Our first day in Tassie got us out early and heading north along the Tamar River from Launceston. One couldn't ask for more perfect weather - cool in the mornings, warming up to high 70's during the day, blue skies and occasional fluffy clouds. The only down side is knowing that the lovely sun rays carry more UV-Rays than in the USA, so the protective sunscreen, hat and sunglasses must be used.
Our first stop was a lookout named after a convict and bushranger called Matthew Brady. You can imagine how pleased I was to see a flock of goats across a road! A very auspicious beginning in my mind! LOL!
This area was where Matthew Brady and his gang hid out until he was captured and hung in Hobart in 1826. His transportation from England was for stealing food, so no doubt there is a heartbreaking story there, but if this is where he spent many of his days, he had beautiful views. Sadly, his choice was probably more strategic than aesthetic, as he apparently hoped to steal a ship and sail off to Melbourne if Tasmania became too dangerous for him.
This is very typical of Australian landscape. The dead branches bleached by the sun are a common sight in the landscape.
Not a bad looking crew - eh? From left to right - Judy, Angus and me. (Notice I don't have on my hat or sunglasses!)
Next stop was a mining museum at Beaconsfield, the site of a famous mine rescue in 2006. At the time it was a working gold mine. A collapse following a small earthquake led to one man being killed. Fourteen other miners were able to scramble to safety, but two other men, Larry Knight and Brant Webb were trapped in a small 'cage', part of a machine they were working on. Thus began a 14 day saga, which culminated in much joy upon their release. The displays were excellent and told the story very well. No longer a working mine, it integrates the invasion of nature into its decay in a surprisingly pleasing way.
We really enjoyed pressing this button on a huge waterwheel. The water began to rush and the huge thing began to turn slowly, loudly operating a stamping press.
Lunch was at a picnic stop at Beauty Point, but because it was not as beautiful as other spots, you don't get a photo!
This area sports a number of wineries, so we stopped at one. It was close to the road we were travelling and when I saw it was called Goaty Hill, I knew we must stop there. Wines were very dry, which Angus and Judy tell me is a characteristic of cold-weather wines. Even though I wasn't wildly excited by their taste, I did come away with a few bottles.
Now, you poor souls are probably hoping that we turned home at this point to give you a break - but no - we're only here once, so we pushed on to Low Head, on the coast. It houses a lighthouse and a very clean small pilot station - the oldest one in Australia, established in 1805. A slice of the simplicity and remoteness of life is evident here - very beautiful, but not much civilization nearby.
There was a rectangle of grass surrounded by these whitewashed stone cottages. It was very orderly and clean it still operates as a pilot station. There was a boat worth AUD $2,5 million sitting at a pier.
There was a nice little Maritime Museum. Angus is chatting with a volunteer.
This ancient buoy was built of Huon pine.
There was one long building that housed four families. The volunteer said each of these structures would have been a latrine. There were four of them which meant each family had their own latrine. Angus is being cheeky, sticking his nose out from one of them!
The lighthouse also housed a small fairy penguin rookery, but as it is the end of the breeding season, most have returned to sea. A volunteer at the site led us to an active nest. By getting down on the ground, sticking my butt up in the air, (Judy tells me I was not indiscreet!) I was able to only just discern a little bit of bluish grey deep under the bush covering it. It had a very fishy smell, but my attempts to photograph it were unsuccessful.
This is the fairy penguin nest. When I looked I was able to see a little bit of blue grey in the back. It was under a big bush and very smelly!
Finally, before heading back to Launceston, we enjoyed the talent of a local chainsaw artist - Eddie Freeman - who creates totem pole like structures. He carves the gross shape with the chainsaw, then completes the details with a chisel. His work was lovely.
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