NO! We didn’t go for a bike ride on Father’s Day. S wanted to go to the Museum/Art Gallery complex. First we spent an hour in the Aborigine room. Then at 2:30 we had a guided tour that was supposed to last for an hour but we were treated to nearly 2 hours. It was fascinating and we want to go back and “fill in the gaps”. There were lots of captions that we didn’t have time to read. We didn’t even go into the Antarctic room. Did you know there were many Chinese immigrants in the early days in the north of Tasmania for alluvial gold and tin mining? The Art Gallery had a special exhibition of “City of Hobart Art Prize 08 – 2D/Fine Art and 3D/Craft & Design; celebrating 20 years”. So it was 2008 entrants and the prize winners over the last 20 years. We only had a quick look and need to return, and to have a longer look at the old paintings collection, particularly Glover’s work.
Thursday’s walk was one of the best. It was on the SW of the Tasman Peninsula, across private land to this fabulous beach called Roaring Beach. SW swells come here and it is popular for surfing. A sculptor lives nearby and he has made some unusual beach theme benches. Again this was a place we would not have discovered on our own. We are so grateful to being shown these places by the locals. The owner on a nearby farm has found a convicts leg iron in the bush. It was not that far from Port Arthur. We walked to the top of a hill which was part of the semaphore relay communication system “in the old days” and next week we are going a bit further north to Communication Hill, which is the next signal point north.
We did another absolutely fabulous bushwalk to Cape Hauy, on Tasman Peninsula due east of Port Arthur way over the Tasman Sea side (east). We started at Fortescue Bay, which is a “must camp there one day” place. Have a look at the indentation on a map! The walk was tiring because it was up and down, and rocky – you had to watch your feet. The walk totalled 11.5km according to my pedometer. We started in forest and ended on windswept low scrub. Cape Hauy is so interesting geologically. It is very high and steep above the sea. There are 2 very narrow chasms on the point (a tourist boat goes between one when the weather allows – like one did today.) There is a pillar called the Totem Pole which is a metre square and comes straight up from the water. It is about 5 metres away from the other cliffs. The Totem Pole is a challenge to mountaineers and there were 2 climbing it today! We didn’t see them start but there was a rope from the main cliff out to the Totem Pole. It is on our “Gunna” list to do the boat trip from Eaglehawk Neck down to Tasman Island and go close up to all these wonderful cliffs.
Apart from regularly walking the dogs we are still digging up the new seepage pit for the sewerage. It is easy because it is sand, but still very physical. We have been disheartened by several cave-ins (remember it IS sand). The depth is almost shoulder high – er - deep I mean! We have to get enough depth for it to flow down with gravity. Throwing the sand up and over the heap is hard work! My job has been to clear the surface sand back away from the trench. The other problem is the weather. Winds have been gale force and it is like a desert sand-storm. Grit has been flying around the yard and coming into the house. We are getting sick of this project! Very soon we’ll get the plumber here again to tell us if the trench is deep enough and buy some gravel which is needed to lay the pipes on. That won’t be an easy job either. The gravel will be dropped off at the front of the house because there is a low carport on the side of the house. A wheel barrow will be used to bring the gravel to the trench – a long hard job!
The gravel was delivered in the driveway on Monday. The 4 cubic metres cost $240. It was not the smallest size but the next size up which made it a bit harder to shovel.
At last it was Tuesday – the plumber was coming. We were getting disheartened by all the side wall collapses that were occurring. We dug the last collapse out and he came at 9:30am. Our depth and gradient passed the test. We were allowed to start putting gravel down to make a bed for the pipe.
I took the two dogs for a walk as the side gates had to be open, and the dogs were being a b... nuisance with their jumping and running around. The old earthenware pipe from the septic tank to the seepage tank was chock-a-block with tree root hairs and crap. The plumber offered to install a “switch valve” so the waste water could go either to the old seepage tank or the new seepage tank. You could manually turn it over with a lever with a long arm down an inspection pipe at ground level. Sounded OK but the fitting cost $220. We made an executive decision to forget the old tank as who knows how blocked up that was! After the new seepage pipe was laid we had to cover and surround the pipe with more gravel. The plumber wanted 20cm of gravel on top. Then he laid a metre wide layer of thin felt to prevent sand getting in the gravel too much.
There is too much sand, because of the gravel, but there is a neighbour who has a low block and he accepted some “filling”. Now the garden is being restored. It can’t be a lawn because of the dogs. We have put wire guards around all the plants!
On Thursday I went bushwalking! (S was persuaded to do volunteer driving as they were short – handed er.. short of drivers) It was not to Communication Hill as was planned because Gunns are logging there right now. So.. we walked at Lime Bay Reserve, which is on the NW “knob” of the Tasman Peninsula. The weather was fabulous and the walk great. We walked near the water around the coastline. We saw some pretty scenery and oohed and aarhed at Slopin Island about 1km away. Some of us intend kayaking there! This part of the peninsula used to be heavily treed and many historical relics eg remains of a convict made rock jetty that used to have a tramway on it to take timber out to the boat. It is hard to comprehend the area was thickly forested because now it is so extremely dry and agricultural. The Reserve was schlerophyll vegetation and many casurinas on the coast. I had a lovely day!
S went for a bike ride and I walked the dogs about 3kms one way where it is my designated area on the main road for litter clean up for this month. Fortunately, S came along with the car when I had finished so I drove the car and the rubbish home while S walked the dogs back. They are sleeping well this afternoon! Next month I will be given a different zone – so we don’t get bored!
4 of us got this group started and some more people want to join us now. Next meeting is here at night in 2 weeks time. We have to get the Council to help us get rid of the litter. It is too much for our regular bins. Hopefully now the initial clean up has been done and it will be easy maintenance. Tasmania has an awful attitude to litter. They should start with the SA 5c (now 10c) bottle/can/carton deposit system.
We didn’t walk with the Sorell Strollers on Saturday as we had done their designated walk a few weeks ago. We were looking forward to doing our ‘own thing’ either bike riding or walking somewhere new with the dogs. The wind was strong and weather threatened to rain and so bike riding was definitely “out”. Eventually I said “Well I’m walking.” I went alone to a sheep farm near Sorell where we walked 2 weeks ago because I lost my pedometer there. I wanted to check that it wasn’t at morning tea place or lunch, when I took my pack off. I didn’t find it! The walk was quick alone! I did in 2 hours what the group stretches to most of the day. And it was most enjoyable. I saw lots of little lambs and an echidna.
Rain and wind have been forecast often but it is only strong winds, usually northerly. They are not ‘nice’ winds. There have been some spits of rain, just enough to rush out and rescue the washing off the line! Rain would be welcome but at night please God! Did I tell you we have a new and efficient way to save gray water in the shower? We use the council black box recycle bin under the shower. It gathers more water than the bucket! (Council has recently delivered new big wheely recycle bins) We save dishwashing water too. The garden plants are surviving. S has just washed the car with that gray water. Will we get our “We Save Water” badge now?
Today (Sunday) we were looking forward to a bike ride BUT the wind was a bit strong and we suddenly discovered Sam had a cut on his leg that needed veterinary attention. Both dogs tear around the garden and push and shove each other and Bailey is the stronger. They scrap like kids! The cut was clean and deep and would perhaps have healed OK but we thought we ought to get it checked out. It had to be on Sunday with a surcharge! Well the Vet gave him a general anaesthetic so he would keep still for stitches and kept him “in” until 3:30pm. Yep it cost heaps - $320!!!! Once we found out we would be spending the day in Hobart we decided to chase up replacing a Corning Ware casserole dish that I broke last night. No luck! Myer had a sale of Corning Ware but the container nearest to it in size had no lid. Kmart, Big W, kitchenware shop “Habitat” did not stock any. So I guess it will be on our shopping list when we come to the mainland.
We decided to go for a walk with Bailey to Knocklofty Park west of Hobart. This park was natural woodland and at one spot there was a copy of a 1831 Glover painting, that we saw in the Tas Museum Art gallery. The modern landscape had more trees! Another interesting thing we observed lots of big yachts (at least 15) motoring back up the Derwent. Our hypothesis was an overnight yacht race down south and they all had to motor home on Sunday against the strong northerly wind.
Poor little Sam felt a bit sorry for himself the next day. I had to walk Bailey alone so he could get rid of his energy there rather than scrapping in the garden with Sam.
Thursday was another great walk to Gunner’s Quoin. If you look up a dictionary it will say “quoin (n) an external solid angle of a wall or the like.” It was a steep hill all around but one face was a sheer edge. We approached it from the back, not the steep face! The range is called the Meehan range. It goes from Bellerive on the east side of the Derwent River by Hobart to Bridgewater /Brighton which is the far north of Hobart. The ranges are very hilly and tree covered but certainly not rainforest. We could have been in SA up behind Elizabeth. It was extremely dry.
We left the cars at Risdon Dam (supplies Bellerive peninsula) and did a circuitous route. We enjoyed it and reckon it was about 14kms. On the way home we shopped at Sorell. S unpacked the car while I walked the dogs about 3kms!
On Sunday it was “our day”. (First we walked the dogs for an hour) We drove north through Runnymede to Levendale to a country fair to assist the community , and farmers in the drought. It was as lovely and old fashioned. There were home-made crafts etc in the hall along with the Primary School kids “Decorate a Boot” competition. On the school oval there were pony rides, ‘Guess the weight of the bull’ competition, a sheep dog demonstration, and cute baby animals in the “Barmy Farmy”. A log splitting demonstration and a few food stalls with local produce eg apples and potatoes, surrounded the oval. It was obvious that the locals got behind it all and made it a great fair.
Afterwards we drove back a different route via Buckland, where we stopped at a beaut native plant nursery and bought a few plants to fill in the backyard! Then cross country through hills too steep for farming, and poor soil. There Gunns had quite a few young Blue Gum plantations. We joined the main road at Forcett which is not far from Lewisham. We enjoyed our day of exploration.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
end of August still in lovely in Tasmania
My flight back from warm Adelaide was smooth. We flew above the clouds, but coming down through the clouds to Hobart was a bit rough. Here it was cold, wet and windy when I arrived.
Bushwalking was cancelled last Thursday but it wasn’t too bad the weather here. We went for a bracing walk along the beach with both the dogs and in the afternoon we started to dig up the seepage drainage pipes as it appears blocked. We’ve had the septic tank pumped out back in June. This land is all sand and it should soak away! The home owner had warned us that something was not quite right. We suspect tree roots are the problem. Home maintenance happens everywhere!
The back yard looks like a construction site but we can’t dig it all in one day.
On Friday morning, I went for a long walk by myself AND BOTH DOGS while S went ‘community car driving’ – 2 trips to Hobart. Both passengers were most appreciative, as they were driven straight to their Dr’s door. S hasn’t tried to look for a job. He doesn’t want to, and doesn’t need to, but he enjoys this volunteer driving.
We walked with the Saturday group to Denman’s Cove on Tasman Peninsula. It was east and directly facing Port Arthur. The weather was wintry but only light showers so it was OK. It was a rugged bush track but delightful. We “lost” an hour because 4 of us “newbies” got disorientated when we were left behind by the group when we stopped to put on our ‘shower proof trousers’. I am going to say I kept saying “I’m not happy” with the track we 4 took. So we went back to the junction, had a cuppa tea, and were about to leave a note to say we have gone back to the cars when several of the forward group came back to look for us! So we were led along the correct track and caught up to the group. Unfortunately one of our 4 has just been diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and he was a slow walker. He slowed us down to catching up. The track we then took was mountain goat like and he was tiring. He ended up saying “You guys go on and we’ll walk back” (we= his wife and him) It was a there and back walk. Denman Cove was really nice – quite indented on the west side of the eastern part of the Tasman Peninsula opposite Port Arthur. 2 women were first time walkers and it was not an easy walk. (They were slow but coped) It was only about 8kms but rough terrain. Twice we had to cross wet creeks, and that was particularly tricky. We had the choice of a big round slippery gum tree bridge or a narrower burnt but bumpy log. I chose the latter and used along stick in the water as a ‘3rd leg’. S’s boots are slippery and he, with most of the others scrambled on all fours and on bums on the wide slippery tree-bridge. It was very interesting as far as getting “lost”. The Peregrine bushwalkers have strict rules – a leader and a “whip”, who knows the route and always walks last. And at every intersection of tracks the group must stop for all to catch up, and you should always be able to see the person in front and the person behind. The group was most apologetic that they had lost us! Neither of the Tassie walking groups is a formalised club, and we quite like the relaxed way they operate.
Our next exploring walk was the Marion Bay Spit, a bird sanctuary east of Dunalley on the Tasman Peninsula. It was a cool windy day and we saw no birds. But as usual the company was good.
We had a wonderful time with B and G who arrived 10pm on Thursday night. The weather forecast was abysmal, but it was fabulously warm and sunny all week-end. On Friday, we 4 went for a long local walk with the dogs along the coast from here to Spectacle Point- yes fabulous view. It was picture perfect.
Then we left early on Saturday to visit Bruny Island. We caught the 9.30am ferry from Kettering and drove south to the far light-house. It was not sun-shiny down south but really great scenery. Then we drove to Adventure Bay where Captain Cook landed on his 2nd voyage. We did a lovely walk/hike around the coast and climbed up and up and up along some high cliffs, appropriately called the Fluted Cape. It was quite a challenge. We caught the ferry at 5.30pm and got home late. The dogs didn’t get a walk that day, and they were restless that night.
On Sunday we took the dogs with us in the car to the Tasman Peninsula (not far south of Dunalley) on the western side near Murdunna. It was new territory for us as we walked around the coast from Sommer’s Beach. It was great and we reckon we walked about 6kms AND the dogs were exhausted.
