Thredbo - Skiing with kids?

Today we thought given the boys were going OK, being the experienced skiers we are that we could teach them some more. That was a mistake.

Not only do they take guidance better from the instructors, in reality we are hard pressed staying upright let alone try and teach others how to do it....

Zander was doing nothing Mum was asking and actually being a nasty little bugger because he thought he knew it all, & Mav just isn't into it and just wanted to ride the magic carpet up, but not learn how to stop coming down...., it was more fun pole axing Dad instead.

We decided that we would take turns skiing ourself and the other watch the boys. Mav was tired and wanted to go back to the room so Mum went with them while I honed my skills some more on the "easy goes it" slope. After about 5-6 runs I was confident I could do the intermediate slopes so I went back with some lunch for the team and switched with Nat.

When Nat got back I got Zander into his gear to go for a ski, Nat organised Mav to go for a bus ride into the village, and we parted ways again.

I thought Z was good enough to go on the chairlift with my support and we could go easy down the slope a few times which we did. To my surprise he did a lot better than I thought!!!

The first two times I had him between my legs but realised he was just along for the ride, the 3rd time I told him he was on his own and I would go beside him. 3 falls after on the first run he had his confidence and by he 10th time off the chairlift he was 50m down the hill before I even was ready. I was so pleased and wish we had longer to stay.

He had enough and asked to go back to the room so I took him back to Mum who subsequently heard all about it!!!

The ice was melting hard now and it was quite warm out, so I said to Nat I was going up the top. She gave me that "are you sure you know what you are doing" look, and the truth was I didn't but went anyway.

I thought the lift would only go up half way for intermediate, but no, all the way to the top it went. This was magical in itself in terms of views, but nerve racking at the same time given I had to get down somehow and maybe Nat was right.

Up the top it all made sense, different runs for different abilities. I took the easy runs and even those were bloody steep. I went over numerous times and looked like a real gumby, but started to get the hang of it in the end. At one time there was an instructor taking about 5 people down fully controlled with confidence building tips and support along the way, I managed to ski straight through the middle of them, about 70% in control and lost it going ass up in front of them face in the snow. Nobody laughed (I would have) & the instructor just said "well that was a good one wasn't it?" I said I didn't do things in halves.....

I just traversed as best I could down the hill & at times was going too fast to think what to do, but managed OK & came away unscathed. Good skiers really make it look easy and I feel that next time I will go the snowboard because when each leg wants to go a different direction on the skis you not only look like a knob but don't go anywhere either. On a board I think it would be easier to control once you got the hang of it, easier to get up, easier to carry around, the boots are more nimble and lighter, plus it is cooler!!!

It was fun, but exhausting and I am glad I went up because the lifts close tomorrow for that part of the mountain. It was brilliant up there and there certainly is a massive jump between the beginners slope to the intermediate, but that's the best way to learn. It is another world up there, it's own bar and bistro, seated area etc, so for people that know what they are doing, wouldn't need to see a beginner all day and just go straight to the top. That will be us next time!!

I wanted to make sure I was back in time for the footy. In reality I was stuffed given I made hard work out of what should have been easier, so I came back down & we returned all the hire gear.

Upstairs in the restaurant we watched the footy and the right team won which was great, and again we found ourselves yawning by 7:30pm. I managed 60 minutes while the others were in slumberland and joined them soon after.

A great few days, blessed with actual snowing, good weather and some memories we will never forget. Off to the Gong tomorrow to catch up with some old friends.

Jase.

 

Thredbo - real snow falling from the sky

This morning when Nat opened the curtains it was snowing. A real treat for us as we have never seen it actually falling before. The boys were just amazed and had to ring Nanna & Grandad to tell them straightaway. Before we knew it the boys & I were out there throwing snowballs at one other having a ball and looking like true Queensland tourists taking photos of it all!!!

Great stuff that makes the few extra dollars spent well worthwhile. There is an analogy I like that says "pain is temporary - memories are forever" the same sometimes applies to spending money and we truly believe it today, plus we haven't even fallen on our asses on the slopes yet...

What a mission to get the boys ready. It was like central station in the locker room, nowhere to sit and get ready, we couldn't get Mav's boots on, we couldn't find poles, the floor was wet (we thought it would be a good idea to wear our socks down rather than take shoes and leave them there) Nat was getting impatient, the boys were getting antsy & Dad was trying to keep a smile on.....we got there in the end.

When dropping the boys off at Thredboland, Mav started to cry, we knew that would happen,  Zander just took off and was all good but uncharacteristically today, not Mav.

