FriendlyBrooks

Every journey has ups and downs

Lance Brooks, always looking for the ups,  January  2926

The exit from the ferry was very smooth and we were lucky to be one of the first vehicles off. We drove the short distance to Penguin where we met with Jack and Cassie at about 8pm.  We set up in our beachfront powered spot in the  Penguin  Caravan Park.  This was our first stay in a caravan park and it was a beautiful place to experiment. By the time we set up and added the spare room for  Jack and Cassie to sleep in and we ate a late dinner,  it was 10pm and time for the penguins to come out. Jack and I went for an explore  and  saw one in the rocks. Later Tugboat  (their dog) started barking which was unusual.  After Jack and Cassie and  Tugboat went to bed I  saw a penguin scurry across the grass right near where we were sitting. He had been hiding from Tugboat.

The next morning we woke reasonably early and walked into  Penguin town along the  pretty  beachwalks. Penguin has lovely streetscapes as well as beautiful views.  They are very proud of their name 😀🐧

We had a lovely breakfast in a new cafe and then did some shopping at the local  IGA. We packed up and moved out just half an hour past checkout time. We drove for about an hour in 2 separate cars , Jack came with me and Lance went with  Cassie Our destination was Black River campground in Peggs Beach  reserve which was about 20 minutes from Stanley.  As it was the  Saturday of the  Australia Day  long weekend it was pretty packed and we had to take the last spot right at the end of the huge campground. No matter, it was quiet and the  neighbours were nice.  A couple of hours later after setting up camp again, and a bit of a relax at the site we were ready for a late lunch.

We decided to  drive into Stanley for a look around.  It’s a stunning town with the Nut dominating the landscape.  The town has preserved its old buildings and was used to film Light between Oceans. We walked and drove around eventually stopped at the beach in a howling gale. At that point  Dave and Andi and  Leni called.  It was a very loud blowy conversation. 

We went back to  our camp-site and  walked along the  river mouth to the beach.  Three of us  swam (the Canadian chickened out claiming it was too cold).

Lance cooked baked  chicken for dinner which was delicious.  It was about  11pm but we had  meant to get to bed early as we wanted to be up ready to leave  by 8am for a big day out the next day, as this was the day we would  climb the Nut. 

We realised we would have to climb the Nut in pairs as no dogs were allowed up there, so we went our  separate ways for a bit. Jack and Cassie went to  Smithton whilst Lance and I went to Mass at 8.30am in a beautiful church overlooking the beach. It was very different to our experience in Tumbarumba.  Stanley Church was small and the  congregation was all older than us (so old), but they were welcoming. After  Church, Lance and I  headed up the steep but thankfully short climb to the top. There’s a chairlift but we decided that it would be  a greater achievement to walk!! The views at the top are magnificent. The Nut is a plug in an ancient volcano and from the  top you could see the remains of the crater. It is also a breeding ground for  shearwaters.

When we came  down we met up with  Jack and Cassie for their turn to go up whilst we minded  Tugboat.  Lance and  I grabbed a scallop pie each  and  then went back to get surfboards.  By the time we got  back Jack and Cassie were just returning.  Unfortunately the surf had disappeared with the low tide but we were left with beautiful  warm sand pools to bath in.

After our beach time we got oysters and fish and chips and had a picnic by the wharf and then drove around the area.

We then drove part of the  Tarkine drive to  Trowcutta Arch and sink-hole.  It was a magical through the forest and the  sink-hole was amazing. 

We got back to  camp late and were amazed to find that a lot of people had left. We had a delicious BBQ dinner with vegetables cooked by Jack.

Australia Day dawned with the wind back. We had a lazy morning and big breakfast before we packed up.  We decided to make one last trip to  Stanley for a swim and quick Devonshire Tea.

It was then time to say goodbye.  Jack and  Cassie had to go back to  Hobart and for work. Lance and I were heading west to Arthur River.

Before leaving  Stanley we visited an historic house called Highfield., it’s a beautiful house built in the early 19th century. The Van Dieman’s Land Company owned the property and various managers of the company lived in the house over tge years. Apart from mistreating convicts they were also responsible for clearing Aboriginal people from their land and were subsequently accused of massacres. Not really the nicest of people.

After the Highfield visit we set off for Arthur River and decided to stop for diesel in Smithton.  We were ready to go and the car wouldn’t start. The starter motor was making rapid ticking sound but not  starting and then complete nothing.  Eek!! We called RACT (NRMA for Tasmanians). The guy turned up quickly but couldn’t get us going as the charge in the battery kept dropping and the alternator wasn’t working.  He said we would have to  go to  Toyota which was in Burnie, 80km away. It was also  a public holiday so we wouldn’t be able to go until the next day. So we were not going to Arthur River after all.  Instead we were towed to the River Breeze caravan park in Smithton.  We were now having our second caravan park experience of the trip. 

Once we got over the shock and disbelief of our situation we turned our frowns upside down and made them smiles. Everyone was so nice and helpful, from Chris the RACT guy, to Greg the caravan park owner, to our park neighbours who offered to help, to the  NRMA lady who set us up with  alternatives for the next few days.  Everything was going to  work out, we just knew it. We had dinner in the pub at Smithton and at 9.30pm were treated to the Australia Day fireworks which were pretty impressive, not Sydney Harbour ecake, but good. 

We woke up early and Lance started making calls at 7,30am. The first call was to Toyota in Burnie.  Luckily the service  manager answered straight away and told him that it was probably a flat battery and if we could get the car started and drove it around it might be okay. If it wasn’t okay he wouldn’t have been able to fix the car until at least  Thursday.  Well it started  so we went  Chris’s workshop where they tested the battery and alternator. It looked like everything was okay.  Thank goodness. 

We were ready to head to  Arthur River but not before we had a call with Michelle, Ross and the kids and did a bit of shopping.

Along the road to  Arthur  River we stopped at Green Point and then  West Point – the western most Point of Tasmania.  We had a swim here.

Then we went to  Arthur River and looked at one of the two  campgrounds we could stay at. While driving are saw the Parks Tas guys and Lance asked a few questions as he likes to do. We enjoyed a bit of banter and went to  Parks Office to pay our camping fees. While Lance was in the centre paying and finding out about the boat cruise for tomorrow  there was a knock at my windows. It was one of the  Parks Tas guys telling me we had a flat tire! Once again we were impressed the helpfulness of Tasmanians.  They immediately plugged the tire for us!

After  profusely thanking them we went to the campground on the other side of the  river. There was no one here at all. We set up camp quickly Lance had a few work calls to make- did we mention that  Starlink is pretty good. 

After the calls we headed off to the  lookout called the Edge of the World. It really felt like it as the wind howled around. Lance did a spot of fishing  and I sat in the car reading and writing. 

BBQ steak for dinner again as no fish were caught.