It is the end of winter and on my walk with the dogs this week I saw 2 gardens being watered. There is no mains pressure in this area: everyone has rainwater tanks. I hope it was only grey water being pumped out of the holding tank. It is truly dry here. Hobart should have 500mm a year and so far has had 250mm. We are 30km east of Hobart and always get less anyway.
I don’t like walking in the rain and it has rarely rained!
Yesterday our 2nd group we’ve joined walked about 8 km at Nan Chauncy’s (a renowned Tasmanian children’s author; most famous book “They Found a Cave”) old family property now a nature reserve approximately 40 km from Hobart on the Midland Highway. It was dry sclerophyll forest – so dry – no creeks were flowing. There were some attractive rock faces and caves in the cliff face. It was another lovely walk. However it makes us fear for the summer being so dry.
The Tasman walking group, who walk on Thursdays, climbed up to Mt Nelson’s signal point from near the Wrest Point casino, Sandy Bay, Hobart. I say ‘climbed’ but it was a path up through bushland in a valley between the suburbs. The weather was perfect and we could see forever! Signal Point has a clear view of the entrance to Storm Bay – between Bellerive peninsula and Bruny Island. We clambered down on the southern side to Taranna and caught the bus along the coast back to the cars. Great fun!
Yes we do a lot of walking with 2 groups every week AND dog walking for an hour every day too. Yes we return home from our group bushwalk and straight away get the leads on the dogs and walk along the beach to Dodge’s Ferry.
The class where I’m teaching is OK with only one real pill of a kid. I did my own thing. I was left minimal information on what to teach them. It is not a really happy staff. But at least no-one is breathing down your neck. Of course I had yard duty both days. One thing I wish I knew about is there was no tea/coffee provided. You had to bring your own!!! Nobody told me. At least I now know the kids and have started on some ideas for next week’s teaching. I am enjoying teaching again.
You’ll never guess what we did August 31st. We went to a Taiko concert in Hobart. It was fantastic. All drums were played by locals and it was very polished, loud and energetic. We found out about it on Friday and decided to go to the matinee performance on Sunday afternoon. There were 6 main big drums, one huge drum at the back, and several other kinds. The group had altogether about 20 members. As expected several styles were presented. Four of the drummers were especially good.
Bushwalking was cancelled last Thursday but it wasn’t too bad the weather here. We went for a bracing walk along the beach with both the dogs and in the afternoon we started to dig up the seepage drainage pipes as it appears blocked. We’ve had the septic tank pumped out back in June. This land is all sand and it should soak away! The home owner had warned us that something was not quite right. We suspect tree roots are the problem. Home maintenance happens everywhere!
The back yard looks like a construction site but we can’t dig it all in one day.
On Friday morning, I went for a long walk by myself AND BOTH DOGS while S went ‘community car driving’ – 2 trips to Hobart. Both passengers were most appreciative, as they were driven straight to their Dr’s door. S hasn’t tried to look for a job. He doesn’t want to, and doesn’t need to, but he enjoys this volunteer driving.
We walked with the Saturday group to Denman’s Cove on Tasman Peninsula. It was east and directly facing Port Arthur. The weather was wintry but only light showers so it was OK. It was a rugged bush track but delightful. We “lost” an hour because 4 of us “newbies” got disorientated when we were left behind by the group when we stopped to put on our ‘shower proof trousers’. I am going to say I kept saying “I’m not happy” with the track we 4 took. So we went back to the junction, had a cuppa tea, and were about to leave a note to say we have gone back to the cars when several of the forward group came back to look for us! So we were led along the correct track and caught up to the group. Unfortunately one of our 4 has just been diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and he was a slow walker. He slowed us down to catching up. The track we then took was mountain goat like and he was tiring. He ended up saying “You guys go on and we’ll walk back” (we= his wife and him) It was a there and back walk. Denman Cove was really nice – quite indented on the west side of the eastern part of the Tasman Peninsula opposite Port Arthur. 2 women were first time walkers and it was not an easy walk. (They were slow but coped) It was only about 8kms but rough terrain. Twice we had to cross wet creeks, and that was particularly tricky. We had the choice of a big round slippery gum tree bridge or a narrower burnt but bumpy log. I chose the latter and used along stick in the water as a ‘3rd leg’. S’s boots are slippery and he, with most of the others scrambled on all fours and on bums on the wide slippery tree-bridge. It was very interesting as far as getting “lost”. The Peregrine bushwalkers have strict rules – a leader and a “whip”, who knows the route and always walks last. And at every intersection of tracks the group must stop for all to catch up, and you should always be able to see the person in front and the person behind. The group was most apologetic that they had lost us! Neither of the Tassie walking groups is a formalised club, and we quite like the relaxed way they operate.
Our next exploring walk was the Marion Bay Spit, a bird sanctuary east of Dunalley on the Tasman Peninsula. It was a cool windy day and we saw no birds. But as usual the company was good.
We had a wonderful time with B and G who arrived 10pm on Thursday night. The weather forecast was abysmal, but it was fabulously warm and sunny all week-end. On Friday, we 4 went for a long local walk with the dogs along the coast from here to Spectacle Point- yes fabulous view. It was picture perfect.
Then we left early on Saturday to visit Bruny Island. We caught the 9.30am ferry from Kettering and drove south to the far light-house. It was not sun-shiny down south but really great scenery. Then we drove to Adventure Bay where Captain Cook landed on his 2nd voyage. We did a lovely walk/hike around the coast and climbed up and up and up along some high cliffs, appropriately called the Fluted Cape. It was quite a challenge. We caught the ferry at 5.30pm and got home late. The dogs didn’t get a walk that day, and they were restless that night.
On Sunday we took the dogs with us in the car to the Tasman Peninsula (not far south of Dunalley) on the western side near Murdunna. It was new territory for us as we walked around the coast from Sommer’s Beach. It was great and we reckon we walked about 6kms AND the dogs were exhausted.
It is the end of winter and on my walk with the dogs this week I saw 2 gardens being watered. There is no mains pressure in this area: everyone has rainwater tanks. I hope it was only grey water being pumped out of the holding tank. It is truly dry here. Hobart should have 500mm a year and so far has had 250mm. We are 30km east of Hobart and always get less anyway.
I don’t like walking in the rain and it has rarely rained!
Yesterday our 2nd group we’ve joined walked about 8 km at Nan Chauncy’s (a renowned Tasmanian children’s author; most famous book “They Found a Cave”) old family property now a nature reserve approximately 40 km from Hobart on the Midland Highway. It was dry sclerophyll forest – so dry – no creeks were flowing. There were some attractive rock faces and caves in the cliff face. It was another lovely walk. However it makes us fear for the summer being so dry.
The Tasman walking group, who walk on Thursdays, climbed up to Mt Nelson’s signal point from near the Wrest Point casino, Sandy Bay, Hobart. I say ‘climbed’ but it was a path up through bushland in a valley between the suburbs. The weather was perfect and we could see forever! Signal Point has a clear view of the entrance to Storm Bay – between Bellerive peninsula and Bruny Island. We clambered down on the southern side to Taranna and caught the bus along the coast back to the cars. Great fun!
Yes we do a lot of walking with 2 groups every week AND dog walking for an hour every day too. Yes we return home from our group bushwalk and straight away get the leads on the dogs and walk along the beach to Dodge’s Ferry.
The class where I’m teaching is OK with only one real pill of a kid. I did my own thing. I was left minimal information on what to teach them. It is not a really happy staff. But at least no-one is breathing down your neck. Of course I had yard duty both days. One thing I wish I knew about is there was no tea/coffee provided. You had to bring your own!!! Nobody told me. At least I now know the kids and have started on some ideas for next week’s teaching. I am enjoying teaching again.
You’ll never guess what we did August 31st. We went to a Taiko concert in Hobart. It was fantastic. All drums were played by locals and it was very polished, loud and energetic. We found out about it on Friday and decided to go to the matinee performance on Sunday afternoon. There were 6 main big drums, one huge drum at the back, and several other kinds. The group had altogether about 20 members. As expected several styles were presented. Four of the drummers were especially good.
Monday, July 28, 2008
July 2008 journal
It is certainly winter down here in SE Tasmania now. Rain! yes rain! But still not enough. Icy cold wind. Snow on Mt Wellington. We’re snug inside the house and rug up appropriately with coats, beanies and gloves when we go out.
Bushwalking this week was great again. We drove way down south past Port Arthur towards Cape Raoul and westwards. The walk was called Tunnel Bay. The weather was not condusive! There was a strong wind warning, rain forecast and bushwalkers alert. We sat in the car for a while as it rained and contemplated the situation. There were only 4 of us and Jan, a walker, said “Well I have driven this far. I’m going walking!” So we all went. Sure enough the rain eased and we were treated to some fantastic coastal scenery. The wind was very blustery and the sea wild. Tunnel Bay was all rocks and the big waves made a rumbling sound as the wave re-treated back down the beach dragging rocks with it. Needless to say the rocks were all beautifully rounded. The tunnel was interesting too: a tall narrow gap through the rock face. On the way back we had a hail shower. We were all dressed appropriately and so no hypothermia! It was along tough climb back uphill! On one lookout point when I was taking a photo I was blown back into a bush and felt like a turtle. I couldn’t get up! I was OK. The vegetation was regrowth forest as it was a National Park. As we got nearer the sea the vegetation type changed of course. My pedometer said 12.9kms but it was a lot of short steps going down and then going up!
We had a busy weekend doing............A 2 day 4WHEEL DRIVE COURSE !
It was with Adult education and the Trekka 4 wheel drive club. Saturday was all theory and demo of recovery using a snatch strap (“elastic” that acts like a catapult) a hand winch and an engine mounted winch. Sunday was an early start to a private property about 50km NE of Hobart in the “donga”. That area was not exactly pretty but all new territory for us. It was west of Elderslie up in the Mt Bluff area. It was a specialist 4 wheel drive training track. It was terrifying! Stu managed the rock climb up and down again extremely well. I chickened out. I was near the end of the class and several people damaged their vehicles. It put me off AND everyone watching! Then we did the MUD course. Stu again coped well but got bogged once, and had to be towed out. I did that course and the brown was mud on not IN my pants! I did it! The car was filthy! Many drivers did the course several times and then went around it anti-clockwise, which was harder!. Several boys and their toys were loving it roaring through the mud and slush, but Stu and I didn’t want to damage the car, or scare ourselves anymore! After the day our vehicle was filthy so on the way home we went to a car wash – the type that uses water under high pressure that you do yourself. You have to feed gold coins in to get a time, that is, $3 gave you five minutes worth of water under pressure. We used $11!
One rule we learnt at the lessons was if you were unsure whether to drive a particular route or not would be to rekke first! Well, we like exploring but would never have driven where we did! There was an alternative route and we would have done that! However we have more confidence and know our Prado is capable. We just want to explore lots of places. There is a beaut book about 4 wheel drive tracks in Tassie. There is a club event on Sunday in 2 weeks time south of Hobart. We reckon we’ll go just to explore a new out of the way place only known to locals.
Both evenings after our 2 big days we walked the dogs for an hour!
After our exciting weekend of 4 wheel driving we had to devote Monday to walking the dogs. We drove to Wielangta Forest about 30kms ENE of here, north of Copping. Our “40 Day Walks Around Hobart” book gave us the idea. It was said to be a 3 hour walk through a rainforest along an old logging tramway track. Dogs were allowed as it is a forest not a National Park. It was “a there and back walk”- total 7kms. It was most enjoyable for us and we think the dogs liked it too! It was called Sandspit River walk – well it was only a creek and it was just trickling. Lots of tree ferns and regrowth of trees of various types and growing quite tall. One day it will be logged again. We were in shade most of the time and a small leech did get stuck on my hand but I flicked it off before it got stuck into me. Wielangta used to be a thriving saw-mill/village until 1924 when they had chopped down too much timber near the tramway. There was a plaque about a family who ran a bakery and had 16 children, and a well kept grave for one of their infant sons who was killed by an explosive. Another good exploration! There’s a protest demonstration soon because many of THE public do not want this regrowth forest to be logged again.
It was glorious sunny weather so we did a long local walk on the beach to Dodge’s Ferry. (3.5kms by road but on beach about 4kms ONE WAY) In the afternoon we went for a small bike ride to Carlton River to check out a route for the BUSHWALK WE ARE LEADING next Thursday. Stu then did extra speedy riding while I did some more weeding of freesias in the nearby reserve.
Thursday – bushwalking day- It rained heavily the night before and the forecast was blah. However, we drove down south to Crescent Bay/ Mt Brown due south of Port Arthur on the Tasman peninsula. It was not sunny (note I am not saying “dull”) when we took off on a bush track with low wind-swept vegetation. We were glad we were wearing our leggings because the bushes were WET and scratchy. At some places the bushes were shoulder high on this narrow track. We climbed up Mt Brown, the most southern point and could see Cape Raoul on the west and Tasman Island on the south east. At this point the sun appeared – WOW! At Crescent Bay Dick Smith is aiming to build a huge luxurious hotel on his land. The community thinks it is too ostentatious on the pristine coast. I think it is too far south to capture many tourists. By the way he already has a $900 day luxurious hotel on Kangaroo Island - (where?) He is not popular down here. Egotistical developer! Crescent Bay was a beautiful sandy wave pounded beach. We walked back on a new track and got “geographically dislocated” – not to worry we knew approximately where we were, and it was all picturesque. We returned to the cars which were parked at Remarkable Caves and did a short walk to the lookout to see Remarkable Cave. My pedometer recorded 12.5kms. It was spectacular. Another great walk, but as soon as we parked the car at the house I had to take the dogs for a walk as it was dusk, and I reckon I walked another 2kms.