There are little holes you can look through to see them after they go in, he spotted me and blew up again. I looked at Nat who was 3 quarters of the way out the door with a frown saying "Come on!!" as if to say "don't worry about him, he'll be fine in 5 minutes, we have a day to ourselves so pull your head in!!" I think she has done this 'dropping the kids at school' thing before !!!

Out at the lesson, whilst we have only ski'd once before, it did come back easily enough. We were able to remember how to stop and turn then ski'd until basically 2pm (after a short break for lunch) I won the day for most time spent with bum in the snow - about 10, Nat didn't go over once but my excuse was that I could crawl quicker than she was skiing!!!!

We had a great day together without the little terrors which was brilliant, finishing with a few beers and the first half of the AFL Grand Final in the pub before we picked the boys up.

During the day we saw the boys come out and do their lessons. They are so cute on the snow, all given little Thredboland singlets to signify them as that group which was cool. They don't allow poles, and like us are shown how to stop and turn which was great. At the top of the "magic carpet" lift, I saw them as I was coming down the hill, Zander was all thumbs up to Daddy as he forgot to stop and ploughed straight into the instructor, but when Mav eyeballed me he started to blow up. "Good one Daddy" Nat said at the bottom as she waited for me. She'd seen them too but didn't let them see her on the way down, whereas I stopped of course to take photos and Mav got upset and wanted Daddy.

Nat made a good point in that we have been living in a confined area with them for 5 months & particularly with Mav, she thinks the separation thing might continue for a little while when we get home. Zander has also mentioned a couple of times he will be sad when Daddy goes back to work every day and he won't get to see me. I am sure they will get over it pretty quickly.

We were blessed with continual snow throughout the day, not only does it look spectacular when it settles upon everything, it makes the skiing thing that little more special. At one stage on the lift going up it was teaming down, (if that is the snow term) and by the time we got to the top we were both covered in snow, which was cold but cool. I subsequently went ass up coming off the chairlift much to Nat's amusement. Legendary stuff from the big Mann.

We were a little sore and sorry by the time we picked up the boys so we went back and watched the end of the footy, Funniest Home Videos & by 7:45pm we were all asleep with the lights out and our mouths open.....

In summary it was a terrific day & we have one more tomorrow.

Jase.

 

 

Headed for the snow

This morning was comparative to the winds we experienced on the drive from Geelong to Melbourne - simply crazy. In our favour we had hitched up and packed everything away last night which meant we just needed to get changed, put the boys in the car and wind in. We were always going to have something to eat on the move and found ourselves driving out of camp at 6:15am.

After an overpriced breakfast at Maccas we made our way down the Monaro highway toward Cooma. The debris on the road was concerning and at one point we had to get out and move a massive tree from the road as it had fallen across both lanes.

We arrived in Cooma, fuelled up and grabbed some alcohol for Grand Final weekend. Whilst at the service station there was a bus full of school kids and they were all limping around with hands bracing the lower back areas. I couldn't help myself and asked who looked to be the teacher what was going on...."school ski trip and they are all beginners" with a massive smile like he had achieved what he set out to do!!! I asked where they were from and it turned out a private college from Ipswich. We thought that was fantastic that the students were able to do that through the school platform & it gives the parents a break not to mention a week's less annual leave needed to take off work. We chatted for a while and pushed on to Thredbo.

As we ascended I started to rain extremely heavily. We stopped at the ranger station and paid $82 just to drive the car in and park it for 3 days!!! It's not even a NSW one, just Kosciuszko. I asked why it was so expensive and she said it was because the park was the size of Switzerland. I politely said I understood she doesn't determine the price but we had been all over the country for the last 5 months and paid every state entry parks pass & it wouldn't total $150.....& Australia is slightly larger than Switzerland....she gets it every day apparently.

We found our room which was literally only 200m from the chair lifts and perfectly positioned with a bridge directly there. We made our way down to the hire section and got all of our kits sorted out. The package included "kids ski for free" which we didn't realise, & was the case with us also, is just skis and boots so we had to hire jackets, pants & helmets also. $634 later we were sorted and carrying this stuff back to the room.  This is not a cheap exercise.

Back at the room I was thinking we don't have goggles or gloves & Nat was thinking the same. When we went to NZ we borrowed friends and didn't have the worry, it's not something we though about before we left for this trip...nor would we have had the room anyway.

