Week 10 Tasmania

Our back door at Gordon

On leaving the far south we headed back towards Hobart with plans to see the Wooden Boat Festival and catch up with Auntie Aileene again. To get there we took the Channel highway through Cygnet ( not a good camp ground) and came across a free camp ($5pn) at Gordon # 133. Despite the book advising no dogs it was OK for Trixie and we selected a great spot right on the waters edge and stayed two nights. The park was still home to two old scallop splitting sheds and the locals advised that there were many more back in the 60's when scallops were plentiful in the  D'Entrecasteaux Channel which runs between the mainland and Bruny Island. A very pleasant place and the weather was perfect.
from Gorden it was a short trip up the coast to Snug caravan Park where we intended to stay and do all of the Hobart things as it was only about 30km from the city and with the long weekend we were concerned about accommodation.

The summit at Mt Wellington

With the fires starting up again the sky filled with smoke but Snug was a good camp and out of the smoke . We took in Mt Wellington one day. Boy what an incredible climb to 1200+ metres but unfortunately the smoke detracted from the stunning views over Hobart. It was cold and windy up there but worth the drive.




Aileene at the summit

Smokey views

Saturday was our day to visit the Wooden Boat Festival. Our new friends Pat and Judy had offered to look after Trixie for the day so after delivering her to Seven Mile Beach Park and headed back into town. Hobart was alive with Constitution Dock and surrounds absolutely jammed with the most incredible array of beautifully hand crafted wooden vessels. Some as small as a bath tub and others ocean going masterpieces. It was visual overload but so pleased we luckily  timed our visit to coincide with this biannual event. We walked and walked and ogled these fabulous boats before enjoying a seafood lunch at the famous Mures seafood eatery on the wharf. back to seven Mile Beach where we found Trixie anxiously awaiting our return but thoroughly spoilt by Pat and Judy who have taken a real shine to Trixie.





The infamous Greenpeace boat was there



Nearly as old as us



Took 9 years to build.



An old steamer



My namesake











After a farewell to our new friends and plans to catch up in Victoria we headed back to camp and some shopping. Next day, Sunday we were back to Lindisfarne to visit our lovely aunt and she insisted on taking us to lunch. What a pleasure to spend some time with a 97 year old and hear some more tales of the past. Fortunately we will see her again in Victoria when there is to be a big Gillard family get together before we start heading back to Queensland in late March.
Another highlight was a vintage car rally in Snug and most were staying in our park which was great for some pics and a closer look.

And so ended our tenth week in this wonderful state.