Tuesday was a great day's touring and walking. Tony and Val brought us up the east coast to the Freycinet Penninsula. This is a really beautiful area. Coles Bay is spectacular - we lunched within the view. We also saw a great blowhole - again photos will eventually appear. The highlight was the steep walk and climb to view Wineglass Bay - certainly worth the puffing, panting and sweating! Animal highlight - a nesting penguin and egg and an echidna.
We took off early Wednesday morning to head for Cradle Mountain. On our way we stopped in Launceston where we walked the Cataract Gorge - spectacular and within the city! We then went on to Mole Creek where we stayed the night in Mole Creek Hotel. It was like going back to 70s Ireland, a bit reminiscent of places like Lisdoonvarna at that time. The bar was a man's bar - pool table, darts, and comments about wives trying to locate husbands on the premises. The lounge/dining area had formica tables with plastic flowers. There was only one en suite room - ours. TheThe bath and hand basin were that disgusting shade of green popular in the 70s. In all it was suited to back packers with a room kitted out as a self-catering kitchen. We really enjoyed it. The only 21st century bit that I could detect was the very good Tasmanian Evandale Estate Pinot Noir! We also managed a walk near Mole Creek -Arum Cliffs Gorge. This was a place sacred to the aborigines where 3 tribes used to meet.
On Thursday we went to Cradle Mountain and walked the 2 hour walk around Dove Lake. We almost didn't do it because it was wet and really cold. During the walk we had all seasons - wind, rain, sleet, snow, sun and bitter cold. Fortunately the sun dried our soaked trousers after the wetting of the rain, sleet and snow. Unfortunately it decided to rain and sleet again so we got soaked again and returned sopping! The walk had 1 gentle hill we were told - more than 1 in my opinion. For the most part it was board walk which was fine but there were stretches of stony downhill and uphill in the bed of a stream which was flowing quite freely. The views of Cradle Mountain were spectacular whenever I managed to lift my head from studying where next to put my feet. We were delighted we did the walk as it made the long drive to the area worthwhile. The hundreds of dead trees along our route to and from the mountain were a wonderful sight - like natural sculptures!
Yesterday we did the Huon Trail. This is an area south of Hobart and along the Huon river. This area is known for its Huon Pine trees and for its apple production. Again the scenery was lovely. It had some interesting bay names - Peppermint Bay, Eggs and Bacon Bay, Glaziers Bay - and some interesting town/village names - Electrona, Flowerpot and Snug. We finished the day with a climb up Mount Wellington as the weather was clear. We could see all the way to Opossum Bay.
Aside from photos that's us up to date. Next post from Whangamata on the Coromandel Penninsula North Island New Zealand where we will be staying with Brian and Barbara Pittams - Nuala should remember them.
Did you get a photo of the penguin?
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