Tassie- the first week

12/1. We left our cabin in plenty of time, so we thought! What we hadn't realised was that no one had told our GPS that you couldn't turn right between the hours of 7 and 9.30. Hence we arrived 30 minutes later than planned but thankfully still in time to catch the ferry. The crossing was good and we were glad we had booked a cabin. It gave us somewhere to have a kip and a good shower.

13/1. The weather forecast was so good we decided to head down the West Coast and our first stop was at a little place called Moina. We set up camp by Lake Gardiner, 32 kms from Cradle Mountain. It was still very windy but dry and sunny.

14/1. My morning was taken up photographing some happy go lucky fairy martins who wanted to set up home in our tent, and Steve tried to catch a fish. He now realises that the moon has an effect on creatures other than Man!!! We headed for Cradle Mtn and had a lovely walk from Dove Lake to Lillian Lake and Wombat Pool. On our way back to get the courtesy bus we saw a Mother Wombat and her baby. They were so cute.

15/1. We had purchased a 4wd book on the Ferry and were off to try our first track in Tassie. Lorinna, West of Deloraine. It was great, the track was so tight to get through in places but every now and then it would open up with lovely views of big escarpments. Steve had the biggest grin!

16/1. We spent the night at Lake Plimsoll. We are eternally grateful to Gordigear for our cosy room. It has not only given us somewhere to get out of the wind, but saved us from the giant mozzies and bitey flies. It was not our best nights stop for sure. We drove towards Zehan and then for a little place called Trial Harbour. It as so lovely there. We had a dip in the ocean. Steve missed timed the incoming tied and his clothes were swept off the 'safe' boulder. Funny, you bet!

17&18/1. It blew a Hooley again last night and we were glad we had a camping spot tucked nicely away. We headed for Queenstown, did some washing, had a coffee and drove out towards The Bird River. The drive there was great and the 10 km walk to the edge of the Kelly Basin was amazing. The rain forest was just beautiful. We had a couple of storms and a downpour overnight so it took a while to dry out.

19/1. Off to the Derwent River then Lake St Claure. Just to mention at this point
my disappointment with the lack of birds. Even the crows look good enough to photograph!!