Tasmania

 Driving for 600km, with a few stops to make a cuppa and have a picnic, took me to Yarrawonga just inside the Victorian border. I was well prepared with my entry visa but there were no checkpoints - so much for all the blurb on the websites! The temperature reached 35C and a walk along the lake side was cut short by the rumbling of thunder and rain. A pleasant meal at the local pub finished the day.

I set off on Sunday to try to find some silo art on a trail heading to Melbourne. The different artworks are fascinating and take you down roads you normally wouldn't travel. 

As I headed closer to Port Melbourne the temperature started to drop very quickly from 37C to 20C and I think everyone was madly heading for home as the traffic was very heavy. thankfully I have satnav as the sighs for the ferry are very poor! Boarding the ferry was quite time consuming and I was getting motorhome envy! From that moment on until leaving the Port in Tasmania we had to wear masks. I was amazed at the space on board and even the cabin was a reasonable size. We left 30mins early and we warned that passing through the heads, in 2 hours might be 'bumpy'. Sunset was spectacular!

I had just settled off to sleep when the other person sharing the cabin came in - I now couldn't get back to sleep and her snoring didn't help!

Although I didn't feel seasick I did have moments where I felt that I was upside down - it was weird!  We were awoken around 4:30, given a whole list of what to do - who knew what was said as you were trying to rouse yourself! It was still dark as we docked at Davenport and took a while to disembark. We then had to show eTag entry visa's and have temperature taken before finally departing the port.

As I headed out towards my destination, only 30 mins away, an amazing sunrise greeted me! The scenery was spectacular with Mount Roland beckoning me - well that's where Sheffield lay!  Although still early it was time for a cuppa and breakfast before walking the area to see all the murals that this place are known for. Some of the murals were amazing and there were so many!

Too early to go to my accommodation the Inforation office suggested a few places to visit. I did a curcuit following the 'Postbox trail'. People had made their postboxes from weirerd and wonderful items - only problem the roads are narrow and there was nowhere to pull in for photo's.

My farmstay was a little out of town but it was very cosy. There were a lot of different animals on the farm - sheep, cattle, pigs, ducks and numerous types of chickens. Homemade bread and fresh eggs were left for me! The view is spectacular and my bed looks out to Mount Roland!

Tuesday was the day I headed to the National Park and walked around Dove Lake. On the way there I stopped at a place where an old fellow was selling native pepperberries. I was given a complete rundown on them! Was given a bunch of leaves - leave them on the dashboard to dry and you can use the dried leaves in cooking I was told! I was even given some berries to cut and drop them into my G&T - I will need to buy gin!!!

It was a lovely walk (3hrs) around the lake but it was really cold - the car registered 9C when I got back in the early afternoon! There was rain and it was rather clooudy at first but sunny breaks came in the afternoon. It was a relief to get back to a warm 'home'!

Althought the sun was shining this morning it was only 5C!!! Rather a shock to the system. My travels today have taken me from Sheffield to Maydena. During the drive I stopped at a raspberry farm and then went through the lake land area - was amazed at the size of the lakes. The driving today has taken me along many dirt roads! The most onerous one was to Liffy Falls and wouldn't be a road to take in the wet! It was worth the effort to get there as the falls were pretty impressive and it was a pleasant walk through the forest.

I arrived at my resting place mid afternoon. It is really quite and I am waiting for it to get dark to see which animals come out to play! I did drive to a local cave which entailed another walk through the forest - I love the signs which tell you that a tree could fall on you at any time, they are good for making me walk faster!

Reached the highest spot in Australia!

 Saturday started as a rainy day - it didn't seem heavy at first but typically, as I started a walk it became so heavy that after 30mins I had to retreat back to my room and dry out! As the torrential rain lasted a couple of hours I used my time wisely and read a book!

Eventually the rain cleared and it was a lovely afternoon. I took the opportunity to take a walk along the river. Having had so much rain the river was pelting along.

It was a relatively dry path and the walking was easy. I took my time checking out the plants, etc.

I ended up skirting the highest golf course in Australia - no one was playing on it as I would think it was waterlogged!

Today was one of those amazing blue sky days so I decided it was time to go up the mountain!

For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to reach the highest spot in Australia!  Although the scenery was beautiful I was questioning myself about whether I would make it or not!!!

I used the excuse, only to myself, to take photos and that gave me time to catch my breath.

 I did reach the stage where I thought there was no way I would make it but looked down and there was a sign which said 2.5km to go! Well I reasoned with myself and said as you're over half way you might as well continue! So I did!  You forget  what a big country Australia is until you see some of the wide open spaces.

 I plodded on and with encouragement - "You're nearly there!" - made it to the top!

Only trouble was there were 7.5km back to the chair lift!! I was determined to make it back before the last chair lift at 5 - made it with hours to spare!! On completing those 7.5kms I, literally, dragged myself up to the cafe and downed an icy cold beer - I felt I'd deserved it. 