Back down to the shop again and $384 later we had goggles & gloves. At least we have them now I guess. I did knock her down easily enough given it was the last couple of days of the season and I looked like a big gumby she probably thought anyway....at least until she might see my skiing ability then she would know for sure!!!

Across to the school centre to arrange a freshen up lesson for Nat & I and something for the boys to start learning. They have a place called Thredboland which is basically a big day care centre that incorporates ski lessons throughout the day & and everything is based around skiing and the snow. Brilliant, I will have one of those please, and two lessons for Mum & Dad. $310 later I am back in the room extremely satisfied with myself that in a short 90 minutes we were $1410 poorer!!! It's all good though, we don't do it often and it will compliment our adventure we are sure.

It was getting mid to late afternoon so we decided not to go out on the snow until tomorrow at which time Nat came up with the thought, with a wry smile at me and said " babe, we could have just hired for 2 days instead of 3 because we wont be skiing Monday...."

I said well I guess I need a beer because that's bloody right darling!!!

You have to smile and along with many things on our journey, we are much the wiser for many things we have learnt through the only way to learn....by making the mistakes yourself!!

Comfortable in a hotel room for 3 nights, we will eat in, watch some telly and have an early night in anticipation of smashing the slopes tomorrow.....

Jase.

Lakes Entrance - slowing down

We now find ourself not as motivated to get out and do everything on offer in the places we are going to. I think we would just like to stop somewhere on the way home where we have been, and just relax for a week. We will go into town and venture around a bit, but the plethora of cruises and activities on offer just seem too hard today.

The forecast today was for a balmy 26 degrees. It certainly got warm enough although there was plenty of cloud cover. The boys scoffed their breakfast so they could go straight to the playground (15m in front of us) in their pyjamas.

Mum did some more washing and by 9am Maverick had turned feral, wouldn't walk from the playground to the trailer and just sulked continually if anyone looked at him.

We started a game of cricket with the kids next door, (at which time Mav wanted to lie down on the pitch) & after that Dad & Z went down to the beach to kick the soccer all and make very average sand castles. This didn't go down well with Mav...

10am came quickly and the boys tested their painting abilities on the plaster casts the park gave to all of the kids. Zander had a pirate, Mav a formula one car. Let's just say, like their parents, they have the creative genes of a fence post. But they will tell you they are works of art of course....

Into town after lunch and the boys eyed an ice cream shop, so we indulged because we haven't done much indulging, no cheeses, pastries or chocolates along the way.....

After this we went down to the beach and the boys managed to get down to their undies for an unplanned swim in 14 degree waters. A short walk along the esplanade with a coffee and most of the day was gone. Back at camp we bribed the boys with a Maccas breakfast of English Muffins if they get up early and wait in the car while we pack up so that we can head to the snow early and be up at Thredbo by lunchtime. They didn't need much convincing.

The runs are becoming a bit more consistent now, as are Nats walk so we managed another one this afternoon and we will get the boys into bed nice and early because they have been absolute pains in the ass today, all because they went to bed 90 minutes later than the normal routine.

The tenants are vacating the house is weekend so we think we might come home a little earlier around mid October. This will put us on the road for 5.5 months and give us 2 and a bit weeks to move back in and have a holiday before work!!!

Bring on the skiing.

Jase.

 

 

Lakes Entrance

After travelling north east 250klms we arrived at Lakes Entrance after a pre-booked site was arranged at Eastern Beach Holiday Park.

What a great caravan park. I have been critical of them historically based on the populations within them and I don't feel it is real camping, additionally that I want time with the family without distractions from other kids. I have come to appreciate them more now because after travelling 5 months today in a tent on wheels with them, bring on the distractions!!

Tonight is free movie night (The Lorax) open air in the playground with $2 popcorn, tomorrow they have free plaster cast painting and there is a whiz bang jumping pillow also, all coupled with being positioned right on the beach. It really is a well run and kid focused park and gets a big tick from us.

We basically let the boys go bananas this afternoon, and watched them play from the comfort of our camp chairs directly in front of them. Nat did her 30 minute walk & I snuck in another 7k run so it was a good day.

The movie was great and it warms us to see the boys laughing so hard in unison at the screen. I am not convinced Mav knows entirely what is going on but if big bro laughs, it must be funny. Popcorn bags, in our beanies outside watching a movie, very cool.

Now we wait for the inevitability of how an 8:30pm bed time for Maverick will turn him into a monster tomorrow.

Jase.

