Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Maroubra beach

It was such a beautiful day we took the kids to the beach after day care, then to dinner for roti. Now emily fast asleep and Lucas nearly on the couch. Jo and Rich out...

Sent from my HTC

Busy with stickers



Sent from my HTC

Early birthday

Thursday, April 17, 2014

On deck


Pretty windy on deck passing the other ferry
Sent from my HTC

Our cabin for the day



Sent from my HTC

Ferry queue



Sent from my HTC

Fwd: Leaving Tasmania from Devonport

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "penelope5153@gmail.com" <penelope5153@gmail.com>
Date: 17/04/2014 7:03 am
Subject: Leaving Tasmania from Devonport
To: "Penelope Cocks" <penelope5153@gmail.com>
Cc:

It is now 0630 and we are waiting to board the Spirit of Tasmania ferry heading from Melbourne. The departure time is 0900 and we will get to the mainland at 1800. This trip one way cost us $1200.....with caravan car and us. For an extra $50 we got a cabin. So once on board we will shower, brekkie and enjoy the ride. Will  then go straight through Melbourne and stop overnight at a pullover on the highway. Tomorrow night we will be with Doddsy and Julie at the farm at Wodonga. Then Saturday with Rob and Denise Campbell at their farm near Goulburn. Into Sydney Monday, see the little ones ASAP. Can't wait to see them. Then I am on the plane Thursday for Perth.
We have enjoyed our time here, but ready to leave and get on with the next part. 


Sent from my HTC

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Devonport

Last few nights in Tasmania spent in Devonport. Just watching the Spirit of Tasmania ferry leaving port for Melbourne


Sent from my HTC

Flat


Lucky we noticed the flat tyre before we got on the road in Westbury
Sent from my HTC

Friday, April 11, 2014

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Gunns Plains


Setting up the satellite dish so  we can watch my kitchen rules..... Beautiful valley misty rain . Dirty stinky Tasmanian Devils at the wildlife park. Now  at Longford near Launceston and catching up with friends on Friday night. 
Sent from my HTC

Gunns Plains


Setting up the satellite dish so  we can watch my kitchen rules..... Beautiful valley misty rain . Dirty stinky Tasmanian Devils at the wildlife park. Now  at Longford near Launceston and catching up with friends on Friday night. 
Sent from my HTC

Finns Plains

Setting up the satellite dish so we can watch my kitchen rules. Gorgeous valley misty rain. Dirty filthy stinky Tasmanian Devils at the wildlife park

Sent from my HTC

Boat Harbour



Sent from my HTC

Boat Harbour



Sent from my HTC

Monday, April 7, 2014

Up the Nut



Sent from my HTC

Up the Nut



Sent from my HTC

Stanley



Sent from my HTC

Boat Harbour, north coast Tasmania

Hi dear family and friend,

Well we are nearing the end of our time in Tassie and have almost done the circuit. Arrived at Boat Harbour yesterday. This is a small holiday town with a nice cafe and very pattime surf club. The houses are on the hillside and some are right on the edge of the ocean on the beach. We are at. Great free camp spot also tight on the ocean. When the tide is in the water is at the door step. This side is very rocky an unsuitable for swimming but 100 metres away is a beautiful sandy beach. Yesterday it was shorts and T shirts but today cooler and jeans and jacket when walking on the beach. I should have had a swim yesterday coz the water was crystal clear and so sunny and warm. Too cold and rough now. We will stay a couple more days here before we wend our way along to get the ferry in Devonport next week. No hurry. I must say Tassie really looks after the travellers. There are plenty of free camping spots supplied by councils and a small fee at the national parks. But free camping is becoming more difficult in Vic and NSW. We pay at caravan parks from $25 to $36 per night. We hook up to main power and water.
We loved the village of Stanley. You will see on the photos a great big knob which is called the Nut. A very steep climb so we took the chairlift up Nd down and did the walk around the nut on the top. The town again steeped in history and cottages well restored and open for viewing. We went to Highland House which was build by the Van Dieman Company in 1853. The stables, chapel etc are all built in black stone so still very solid. Incredible views of the Nut from here. Quite a few crazy boats work from Stanley. Spoke to the skipper of a very large boat about to leave for more than two weeks at sea. He was going at least 150 kms off snore to catch the big crabs. The longer I am here in Tassie the more I have gotten to like it. But it is full of incongruities. There is no such thing as recycling. No plastic bags in shops now so they charge you 10cents and more for a plastic one....even tho they use the biodegradable ones. A complete nonsense. Sussan will still give you a bag.... It is biodegradable and not charge you. Everyone has massive wood piles to burn in their wood fires. The Green Party is very very unpopular. It seems they are against anything that is do do with progress, forests need to be untouched at all costs. Bit of a shame coz so much industry has closed and people put of work. Sometimes feel the lights are on but no one home.
This northern part is very pretty. Rolling hill with crops and vows going right down to the ocean. Onions, potatoes, garlic, carrots, broccoli, beans all grown here. The soil a thick chocolate brown colour. Dairy cows and beef cattle crowded onto paddocks. It is very lush. The beaches mostly calm with very rocky shores, not big surfing beaches as at home. In fact if you were a surfie in Tassie it would be disappointing.
Went into Burnie last week and had our flu vaccination. The TV is recommending everyone to have a shot this year!!!!
Well it is windy and cold, so we have brought in the awning so it won't get smashed around. I will get on with my knitting. I have just done a small teddy each for Emily and Lucas and now must finish the pink jumper for Emily.
Poor Mama, now has a new hip!!!! Shame we won't be able to have fun in Sydney.
Lots of love to everyone, especially to my precious sisters. I will see you soon.
Love Pen

Nelson Bay


Great camping here. fairly rugged coast line with dark black rocks on the beach. We were lucky to see this Cray boat unload more than $30000 worth of crayfish. None for us unfortunately. Onto beautiful village of Stanley.
Sent from my HTC

f

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Nelson Bay


Beautiful beach and camp. Wind very strong off shore. Too cold for a swim. Can just get a reception by standing on the beach. Have just got the satellite dish set so will catch up with my kitct rules tonight. Reece just returned from s spell in the kayak. Too windy for him.
Sent from my HTC