Sunday doggy school day. Sam was good and didn’t snarl at two smaller dogs. He must have small dog syndrome! Bailey was good until the last quarter of the lesson and got bored and didn’t want to co-operate. We got a tip about pulling. Yes, they already wear chokers! My left arm gets sore from yanking! The tip is to stop walking every time they pull. The dogs get bored with stopping and starting! Their pulling sure spoils a walk for us. After the lesson we walked around the northern knob of Bellerive peninsula. Posh houses on this point overlook Hobart with Mt wellington behind. We only walked to THE Bellerive YC which was all posh big yachts on moorings. We did see 6 big yachts sailing in the gentle breeze. We only walked an hour because we had booked a free trailer from a nearby “transfer station” at 2pm to collect a load of mulch (recycled green garden mulch) Of course as soon as we got home we had to unload it. It was a 6 X 4 trailer with high sides. The tractor loaded 5 scoops. A bit too much really! We dumped it in the driveway and managed to put about 8 wheel barrow loads onto the newly created native garden around the bird bath. Putting the rest of the load around the garden front and back will be an “ongoing project”.
Thursday. Ah! Thursday – Bushwalk day. Great weather – little breeze and sunny. This walk I was leading as it was near Lewisham. Stu drove me to Carlton River where I met the others and we walked back to Lewisham along the coast – about 11kms. Stu didn’t walk but drove the drivers back to their cars at the end and they all ended up here for afternoon tea. I felt it was very good, showing off the little tracks we had found locally. One lady lives in Copping, 20kms east of here, and she hadn’t known these tracks around all the headlands.
A little drama today. Last night we realised the rainwater was struggling to pump into the house and it was “dirty”. A rainwater tank was empty. First thing we rang for a delivery and they said they’d come in the afternoon. Good – Stu could go for a bike ride in the morning as he was pining to do, even though it would be on the “Working Girl”. He ended up staying home all day. Just as the bushwalkers left here the water tanker came and said ONE tank was FULL, BUT the tap was turned off! Both tanks should work together! Derrr... city slickers – but we are learning! So we didn’t buy any water. Then, we walked the dogs!
We went our separate days on Monday. Stu has volunteered to be a community driver. He was hoping to drive a small bus but it will be a car to take infirmed locals to Drs appointments etc. On Monday he was shown the ”ropes” and he will go out again on Friday. I went to Hobart to have back and neck Xrays and a chiropractor visit. My neck still bothers me and this chiropractor has asked to see Xrays, which I haven’t had any on my back or neck for years. The new ones didn’t show anything too bad: just a bit of arthritis. I spent all day in Hobart “just looking”.
We’ve found another walking group who walks on Saturdays. Their programmed walk was on a contour hugging track on Mt Wellington. This track was called the Pipeline Track – for obvious reasons, but it was buried. It was on the shady side of the mountain so the trees and ferns were pretty and occasional glimpses of great views over the southern Derwent “gulf”. We reckon we walked about 11kms. It was a there and back walk. The group was very friendly and a mixture of males and females. We may do some more walks with them. And guess what? As soon as we got home we walked the dogs for 4kms!
We had originally planned to go south of Hobart for a follow up 4 wheel drive adventure but decided a bike ride would be a good change. Stu would have to ride his “Working Girl”. He was getting withdrawal symptoms, with not riding for so long. BUT it was so cold this morning the back “grass” was white. There was no wind, no sun, and no rain, all day. It was too cold to ride so we went to Doggy school instead! Both dogs have improved but will miss “exams” next week as I am in Adelaide. We don’t care about assessment. Sam is getting more sociable, and Bailey is not pulling as much and will sit as soon as I stop walking. After lunch we had an exploring walk along Lauderdale Beach. It was a lovely beach but a bit of sunshine would have made it perfect.
We reckon we have hit jackpot. We took the 2 dogs to the vets for their vaccinations. ( We got a reminder letter and the costs will be re-imbursed) The vet mentioned a new style of “Halti” dog restraining collars. They work! The pull is under the chin. It pulls their neck to the side and they don’t like it SO THEY STOP PULLING. Our arms will no longer be yanked. We will all enjoy every walk together! We’ll see how Stu goes walking the dogs alone for 3 weeks while I am in Adelaide.
I’m in Adelaide for 3 reasons 1) I am doing a paying job teaching English for 8 days to Japanese students here on their holidays. 2) seeing Mum and Dad and 3) seeing J and M and their new house.
Bushwalking this week was great again. We drove way down south past Port Arthur towards Cape Raoul and westwards. The walk was called Tunnel Bay. The weather was not condusive! There was a strong wind warning, rain forecast and bushwalkers alert. We sat in the car for a while as it rained and contemplated the situation. There were only 4 of us and Jan, a walker, said “Well I have driven this far. I’m going walking!” So we all went. Sure enough the rain eased and we were treated to some fantastic coastal scenery. The wind was very blustery and the sea wild. Tunnel Bay was all rocks and the big waves made a rumbling sound as the wave re-treated back down the beach dragging rocks with it. Needless to say the rocks were all beautifully rounded. The tunnel was interesting too: a tall narrow gap through the rock face. On the way back we had a hail shower. We were all dressed appropriately and so no hypothermia! It was along tough climb back uphill! On one lookout point when I was taking a photo I was blown back into a bush and felt like a turtle. I couldn’t get up! I was OK. The vegetation was regrowth forest as it was a National Park. As we got nearer the sea the vegetation type changed of course. My pedometer said 12.9kms but it was a lot of short steps going down and then going up!
We had a busy weekend doing............A 2 day 4WHEEL DRIVE COURSE !
It was with Adult education and the Trekka 4 wheel drive club. Saturday was all theory and demo of recovery using a snatch strap (“elastic” that acts like a catapult) a hand winch and an engine mounted winch. Sunday was an early start to a private property about 50km NE of Hobart in the “donga”. That area was not exactly pretty but all new territory for us. It was west of Elderslie up in the Mt Bluff area. It was a specialist 4 wheel drive training track. It was terrifying! Stu managed the rock climb up and down again extremely well. I chickened out. I was near the end of the class and several people damaged their vehicles. It put me off AND everyone watching! Then we did the MUD course. Stu again coped well but got bogged once, and had to be towed out. I did that course and the brown was mud on not IN my pants! I did it! The car was filthy! Many drivers did the course several times and then went around it anti-clockwise, which was harder!. Several boys and their toys were loving it roaring through the mud and slush, but Stu and I didn’t want to damage the car, or scare ourselves anymore! After the day our vehicle was filthy so on the way home we went to a car wash – the type that uses water under high pressure that you do yourself. You have to feed gold coins in to get a time, that is, $3 gave you five minutes worth of water under pressure. We used $11!
One rule we learnt at the lessons was if you were unsure whether to drive a particular route or not would be to rekke first! Well, we like exploring but would never have driven where we did! There was an alternative route and we would have done that! However we have more confidence and know our Prado is capable. We just want to explore lots of places. There is a beaut book about 4 wheel drive tracks in Tassie. There is a club event on Sunday in 2 weeks time south of Hobart. We reckon we’ll go just to explore a new out of the way place only known to locals.
Both evenings after our 2 big days we walked the dogs for an hour!
After our exciting weekend of 4 wheel driving we had to devote Monday to walking the dogs. We drove to Wielangta Forest about 30kms ENE of here, north of Copping. Our “40 Day Walks Around Hobart” book gave us the idea. It was said to be a 3 hour walk through a rainforest along an old logging tramway track. Dogs were allowed as it is a forest not a National Park. It was “a there and back walk”- total 7kms. It was most enjoyable for us and we think the dogs liked it too! It was called Sandspit River walk – well it was only a creek and it was just trickling. Lots of tree ferns and regrowth of trees of various types and growing quite tall. One day it will be logged again. We were in shade most of the time and a small leech did get stuck on my hand but I flicked it off before it got stuck into me. Wielangta used to be a thriving saw-mill/village until 1924 when they had chopped down too much timber near the tramway. There was a plaque about a family who ran a bakery and had 16 children, and a well kept grave for one of their infant sons who was killed by an explosive. Another good exploration! There’s a protest demonstration soon because many of THE public do not want this regrowth forest to be logged again.
It was glorious sunny weather so we did a long local walk on the beach to Dodge’s Ferry. (3.5kms by road but on beach about 4kms ONE WAY) In the afternoon we went for a small bike ride to Carlton River to check out a route for the BUSHWALK WE ARE LEADING next Thursday. Stu then did extra speedy riding while I did some more weeding of freesias in the nearby reserve.
Thursday – bushwalking day- It rained heavily the night before and the forecast was blah. However, we drove down south to Crescent Bay/ Mt Brown due south of Port Arthur on the Tasman peninsula. It was not sunny (note I am not saying “dull”) when we took off on a bush track with low wind-swept vegetation. We were glad we were wearing our leggings because the bushes were WET and scratchy. At some places the bushes were shoulder high on this narrow track. We climbed up Mt Brown, the most southern point and could see Cape Raoul on the west and Tasman Island on the south east. At this point the sun appeared – WOW! At Crescent Bay Dick Smith is aiming to build a huge luxurious hotel on his land. The community thinks it is too ostentatious on the pristine coast. I think it is too far south to capture many tourists. By the way he already has a $900 day luxurious hotel on Kangaroo Island - (where?) He is not popular down here. Egotistical developer! Crescent Bay was a beautiful sandy wave pounded beach. We walked back on a new track and got “geographically dislocated” – not to worry we knew approximately where we were, and it was all picturesque. We returned to the cars which were parked at Remarkable Caves and did a short walk to the lookout to see Remarkable Cave. My pedometer recorded 12.5kms. It was spectacular. Another great walk, but as soon as we parked the car at the house I had to take the dogs for a walk as it was dusk, and I reckon I walked another 2kms.
Sunday doggy school day. Sam was good and didn’t snarl at two smaller dogs. He must have small dog syndrome! Bailey was good until the last quarter of the lesson and got bored and didn’t want to co-operate. We got a tip about pulling. Yes, they already wear chokers! My left arm gets sore from yanking! The tip is to stop walking every time they pull. The dogs get bored with stopping and starting! Their pulling sure spoils a walk for us. After the lesson we walked around the northern knob of Bellerive peninsula. Posh houses on this point overlook Hobart with Mt wellington behind. We only walked to THE Bellerive YC which was all posh big yachts on moorings. We did see 6 big yachts sailing in the gentle breeze. We only walked an hour because we had booked a free trailer from a nearby “transfer station” at 2pm to collect a load of mulch (recycled green garden mulch) Of course as soon as we got home we had to unload it. It was a 6 X 4 trailer with high sides. The tractor loaded 5 scoops. A bit too much really! We dumped it in the driveway and managed to put about 8 wheel barrow loads onto the newly created native garden around the bird bath. Putting the rest of the load around the garden front and back will be an “ongoing project”.
Thursday. Ah! Thursday – Bushwalk day. Great weather – little breeze and sunny. This walk I was leading as it was near Lewisham. Stu drove me to Carlton River where I met the others and we walked back to Lewisham along the coast – about 11kms. Stu didn’t walk but drove the drivers back to their cars at the end and they all ended up here for afternoon tea. I felt it was very good, showing off the little tracks we had found locally. One lady lives in Copping, 20kms east of here, and she hadn’t known these tracks around all the headlands.
A little drama today. Last night we realised the rainwater was struggling to pump into the house and it was “dirty”. A rainwater tank was empty. First thing we rang for a delivery and they said they’d come in the afternoon. Good – Stu could go for a bike ride in the morning as he was pining to do, even though it would be on the “Working Girl”. He ended up staying home all day. Just as the bushwalkers left here the water tanker came and said ONE tank was FULL, BUT the tap was turned off! Both tanks should work together! Derrr... city slickers – but we are learning! So we didn’t buy any water. Then, we walked the dogs!
We went our separate days on Monday. Stu has volunteered to be a community driver. He was hoping to drive a small bus but it will be a car to take infirmed locals to Drs appointments etc. On Monday he was shown the ”ropes” and he will go out again on Friday. I went to Hobart to have back and neck Xrays and a chiropractor visit. My neck still bothers me and this chiropractor has asked to see Xrays, which I haven’t had any on my back or neck for years. The new ones didn’t show anything too bad: just a bit of arthritis. I spent all day in Hobart “just looking”.
We’ve found another walking group who walks on Saturdays. Their programmed walk was on a contour hugging track on Mt Wellington. This track was called the Pipeline Track – for obvious reasons, but it was buried. It was on the shady side of the mountain so the trees and ferns were pretty and occasional glimpses of great views over the southern Derwent “gulf”. We reckon we walked about 11kms. It was a there and back walk. The group was very friendly and a mixture of males and females. We may do some more walks with them. And guess what? As soon as we got home we walked the dogs for 4kms!
We had originally planned to go south of Hobart for a follow up 4 wheel drive adventure but decided a bike ride would be a good change. Stu would have to ride his “Working Girl”. He was getting withdrawal symptoms, with not riding for so long. BUT it was so cold this morning the back “grass” was white. There was no wind, no sun, and no rain, all day. It was too cold to ride so we went to Doggy school instead! Both dogs have improved but will miss “exams” next week as I am in Adelaide. We don’t care about assessment. Sam is getting more sociable, and Bailey is not pulling as much and will sit as soon as I stop walking. After lunch we had an exploring walk along Lauderdale Beach. It was a lovely beach but a bit of sunshine would have made it perfect.