 

Tidal River - Wilsons Promontory

We left Phillip Island today, (the boys reluctantly as per usual on school holidays when they have made all new "besties") bound for Wilson's Promontory, or Squeaky Beach in particular. We camped in the Tidal River National Park, which Nat has decided now we are nearing the end of our adventure that they are her favourite places to stay, shortly followed by stations, then caravan parks & lastly the bush. I think its fair to say they offer a bush feel with basic amenities, and the kids have more activities to do. In my opinion the list would be the same with the bush in first position. This is a beautiful park, and it is a clear warm day which helps.

As a kid I remember Squeaky Beach being just that - squeaky due to the quartz in the sand. Yet today upon venturing down there, the squeak seemed to be all squeaked out!!! The boys had a great time running up and down the sand dunes, climbing rocks and walking up and down the water cut-ins. Mum & Dad had an hour sitting on the sand & it was a great way to relax.

We only have one night here unfortunately, we would have liked more & this is a result of a little poor research on my part, & that we are booked into Thredbo Friday night. I had visions of getting family pics at the Westernmost, Southermost & Easternmost points of Oz on this trip, and the Northernmost next year. I remember being told by my aunty that Wilson's Promontory was the southernmost point, which it is, only Squeaky Beach is not, South Point is but it is a 12 hr return walk from the furtherest point of unsealed road south of Tidal River.  An overnight trek, so my vision was cut short when I looked closely at the map while in Tazzie and investigating the possibility of trekking there. It wont be happening with the boys at this age, but it definitely gives motivation to come back when they are old enough to brave the elements and Mav learns how to walk rather than being carried everywhere.

Back at camp the boys joined a cricket match, we kicked the balls around and met a nice group of people from Melbourne with kids. We have met so many great people on the trip  & this has complimented the journey very well.

Onward to Lakes Entrance tomorrow....

Jase.

 

Phillip Island

Feeling refreshed after a calm trip across Bass Strait, we made our way to Philip Island. It rained most of the way and we arrived at 8:30am, too early to check in so we spent some money at Woolworths and then drove around the island for a look.

After stops at the chocolate factory & visitor centre, we arrived at the Big 4 by 10:30 and were set up by 11. Much to do here for the boys with a jumping pillow, games room & 64,000 kids on school holidays. Whilst the boys are great and have come a long way on the trip, when other kids are brought into the mix they just do NOT listen to us, and no amount of privilege withdrawal matters to them, because they have friends...

Zander has been testing us big time in recent weeks with sulking again, turning up the volume when he knows it irritates us most. It seems like one regression after another with that boy, but I guess parenting is (as we may have said before), a labor of love even when you do want to ring his neck. Maverick is now at the age where he sees all of this going on & is trying to start the same antics on us....... bloody excellent....

That aside we managed some kicking of the footy and we let them play the iPad & DS just to give us some time to relax. Nat went for a walk & I nudged out my 1st 10k run in a year or so which was good. The reality is that these small amounts of time (run/walk) is all we have to be alone while travelling & is my excuse for my slow run pace & Nat's for her extended walk time.

Whilst at the visitor centre we arranged a family pass to the Penguin Parade at dusk.

I can tell you that it is nothing like what I remember as a kid, & it was not enjoyable. It is purely a commercialised money spinner. Yes you get to see penguins but you are fighting 2000 others, (& its not peak season.... & only in one of the viewing areas.) The seated areas were wet from rain which is OK, but the concreter must have been drunk when he boxed up because he made the fall the wrong way and effectively our feet were in ankle deep water.

With that many people, some become pushy & disregard the rules. There were people of a certain decent that just infuriated me.

We are all told to remain seated, in every language, so that we can all see......several times. We are also told no photographic or recording devices allowed...several times....

If you are deaf, the above is also signed to the point of nausea.

These people in question, as soon as the birds came in, stood up (splashing water over everybody) yelling and carrying on like they had never seen an animal before, impeding everyone else's view with total disregard. The rangers asked them to sit and explained why, then after they left...straight up again!!! We didn't see anything from the viewing area as a result.

On the boardwalk (where you can get up close) was better, however a similar thing happened up there. Flash photography going bananas, scaring the birds, digital recorders everywhere & at one stage I was showing the boys a couple of birds and one literally grabbed my arm and started pushing me out of the way.

Let's just say I gave it to her in a polite way given the boys were there & I don't think she even understood or cared. The boys got to see multiple penguins in the end, so no harm done but Mum & Dad were just appalled at how many people they let in, and how some of these people conduct themselves. They should regulate it to 2-300 maximum to ensure a nice experience. It's still $15,000+ per day 365 days a year.... At a guess I would be surprised if less than 80% were disgruntled.

