We're Back!!

So when you arrive at 10 o'clock at night at an off-the-beaten track Caravan Park you happened to book maybe a month or so a go in between patient consults and the rather rotund moustached fellow questions whether this is the park you've actually got a site at - what do you do? There was a little panic but fortunately he was able to find me under "Michael" - pretty poor transliteration of Mitchell in my books - anyways - after a long day entertaining kids on the Spirit of Tassie then a couple hour drive to this place called Shallow Inlet near Wilson's Prom - this was the last thing we needed - but he found us a spot and all we needed to do was switch places in the AM. I had to reverse my caravan into a tented site - not big - Jen said I did okay though - so I'll hang my hat on that! Once settled we eventually managed to get into Wilson's Prom and check out the beaches at Tidal River and Squeaky Beach (aptly named for the squeaky sand). The rock formations and beaches were great for exploring, swimming and sand-castleing (new word I've created). When we got back to the campsite to do our journals and blog there was no server - hence the delay in writing for the past couple of days. Today we trekked to Torquay - what a difference from 6 1/2 years ago - the beach was packed and parking non-existent so we simply had a look around and found some supplies. I've rented a surf board for the morning to see if I can remember how to stand up in the waves - a little B-day gift to self (recommended by wife of course). We then did the necessary board short and bikini shopping along the "surfwear" strip. Dinner is to come with birthday songs on cue - one more year until the big 40! Am almost feeling old (sorry Tam)!! Thanks to all those joining as followers - I hope to keep you entertained - starting to feel like a bit of a cult!

Beaconsfield, Platypi and Seahorses

Our last day in Tassie! Managed to almost get trapped in a parking lot on the way - missed the turn and tried to go through a parking lot to get on the right road but there was no exit - got to practice my reversing skills with much ridicule from the wife for getting myself in such a predicament. Probably the first of many chastisements to come. Had a great drive through to Beaconsfield - of trapped miners fame - and checked out the mine and heritage area located there. Found a small piece of the dilapidated structure to keep as a souvenir - at this rate we'll end up with a whole van full of shells, skulls and what nots to collect dust somewhere in the future! After Beaconsfield we headed to the Platypus/Echidna House and Seahorse World just up the road from the mine. These were great - we learned alot and saw some pretty cool creatures. I'm now a huge fan of seahorses - hope to see some in the wild when we get snorkeling again. We ended our drive in Devonport near the ferry terminal for tomorrow's departure. Tomorrow night we'll be at Wilson's Promontory back on the mainland in Victoria - not sure how it has gone so quick!

Wineglass Bay, Cape Tourville and the Friendlies

We had a lot to see and do today, so got up at the crack of dawn to head out to the Wineglass Bay walking track. The kids did great going both ways - Piper needed a bit of carrying but walked more of the trail then she had in the past. It was a beautiful stroll and the scenic reward was worth the struggle. The water was pristine altho' a little cool for dipping. We managed to find a couple of intact ? tern skulls a bird scapula and wing bone - still attached with the ligament! We kept our treasures and a few pretty shells as well for our collection - should make for a rather macabre show and tell! Once back from the walk we drove to Cape Tourville just near the walking track and checked out the view and lighthouse located there. Back in the car again we drove to the Friendly Beaches and enjoyed another frolic in the sand. On the way back we stopped at an oyster farm and enjoyed some afternoon tea - even Piper got in the act - she likes the Kilpatrick ones. All in all it was a busy day - the kids shall sleep well again!

Goodbye Hobart, Hello Freycinet!

This journey is going way too fast - it seems like just yesterday we were packing up and getting ready to go. Now we only have a few more days in Tassie then off to the mainland for some more touring. Fortunately, the kids have all shared and recovered from "the virus" and aside from the horrors involved with getting them to write in their journals - they seem well and content. We trekked out of Hobart at a leisurely 11 AM after one final bounce on the glorious jumping pillow. It was a gorgeous drive to Freycinet with awesome ocean views - turquoise waters and incredible headlands. Got a message from the clinic saying they are missing me - put a smile on my face - can't say I'm missing the work there though - the people yes - the work no. It's nice to be free and leisurely for a while. When we arrived in Coles Bay /Freycinet National Park it was almost 4 pm so we had a quick visit to the beach located in the Caravan Park and then settled into our regular evening activities. I think the disease might be hitting me but hopefully the healthy lifestyle thing will help ward it off. We are hoping to do the Wineglass Bay hike tomorrow - so hope my system will hold together. Jen's well and we seem to be managing well in the organization department - haven't broken anyone or anything yet. Still lots of time....

