TASMANIA. 2.2.14

This post is out of chronological order as I somehow missed publishing it when it was finished!!

 

Glenn is a happy man tonight. He won at cards and it is the first time in the last 46 games that he is leading the game score which is 60 to 59! All I can say is 'enjoy it while it lasts babe!'

We started our day with a swim in Lake King William and then packed up and went to Lake St Clair. It is the southern end of the Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Clair NP and we walked the figure eight which encompassed the Larmairrener Tabelti Aboriginal Cultural walk Platypus Bay, then Fergys Paddock and onto the lake edge. It was a varied walk which finished with an Echidna searching for ants, so totally oblivious of our presence that we were able to have a really close look at him and video his activities.

At the Visitors Centre at Lake St. Clare there was a large number of people just finishing the Overland Trail, all smiling and well pleased with their adventure, although tired and a bit on the grubby side !! Glenn and I were pleased with ourselves too as we'd done the beginning and the end, just not the 'little' bit in the middle!

We love the fact that our search for a camping place each night takes us down a lot of minor roads and off the beaten track and we end up in some interesting places. Yesterday afternoon was one where we turned left instead of right off the main road and went to Bronte Park, a motley collection of fishing shacks, with caravans under awnings and huge piles of wood for the winter fires. We retraced our steps and turned right and found a grassy spot on the edge of Bronte Lagoon where we swam again after a hot day. We are surprised that the lake water is so comfortable. We thought it would be colder.

From Bronte Lagoon the road threaded its way through forests and then opened out to undulating country as we made our way through the Highland Lake District. The area is picturesque farmland with sheep and cows in the mix and at one stage we came up behind a huge mob of sheep being driven along the road. The farmer at the rear of the mob ( with yapping cattle dogs in the cage on the truck), waved us through and from then it was the parting of the mob as the sheep moved out of the way to let our car and van pass and then closed in behind us. It was an interesting event, more so because it is rare to see a mob being moved along a public road these days.

We arrived at Hamilton, planning to do a big shop and stock up on basics, only to find that it is a tiny town, despite being so historic. Instead we had scallop pies for lunch, which are a must in Tassie apparently. I won't rush back for another one but Glenn enjoyed his.

Onward to Bothwell, a well-loved town of strong Scottish heritage (each street sign has a different tartan), with a very informative lady in the tourist office. She could tell us the history of the golf course and its owners and all about its place in history. It is the oldest, continually operational golf course in the world outside of Scotland. Of course Glenn wanted to play it and so we did. The greens have been fenced until very recently to keep the sheep off them but the club members have complained about the mess left by the sheep which have been now been removed.... as have the fences.. Between us we lost too many balls in the long grasses lining the fairways but we did enjoy the game, despite our first experience of Tasmania's changing weather which started sunny, deteriorated to cloudy and grey and ended freezing with light rain! Thankfully, Glenn now has one of his famous curries on the hob as we snuggle inside our cosy van somewhere along the highway.

Unfortunately, I have to report that Glenn has improved his position and the card game score is now 61 to 59 in his favour. I still say 'enjoy it while it lasts babe'!