We wouldn't do it again & its not the experience we had in mind for the boys.

Today however, we were going to the GP Circuit for the tour and some Go Kart Racing. The boys hate cars and competitiveness so we thought we may not be on the right wicket, but it seems not, this is a brilliant day out!!!

Firstly we arrived and paid for the tour which included the museum. We wandered through there and as always, the boys don't appreciate "the old stuff" but here was some interesting stuff in there coupled with some great shots of 2 & 4 wheeled champions on the track, along with the vehicles that got them there.

We then moved down to the karts where unfortunately Mav was too young, but Zander & I jumped in a dual and had a blast. The track is an exact replica of the circuit -1/5 of the size & It was wet so we had plenty of sideways action.  Dads extra spare tyre helped us on the downslopes too.... Zander had his own steering wheel & he actually thought he was steering which was so cool & I had to let him continue to think it was the case. I would have paid double if I knew I would see that beaming smile.

They have the longest slot car track in Australia there also, which is another circuit replica so the four of us had a race on it. This was fun and great that we could all do it together. Zander won, Mav second, Mum third & Dad last. This had nothing to do with the fact I was picking up everyone else's cars when they spun off the track after going too hard into the corners....

The tour began at 2pm, and was really good. Even Nat said on the way home she loved it & I can tell you she is no petrol head.

They take you up to race control where you get a lesson on everything that happens inside the nerve centre, which is more than you might think. You can take shots of the track & luckily the Ducati Owners Club of Victoria were racing today so we got some great footage. $15,000 to hire the circuit for the day & he told us the story about the Maserati Owners Club from SA that come there often. There are only 4 in the club, so they invite their mates with Lamborghinis & Ferraris to round it out at 10 competitors with a street value of $7m in cars. They chopper in and out, the cars get trucked there and back, then i'd reckon they probably go back to sipping their skinny goats milk lattes!!!! Funny stuff.

We explored the pits, the corporate suites, and got to stand on the podium.

You don't have to love motor racing to enjoy this place, I would recommend the tour to anyone.

Jumping pillow, games room & early night tonight, off to Squeaky Beach tomorrow in Wilsons Promontory. I hope this is the same as I remember it as a boy.......

Jase

 

 

Devonport

50klm was the task today, easy.

We got up late, did some washing, got out at 10, was in Devonport by 11 thinking what do we do now?

The day was bright and sunny so we found a playground at Devonport Bluff which the boys loved. That killed a couple of hours.

We walked through town, had lunch at a coffee shop, & still had 4 hours to kill before we boarded the boat. Again, we are sure there is plenty to do here, but we decided to go & watch Madagascar 3 with the boys, guaranteed fun and it killed another 2 hrs.....

Maccas for tea as promised to the boys for good behaviour, then onto the boat.

Pleasingly, we have been advised tonight will be a pleasant journey across, unlike the last one. As we write this it has been a pleasant voyage which is good. I got to watch both prelim finals which is a bonus, and will be in Thredbo to watch the big one, can't wait....

Jase.

 

Burnie

Last night it rained all night, the first we have experienced on the trip. The afternoon also rained yesterday as per our last post. Needless to say we got the log fires going again & made the most of what were top temperatures of around 8 degrees, very low level cloud, like fog but we are elevated, and constant wet belongings.

We managed to pack up in a small period of rainlessness, & took off bound for Burnie (or Burt n Ernie as the boys likened) As we descended from the highlands the landscape once again turned into lush fields of green dominated by cattle. The clouds started to dissipate and before we knew it we we're setting up along the beachfront at Burnie.

It turned out to be a perfect afternoon weather wise so we ventured into town to stock up on basics, & then checked out the lookouts of the town, & the visitor centre.

We met an elderly couple at one of the lookouts who noticed how far from home we were by our number plate, and then graciously gave us a narrated version of what we were looking at. He'd worked in the paper mill for 38 years and was explaining how it was now being demolished to make way for a Bunnings. He said it didn't bother him because he got out years ago, but I couldn't help think  from seeing his expression that he felt a part of him was going with it.

Large Toll Liners in port were loading timber & wood chip for Japan, which apparently receives 80% of anything produced here.....the same number as the seafood......I imagine it would extend to the cattle & sheep industry also.

The Makers Centre doubles as the visitor centre which is cool. They have paper making & craft classes, cheese tasting & a cafe also, & are extremely helpful. They guided us on where to go to see the penguins come in tonight which was great.