We reckon we have hit jackpot. We took the 2 dogs to the vets for their vaccinations. ( We got a reminder letter and the costs will be re-imbursed) The vet mentioned a new style of “Halti” dog restraining collars. They work! The pull is under the chin. It pulls their neck to the side and they don’t like it SO THEY STOP PULLING. Our arms will no longer be yanked. We will all enjoy every walk together! We’ll see how Stu goes walking the dogs alone for 3 weeks while I am in Adelaide.
I’m in Adelaide for 3 reasons 1) I am doing a paying job teaching English for 8 days to Japanese students here on their holidays. 2) seeing Mum and Dad and 3) seeing J and M and their new house.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
June in Lewisham
June 2008
First day of winter and what a beautiful day! Not cold, no rain and gorgeous sunshine. Life’s good!
A few things are starting to happen here.
I usually go walking on Tuesdays with The Dodge ferry Strollers, a group of 3 ladies, and we walked about 5 kms in 2 hours! The other 2 ladies were much older than me. It was interesting to get some local information, and to be shown some local laneways. They walk from the “shopping centre” any direction that takes their fancy! (Dodges Ferry is 3 kms south of Lewisham and has a few more shops – not hard as there is only one in Lewisham!) Sorell , the nearest major town, is about 12 kms north-west.
Stu and I have been to Hobart (30 kms) a few times- Stu to chiropractor- his back is now much better. He is now allowed to ride his bike again. I jumped some hurdles to get registered as a teacher here in Tasmania. So the next new thing was me teaching Grade 4/5 at Sorell PS as a relief teacher. The kids tried all the usual misbehaviour for the “new” teacher. I coped. It is the school’s general policy that the relief teacher “can do what they like”. That’s OK as I am not a beginner but it puts you behind the 8ball as everything is so different and some kids don’t cope with change very well. Eg – Maths lesson: If I knew they were learning fractions I’d do some work on that but I did my usual game – times- table bingo. Learning times -tables is always necessary. I get them excited about all the patterns of the 9X tables.
One day when we drove to Hobart for Stu’s chiropractic check up we then went bike riding exploring the suburbs south of Hobart along the coast, past Wrest Point casino, just past Sandy Bay to the southern ferry jetty because the cliffs start going up and houses “thin out”. There was no set bike trail but along coastal roads. Next time we will ride north of Hobart along the Derwent River.
We have started taking the dogs in the back of the car, tied up of course, to a new place on the coast to walk. One Friday we walked around Spectacle Point, about 6 kms south from here. The views are fabulous. Next walk was Carlton Beach, a 4km long south facing surf beach. (Lewisham is by a protected tidal inlet.) By using this way of exercising the dogs we can expand our exploration of Tasmania! Lots of water and hilly points and bays.
One Saturday we had an adventure. On the biketas website we discovered a bike ride on north Bruny Island. We had to drive to Kettering south of Hobart (50kms by road) to catch the car ferry across. It cost $3 per bike and pedestrians were free. There were 7 in the group and we did a circular route on mostly unsealed roads, totalling 45 kms. It was hilly and I was the slowest of the group going up the hills. It was all good fun – great views, scenic roads, good company. I would have liked to go slower and stop for some photos. As it was we missed the 3:15 ferry by 10 minutes and we all got cold waiting for the next one at 4:30. It is getting cold and is dusk by then. The dogs got a walk in the dark when we got home. Bruny Island is a “must visit again for longer time/place.”
We want to do more bike riding but “Bike Tas” is only a foundling organization compared with “Bike Vic”. There are no paid leaders, no administrative headquarters , and no maps of trails. We are concerned that not all drivers are “bike aware”. The road from Lewisham to Sorell (12kms) is hilly and hair-raising. There is a miniscule shoulder between the white line and the dirt. The dirt edge is often quite a bit lower and so a sharp drop; there are rumble white lines on most of the road, which makes for an uncomfortable ride, and there are a few places where the edge of the bitumen is broken and in need of repair. Not a bicycle beginner’s trip!
We need to go to Sorell often to use the internet at the library!
Stu has found a road biking group that rides every Wednesday morning from Richmond. Stu had to drive over there and they did a 60km ride. He loved it. They did a few hills and he admitted he was off the pace a bit. Because he hasn’t been training with anyone he has not been pushed lately. Of course he has been riding the mistress on a 30km local circuit that he has worked out but he does it alone, as I can’t and won’t ride so fast. He is looking for a riding buddy.
Every Sunday we go to “Doggy school”. We decided we needed help in handling the dogs and beginners class started today over at Bellerive. We registered for $25 and will pay $2 every Sunday. It was a worthwhile hour’s tuition.. Stu has got Sam, the fox terrier to sit, but not stay sitting! Bailey, the golden retriever, does better but is easily distracted. He pulls so hard on the lead. After class we walk somewhere on that Bellerive Peninsula and have a picnic lunch. Every man and his dog are out enjoying the sunshine with their dogs. Sam and Bailey are held firmly on their leads.
Sam always snarls at other dogs while Bailey just wants to play. Doggy school is worthwhile. The dogs rarely jump all over us now. And they CAN “sit” when told to.
Hobart is famous for the Saturday Salamanca Markets and so on Saturday we experienced them! Basically they are all portable 3 sided “tent alcoves” set up every Saturday on a street not far from the docks, in the hub of the city. Almost every stall sold quality locally made goods. It was not “trashy” like Vic Markets. The atmosphere was exciting – lots of colour, crowded with all sorts of people (sorry not everyone – mostly white Caucasian – very few markedly different cultures –not at all like Melbourne!) buskers – young and old, and family groups.
I wandered slowly down one side and back down the other just absorbing it all. I bought 2 items – some fruit leathers – there were so many combinations of fruit to choose from. I chose blackcurrant and pear, blackberry and mango, and apple and blueberry. Fruit leathers are puree spread thinly on a flat dish and dried. They are excellent for bushwalking snacks. The other thing I bought was sheep’s cheese.
One day we drove to Richmond, a very old settlement that has retained its heritage buildings. The oldest bridge, oldest school, etc. We spent over an hour in the old gaol. It was fascinating, heart wrenching and educational. One prisoner got 25 lashes, 30 days solitary confinement and forced to work on the road gang (chained of course) because he was DRUNK IN CHURCH! It is all very well for the toffs to demand “standards “ but what hope did the poor mongrels have? They had so little chance to improve themselves. I reckon the prison system hardened the imprisoned!
We found a Thursday bushwalking club based on the Tasman Peninsula. We had to drive along way passed Nubeena and started at White Beach and headed west around the coast to a point where Wedge Island was only one km away, then south a bit along exposed low cliffs. We had lunch in a small protected little cove, then headed back across a sheep farm (owners known) to return on a public road back to White Beach. We reckon about 9kms. Stu came too and we both realized that we’d never have found this track ourselves. Local knowledge sure helps. Rain threatened but it has forgotten how to rain down this way! I took some photos but unfortunately the sun was not shining.
The following Thursday -Wow! We explored a new area, which was accessed through private property; again local knowledge required! Hellfire’s Bluff was due east from here on the coast and the end point was looking straight across at the southern end of Maria Island. The Bluff was very high shoreline cliffs and it was like looking down from a helicopter. The walk was tough going up along a ridge and down, and then further up and down, and then further up again. The final trig point at the top was very high above sea level. Pretty hard on the old knees coming down! Magnificent views, good weather and good company. I have some lovely photos. Stu enjoyed it too! We would never have found this place by ourselves.
This Thursday’s walk was called “Mt Wellington”. It DID rain overnight and threatened rain during the day. AND it was cold and windy. So we drove over to Hobart and meandered up the suburb of Lenah Valley on the northern side of Mt Wellington, parked the car and set off up the hill IN THE RAIN. We did discuss the option of spending the day in a picture theatre! Were we crazy? The rain DID stop as we walked up along beautiful bush tracks up, up and up mostly following contours. We got to a “hut” about half way up the mountain and it began to snow. It was cold but Oh so beautiful like icing sugar just dusting the vegetation. The snow melted as it touched the ground. Yes it was soggy underfoot. We went down a different track but first did a small track to see a “habitable” cave; it was a big over-hang and some-one has built a rock dry stone-wall. There was a fireplace and dry wood too. We were cold so we pushed on downhill. What a great walk, where again Stu and I thought we would never have had the courage to go in the wintry weather, follow the correct tracks, or to find the cave. Apparently there was no intention to even try to get to the top. It would have been too far – let alone the ‘bad” weather. The cup of coffee and sticky bun down in a Hobart cafe was most welcoming!
The day weather has been mostly glorious – sunny and almost no wind. Not much rain! We saw gardeners watering their gardens – this is mid June in Tasmania! Bellerive peninsula has reticulated water from the upper Derwent valley. If we don’t get rain soon we will have to buy a tanker load of water to fill the rainwater tanks. We save all gray water for the garden.
We usually have cold nights – but we are snug and warm in the house, with cool sunny days, and little wind. The temperature is usually between 4 night and 14 day. However we have had 2 bad frosts that have damaged one type of fleshy plant in the garden.
One day we prepared the dormant veggie patch here. We put a cocky wire fence around it with a “cocky gate.” All the equipment was found here. The dogs have not tried to jump the fence. I hate the thought of male dogs and a veggie garden. We’ll leave it until late July to plant anything. Apparently frosts are rarer then.
I’ve started another gardening project here. Thelma has placed a bird bath on the corner of the “lawn” in the front garden. I have extended the rock border in an attractive curve and am planting some bird attracting plants like prostrate grevilleas and grasses. One Sunday morning before doggy school we went to Sorell markets and I bought some plants but A) I need more and B) I want to spend more time at these markets to look around with some more time. I am putting newspaper on the “lawn grass” and now I want some mulch. The council does not shred green waste and sell it back to residents like they do in Victoria. I’m looking for a tree- lopper to deliver some!
I like gardening!
I’ve had another adventure the last Monday. Some-one (Don) answered my notice in the local store about being a kayak buddy. We went out this afternoon from Lewisham boat ramp to Spider Island over near Sorell. The water was still and the sun shining. Distances are deceptive on the water but I guess it was 4kms. We paddled to, and then around the island. We saw a seal sunbaking, and a sea eagle high in a tree. The island is about half the size of Granite Island (SA). We didn’t “land” but could have. On the northern end were hundreds of “wild” oysters just there to be collected!!! The water was clear and fairly shallow most of the way. THE channel was deep and it was tougher returning as the tide was against us. (Stu went road biking instead!)
I’ve found a conservation group and have started to help Saturday morning activities such as weeding the local small suburban block size reserve! The task I was given was weeding mostly freesias, which is a shame because I like their smell. However wrong plant in the wrong place! Stu came along too and it was good to have some strong muscles.
Busy again this Saturday. I went to the local reserve to continue weeding freesias– so I thought, but the lady who is organizing it got some new plants and so planting them became the priority. The weather was glorious –warm and sunny and as we had rain on Thursday the soil was easy to work but the depth of wet soil was very shallow. We planted some bushy purple flowering virgilias (?), casuarinas (coastal sheoak), a low bush (?) and some grass. There is no written plan but it is evolving. I had some say in some placement. Unfortunately there is no real group – this is a subgroup of “Southern Landcare”, who has an organized activity – every first Saturday of every month. Next Saturday it is a planting at Jack’s Flat, about 2kms from here. I can’t help because we are doing a weekend 4wheeldrive course!
While I was weeding Stu did the housework i.e. washing sheets, dusting and vacuuming. I reckon it was affair deal. He hates gardening and I’m sick of housework! In the afternoon he wanted to watch a road-bike race on the southern Bellerive Peninsula. Fine by me, but I’d rather explore and walk the dogs, which I did! I found Cremorne on the east coast. I just found a beautiful beach and I had to turn back. When I met Stu we went back there together and did a short walk and a “dog lesson”. Dog lessons are different from walks! Our day was made perfect when a man went past and said “They’re good dogs!” Perhaps we really are taking more than one step forward with them!
And today at doggy school the dogs were pretty good too! Afterwards we went way south to the southern facing end of the Bellerive peninsula near Betsy Island. From the look-out at the start we saw cavorting dolphins. We meandered down coastal bush to walk along Hope Beach, which was a beautiful sandy beach with many, many shells of all different types and sizes. And many long legged prickly starfish were washed up too; a bit like octopus- but flat. We were particularly fascinated by lots of washed up “sausages” – some were still alive and writhing: I have taken a photo to ask at the museum. Fabulous weather, fabulous scenes = perfect day.
We still had time for outdoor activities when we got home so Stu went for a bike ride on the mistress, while I pruned the roses and planted 2 fence climbing purple hardenbergias (?).
In Tasmania we are continuing our interests in bike–riding, bushwalking, gardening, kayaking, meeting new people and exploring new places. And of course appreciating having dogs as loving pets.
First day of winter and what a beautiful day! Not cold, no rain and gorgeous sunshine. Life’s good!
A few things are starting to happen here.
I usually go walking on Tuesdays with The Dodge ferry Strollers, a group of 3 ladies, and we walked about 5 kms in 2 hours! The other 2 ladies were much older than me. It was interesting to get some local information, and to be shown some local laneways. They walk from the “shopping centre” any direction that takes their fancy! (Dodges Ferry is 3 kms south of Lewisham and has a few more shops – not hard as there is only one in Lewisham!) Sorell , the nearest major town, is about 12 kms north-west.
Stu and I have been to Hobart (30 kms) a few times- Stu to chiropractor- his back is now much better. He is now allowed to ride his bike again. I jumped some hurdles to get registered as a teacher here in Tasmania. So the next new thing was me teaching Grade 4/5 at Sorell PS as a relief teacher. The kids tried all the usual misbehaviour for the “new” teacher. I coped. It is the school’s general policy that the relief teacher “can do what they like”. That’s OK as I am not a beginner but it puts you behind the 8ball as everything is so different and some kids don’t cope with change very well. Eg – Maths lesson: If I knew they were learning fractions I’d do some work on that but I did my usual game – times- table bingo. Learning times -tables is always necessary. I get them excited about all the patterns of the 9X tables.
