Nov 8, 2009 - HOG invasion - Tasmania

Friday was fairly normal, right up until I accidentally stumbled on a plane to Tassie. Tassie is considerably more awesome than one would expect, we were staying in the Aurora Arena in Launceston, which gave us access to a large, relatively English-esque place to terrorise. ... They had a couple of organised rides, one of which was the thunder run - basically involving 2000 or so Harleys, and Launceston grinding to a shuddering halt for two hours. ... The real excitment for me was riding the harley home, as the old man flew back.Friday was fairly normal, right up until I accidentally stumbled on a plane to Tassie. Tassie is considerably more awesome than one would expect, we were staying in the Aurora Arena in Launceston, which gave us access to a large, relatively English-esque place to terrorise. ... They had a couple of organised rides, one of which was the thunder run - basically involving 2000 or so Harleys, and Launceston grinding to a shuddering halt for two hours. ... The real excitment for me was riding the harley home, as the old man flew back....

Nov 6, 2009 - Tassie

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone says Tasmania? Tasmanian devils, right? So rather than hang around and get familiar with Hobart, the State Capital city where we were docked, we took an excursion to the Bonarong Wildlife Park. ... Bonarong is within about 30 miles of downtown Hobart and the ride out there gave us the opportunity to view the countryside and the mountains that surround it. ... Although we did not have time to visit, there is a Cadbury Chocolate factory here in Hobart. ...

Nov 4, 2009 - We've now been to the "end of the road"

From Burnie we headed west and spent time looking around Waratah, spent a night on the banks of Lake McIntosh, just beautiful, and then made our way to Zeehan where we spent 4 or 5 nights.From Burnie we headed west and spent time looking around Waratah, spent a night on the banks of Lake McIntosh, just beautiful, and then made our way to Zeehan where we spent 4 or 5 nights....

Oct 15, 2009 - To the Edge of the World and back!

Back in Burnie at present.Back in Burnie at present....

Oct 6, 2009 - A little further along the coast!

You'll all laugh when I tell you how far we've travelled in a month. From Launceston we moved a few klms to Westbury, a pretty little village and had about 3 nights there in the rain. ... Next stop was Deloraine (I think - I've got holiday brain!), then Latrobe and now in Burnie.You'll all laugh when I tell you how far we've travelled in a month. From Launceston we moved a few klms to Westbury, a pretty little village and had about 3 nights there in the rain. ... Next stop was Deloraine (I think - I've got holiday brain!), then Latrobe and now in Burnie....

Oct 6, 2009 - Snow in Hobart!

Hobart again - but no photos!. ... Monday 5th October 2009 Sunshine and showers as we drive through Swansea and on to Spring Bay and then back to Hobart – though we are keen to get into the apartment. ... We take the car to the Car Wash and arrive at 3.Hobart again - but no photos!. ... Monday 5th October 2009 Sunshine and showers as we drive through Swansea and on to Spring Bay and then back to Hobart – though we are keen to get into the apartment. ... We take the car to the Car Wash and arrive at 3....

Oct 3, 2009 - Baywatch - The Bay of Fires and Wineglass Bay

Bay of Fires and Wineglass Bay. Kilda, Melbourne!! More from Coles Bay tomorrow. ... Sunday 4th October 2009 The clocks went forward last night – so we get a little less shut eye! Still, we are rewarded by a sunny day with just a little cloud – so we resolve to stay another night and go for a serious walk today! As we go to pay the land lady we get a pleasant surprise in that she drops the cost by $20 and so we have paid $230 for two nights – not bad really for what we have got! We kit up and are soon on our way up the track again to the saddle – and as you might expect on a sunny Sunday – it’s pretty busy.Bay of Fires and Wineglass Bay. Kilda, Melbourne!! More from Coles Bay tomorrow. ... Sunday 4th October 2009 The clocks went forward last night – so we get a little less shut eye! Still, we are rewarded by a sunny day with just a little cloud – so we resolve to stay another night and go for a serious walk today! As we go to pay the land lady we get a pleasant surprise in that she drops the cost by $20 and so we have paid $230 for two nights – not bad really for what we have got! We kit up and are soon on our way up the track again to the saddle – and as you might expect on a sunny Sunday – it’s pretty busy....

Sep 30, 2009 - Gorgeous Gorge in Launceston.

Launceston Gorge. ... We consider staying at Beauty Point, but with not much to do there and the rain getting heavier we press on to Launceston. ... Definitely worth doing if you are ever in Launceston. ...

Sep 29, 2009 - Sunny Nut in Stanley.

