We hear from Number one son who is currently in the U.K on holidays. He wants us to call him but we can't get through to him. Numerous frustrating tries later we give up - and I sms him back to tell him we will try to get to a landline ASAP. Turns out it's nothing urgent... he's just in the mood to talk to mum and dad, (missing us as much as we are missing him I think.)
Leaving Latrobe we travel to Launceston - passing by the turnoff to Deloraine - where we see some of the most picturesque postcard scenery - rolling green hills with trees of every shade green as they sit perched over large lakes. The homes here are beautiful... built in a log cabin style and cedar. So very pretty!!
We wind our way through Launceston and stop for a while at a fishing and boating store in the Tamar Valley. Chris has an explore. So far the rain is holding off but it could go either way. It's still not terribly cold though (I cannot believe how fast the weather changes here - really keeps you on your toes) and I'm actually wearing short sleeves for the first time during this whole trip. Earlier Chris had spotted a Hungry Jacks (a burger place here in Australia) and is salivating at the thought of some for lunch.
Launceston is quite a lovely city. Right now I have one thing on my mind. Coffee. I'm gasping for it. We get my drink and a free donut from a service station and decide to pass straight through. Launceston strikes me - again - of being like Fremantle. It has an old world feel. This time.. unlike when we hit Hobart ... we drive easily though the city streets to find our way to the Tasman Highway. This will take us straight through to St Helens. With only a few days left we plan on making our way down the East Coast, gradually winding our way back to Hobart to be ready for Saturday which is the day we fly back to Perth.
We are on the way to Scottsdale - the route to get to St Helens - and stop at Sidelings Lookout. WOW WOW! It's just incredible. The views blow us away.
We are back to windy roads again after a fairly long straight run. There are some terribly bendy curves with 200-400 foot drops straight down - and no railing to help stop you if you veer off the road for some awful reason. One thing I must mention here is the roadkill. I briefly touched on it before but seriously, I have never seen so many dead animals squashed on the side (or the middle) of the road in my life. They're everywhere. Possums, wombats, a Tassie devil or two and the odd unidentifiable creature. Poor little things. But even the most careful driver can get caught. So far - knock on wood - we have left all furry creatures still kicking and able to sleep another night.
We pass though Springfield and reach Scottsdale in minutes. This is a gorgeous little town. We make a stop in at the Forest Eco Centre for a look around and buy some souvenirs. By 2pm the rain starts again - sigh.
We take a three km turn off to Ledgerwood to see some life size chainsaw wood carvings. That depict war scenes as a commemorative to fallen soliders during ww1. Very touching and beautifully done. These have to be seen to be believed. They are huge and intricate and just amazing.
Then we move through Ringarooma and move through to the next town which is Branxholm. Not much to see here. Derby is next - an old-fashioned historic town with a river running along side it. There are more winding roads to negotiate as we wend our way to Weldborough. Here we are driving through the mountains and on our left are very steep drops. They make me a little faint. On the right is a wall of trees that are maybe 10 times higher than our camper. We are 373 metres above sea level here, apparently. We drive past huge forests and manferns. Weldborough is tiny - a little pub/accommodation and a few homes, that's it.
We are now driving through Myrtle Forest. For the next 30 kms we are driving through rainforest and down even more horrendouly scary roads. Forget trees 10 x times higher here - these are easily 20 or more. Its also raining heavily. I'm starving but we are yet to pass a decent shop where you can buy food. Supplies are low too: we have my favorite dip, some crackers, butter, jam, eggs, a loaf of bread and maybe half a bag of lollies. We had to give away our salami and an unopened packet of bacon to Nola (for the dogs) because when we parked out front of her house back in Strahan we forgot to recharge the batteries in the van. So the fridge was off.... a real doh moment!
One thing we've had no luck with is seeing the waterfalls. Mentioned that before I know. We missed the first due to rain, Cradle Mountain was a wash out, we accidentally passed Ralph Falls back in Rangarooma and didn't feel like going back. Then the lady behind the counter at the Eco Centre told us the police had messaged them and no-one was to go to St Columba falls as it was currently blocked off. A little disappointing. But such is life.
There is another a few towns away - Halls Falls - but it's an hours walk and in this rain - well, I'm wussing out. I'd like to at least visit the Pyengana Cheese Factory - if Chris doesn't accidentally on purpose drive right by. It's not too far off now.
Ok. I win. After a few words at the turn off, we head into the Holy Cow Cafe and Cheese Factory. I'm glad we do. It's a sweet little place with a warm atmosphere and has a roaring fire going. Chris orders the soup of the day - pea and cheese with beer bread. This is really nice actually and I love it which is kind of strange because I'm not someone who usually likes soup. I have cheddar on toast with relish and this is really good, too. The banana milkshakes we order with our food is delicious - and ice cold. It's nice to have afternoon tea overlooking lovely views. The cheese tasting was a fun thing to do.
Only 20 minutes to St Helens from here. Driving through St Helens (we will go back for a long look maybe tomorrow - it's getting late now) it seems a modern, vibrant place. Very pretty. We want to find a park to stay the night and we head over a small bridge to Fairlea where we find one from the map. I've just realised something really awful and am bitterly disappointed. We forgot to go to Grindlewald Swiss Village, a little place just out of Launceston. Much grinding of teeth!!!!! I cannot believe I forgot it after reminding myself - and Chris - like a hundred times on this trip to this point.
I thought this was a houseboat turned into a restaurant... not sure now though
We book into the Hillcrest Tourist Park and Mini-Market. It's four kms out of St Helens and just across from the water. It has hot takeway food and we can re-stock the fridge and cupboard a little for the remaining few days of our trip.
We bum around for a bit in the caravan park, finally taking a walk along the water and now it's dark. Takeaway shop here we come! I feel like something hot to eat.
Footnote: Food here is great. Chris ordered a seafood basket and I have a piece of fish and some chips. All hot, non-greasy and really delicious. Chris was impressed with the amount of seafood he got for just eight bucks. Nice end to the evening. Full tummies and a nice warm bed.
Night from me.
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