One day when we drove to Hobart for Stu’s chiropractic check up we then went bike riding exploring the suburbs south of Hobart along the coast, past Wrest Point casino, just past Sandy Bay to the southern ferry jetty because the cliffs start going up and houses “thin out”. There was no set bike trail but along coastal roads. Next time we will ride north of Hobart along the Derwent River.
We have started taking the dogs in the back of the car, tied up of course, to a new place on the coast to walk. One Friday we walked around Spectacle Point, about 6 kms south from here. The views are fabulous. Next walk was Carlton Beach, a 4km long south facing surf beach. (Lewisham is by a protected tidal inlet.) By using this way of exercising the dogs we can expand our exploration of Tasmania! Lots of water and hilly points and bays.
One Saturday we had an adventure. On the biketas website we discovered a bike ride on north Bruny Island. We had to drive to Kettering south of Hobart (50kms by road) to catch the car ferry across. It cost $3 per bike and pedestrians were free. There were 7 in the group and we did a circular route on mostly unsealed roads, totalling 45 kms. It was hilly and I was the slowest of the group going up the hills. It was all good fun – great views, scenic roads, good company. I would have liked to go slower and stop for some photos. As it was we missed the 3:15 ferry by 10 minutes and we all got cold waiting for the next one at 4:30. It is getting cold and is dusk by then. The dogs got a walk in the dark when we got home. Bruny Island is a “must visit again for longer time/place.”
We want to do more bike riding but “Bike Tas” is only a foundling organization compared with “Bike Vic”. There are no paid leaders, no administrative headquarters , and no maps of trails. We are concerned that not all drivers are “bike aware”. The road from Lewisham to Sorell (12kms) is hilly and hair-raising. There is a miniscule shoulder between the white line and the dirt. The dirt edge is often quite a bit lower and so a sharp drop; there are rumble white lines on most of the road, which makes for an uncomfortable ride, and there are a few places where the edge of the bitumen is broken and in need of repair. Not a bicycle beginner’s trip!
We need to go to Sorell often to use the internet at the library!
Stu has found a road biking group that rides every Wednesday morning from Richmond. Stu had to drive over there and they did a 60km ride. He loved it. They did a few hills and he admitted he was off the pace a bit. Because he hasn’t been training with anyone he has not been pushed lately. Of course he has been riding the mistress on a 30km local circuit that he has worked out but he does it alone, as I can’t and won’t ride so fast. He is looking for a riding buddy.
Every Sunday we go to “Doggy school”. We decided we needed help in handling the dogs and beginners class started today over at Bellerive. We registered for $25 and will pay $2 every Sunday. It was a worthwhile hour’s tuition.. Stu has got Sam, the fox terrier to sit, but not stay sitting! Bailey, the golden retriever, does better but is easily distracted. He pulls so hard on the lead. After class we walk somewhere on that Bellerive Peninsula and have a picnic lunch. Every man and his dog are out enjoying the sunshine with their dogs. Sam and Bailey are held firmly on their leads.
Sam always snarls at other dogs while Bailey just wants to play. Doggy school is worthwhile. The dogs rarely jump all over us now. And they CAN “sit” when told to.
Hobart is famous for the Saturday Salamanca Markets and so on Saturday we experienced them! Basically they are all portable 3 sided “tent alcoves” set up every Saturday on a street not far from the docks, in the hub of the city. Almost every stall sold quality locally made goods. It was not “trashy” like Vic Markets. The atmosphere was exciting – lots of colour, crowded with all sorts of people (sorry not everyone – mostly white Caucasian – very few markedly different cultures –not at all like Melbourne!) buskers – young and old, and family groups.
I wandered slowly down one side and back down the other just absorbing it all. I bought 2 items – some fruit leathers – there were so many combinations of fruit to choose from. I chose blackcurrant and pear, blackberry and mango, and apple and blueberry. Fruit leathers are puree spread thinly on a flat dish and dried. They are excellent for bushwalking snacks. The other thing I bought was sheep’s cheese.
One day we drove to Richmond, a very old settlement that has retained its heritage buildings. The oldest bridge, oldest school, etc. We spent over an hour in the old gaol. It was fascinating, heart wrenching and educational. One prisoner got 25 lashes, 30 days solitary confinement and forced to work on the road gang (chained of course) because he was DRUNK IN CHURCH! It is all very well for the toffs to demand “standards “ but what hope did the poor mongrels have? They had so little chance to improve themselves. I reckon the prison system hardened the imprisoned!
We found a Thursday bushwalking club based on the Tasman Peninsula. We had to drive along way passed Nubeena and started at White Beach and headed west around the coast to a point where Wedge Island was only one km away, then south a bit along exposed low cliffs. We had lunch in a small protected little cove, then headed back across a sheep farm (owners known) to return on a public road back to White Beach. We reckon about 9kms. Stu came too and we both realized that we’d never have found this track ourselves. Local knowledge sure helps. Rain threatened but it has forgotten how to rain down this way! I took some photos but unfortunately the sun was not shining.
The following Thursday -Wow! We explored a new area, which was accessed through private property; again local knowledge required! Hellfire’s Bluff was due east from here on the coast and the end point was looking straight across at the southern end of Maria Island. The Bluff was very high shoreline cliffs and it was like looking down from a helicopter. The walk was tough going up along a ridge and down, and then further up and down, and then further up again. The final trig point at the top was very high above sea level. Pretty hard on the old knees coming down! Magnificent views, good weather and good company. I have some lovely photos. Stu enjoyed it too! We would never have found this place by ourselves.
This Thursday’s walk was called “Mt Wellington”. It DID rain overnight and threatened rain during the day. AND it was cold and windy. So we drove over to Hobart and meandered up the suburb of Lenah Valley on the northern side of Mt Wellington, parked the car and set off up the hill IN THE RAIN. We did discuss the option of spending the day in a picture theatre! Were we crazy? The rain DID stop as we walked up along beautiful bush tracks up, up and up mostly following contours. We got to a “hut” about half way up the mountain and it began to snow. It was cold but Oh so beautiful like icing sugar just dusting the vegetation. The snow melted as it touched the ground. Yes it was soggy underfoot. We went down a different track but first did a small track to see a “habitable” cave; it was a big over-hang and some-one has built a rock dry stone-wall. There was a fireplace and dry wood too. We were cold so we pushed on downhill. What a great walk, where again Stu and I thought we would never have had the courage to go in the wintry weather, follow the correct tracks, or to find the cave. Apparently there was no intention to even try to get to the top. It would have been too far – let alone the ‘bad” weather. The cup of coffee and sticky bun down in a Hobart cafe was most welcoming!
The day weather has been mostly glorious – sunny and almost no wind. Not much rain! We saw gardeners watering their gardens – this is mid June in Tasmania! Bellerive peninsula has reticulated water from the upper Derwent valley. If we don’t get rain soon we will have to buy a tanker load of water to fill the rainwater tanks. We save all gray water for the garden.
We usually have cold nights – but we are snug and warm in the house, with cool sunny days, and little wind. The temperature is usually between 4 night and 14 day. However we have had 2 bad frosts that have damaged one type of fleshy plant in the garden.
One day we prepared the dormant veggie patch here. We put a cocky wire fence around it with a “cocky gate.” All the equipment was found here. The dogs have not tried to jump the fence. I hate the thought of male dogs and a veggie garden. We’ll leave it until late July to plant anything. Apparently frosts are rarer then.
I’ve started another gardening project here. Thelma has placed a bird bath on the corner of the “lawn” in the front garden. I have extended the rock border in an attractive curve and am planting some bird attracting plants like prostrate grevilleas and grasses. One Sunday morning before doggy school we went to Sorell markets and I bought some plants but A) I need more and B) I want to spend more time at these markets to look around with some more time. I am putting newspaper on the “lawn grass” and now I want some mulch. The council does not shred green waste and sell it back to residents like they do in Victoria. I’m looking for a tree- lopper to deliver some!
I like gardening!
I’ve had another adventure the last Monday. Some-one (Don) answered my notice in the local store about being a kayak buddy. We went out this afternoon from Lewisham boat ramp to Spider Island over near Sorell. The water was still and the sun shining. Distances are deceptive on the water but I guess it was 4kms. We paddled to, and then around the island. We saw a seal sunbaking, and a sea eagle high in a tree. The island is about half the size of Granite Island (SA). We didn’t “land” but could have. On the northern end were hundreds of “wild” oysters just there to be collected!!! The water was clear and fairly shallow most of the way. THE channel was deep and it was tougher returning as the tide was against us. (Stu went road biking instead!)
I’ve found a conservation group and have started to help Saturday morning activities such as weeding the local small suburban block size reserve! The task I was given was weeding mostly freesias, which is a shame because I like their smell. However wrong plant in the wrong place! Stu came along too and it was good to have some strong muscles.
Busy again this Saturday. I went to the local reserve to continue weeding freesias– so I thought, but the lady who is organizing it got some new plants and so planting them became the priority. The weather was glorious –warm and sunny and as we had rain on Thursday the soil was easy to work but the depth of wet soil was very shallow. We planted some bushy purple flowering virgilias (?), casuarinas (coastal sheoak), a low bush (?) and some grass. There is no written plan but it is evolving. I had some say in some placement. Unfortunately there is no real group – this is a subgroup of “Southern Landcare”, who has an organized activity – every first Saturday of every month. Next Saturday it is a planting at Jack’s Flat, about 2kms from here. I can’t help because we are doing a weekend 4wheeldrive course!
While I was weeding Stu did the housework i.e. washing sheets, dusting and vacuuming. I reckon it was affair deal. He hates gardening and I’m sick of housework! In the afternoon he wanted to watch a road-bike race on the southern Bellerive Peninsula. Fine by me, but I’d rather explore and walk the dogs, which I did! I found Cremorne on the east coast. I just found a beautiful beach and I had to turn back. When I met Stu we went back there together and did a short walk and a “dog lesson”. Dog lessons are different from walks! Our day was made perfect when a man went past and said “They’re good dogs!” Perhaps we really are taking more than one step forward with them!
And today at doggy school the dogs were pretty good too! Afterwards we went way south to the southern facing end of the Bellerive peninsula near Betsy Island. From the look-out at the start we saw cavorting dolphins. We meandered down coastal bush to walk along Hope Beach, which was a beautiful sandy beach with many, many shells of all different types and sizes. And many long legged prickly starfish were washed up too; a bit like octopus- but flat. We were particularly fascinated by lots of washed up “sausages” – some were still alive and writhing: I have taken a photo to ask at the museum. Fabulous weather, fabulous scenes = perfect day.
We still had time for outdoor activities when we got home so Stu went for a bike ride on the mistress, while I pruned the roses and planted 2 fence climbing purple hardenbergias (?).
In Tasmania we are continuing our interests in bike–riding, bushwalking, gardening, kayaking, meeting new people and exploring new places. And of course appreciating having dogs as loving pets.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
EARLY DAYS IN TASSIE
At last I have some computer time in Hobart in the public library!We're in Tassie. Don't have internet connection. BUT I am going to investigate a system as we are here for 6 months. At present only one hour slots at the library, and it has to be pre-booked. I have had our computer fixed: only $87; he thought it wasn't related to me using it in the library in Adelaide when I went on line using their wireless: and I didn't lose any data. I have however bought a back up hard drive.
Arrived in Tassie Monday morning. Ferry ride was a little rolling, but OK. Drove down to Hobart and met Thelma on Monday afternoon. She said the house wasn't ready and so we drove further south to Port Arthur. Spent 2 nights there. We were fascinated by Port Arthur. We spent 6 hours there but it wasn't long enough. We'll have to go there again!
It is cold here but not so cold your snot freezes! There was frost on the grass this morning. The average day temperature is 9. The wind is cold.
The amazing thing is there is a drought here. It is dry like SA!!! This house has tank water: And the tanks are less than half full. We will have to order a truck load of water if real rain doesn't fall soon. There has been some light drizzle. It is a holiday town and only one shop. The nearest real town, Sorrell, is about 15kms away. We care for 2 dogs : a golden retriever, big and clumsy and always wanting attention: And, a fox terrier, who loves to play with his toys, like you throw, he fetches or tries to pull it out of your hand. They are both not very well behaved and so we intend teaching them some manners. We have to walk them every day and so lesson 1 is not to pull on the lead all the time! However we do like them. They are both very affectionate.
Stu has a bad back and had intensive chiro treatment in Inverloch last week and right now is in Hobart trying a new one. So no bike riding for a while!Our week in Inverloch was hectic. Tuesday bushwalking; Wednesday Nanna for drive and lunch; Thursday house maintenance and shed stuff in and out! Friday more visiting. . Every night we went out to dinner with special friends.
We have good vibes about our time in Tassie. It is a new adventure. By the way the house is not big but very comfortable, clean and very liveable. We have been trusted to use anything. Of course we have costs such as food and electricity etc. We are looking forward to doing day adventures.
Arrived in Tassie Monday morning. Ferry ride was a little rolling, but OK. Drove down to Hobart and met Thelma on Monday afternoon. She said the house wasn't ready and so we drove further south to Port Arthur. Spent 2 nights there. We were fascinated by Port Arthur. We spent 6 hours there but it wasn't long enough. We'll have to go there again!
It is cold here but not so cold your snot freezes! There was frost on the grass this morning. The average day temperature is 9. The wind is cold.