Stanley and surrounds. ... Then we travel further West to Stanley and the famous Nut – what, you’ve never heard of it – shame on you – Still, neither had we till we got here! The Nut is a volcanic plug/plateau at the end of a narrow isthmus at the town of Stanley. ... To climb the Nut – the locals have constructed a Chairlift - to get those lacking in the energy – to the top – But, the small blonde girl and I elect to take the cheapos steep path to the top! And boy is it steep - 4 wheel drive required! At the top the edges of the cliffs are fenced off and so the views out over the water are a little restricted but still pretty god – and even though we are elevated the wind is not too bad or cold – and as a bonus we find a nice pile of wood to sit on to have our lunch.Stanley and surrounds. ... Then we travel further West to Stanley and the famous Nut – what, you’ve never heard of it – shame on you – Still, neither had we till we got here! The Nut is a volcanic plug/plateau at the end of a narrow isthmus at the town of Stanley. ... To climb the Nut – the locals have constructed a Chairlift - to get those lacking in the energy – to the top – But, the small blonde girl and I elect to take the cheapos steep path to the top! And boy is it steep - 4 wheel drive required! At the top the edges of the cliffs are fenced off and so the views out over the water are a little restricted but still pretty god – and even though we are elevated the wind is not too bad or cold – and as a bonus we find a nice pile of wood to sit on to have our lunch....

Sep 28, 2009 - Crafty Cradle Mountain.

Cradle Mountain Monday 28th September 2009 We awake to a better day – dry for the moment – and a little sunshine through the low clouds. ... So, we set off for the Cradle Mountain National Park, about 2 hours away – and on the drive we go through several seasons – but at least as we approach the Park we can see part of the mountain clear of cloud. ... However, as we have a 2 month visitors pass, we drive on up to the end of the road at Dove Lake and look across to Cradle Mountain. ... There are many walking tracks in the park, but as we are not kitted out for the “great outdoors” we merely look and walk away! On the way down we call in at the Cradle Mountain Chateau and even ...

Sep 27, 2009 - Stormy in Strahan!

Strahan Saturday 26th September 2009 Pick up the hire car but credit card would not work and had to complain because the car petrol tank was not full! It’s a huge car – Neil suggested that it was so big that Carolyn could sleep in the boot! Its also a bit bashed and battered – has been around a bit! Neil was wise enough not to comment on that! Loaded the car and went to inspect the famous Saturday market at Salamanca – lots of craft stalls with many having really nice wooden bowls and chopping boards. ... We top up the car with fuel – the gauge is extremely erratic and we don’t want to run out! – and set off for the recommended village of Strahan about 40 kms away. ... The little village is nice – but again not Wow – and it’s exceedingly stormy – the bay has serious waves and I estimate the wind force as a good gale – Beaufort F 8! We do enquire about staying - but it’s expensive and whilst nice, not worth hanging around for – so we set off inland to Zeehan.Strahan Saturday 26th September 2009 Pick up the hire car but credit card would not work and had to complain because the car petrol tank was not full! It’s a huge car – Neil suggested that it was so big that Carolyn could sleep in the boot! Its also a bit bashed and battered – has been around a bit! Neil was wise enough not to comment on that! Loaded the car and went to inspect the famous Saturday market at Salamanca – lots of craft stalls with many having really nice wooden bowls and chopping boards. ... We top up the car with fuel – the gauge is extremely erratic and we don’t want to run out! – and set off for the recommended village of Strahan about 40 kms away. ... The little village is nice – but again not Wow – and it’s exceedingly stormy – the bay has serious waves and I estimate the wind force as a good gale – Beaufort F 8! We do enquire about staying - but it’s expensive and whilst nice, not worth hanging around for – so we set off inland to Zeehan....

Sep 26, 2009 - Happy in Hobart

Happy in Hobart 23 September 2009 Today we are off to Hobart, so we are out of the excellent Elwood apartment (would have been happy to stay a few more days) and walk the hundred yards or so up to the Turtle Café to drink delicious coffee while we wait for the airport bus to pick us up. ... While we were waiting in Melbourne for our flight to Hobart we noticed several groups of men in matching polo shirts/t shirts/ etc. ... And it turns out they are all members of Barber Shop Quartets, heading for Hobart for the annual Australian Barbershop Competition! This we have to see! (or Hear!!) We discover that there is an opening ceremony, with speeches and a ‘Mass Sing out!’ – which is free – so that is our next stop! Well – we spent an entertaining 45 minutes or so listening before going for a light lunch at ‘Barcelona’ at Salamanca Square, nice and lots of atmosphere. ...