I managed a 6k run during which I ran past some shops and saw my reflection for the first time in a while, and thought Jesus, I have some work to do.....Nat got a walk in, I took the boys for a swim in the heated pool at the caravan park, & we were all set to go to the penguin spotting. We waited for around an hour & were almost in the car when we heard them and spotted them, the boys were chuffed. They are the tiny breed so quite hard to see in the dark, but we did which was great.

That's about all there is to do here I think......I am sure there is more but we don't know where to look!!!!

Off to Devonport tomorrow bound for Melbourne.

Jase.

 

Cradle Mountain - Tazzie Devils

Rain greeted us this morning on a cold & crisp day. It would have been easy to just lay in bed and read a book, but 3 & 5 year old boys soon stopped that line of thinking.

We utilised the camp kitchen for breakfast and made our way to the Ranger Station to do The Enchanted Walk. This was only a 20-30 minute walk but quite nice.

Everything is nice here...

In saying that it was bloody cold - and wet, and although I wanted to stay out in it and do a few more walks, as always sensible Mum said we should get the boys out of the rain. They don't seem to get that when the forecasted top is 8 degrees and you are wet, you are probably going to get crook.

At the end of the walk it guides you to the gift shop where we grabbed a couple of souvenirs including a Huon Pine cheeseboard (that was way overpriced, but really nice) and will go splendidly with our new salt and pepper shakers & cutting board. Did I mention how much I dig this Huon Pine????!!!!

The decision to put the portable DVD players in front of the boy's noses & relax in the trailer with the heater on for a couple of hours this afternoon was an easy one. The boys just went bananas when we pulled them out and they were so excited given we have regulated it in recent weeks. It's nice to make them happy.

We'd promised them a tour of the Tasmanian Devil enclosure so this afternoon we came good & it was quite good. They start with a short movie on them which Mav fell asleep in, then they let you pat one & take you out to see them in the enclosures. They also had Eastern & Spotted Quolls which he boys loved too (in the movie these little creatures tear down wallabies 3 times their size for dinner so they were cool!!!!!)

Whilst we would have liked to do more walks, weather and kids didn't really permit. This is certainly one place we will most definitely come back to. The summit walk and The Overlander Track has now moved into our bucket lists, and we would really dig doing this with the boys when they are old enough. We have enjoyed our short stay and did get lucky yesterday with the views of Cradle Mountain, so all is good.

Jase.

 

 

Cradle Mountain

Nat had a bit more spring in her step this morning with the knowledge Cradle Mountain was only 2hrs drive away.

We were on the road by 8:30am and arrived about 11am after a coffee stop. What was a magic morning in Strahan when we left, soon turned into gloomy overcast skies once we hit the highlands. As we entered the park there was a lookout to view the range, but all you could see was mainly cloud and snow covered parts, the peaks were not visible at all.  The temperature was a balmy 10 degrees, but no rain and fractions of sunlight peering through occasionally. Reasonable weather in these parts.

We got into camp, set up quickly then went to the visitor centre. There are only 50 car parks in the park, so you need park passes to get on shuttle buses to take you to various areas in the park to do walks. We thought to go straight out to Dove Lake to see the mountains firstly while it was OK, and hope that it didn't get worse. Once at the lake we were blessed for a short couple of minutes as the cloud cover lifted enough to see 98% of the range. We got some good shots of it, the lake & the boat shed Nat was raving about needing a photo of. Once again, we had some good luck in terms of timing. The majority of people that come here don't get to see what we did today (apparently they only have 50-60 days per year clear enough to see the peaks) so we were stoked as you can imagine.

After this we did another short walk to Pencil Pine Falls which was cool, then the rain came. Not fierce bucketing type rain we Queenslanders are used to, just this consistent misty-cold  rain. Everything just remains so wet in this climate. It's like the fog is constant and never dissipates.

In saying that, it is certainly an amazingly beautiful place. I actually like the cold and enjoy this sort of weather, although the wetness would get to you after a while.

After a coffee in the local cafe, we went back to camp & ventured over to the camp kitchen which had this cracker fireplace that I got happening. There was a huge log room for fuelling it, all readily chopped and piled high for you to smack on top of the coals. That in itself is very cool, the smell of chopped firewood inside a stoneblock cabin is tremendous. Mav didn't like the smell but I could have put a chair in there and sat there easily while I read my book. Pity it was bloody cold in there.....

Once the fire was cranking, we did dinner in there also and just hung around. The boys listened to a couple of audio books, mum & dad had a few drinks by the fire. It was nice.

