At last, here we are in Tasmania,,,,,,,,,,,,,,green, green, green.........rain, rain rain.........wind wind wind.
But so beautiful (and it's raining everywhere on the east coast of Australia - rather a relief after the years of drought).
The trip over last Wednesday evening was very smooth. Fortunately the storm front went through just before we departed so the predicted 4 metre seas were a non-event.
After a very speedy disembarkation (we were up near the front with all the trucks and so were first off) and a quick clearance of Quarantine we tossed a coin and decided to head west. First stop was the delightful little town of Penguin - appropriately decorated with penguin's everywhere on rubbish bins, standing sentry at shop doorways and of course the "Big Penguin" on the foreshore dressed appropriately for the season in a Santa suit (see
Laurie's Blog for his photo).
Our first night "overseas" was spent at Sister's Beach (recommendation from the Tourist Information Bureau in Wynyard) - a lovely beach with a peaty river leading into the bay.
Next morning bright and early we continued westwards aiming for the fishing village of Stanley with it's famous "Nut" - a volcanic plus that juts out into the ocean. The Tourist Information Office there pointed out a couple of good free camping spots - we decided on the Old Wharf area - not very salubrious but within walking distance to the town centre and right on the waterfront (there are toilets and water there as well and good Phone and TV reception.
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| Highfield House Stanley |
Stanley is a pretty little village the main industries are a very lucrative fishing industry (Crayfish $40 per kg - YUM!) and tourism - most of the old fishing cottages have been turned into pretty little B & B's and self-contained accommodation. There are a number of cafes and restaurants and some extremely good craft shops.
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| Stanley Main Street |
The trip over last Wednesday evening was very smooth. Fortunately the storm front went through just before we departed so the predicted 4 metre seas were a non-event. 
After a very speedy disembarkation (we were up near the front with all the trucks and so were first off) and a quick clearance of Quarantine we tossed a coin and decided to head west. First stop was the delightful little town of Penguin - appropriately decorated with penguin's everywhere on rubbish bins, standing sentry at shop doorways and of course the "Big Penguin" on the foreshore dressed appropriately for the season in a Santa suit (see Laurie's Blog for his photo).