The amazing thing is there is a drought here. It is dry like SA!!! This house has tank water: And the tanks are less than half full. We will have to order a truck load of water if real rain doesn't fall soon. There has been some light drizzle. It is a holiday town and only one shop. The nearest real town, Sorrell, is about 15kms away. We care for 2 dogs : a golden retriever, big and clumsy and always wanting attention: And, a fox terrier, who loves to play with his toys, like you throw, he fetches or tries to pull it out of your hand. They are both not very well behaved and so we intend teaching them some manners. We have to walk them every day and so lesson 1 is not to pull on the lead all the time! However we do like them. They are both very affectionate.
Stu has a bad back and had intensive chiro treatment in Inverloch last week and right now is in Hobart trying a new one. So no bike riding for a while!Our week in Inverloch was hectic. Tuesday bushwalking; Wednesday Nanna for drive and lunch; Thursday house maintenance and shed stuff in and out! Friday more visiting. . Every night we went out to dinner with special friends.
We have good vibes about our time in Tassie. It is a new adventure. By the way the house is not big but very comfortable, clean and very liveable. We have been trusted to use anything. Of course we have costs such as food and electricity etc. We are looking forward to doing day adventures.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
BAROSSA VALLEY BIKE HIKE April 2008
Friday 4th April 2008 near Williamstown in pine forest 62kms
Dithered at Seacliff as the weather was "inclement"- misty rain. We hadn't set off on Wednesday as planned because of a storm warning - wind and rain! Eventually we decided to take off in reverse circuit by starting with a train to Gawler. We rode uphill on a secondary road to Williamstown. Great, but country side was very parched. Best thing today was the "Whispering Wall" at Barossa Dam. It really works - an arched dam wall that carries sound around the curve very well! The worst thing - we decided we would go to a pine forest to camp the night. Up and up a dirt road only to find that forest had been razed like a nuke site! So we had to ride down that bumpy dirt road and along the main road a bit further and came to a lovely pine forest camp site.
Saturday 5th April 2008 Tanunda Caravan Park 57kms
Went to sleep with the sound of currujongs but woke to the sound of chortling magpies after over 12 hours in the tent, and we slept most of that time! Williamstown is a pretty town, especially in the morning light. We arrived at Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley at 11ish and had our mandatory coffee and cake.
We rode on the main road to Tanunda. It was very pretty, gently undulating and but quite a lot of traffic. After setting up camp at Tanunda Caravan Park at midday we unhooked “Dobbin,” the trailer, and took off touring to Seppeltsfield Winery. It is HUGE and old. We tasted a yummy $39 bottle of wine, but after great deliberation decided not to buy it! Next we rode to Maggie Beer's winery and food farm. We adored the pheasant pate but it needed refrigeration, so we saved money there too. We reckon it was another great day.
Sunday 6th April 2008 in pine forest between Springton and Williamstown 62kms
Rode along the cycle way/ footpath to Nuriootpa. We enjoyed the cycle path in the Linear Park along the creek in the town. The highlight of the day was the Nuriootpa Bush garden, a community re-vegetation project with local indigenous plants. It was inspiring. Then we rode on to Angaston for coffee and cake and free inernet access as we had purchased goods for over $5! Then we turned south onto the Eden Valley, Springton main road which was gently undulating. There were lots of big, beautiful, old gum trees scattered in the sheep grazing paddocks. It was sad to see the country side so dry. Took photos of the Herbig family tree - A couple lived under this huge old gum tree and had 2 children there before they built their house and continued to have 16 children! At Springton we turned west towards Williamstown for some more pine forest camping in the Mount Crawford complex. The only unchained gate led us to a densely planted young plantation. We parked "around the corner" on a firebreak track. There was grazing hilly country to the east. It was very peaceful and we saw quite a few kangaroos.
Monday 7th April 2008 Wotton scrub near Carey Gully 65kms
Left campsite at 8:15am along an unsealed road to Mt Pleasant - very pretty but a rough 8kms. We had to walk up Mt Pleasant summit, which was on this road. We refilled our water bottles at Mt Pleasant and shortly after this town turned west again towards Williamstown, but only went 8kms where we turned south towards Gumeracha. The road through Foreston was mostly a long downhill journey through a valley of apple and pear orchards. You could smell the fresh fruit. Mm! We had coffee and cake at the Gumeracha Giant Rocking Horse. There was a fantastic array of wooden toys for sale - lovely quality varnished pine and painted highlights in primary colours. Then rode onto Lobethal and Lenswood. We had 3 mishaps today -
1) A bloody big truck towing a trailer overtook us while a car was coming towards us - scary! I headed for the off road!
2) Stu fell off his bike - on the ledge of the side of the bitumen. No major damage to rider or bike. Just damaged ego.
3) Stu's bike chain broke. Stu had the tools to take out a link and rejoin it. The chain is shorter now and so he can't use the big front cog, but otherwise all is well.
Lots of ups and downs today. We're stuffed!
We were in bed by 6:30pm. It was dark! At 8:30pm we had the biggest shock. A CFS truck came down the bush track headlight on and blared its siren at us! We were in the Keith Williams Conservation Park which we knew was a camping No-No BUT we found no-where else to go; we knew we were "perfect campers" - no fires, leave nothing behind etc. Stu got out of the tent and explained our situation and they "told us off" but understood our predicament and they went away. It was Monday night - CFS training night, but we reckon some-one saw us lifting our bikes over the gate and that some -one was "neighbourhood watching" very well!
Tuesday 8th April 2008 back at Trottnest 35kms
Departed the campsite at 8:15am making sure nothing was left behind! Gum Flat Road was not flat! There were some big uphill climbs where we had to walk, but it was pretty. We got to the T junction of Rangeview Road which goes from Carey Gully to Stirling. We had planned to turn off to Picadilly and cross the freeway at Crafers, but Stu was ahead, as usual and... we ended up going through Stirling and walking up the steep suburban Stirling/Crafers roads up to the Upper Sturt Road at Crafers. We turned off onto Sheoak Road which forms the northern boundary of Belair National Park. We entered the park at Waverley Ridge gate and a had a gorgeous ride through the park to the main western entrance. We then had to climb uphill again to Glenalta, where we rewarded ourselves with coffee and cake. We zoomed down Shepherd's Hill Road, Sturt Road and got to Seacliff late morning.
Another great bike ride - total 250kms. (5days, 4 nights)
Dithered at Seacliff as the weather was "inclement"- misty rain. We hadn't set off on Wednesday as planned because of a storm warning - wind and rain! Eventually we decided to take off in reverse circuit by starting with a train to Gawler. We rode uphill on a secondary road to Williamstown. Great, but country side was very parched. Best thing today was the "Whispering Wall" at Barossa Dam. It really works - an arched dam wall that carries sound around the curve very well! The worst thing - we decided we would go to a pine forest to camp the night. Up and up a dirt road only to find that forest had been razed like a nuke site! So we had to ride down that bumpy dirt road and along the main road a bit further and came to a lovely pine forest camp site.
Saturday 5th April 2008 Tanunda Caravan Park 57kms
Went to sleep with the sound of currujongs but woke to the sound of chortling magpies after over 12 hours in the tent, and we slept most of that time! Williamstown is a pretty town, especially in the morning light. We arrived at Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley at 11ish and had our mandatory coffee and cake.
We rode on the main road to Tanunda. It was very pretty, gently undulating and but quite a lot of traffic. After setting up camp at Tanunda Caravan Park at midday we unhooked “Dobbin,” the trailer, and took off touring to Seppeltsfield Winery. It is HUGE and old. We tasted a yummy $39 bottle of wine, but after great deliberation decided not to buy it! Next we rode to Maggie Beer's winery and food farm. We adored the pheasant pate but it needed refrigeration, so we saved money there too. We reckon it was another great day.
Sunday 6th April 2008 in pine forest between Springton and Williamstown 62kms
Rode along the cycle way/ footpath to Nuriootpa. We enjoyed the cycle path in the Linear Park along the creek in the town. The highlight of the day was the Nuriootpa Bush garden, a community re-vegetation project with local indigenous plants. It was inspiring. Then we rode on to Angaston for coffee and cake and free inernet access as we had purchased goods for over $5! Then we turned south onto the Eden Valley, Springton main road which was gently undulating. There were lots of big, beautiful, old gum trees scattered in the sheep grazing paddocks. It was sad to see the country side so dry. Took photos of the Herbig family tree - A couple lived under this huge old gum tree and had 2 children there before they built their house and continued to have 16 children! At Springton we turned west towards Williamstown for some more pine forest camping in the Mount Crawford complex. The only unchained gate led us to a densely planted young plantation. We parked "around the corner" on a firebreak track. There was grazing hilly country to the east. It was very peaceful and we saw quite a few kangaroos.
Monday 7th April 2008 Wotton scrub near Carey Gully 65kms
Left campsite at 8:15am along an unsealed road to Mt Pleasant - very pretty but a rough 8kms. We had to walk up Mt Pleasant summit, which was on this road. We refilled our water bottles at Mt Pleasant and shortly after this town turned west again towards Williamstown, but only went 8kms where we turned south towards Gumeracha. The road through Foreston was mostly a long downhill journey through a valley of apple and pear orchards. You could smell the fresh fruit. Mm! We had coffee and cake at the Gumeracha Giant Rocking Horse. There was a fantastic array of wooden toys for sale - lovely quality varnished pine and painted highlights in primary colours. Then rode onto Lobethal and Lenswood. We had 3 mishaps today -
1) A bloody big truck towing a trailer overtook us while a car was coming towards us - scary! I headed for the off road!
2) Stu fell off his bike - on the ledge of the side of the bitumen. No major damage to rider or bike. Just damaged ego.
3) Stu's bike chain broke. Stu had the tools to take out a link and rejoin it. The chain is shorter now and so he can't use the big front cog, but otherwise all is well.
Lots of ups and downs today. We're stuffed!
We were in bed by 6:30pm. It was dark! At 8:30pm we had the biggest shock. A CFS truck came down the bush track headlight on and blared its siren at us! We were in the Keith Williams Conservation Park which we knew was a camping No-No BUT we found no-where else to go; we knew we were "perfect campers" - no fires, leave nothing behind etc. Stu got out of the tent and explained our situation and they "told us off" but understood our predicament and they went away. It was Monday night - CFS training night, but we reckon some-one saw us lifting our bikes over the gate and that some -one was "neighbourhood watching" very well!
Tuesday 8th April 2008 back at Trottnest 35kms
Departed the campsite at 8:15am making sure nothing was left behind! Gum Flat Road was not flat! There were some big uphill climbs where we had to walk, but it was pretty. We got to the T junction of Rangeview Road which goes from Carey Gully to Stirling. We had planned to turn off to Picadilly and cross the freeway at Crafers, but Stu was ahead, as usual and... we ended up going through Stirling and walking up the steep suburban Stirling/Crafers roads up to the Upper Sturt Road at Crafers. We turned off onto Sheoak Road which forms the northern boundary of Belair National Park. We entered the park at Waverley Ridge gate and a had a gorgeous ride through the park to the main western entrance. We then had to climb uphill again to Glenalta, where we rewarded ourselves with coffee and cake. We zoomed down Shepherd's Hill Road, Sturt Road and got to Seacliff late morning.
Another great bike ride - total 250kms. (5days, 4 nights)
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter Monday - March 24th
Whew! I’ve been busy and just dragging one foot after the other with the long heatwave here in Adelaide. The Japanese students who I was teaching English to, wilted in the heat and I had to maintain enthusiasm even when I felt like wilting! But it was good and I enjoyed teaching them for 2 weeks - as I usually do! Time just flew.
My parents needed some TLC and now my Mum is much better. She is still a bit dizzy and is reluctant to drive. S came over after finishing off the house-sit in Victoria and he needed a slice of my energy too! He was lonely. Another little drama last week was Mum’s brother Brian died. He was ill and had little quality in his life so it was a blessed relief. The funeral was in Loxton Easter Thursday afternoon and so I drove Mum and Dad up in the morning and we stayed with relatives overnight. We dawdled back on Friday taking back roads and letting Mum soak up scenes of her beloved River Murray. S couldn’t come too as we started a house-sit on Thursday night. We are looking after a maltese terrier in an Adelaide suburban homette until next Sunday 30th March. It is good as S has had enough of my Dad!
To celebrate our free time on Sunday we rode to Seacliff (to get bike locks from our stored stuff) and then to Semaphore to see the annual kite festival. It was very good – at least 100 kites all shapes and sizes and colours. My favourite was a red, cerese and orange frilled neck lizard, which was 20 metres long on the ground. Afterwards we rode back – a total of 70kms. I was pleased as I hadn’t ridden for ages. S had been riding about 40kms very early every morning before the heat came for the day. (Then he would have naps in the afternoon while I was working!)
We are catching up with friends and house hunting for a house to rent when all the family gets together for J’s wedding in mid April.. Next week we want to go on a long bike ride –either mid north – Barossa, Burra, Clare etc or to cooler climes down south-east – robe, Millicent, Port MacDonnell etc as we rushed through that district last year. Depends a bit on the weather. It is not just the heat, but all Adelaide districts look very parched and unappealing! Adelaide house gardens look so dry too. There needs to be a lot of rain! There are some posh houses and gardens near here and many have signs saying “bore water in use”. That annoys me. They can afford that infrastructure and it will take a lot of rain for the water table to be restored. Think of the big tree roots. It is so sad.
My parents needed some TLC and now my Mum is much better. She is still a bit dizzy and is reluctant to drive. S came over after finishing off the house-sit in Victoria and he needed a slice of my energy too! He was lonely. Another little drama last week was Mum’s brother Brian died. He was ill and had little quality in his life so it was a blessed relief. The funeral was in Loxton Easter Thursday afternoon and so I drove Mum and Dad up in the morning and we stayed with relatives overnight. We dawdled back on Friday taking back roads and letting Mum soak up scenes of her beloved River Murray. S couldn’t come too as we started a house-sit on Thursday night. We are looking after a maltese terrier in an Adelaide suburban homette until next Sunday 30th March. It is good as S has had enough of my Dad!