Mum took Mav back to bed while Z & I just sat by the fire and played silly buggers.

When I returned Mum told us about the possum that came into the tent & took a seat on the porta-potty, and the other one that took the fat tray out of the webber. This was pretty funny considering she was telling us from in bed wearing her scarf!

The wildlife is in abundance here, we have been here a few short hours and seen wombats, pademelon wallabies, possums & crows that will take the bread out of your hand if you're not careful.

All in all a good start to our 2 nights here. Rain forecast for tomorrow, so we will see what we can do.

Jase.

Strahan - Heritage Cruise

The boys were pumped about going on the boat today. We missed the cruise at Port Arthur given the last one had set sail, so this was a bit of redemption.

$100 per head & the kids were free, for what was a fantastic 6hrs.

It was a comfortable, clean, friendly, scenic & informative tour that took us through Macquarie Harbour (2.5 times the size of Sydney Harbour) outside the heads (Hells Gates) into an area called the Roaring Forties where 18m waves are not uncommon. It was almost glass like today which isn't a common event considering it rains or is windy and overcast 300 days a year here. 

We went over to a remote crayfish & abalone hotspot and the skipper had plenty to say about the area given he dives and fishes there regularly.  On our return through the harbour we were educated on the $300m aquaculture industry of Tasmania where they are farming Rainbow Trout and the famous Huon Salmon. This in itself was worth the entry fee and quite amazing how they do it.

We disembarked on to Sarah Island and were treated to the best tour of an old convict settlement you could imagine. The lady was extremely animated and had the crowd in hysterics. It was obvious she took the history of the island seriously, and so she should given that apparently to this day it still rates as being the hardest place to be sent within the convict era. It made Port Arthur look like Sunday School.

A healthy buffet lunch containing the smoked Huon Salmon (which we had heard all about from the fish farming lesson) awaited us back on board, so the Manns didn't waste any time getting amongst it as we were seated right beside it.....

Great lunch, nice fruit and cheeses, good coffee.

The destination now was 12klm up the Gordon River. You may remember the protests that transpired in the 80's relating to the Tazzie Government's proposed dam (Gordon below Franklin) which inevitably was overturned by the Federal Government. Bob Brown's name popped up again as he was sent to jail for protesting over the dam, I guess this was before his political days perhaps.

I can tell you that whilst I knew about the dam back then & didnt give it much thought, until you cruise this magical wilderness you can't begin to imagine how lucky we are to still have the ability to show our kids. This was simply unbelievable and rates as one of - if not the most - picturesque places we have been. On the bow of the boat, in silence, you seriously feel like you are in another world.

The gods were with us again weather wise, and we enjoyed the best water reflections I can ever remember. Not even Milford Sound was as perfect as this was. One of the staff said they had not seen reflections so perfect for many months. It really is luck of the draw and I tend to believe her as within 10 minutes the wind came up and the glassy river turned ripple ridden.

The skipper gave us the educational piece on the Huon Pines and the wilderness in general, until we made a stop at Heritage Landing for a half hour forest walk. A 50+ lady with rock star looks gave us a narrated tour of the flora & fauna which was cool. These pine trees literally are growing out of the water, which is why they are the worlds best for boat building. One Huon pine in particular was felled last year that was 1000+ years old and it still lives. They actually reproduce from fallen trees & there are 147 varieties of plants growing from its limbs currently. Wood carvers love this timber also due to it's strength, pliability & lightweight, & I love it because I now have a new cutting board & salt & pepper shakers in it!  The walk was quite informative & if you appreciate anything horticultural then this is a big winner on the day.  Awesome stuff.

Back on dock and their was a wood turning show on, and plenty of shops to go and buy your little piece of the area. The town has a small but historic esplanade well worth a look & whilst we didn't have tea at the pub, it sure did look good.

I can't recommend this cruise enough. It was a real highlight for us....and we have been on a few cruises in our time. Make sure you take the Heritage Cruise (red & white boat) not the other one. You can freely move around this boat whereas the other one you are confined to your seat. Within 2 weeks these boats will be full due to mainland school holidays so we couldn't have picked a better time with only 25 people on the boat out of a possible 200.

Cradle Mountain tomorrow and the weather is looking good again. Back the mainland on Saturday night so only a few nights left.

Jase.

 

 

 

The Cadbury Chocolate Factory

This morning we packed up reluctantly given the small creature comforts we enjoyed similar to home during our stay here.

