Well, despite a rather large swell in the Bass Straight last night (rough sea I mean) I slept quite well and woke before the pre docking warning alarm at 6am. Had a fabulous shower in my cabin and dressed in something I have not worn in weeks - jeans and a top!! Bloody hell! I had listened to the forcast and ig was for cloud and temps no higher than a chilly 22, so I dressed appropriately! Did still wear flip flops though.....
So as we 'parked' in the harbour of Devonport I got my first glimpse of Tasmania. Very quaint it looked too, and quite English (as I had been told!) So I managed to eventually remember which deck I parked the Ute on and off the Spirit of Tasmania we trundled. Now those of you who know how long I have been planning my Aussie Adventure, will know how many hours of research I had put in, how many books I had read, re-read, highlighted, and how many websites I had trawled through in preparation. I knew exactly where I was going and what I was going to see. Until it came to this part of the trip. I only really knew that I was here for 4 nights, that the last one would be in Hobart as I fly out from there the morning after, and that I wanted to see The Bay of Fires and Wineglass Bay. So, other than the lovely travel guide that Lesley had given to me back in Perth along with some places to visit, and things that Theresa and other people I had met on my travels had mentioned, I had no real idea! Heaven, some may say, but not for a control freak like me! So armed with the minimal knowledge I had and the one Bed and Breakfast I had hastily booked in Launceston before I got on the boat, I drove off the ferry and turned right!
With the address plumbed into Sat Nag I enjoyed a wonderful early morning drive to Launceston, through forests and fields of sheep and cows until I hit what my tourist map called 'The Tamar Valley Drive' And very nice it was too, strangely enough following the banks of the river Tamar and passing by some very handsome looking vineyards. It was early when I arrived in town (9am in fact!) so I headed off to the Tourist Info Centre and spoke to a very nice young man about what there was to do in the area. I had decided that this trip was going to be a bit more relaxing, staying in B&B's (one meal of the day sorted) and just heading for the places I really wanted to see, as I was short on time.
So, decided to stay in St Marys on night 2 and booked a place that came highly recommended, Addlestone Bed and Breakfast, and then plumped for Swansea for night 3 after Coles, Oyster, and Wineglass Bays, then onto Hobart for the last night.
But what to do early in Launceston as I couldnt check in until 1230 today, so I looked at all the leaflets and when I saw its cure little face I knew what I had to do........get up close with a Tasmanian Devil!! Oooooo they are so cute, even when they are ripping apart their dinner (a dead possum.....) and so were all the other usual suspects, including 3 very active Koalas, one with a baby!!!! Eeek!
After a good look round it was off to my accommodation for the night. Fiona's. I had visions of Fiona in my mind, but she was not like imagined, neither was her Bed and Breakfast! It was actually several buildings, each with 4 little suites in, all very nice, and a central building where you go for breakfast. Fiona was actually 2 young and very pleasant Chinese boys! After getting my room, and then changing it as the wi fi didnt reach that far (and I couldnt let you bloggers down!) I parked the Ute and went back into town for a wander, nice to leave the car for a bit. Tassie is well known for its beers and I found the brewery for Boags and saw they did tours. Right up my street I thought. They tours were full so I looked at the museum and then went round the corner to an interesting pub and had a pint of Boags finest. I nearlt chocked on the first sip when she told me the price, $7.50!!! Bear in mind the exchange rate is about 1.4, thats dearer than London! Still I sat in the sunshine (22 degrees, a scorcher for Tas) and drank my pint and then headed off for a wander round the town. I ended up at the City Park, a lovely place with a Queen Victoria Silver Jubilee Memorial fountain and a conservatory full of beautiful plants and flowers that could have been right out of my mum and dads garden. Also a large monkey enclosure!! A cup of tea and cake followed in the Victoria Cafe and the guy there recommended a little tapas place for my dinner down on the marina, which is were I headed to. Sat there people watching for a big, had some lovely tapas for one (perfect for an only child not keen on sharing!) all washed down with local wine, before heading back to my little pad for a marathon blog update and bed!
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