to wait till I got back to Melbourne.

Friday 2nd March it was time to leave the farm life and get back on the road. 


Waterfall at Waratah



On Saturday I left early to get my 2 small gas bottles filled and that took 2 hours and a few visits to 4 different shops from Devenport to Ulverstone (a story on it's own).  My first overnight stop was to Waratah where they have a waterfall in the middle of town.  I was given a great tour of the small Museum by Mintie a very enthusiastic volunteer who worked in the local tin mine before retiring. 



Ocean Beach



Sunday 4th - I stopped at Tullah and saw the 100 year old "Wee Georgie Wood" steam train but didn't take a ride, but did visit Lyn's house of Teddy Bears.  Then on to Zeehan to the amazing museum, spent a few hours which only skimmed the surface of the things to be seen and read about.  Arrived in Strahan about 4, and went to a live theatre show of 'The Ship that never was'.  This has been running every day for 17years, has a cast of 2 with the other characters chosen from the audience.  I got to be the ships cat and thankfully was rescued.  This tells the story of 10 convicts who built a ship and escaped to Chile, how desperate they must have been.  I drove to Ocean Beach to camp for the night, still in the wind and rain.



A branch of the Myrtle Tree



Monday 5th - The trip with West Coast Wilderness Railways I had planned since coming over 6 weeks ago.  This is through a rain forrest and beside the King and then Queen Rivers.  Part of the trip on a steam train over the steepest incline and decline in the Southern Hemisphere.  It was memorable for many reasons but seeing a Myrtle tree falling on the train which caused a complete shut down of part of the track for a few days will be one I won't forget.  No one was hurt and we all got back to Strahan eventually.



Hogarth Falls



Tuesday 6th - I walked to Hogarth Falls in the rain and a couple of leeches hitched a ride, then called into "Tutt's Whittle Wonders", a collection of about 800 pieces of natural timber shapes meant to depict animals or people, very clever.  In Queenstown I met Russell & Jen a couple I had camped with at Sheffield and after taking some photos of the famous sand Football Oval then stopping to view the "Iron Blow" (part of the original mine cut, now a pool of blue water), met them at Lake Burbury Campground where Russell tightened the side mirrors on my Van which had been annoying me for some time.  I walked to the lake and paddled my feet but though it looked inviting it was to cold for a swim.



My van dwarfed by Ron's



Wednesday 6th - This morning I took a 40 minute walk into Nelson Falls, and my camera just doesn't do it justice I stood in awe of  such beauty for some time.  Next a 1.1klm walk to Donaghy's Lookout with 360o views of the gorge at the junction of Franklin and Collingwood Rivers.  Tasmanian's take their honey tasting very seriously and I have at least 4 different varieties but the most popular is Leatherwood so I stopped at Bee Hive Canal on my way through the Wild Rivers National Park.  This afternoon at the 'Wall in the Wilderness' I met Ron another Solo traveller after admiring the craftmanship of the man who is sculpting the story of the early settlers on a giant wall we camped at Bronte Lagoon. 

Thursday 7th - After a few lessons on where my water tanks and gas tank are, (I thought they were opposite to what they are, obviously still have a lot to learn!!) and suggestions for tyre pressures from an old truck driver, we drove to Hamilton, there was nothing to keep me there so I went on to stay with Ross & Lyn at Old Beach, Hobart.