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.