The Taste ....of Hobart

Kicked Jen out of bed this morning for a run - has been getting stressed with kid's behaviour so thought it best for her to get some sort of release. Kids had a bit of a sleep in - probably helped the situation. Once through the writing in their journals ( they have to write in it everyday - bit like pulling teeth at times! ) we headed to the Hobart Aquatic Centre for a dip. I managed to survive 1000ms, but only barely as I am getting pretty out of shape in this department, whilst the kids and Jen had some fun on the slide and in the "warm" pool. Once sufficiently chlorinated we headed to the Taste of Hobart - an annual event which brings together a number of wineries, fine food and multicultural restaurants for one big fest inclusive of street entertainment, kid's events and music. The kids had a ball with cooking classes, a jumping castle, a 1960's slot car race (electric mini track), mini-golf and face painting. Our friends Jenny and Keith were able to join us and we tasted some of the local fares - Moo Brew, assorted gourmet sausage, cheese and tempura exotic mushrooms (too much batter and oil - not recommended). A short stroll to see the boats (some from the recent Sydney to Hobart yacht race) and we were heading back to the Caravan Park with the jumping pillow - a 15 m x 5m (rougly) inflated matt - kind of like a trampoline - kept the kids hopping for hours while we visited with Jenny and Keith and enjoyed some local Sauvignon Blanc. It's always a good day when the kids are exhausted! Off to Freycine(t) -they say it without the 't' at the end - sort of French - if you know what I mean! -- in the AM.

Drive Day to Hobart with Russell Falls thrown in for good measure

Hit the road around 0830 en route for Hobart. It was a drizzly cool morning but seemed to be warming up as we headed through Queenstown (didn't stay long - it was a bit of a washed up old mining town which looked to have seen better days.) As we made our way up and down the hills Jen talked me into taking a detour to Russell Falls - apparently one of the most magnificient sights in Tassie - so had to have a look - kids were getting a wee bit stir crazy anyway and needed to release some energy. Although skeptical at first (especially since the weather seemed to be getting worse) we headed into the bush with a handful of other tourists - up to the falls. They weren't Niagara but still quite scenic and pretty - so took some photos and continued our trek. It incorporated some amazing old growth gum trees - some over 500 yrs old ! Massive trunks, towering beasts - some over 79 meters tall (or so the "clinometer" suggested - good word to remember for scrabble!) After an ice cream we were back on the road to Hobart - found our new Caravan park and set off to meet up with our friends Jenny and Keith for some dinner. We went to a neighbourhood pizza place called Mondos and were thoroughly impressed with the fare - artichoke hearts, pumpkin, cracked pepper, fetta and more! The gelato (altho' premade) was delicious and the company - grand! On our way home we had a peek at Jenny and Keith's new home and acreage - it sits to the West of Hobart and has views of Bruny Island in the distance. Looks truly heavenly and will suit them well. Tomorrow we're off to the Taste of Hobart in the morning and whatever else pans out during the day - should be a bucket of fun!

Henty Dunes, sore bums and good eats/drinks

Our second day in Strahan was taken in rather slowly after a  night of fevers, " I need a bucket!!" and parties all around the caravan bringing in the New Year. Kids woke well though and we set off to the "Dunes" - sand boards in hand. After a hefty hike up some soft sand, the vista exploded in front of us - miles upon miles of soft white sand as far as the eye could see seemingly joining the ocean at the horizon. We eventually found a hill steep enough to allow us to build up some speed to try the sand boards - we ended up using them as tobaggans more than a board of sorts. Jen and I both gave the it a try and ended up getting sand in places we probably don't want to know about and we'll likely be finding it in clothing for weeks! It's a little like snowboarding but imagine instead of boots clipped in you're wearing a pair of thongs. Now imagine the snow is absolutely water-logged slush or even better - wet cement. You can start okay as long as you lean way back - as soon as you start to lean forward though it's game over and instead of gliding down the hill you end up somersaulting instead. Finally, there's no cushy chairlift to take you back up the slope - 100ms of heavy slogging (often with small child in tow) is quite a work out and should do our cycling legs some good!

After some lunch we headed back to town to see a few of the highlighted sights - the water tank viewpoint and Hogarth's Falls (a small hike into the bush and a small tranquil waterfall - but no platypus!). We ended our Strahan tour with a visit to the 42 degree View Restaurant for some afternoon Tapas and wine/drinks. Was very pleasant - the Velo Pinot Gris and 42 degree Sauv Blanc won out in terms of tastings. Tomorrow we're making the trek to Hobart for a sight see and catch  up with our good friend Jennie (Brodie) MacQueen and her new hubby, Keith!