To celebrate our free time on Sunday we rode to Seacliff (to get bike locks from our stored stuff) and then to Semaphore to see the annual kite festival. It was very good – at least 100 kites all shapes and sizes and colours. My favourite was a red, cerese and orange frilled neck lizard, which was 20 metres long on the ground. Afterwards we rode back – a total of 70kms. I was pleased as I hadn’t ridden for ages. S had been riding about 40kms very early every morning before the heat came for the day. (Then he would have naps in the afternoon while I was working!)
We are catching up with friends and house hunting for a house to rent when all the family gets together for J’s wedding in mid April.. Next week we want to go on a long bike ride –either mid north – Barossa, Burra, Clare etc or to cooler climes down south-east – robe, Millicent, Port MacDonnell etc as we rushed through that district last year. Depends a bit on the weather. It is not just the heat, but all Adelaide districts look very parched and unappealing! Adelaide house gardens look so dry too. There needs to be a lot of rain! There are some posh houses and gardens near here and many have signs saying “bore water in use”. That annoys me. They can afford that infrastructure and it will take a lot of rain for the water table to be restored. Think of the big tree roots. It is so sad.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
My Trip to Japan
Our son had a 20th Anniversary concert for his Taiko drumming group in mid February and I wanted to experience the celebration too so I went to Japan for 3 weeks. Taiko drumming is an old art, so why is the club celebrating just 20 years? Each shrine/temple/district had their own drum or drums, own method of playing and own rhythm. So that the art is not lost clubs now collate these varieties. The district where j’s club is had a 123, 123, 123, rhythm like the waltz played on an upright drum. It symbolised the sword making with 2 apprentices and the master craftsman playing on an upright drum representing the anvil. Some drums are small, like kettle drums and they go up to taller than men! And some are played side on, like the big base in a drum kit, and others are worn on straps over the shoulder for processions. The playing is loud and energetic and up to 12 drums could be played at a time and sometimes 2 people either end of a side on drum. This is my favourite technique. The concert was fantastic!
Of course I stayed with the family and played at being Grandma. Every morning I took R to kindi on the back of M’s bike at 8:30am and collected him at 2pm. He is now 5 and doesn’t start school until he is 6. The kindi kids wear uniform and there are 24 kids in his class for one teacher and there are 6 kindi groups in his “school”. Kids start there at 3. I went to an end of year concert in February.. The new school year starts in April. It was a demonstration of some things they had learnt in class – eg songs, some English, and skipping. 5 Year olds were skipping VERY competently! R’s class did some taiko! R and I played after kindi. He understood most of what I said but he only spoke minimally. We went bike-riding ; he can ride a 2 wheeler well and one day we did an exploring hike of 10kms. K turned 1 in November. He walks and talks but nobody understands him. It is neither Japanese nor English! It didn’t matter because he sure let you know what he wanted or didn’t want. If M was around he didn’t want to know me but we went for walks in the pusher and I even took him to Playgroup alone. I had a wonderful time, even though it was very cold and snowed a few times. I was in Japan for 3 weeks.
The house sit in Sale ended early March and so S finished off that commitment and l drove over to join me in Adelaide where I am now teaching English to Japanese students for 2 weeks AND looking after my parents. My Mum has just been in hospital for exhaustion. My Dad is frail, grumpy and selfish! We will be in Adelaide until early May and then we go to house sit in Hobart. We are all looking forward to daughter, J’s wedding in April. ALL our family will be together for a week – the first time for 8 years
Of course I stayed with the family and played at being Grandma. Every morning I took R to kindi on the back of M’s bike at 8:30am and collected him at 2pm. He is now 5 and doesn’t start school until he is 6. The kindi kids wear uniform and there are 24 kids in his class for one teacher and there are 6 kindi groups in his “school”. Kids start there at 3. I went to an end of year concert in February.. The new school year starts in April. It was a demonstration of some things they had learnt in class – eg songs, some English, and skipping. 5 Year olds were skipping VERY competently! R’s class did some taiko! R and I played after kindi. He understood most of what I said but he only spoke minimally. We went bike-riding ; he can ride a 2 wheeler well and one day we did an exploring hike of 10kms. K turned 1 in November. He walks and talks but nobody understands him. It is neither Japanese nor English! It didn’t matter because he sure let you know what he wanted or didn’t want. If M was around he didn’t want to know me but we went for walks in the pusher and I even took him to Playgroup alone. I had a wonderful time, even though it was very cold and snowed a few times. I was in Japan for 3 weeks.
The house sit in Sale ended early March and so S finished off that commitment and l drove over to join me in Adelaide where I am now teaching English to Japanese students for 2 weeks AND looking after my parents. My Mum has just been in hospital for exhaustion. My Dad is frail, grumpy and selfish! We will be in Adelaide until early May and then we go to house sit in Hobart. We are all looking forward to daughter, J’s wedding in April. ALL our family will be together for a week – the first time for 8 years
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Explorations South West of Sale
We launched off-road from the Longford Rosedale Rd into the Holey Plains State Park taking the Chessum Rd. All these unsealed roads were marked tracks. Could you resist taking the Seldom Seen Track? The tracks were all good but we were comfortable in our 4 wheel drive vehicle. Our worry was would we meet a log truck! This State Park has some pine plantations at various stages of growth and logging, but mostly it was natural forest of not very tall gum and banksia. The first destination was The Holey Hill Fire Tower, which was an OK camping spot (* long drop toilet, no water, firewood available, fireplaces, some good walks) It would have been good if we could have at least climbed to level one of the fire tower for it was a high spot with views down south to Merriman’s Ck valley and north towards the LaTrobe River. From ground level the trees were in the way!
We continued travelling south on tracks. Crossed Merriman’s Ck -Narrow, with water in it, looks long, but too many willows (obstructions) for kayaking! Through a short stretch of farming country and then into The Stradbroke Flora and Fauna Reserve – looked similar environment – not too high gums (12m?) and complimentary undergrowth. We continued south on the North South Rd in the now Mullungdung State Forest. The gum trees were a bit taller here. Were they mainly iron bark? The trunks were rough bark. We diverted a bit to Kangaroo Swamp – no tall trees, a boggy grassy and some ti-tree wetland. Hard to “see” amongst trees. We didn’t see any kangaroos – it was midday! We were travelling about 8kms west parallel with the South Gippsland Highway, the main Sale/Yarram road. All these tracks were good.
We came to some farmland again. Crossed the Bruthen River (miles from Bruthen town and wrong direction too!) onto the Carrajung Woodside Road then crossed into the Won Wron State Forest. We lunched at our destination White Woman’s Waterhole. Sounds intriguing doesn’t it? Legend had it that a young white woman was shipwrecked and rescued by Aborigines. This place is about 20kms from the sea. It was a lovely camping spot (***long drop toilet, no water, firewood available, fireplaces, many good walks, including about 2kms of the “Great Southern Rail Trail” – old railway from timber getting days. Very pretty. No water in the waterhole though. We’ll go back to this place one day!
We headed north on more unsealed tracks until we came to the Hyland Highway, between Traralgon and Yarram. This was a good sealed road with some fantastic views. At Willung South, where there were a few houses, we turned east onto Willung South Road which was 80% sealed to Hiamdale, then back to Rosedale. We had intended to go back through the western side of the Holey Plains State Park but it was raining so heavily we could hardly see and we thought we ought not go on slippery dirt tracks. We got back to Sale and there has not been any rain!
A highlight was seeing an echidna and a goanna. It was a good fun day to spend our last day together exploring Sale surrounds in our 4 wheel drive. We had considered a bike ride to celebrate but honestly my style of riding is a bit slow and boring around the flat farming land around Sale. S went for a ride with the speedies this morning (suffered the ignominy of a puncture) and now he has gone riding again with another group! I have to spend tomorrow packing for Japan. I am going there for 3 weeks to see THE family AND a big Taiko drumming show.
We continued travelling south on tracks. Crossed Merriman’s Ck -Narrow, with water in it, looks long, but too many willows (obstructions) for kayaking! Through a short stretch of farming country and then into The Stradbroke Flora and Fauna Reserve – looked similar environment – not too high gums (12m?) and complimentary undergrowth. We continued south on the North South Rd in the now Mullungdung State Forest. The gum trees were a bit taller here. Were they mainly iron bark? The trunks were rough bark. We diverted a bit to Kangaroo Swamp – no tall trees, a boggy grassy and some ti-tree wetland. Hard to “see” amongst trees. We didn’t see any kangaroos – it was midday! We were travelling about 8kms west parallel with the South Gippsland Highway, the main Sale/Yarram road. All these tracks were good.
We came to some farmland again. Crossed the Bruthen River (miles from Bruthen town and wrong direction too!) onto the Carrajung Woodside Road then crossed into the Won Wron State Forest. We lunched at our destination White Woman’s Waterhole. Sounds intriguing doesn’t it? Legend had it that a young white woman was shipwrecked and rescued by Aborigines. This place is about 20kms from the sea. It was a lovely camping spot (***long drop toilet, no water, firewood available, fireplaces, many good walks, including about 2kms of the “Great Southern Rail Trail” – old railway from timber getting days. Very pretty. No water in the waterhole though. We’ll go back to this place one day!
We headed north on more unsealed tracks until we came to the Hyland Highway, between Traralgon and Yarram. This was a good sealed road with some fantastic views. At Willung South, where there were a few houses, we turned east onto Willung South Road which was 80% sealed to Hiamdale, then back to Rosedale. We had intended to go back through the western side of the Holey Plains State Park but it was raining so heavily we could hardly see and we thought we ought not go on slippery dirt tracks. We got back to Sale and there has not been any rain!
A highlight was seeing an echidna and a goanna. It was a good fun day to spend our last day together exploring Sale surrounds in our 4 wheel drive. We had considered a bike ride to celebrate but honestly my style of riding is a bit slow and boring around the flat farming land around Sale. S went for a ride with the speedies this morning (suffered the ignominy of a puncture) and now he has gone riding again with another group! I have to spend tomorrow packing for Japan. I am going there for 3 weeks to see THE family AND a big Taiko drumming show.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Bike ride - Gormandale
Rosedale – Gormandale return loop – 51kms
Drove the car to Rosedale. Started riding south along the flat, straight, open farming land on the Willung Road. Soon we entered more interesting pine forest and natural bush and GENTLY undulating. At the Stradbroke/ Gormandale Road we turned right and travelled among small dairy farmland that reminded us of southern Fleurieu Peninsula in SA. Gormandale was a disappointment – a has-been town with dirty public toilets and no rainwater tanks for us to refill our bidons. We were now on the Hyland Highway which goes up and over between Yarram in the south and Traralgon in the north in the LaTrobe Valley. It was a good road with a shoulder suitable for us to ride in as it was busy with traffic. We past a freshly devastated completed logged area of forest. However the 9km downhill towards Traralgon was a pleasant ride! Our map was inadequate for us to find the correct road back to Rosedale. The pamphlet said the whole route was on sealed roads, but the first signed one to Rosedale was unsealed. It looked pretty scenery but not nice to ride on. The 2nd turnoff had no signage but was again unsealed. The 3rd road was sealed but by now we were back on the flat open farming country. We were speeding along these flat roads but we were not riding on roads we should be! We ended up riding about 3 km on unsealed road, and THE Princes Highway! It was very busy but there was a very wide shoulder, the wind was behind us and it was only for 6kms back to Rosedale. It was an enjoyable exploration!
Drove the car to Rosedale. Started riding south along the flat, straight, open farming land on the Willung Road. Soon we entered more interesting pine forest and natural bush and GENTLY undulating. At the Stradbroke/ Gormandale Road we turned right and travelled among small dairy farmland that reminded us of southern Fleurieu Peninsula in SA. Gormandale was a disappointment – a has-been town with dirty public toilets and no rainwater tanks for us to refill our bidons. We were now on the Hyland Highway which goes up and over between Yarram in the south and Traralgon in the north in the LaTrobe Valley. It was a good road with a shoulder suitable for us to ride in as it was busy with traffic. We past a freshly devastated completed logged area of forest. However the 9km downhill towards Traralgon was a pleasant ride! Our map was inadequate for us to find the correct road back to Rosedale. The pamphlet said the whole route was on sealed roads, but the first signed one to Rosedale was unsealed. It looked pretty scenery but not nice to ride on. The 2nd turnoff had no signage but was again unsealed. The 3rd road was sealed but by now we were back on the flat open farming country. We were speeding along these flat roads but we were not riding on roads we should be! We ended up riding about 3 km on unsealed road, and THE Princes Highway! It was very busy but there was a very wide shoulder, the wind was behind us and it was only for 6kms back to Rosedale. It was an enjoyable exploration!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
life in Sale
25th January 2008
Here’s a bit of a journal telling you about some of our life in Sale.
3 friends came up to stay for 3 days and we went kayaking. S went cycling in the morning with a group who ride too fast for me!
The following journal is about the fun we had paddling on the nearby rivers.
Day 1- Departed Sale Canal, paddled downstream about 1km then turned up onto a right fork up the Thompson River, which was about 12m wide. Lots of bends, past open farming country, tree lined – lots of gums and willows. One major hurdle- a fallen gum tree, where we had to get out, and that was difficult to do without getting wet, and then we see-sawed the kayaks over and continued upstream. Soon the river started to narrow and some parts had swift flowing currents around willow trees. Eventually we conceded when a willow blocked the river just too much for us to squeeze past or under. We reckon we paddled about 18kms there and back.