One big problem was getting back to the hotel - numerous steps and a steep hill! On reaching my room I  collapsed onto the bed unable to move - well I did take my walking boots off oh the bliss and agony!

Hoping that I will be able to walk and also drive I will head back home tomorrow.

 

And so toThredbo!

 My dinner at the Austria restaurant, last night, was delicious and the big surprise was not the huge pork knuckles a Polish group was eating but the fact that the German red wine was very good! I was shocked about the wine because I had always thought that white was the German style - how wrong can you be! I had a pork dish followed by Apfelstrudel and a cherry schnapps - my sinuses needed help, well that's my story!!

I woke this morning to rain and it hasn't stopped all day - it has varied from light to torrential to bucketing! I wandered around the Information Centre in Jindabyne - my plan had been to go for a walk along the lake but that was out.

I made tracks towards Thredbo when I came across a sign to Wildbrumby Schnapps distillery, cafe and art gallery. Remembering my last excursion I 'girded my loins' (prepare oneself for something difficult or challenging) and knowing that it was only 300m from the turning decided to go for it! What a delight! As it was a cold miserable day I decided on the Hot Chocolate with Butterscotch Schnapps. There were tastings of a variety of schnapps and gin but I erred on the side of caution and enjoyed my drink! I did buy a couple of things to take home!

I did like the roadside sign as I  drove away  - 'Buy Australian!' I did my bit. Unfortunately it was very  misty on the drive but as there was so little traffic it wasn't a problem. On entering the National Park I gladly showed my pension card because it meant that I didn't pay the Park fees!

Finding my hotel was relatively easy but parking was a different matter! When I  did park I then started on a long uphill walk to the hotel. Once checked in it was off down the hill to drive up to drop my bag off, then back down again to park and a walk back up again - I am not going to be worried about eating Apfelstrudel while I'm here!!!

Luckily I bought clothes and shoes for every type of weather so I'm able to get out in the rain! There were rather a lot of soaking wet, mud splattered bike riders as I  wandered around. It was rather strange as I recognised the places I had been to about 20 years ago when we came skiing with Sue!

  

My room, while old, has a great view although it is a bit like 'Where's Wally' trying to see  Mount Kosciuszko - hopefully tomorrow!

It was interesting to see the chairlift working although I didn't see anyone on it!

 Dinner in the hotel was very pleasant. Very much German/Austrian food with a very impressive Schnapps menu - the picture just shows one side!

Another grey day!

 Unfortunately the day started grey and drizzly but I was determined to get out and about!

I decided to head towards Dalgety, which is on the banks of the Snowy River. It was an interesting drive and the wide open spaces are wonderful.

This town, more like a village, was once considered as a potential site for the nation's capital! Back in the 1800s it was an important river crossing for cattle and sheep. 

I had a wander around the place with a local map and there were some interesting buildings. One of the strangest was the Catholic church which was called ' Our Lady of the Star of the Sea' - it wasn't the building that was strange but the name! The sea is a  considerable way away from Dalgety but someone decided that the noise from  the river sounded like the sea and hence the name of the church! 

I took a different route back and came across a sign advertising a winery and microbrewery. Why not have a look I said to myself? So I headed off down the dirt road (pictured) for 8kms of lumps, bumps and bidders!

Only to find that it was closed! 

Back in Jindabyne for the afternoon I had a lovely walk along the lake - luckily the rain held off. 

Dinner tonight is at an Austrian restaurant so should be interesting!

Off on my travels again!

 So schools are about to return after their summer break so it's my turn to get 'Far from the Madding Crowd'!

I decided to head for a slightly cooler area after the high temps and humidity of yesterday not only was it cool (15C!) but also raining!!! Instead of using the highways I opted for the byways! My journey south took me to Nowra where I veered off into unknown territory! I was slightly worried when I saw a sign which said, 'Gravel Road unsuitable for 2 wheel drive in wet weather'! The rain kept pouring down! Take a chance I convinced myself - well almost! As I travelled I noticed  that a number of the vehicles heading towards me were definately 2 wheel drive which gave me more confidence.

 I was told by a friend - who will remain nameless! ( Sorry MR) - to visit the Tianjara falls in the Morton National park. As you can see from the photos the day was less than perfect!

 

Onward ever onward! I certainly came across many gravel roads and apart from the fact that the car is now brown instead of red all was well - so there had been no need to worry!

Passing scenery!

With the weather being so awful I did venture on to a better road to continue the journey to Jindabyne. It was interesting to see how dry the country was - I thought it would be greener. I was impressed to see huge solar farms and it was lovely to see Kangaroos safely bounding along in the padocks. Driving along brings the reality of how bad the fires had been last year. Many trees didn't survive but the ones that did look so 'fluffy' with their new growth.

     I made it to Jindabyne, booked in  at my hotel and then had a wander around the local area. It was still drizzly and misty but the lake looked impressive all the same! It does seem funny to see the signs for 'Ski and chain hire'!

The day brightened up as I was having dinner.

I'm hoping tomorrow is brighter!