First stop was the Cadbury Chocolate Factory. Not sure why we made this a stop because none of us like the stuff, but it was in the brochures so what the heck. It's not exactly a tour, more a visitor centre and a bit of a video presentation with live narration & question time afterward. This was quite interesting and gives a great insight into how the entire process works from bean to bar.

They produce 800 tonnes per week out of this plant, and have factories doing similar outputs in Singapore and NZ, with the mother ship in Great Britain. It is the second largest chocolate factory in the world and is in Tazzie because of the temperate climate & the pristine water supply. The video centred on the big Caramello Koalas which run at a production of 700 per minute, whereas the normal Freddos can be punched out at 1000 per minute. No human intervention in this video, all robotic. The humans just seem to fill and clean the machines!!!

After the show there is a chocolate shop. Let's just say the Prado is carrying a little more weight than it was before we arrived.........

The long winding road to Strahan was our next challenge so Nat & the boys loaded up on sickness tablets & off we went. The drive is not as picturesque as we have enjoyed but still not boring, particularly coming into Derwent Bridge at the half way mark and thereafter because we were in the central highland country then. The forests just got bigger, as did the mountains so there were more great photo opportunities along the way.

We arrived at the little copper mining town of Queenstown (which ironically, the drive in reminded us of the drive from Christchurch to Queenstown in NZ) and as always it is disappointing to see landscape so beautiful decimated by mining. Some of Australia's most magical areas are all the same, the look of balding mountains set amongst World Heritage Areas. Money talks I guess.

Originally the plan was to stay here but we didn't like it & kept going to Strahan. We are glad we did this. It looks to be an awesome little town & another place we think we will like.  We booked the Heritage Cruise which has come well recommended, so that will be tomorrow.

6 klm amble then Cricket with the boys, dinner and into bed.

Jase.

 

The Huon Drive

After the second night of finals footy on the TV, we awoke to an overcast day and decided to go back into town for a look around. We found Constitution Dock which is tiny and not what we thought. There would be enough room for a few Maxi's but not the entire fleet. They must clear out all the moorings and have the winners in each category only into the small dock area for celebrations. Nonetheless it has given us a better picture so when we see the yachts come in on TV we will know what we are looking at.....much the same with countless areas or places we have visited on the journey.

Into The Mall area and we needed coffee at a Hudsons Coffee shop. This is seriously nice coffee and well worth a visit. The town is quite a nice walk around with most of the buildings being in great condition considering the era they were built. I guess quality construction with stone will always stand the test of time.

We then decided to do the Huon Drive which takes you south and around the peninsular through many seaside towns. This was a nice drive and supplied great views of Bruny Island which unfortunately we will not get to in our brief stay.

While stopping for some fruit at a lookout over Flanders Bay, an elderly gentleman stopped in his brand new Caprice and motioned towards my window. I lowered the window and he said "do you know what you are looking at?"
I said "Flanders Bay?" at which time he started to give us a bit of a tour guide's perspective. He has been a farmer there for 60 years and he explained that the rectangular areas in he middle of the bay (which we couldn't figure out) were Australia's largest Atlantic salmon farms, which answered our question. He also said that he has 1000 acres down by the waterfront so basically what you are looking at that is land based belongs to him. His son owns a portion of it for sheep farming that he has an equal interest in with Bob Brown the politician. He seemed pretty proud of this fact.
Great old bloke and nice of him to stop and give us a history lesson.

We had lunch at Huonville in a little cafe. Again, the food was magical which seem to be typical of this state. We could have easily stopped at each town along the way and had a look around, but time just doesn't permit, nor does children's patience but thats okay. We will definitely come back to Tasmania.

Plenty of organic fruit shops, nick nack shops, restaurants and cafes along the drive, not to mention cellar doors and cheese varieties. It was a great way to spend a few hours.

The plan was to go to Cascades Brewery on the way back but to be honest we had had enough and wanted to sit own for a while, so we went back to camp.  On the way in we realised that we are directly across the road from Risdon Prison entrance which houses the maniac from Port Arthur, we only knew this because after visiting there I googled the events and I was hit with heaps of info on the dark day, and the ensuing conviction. I am not sure that Nat is too comfortable being so close!!!!
As I write this it is raining so we will get the most from our ensuite and watch 60 minutes tonight for the first time in almost 5 months. We are extremely excited about it too.

Queenstown & Strauhn tomorrow, Cradle Mountain and then Devonport. Only 6 more nights then we brave the "Big Red Boat" again.

Jase.