Day 2 – Continuous drizzly rain all day. The 4 of us drove to Lochsport in our car. We went to the end of the Sperm Head peninsula of Lakes National Park. Lots of good kayaking opportunities around here for some time in the future. Emu Bight a good campsite – drop toilets, some water and a shelter. Lochsport has a reputation as the mosquito capital but maybe the drizzle drowned them. We liked the place. And it has a nice friendly yacht club!
Day 3- Drove 5kms down to the historic swing bridge where we launched at the Thompson and LaTrobe River junction. Very pretty – about 10km wide and we paddled upstream about 5km to a billabong island, which we paddled around and where the river became quite narrow. Stunning scenery – big gums, blackwood and black wattle. Very few landing opportunities! We managed to have morning tea perched precariously on a muddy log. It was exciting exiting and entering the kayaks. We used the paddle as a stabiliser to edge our bums along. No major blockages in the river but lots of fallen trees which made it very interesting. Saw lots of birds – ducks, grebes, water hens, couple of kookaburras, hundreds of screeching yellow crested cockatoos and several birds of prey (maybe a sea eagle) R saw a kingfisher. Two duck stories -1) mother was escorting about 10 little ducklings when she realised we were a bit close so she said “scatter” and they did , while she took off in front of us, landed, took off, and landed to distract us from her young ones. 2)Mother duck was very still on a big log and 3 ducklings were lying “dead” across the log with their heads on the log. They were extremely well camouflaged. Mother decided we were too close and told the young ones to get up quickly and hide in the reeds. The young ones were all so obedient.
On Wednesday another couple were travelling back from a 4 week holiday in Mallacoota, which is far east near the NSW border, and they had lunch with us. So we have been very social!
The house where we are staying is very nice. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 toilets, 2 lounges, 2 storeys high with a great view over the wetlands. A problem is midgees. They are so small they get in through the fly wire. They look like spilt dry tea leaves. They don’t bite but make the place look messy. There are quite a few mosquitoes too, but we don’t need to go out at night! The cat we are looking after is quite shy and not smoochy friendly. All we have to do is feed her and give her water. The garden is picture pretty – It would be suitable for a wedding. Watering the garden takes a bit of time in the evening. There are water restrictions but not too stringent. You are allowed to water gardens as much as you like between the hours of 8pm and 10pm.
On Monday we had a phone call from some Cape Patterson friends who were camping in the hills about one hours drive north from here. So they came and had a meal with us on Monday night. On Thursday we drove to the hills to their campsite and went bushwalking with them. They are camping all week at Avon-Hendricks Scenic Reserve. We met them at the Nicholson Rocks walk near the entrance to the park. The walking track was hard to follow as there were fires up this way in autumn last year. It was only a 40minute one way walk into a rocky shady gorge. It was worth it as it was so pretty. We were fascinated by the rounded river pebbles which appeared to be set in concrete but it was all natural formations.
We got back into our respective vehicles and attempted to walk across the ridge to Mt Hendricks, by using a circular track. We couldn’t find that track so eventually just made it a “there and back” walk about 10kms. The views were spectacular. You could see forever! There were mountain ranges behind mountain ranges. We could see Lake Glenmaggie and Lake Wellington in the far southern distance. On the top of this ridge were river washed stones! How many millions of years ago was this environment a river?
Back into our cars again we drove down to their campsite by the Avon River. We were glad we had a 4 wheel drive vehicle as it was a very rugged “road”. S and I need to do a 4 wheel driving course. We had a short walk to ooh and aahh at the fabulous camping spot right on the river. There was along drop toilet but no other facilities, but it was a place where we’d like to camp some day in the future but NOT with the caravan! It would fall apart on the tracks! A camp fire was made and we had a delicious chicken meal cooked in a cast iron camp oven. That was followed by a steam puddng also cooked in the oven! Yummy. Unfortunately it began to rain and we departed back to Sale before it was too dark.
S has found the local speedy riding group and has been out with them every morning at 6am. He’s loving it. They ride about 30kms and take about an hour. This morning there was a stack up! They ride in a tight group. S was in front of the four that crashed. They were not seriously hurt but an ambulance took 3 of them to hospital. S didn’t think any bones were broken, but just a bit of blood. He was pleased it wasn’t him! They ride about 30kph. It is easy riding here because it is so flat.
This morning (Friday) S went riding with the speedy lot, then he and I did a 60km exploring ride. I wanted to find points on the rivers where we can continue our kayak exploration. It is all private property down to the rivers but I reckon we worked out some good spots. One farming lady took us in her car to a suitable launching place about 10kms north of Sale on the Thompson River. Then we rode to the LaTrobe River which I think is more picturesque. We found a great launching spot there too by Crook’s Lane but we returned to Sale along the Rosedale/Longsford Rd, which took us further than we had intended. S says he is watching the cricket now, but I know he’s snoozing! He would have ridden 100kms today; 40kms with the speedies on his road bike at 6am and then 60kms with me on his “working girl” as we were doing some dirt road riding.
I did a very stupid thing this morning! I tried to wash my mobile phone in the washing machine. I thought I had emptied the pockets. I’m so cross with myself. I had to get a new one. Grrr.
Here’s a bit of a journal telling you about some of our life in Sale.
3 friends came up to stay for 3 days and we went kayaking. S went cycling in the morning with a group who ride too fast for me!
The following journal is about the fun we had paddling on the nearby rivers.
Day 1- Departed Sale Canal, paddled downstream about 1km then turned up onto a right fork up the Thompson River, which was about 12m wide. Lots of bends, past open farming country, tree lined – lots of gums and willows. One major hurdle- a fallen gum tree, where we had to get out, and that was difficult to do without getting wet, and then we see-sawed the kayaks over and continued upstream. Soon the river started to narrow and some parts had swift flowing currents around willow trees. Eventually we conceded when a willow blocked the river just too much for us to squeeze past or under. We reckon we paddled about 18kms there and back.
Day 2 – Continuous drizzly rain all day. The 4 of us drove to Lochsport in our car. We went to the end of the Sperm Head peninsula of Lakes National Park. Lots of good kayaking opportunities around here for some time in the future. Emu Bight a good campsite – drop toilets, some water and a shelter. Lochsport has a reputation as the mosquito capital but maybe the drizzle drowned them. We liked the place. And it has a nice friendly yacht club!
Day 3- Drove 5kms down to the historic swing bridge where we launched at the Thompson and LaTrobe River junction. Very pretty – about 10km wide and we paddled upstream about 5km to a billabong island, which we paddled around and where the river became quite narrow. Stunning scenery – big gums, blackwood and black wattle. Very few landing opportunities! We managed to have morning tea perched precariously on a muddy log. It was exciting exiting and entering the kayaks. We used the paddle as a stabiliser to edge our bums along. No major blockages in the river but lots of fallen trees which made it very interesting. Saw lots of birds – ducks, grebes, water hens, couple of kookaburras, hundreds of screeching yellow crested cockatoos and several birds of prey (maybe a sea eagle) R saw a kingfisher. Two duck stories -1) mother was escorting about 10 little ducklings when she realised we were a bit close so she said “scatter” and they did , while she took off in front of us, landed, took off, and landed to distract us from her young ones. 2)Mother duck was very still on a big log and 3 ducklings were lying “dead” across the log with their heads on the log. They were extremely well camouflaged. Mother decided we were too close and told the young ones to get up quickly and hide in the reeds. The young ones were all so obedient.
On Wednesday another couple were travelling back from a 4 week holiday in Mallacoota, which is far east near the NSW border, and they had lunch with us. So we have been very social!
The house where we are staying is very nice. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 toilets, 2 lounges, 2 storeys high with a great view over the wetlands. A problem is midgees. They are so small they get in through the fly wire. They look like spilt dry tea leaves. They don’t bite but make the place look messy. There are quite a few mosquitoes too, but we don’t need to go out at night! The cat we are looking after is quite shy and not smoochy friendly. All we have to do is feed her and give her water. The garden is picture pretty – It would be suitable for a wedding. Watering the garden takes a bit of time in the evening. There are water restrictions but not too stringent. You are allowed to water gardens as much as you like between the hours of 8pm and 10pm.
On Monday we had a phone call from some Cape Patterson friends who were camping in the hills about one hours drive north from here. So they came and had a meal with us on Monday night. On Thursday we drove to the hills to their campsite and went bushwalking with them. They are camping all week at Avon-Hendricks Scenic Reserve. We met them at the Nicholson Rocks walk near the entrance to the park. The walking track was hard to follow as there were fires up this way in autumn last year. It was only a 40minute one way walk into a rocky shady gorge. It was worth it as it was so pretty. We were fascinated by the rounded river pebbles which appeared to be set in concrete but it was all natural formations.
We got back into our respective vehicles and attempted to walk across the ridge to Mt Hendricks, by using a circular track. We couldn’t find that track so eventually just made it a “there and back” walk about 10kms. The views were spectacular. You could see forever! There were mountain ranges behind mountain ranges. We could see Lake Glenmaggie and Lake Wellington in the far southern distance. On the top of this ridge were river washed stones! How many millions of years ago was this environment a river?
Back into our cars again we drove down to their campsite by the Avon River. We were glad we had a 4 wheel drive vehicle as it was a very rugged “road”. S and I need to do a 4 wheel driving course. We had a short walk to ooh and aahh at the fabulous camping spot right on the river. There was along drop toilet but no other facilities, but it was a place where we’d like to camp some day in the future but NOT with the caravan! It would fall apart on the tracks! A camp fire was made and we had a delicious chicken meal cooked in a cast iron camp oven. That was followed by a steam puddng also cooked in the oven! Yummy. Unfortunately it began to rain and we departed back to Sale before it was too dark.
S has found the local speedy riding group and has been out with them every morning at 6am. He’s loving it. They ride about 30kms and take about an hour. This morning there was a stack up! They ride in a tight group. S was in front of the four that crashed. They were not seriously hurt but an ambulance took 3 of them to hospital. S didn’t think any bones were broken, but just a bit of blood. He was pleased it wasn’t him! They ride about 30kph. It is easy riding here because it is so flat.
This morning (Friday) S went riding with the speedy lot, then he and I did a 60km exploring ride. I wanted to find points on the rivers where we can continue our kayak exploration. It is all private property down to the rivers but I reckon we worked out some good spots. One farming lady took us in her car to a suitable launching place about 10kms north of Sale on the Thompson River. Then we rode to the LaTrobe River which I think is more picturesque. We found a great launching spot there too by Crook’s Lane but we returned to Sale along the Rosedale/Longsford Rd, which took us further than we had intended. S says he is watching the cricket now, but I know he’s snoozing! He would have ridden 100kms today; 40kms with the speedies on his road bike at 6am and then 60kms with me on his “working girl” as we were doing some dirt road riding.
I did a very stupid thing this morning! I tried to wash my mobile phone in the washing machine. I thought I had emptied the pockets. I’m so cross with myself. I had to get a new one. Grrr.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
House sitting in I!
A friend of ours was going to NZ for a couple of weeks and so we offered to care for the house and garden. THE only pet is a puppy who sleeps all day and all night on a cushion on the lounge. Its eyes are continuously shut. It is a useless watch dog, never barks or whimpers, doesn’t need walking or toilet training. It “eats” 2 batteries that makes its chest go in and out! It is quite cute! The garden needs lots of watering as it has been extremely hot and there are hydrangeas, ferns, pot plants etc. It is a nice garden.
It has been very hot most days, but every day S has ridden his road bike with the “Coastal Cruisers” club. They meet outside the bakery. They speed around these 40kms, then have coffee and discuss their ride.
On the weekends we have been at the yacht club. Stu has been rescue boat driver, while the regular one has holidays, and of course he has assisted the rostered Race Officer. I have done some sailing in the club owned yacht. I have missed sailing regularly. We spent New Year’s Eve at the yacht club. It was a quiet affair, but as it was a warm night the town was humming with tourists. It was disgusting to see so many young drunk teenagers, and seeing the rubbish (cans and bottles) around the town.
I now have my kayak and have been paddling. On another excursion we reckon we paddled up about 6kms. There is no launching ramp and so we launched in a muddy yucky place, but at least it wasn’t steep up to the road. Another kayaking excursion was here and paddling across to the other side hugging the ti-tree along the shore and going upstream further along the gutter where the vegetation changes to mangroves.
We’ve done lots of socialising with our friends. And on Tuesday I went bushwalking with the club. I haven’t done much bike riding but whenever we go around town we ride rather than drive, even at night. We have even done a paying job cleaning a vacated house.
It has been very hot most days, but every day S has ridden his road bike with the “Coastal Cruisers” club. They meet outside the bakery. They speed around these 40kms, then have coffee and discuss their ride.
On the weekends we have been at the yacht club. Stu has been rescue boat driver, while the regular one has holidays, and of course he has assisted the rostered Race Officer. I have done some sailing in the club owned yacht. I have missed sailing regularly. We spent New Year’s Eve at the yacht club. It was a quiet affair, but as it was a warm night the town was humming with tourists. It was disgusting to see so many young drunk teenagers, and seeing the rubbish (cans and bottles) around the town.
I now have my kayak and have been paddling. On another excursion we reckon we paddled up about 6kms. There is no launching ramp and so we launched in a muddy yucky place, but at least it wasn’t steep up to the road. Another kayaking excursion was here and paddling across to the other side hugging the ti-tree along the shore and going upstream further along the gutter where the vegetation changes to mangroves.
We’ve done lots of socialising with our friends. And on Tuesday I went bushwalking with the club. I haven’t done much bike riding but whenever we go around town we ride rather than drive, even at night. We have even done a paying job cleaning a vacated house.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)