Tasmania - Tamar Valley

We survived the crossing of the fearsome Bass Strait in style on the SPIRIT OF TASMANIA.  With three metre seas, we feared the worst, but thankfully the boys slept through the worst of it, and in no time at all we were roused from our bunks to be greeted by a drizzly day at Devonport.

We were extremely fortunate to be staying with friends on the beautiful Tamar River, near Beaconsfield.  We were made to feel at home, and in no time at all, Matilda was set up on the front lawn with a view to die for.

Our fantastic first camp in Tasmania!

The next couple of days we explored a little of the local area.  Being so close to Launceston, we headed in for last minute Christmas shopping, and the compulsory stroll in Cataract Gorge.  The boys powered up the Zig Zag walk, and we enjoyed a ride on the chairlift, before returning on the easier walk on the western bank to Kings Bridge.

Our little trekkers powered up the steep track

Launceston City Park is famous for its monkeys that inhabit a delightful little enclosure near the city side of the park.  We were entertained by their antics, although the boys were a little alarmed when I tried to throw them over the fence claiming that they would be there a long time as no one would notice the difference!  

Entranced by the monkeys

Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre

One of the highlights in our time on the Tamar was a visit to the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre.  The museum charts the mine history from its initial workings around 100 years ago, to its modern operations and the mine collapse that killed Larry Knight, and the incredible rescue of Todd Russell and Brant Webb in April 2006.

The Centre has many hands on exhibits, and the boys loved making telephone calls using old telephones (wasn't as easy as they thought), through to panning for gold and crushing ore.  

Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre

Artisan Gallery - Deviot

Sometimes you travel half a country away to catch up with neighbours - which is exactly what we did.  The added bonus was that our neighbours were staying with family who run a delightful gallery in Deviot.  The Artisan Gallery at Deviot was filled with some exquisate art and delicious wine to match.  We enjoyed a wonderful evening - but came away charmed by Roudolf and Emma and their beautiful gallery.  Please drop in if you're passing through.

Maintenance

As with all things rushed at the end, we experienced a recurrence of a water leak that first came to light after our Birdsville trip in July.  The other problem was that the repair method (Selley's All Clear) was tainting the water with a horrible taste.  Thankfully we were able to find a replacement tank in Melbourne just before we boarded the ferry, and it was a case of pulling out the old tank and refitting the new.

It all seemed to go really well - however on later inspection, the one inch filler hose was a little too short for the new tank, and in the process of fitting the new tank, we have cracked the filler housing on the camper body.  Ah - always something else to do!

Jo pulls out a spider web in a breather of the new tank!

Christmas!

Santa found us!

The boys were impressed (and relieved) that Santa managed to find them on Christmas Day.  They were super excited to receive a tablet each - perfect for games (and schooling - but don't mention the 's' word!).

We all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas lunch - and in the afternoon started to pack up all our gear in preparation for heading off on Boxing Day into the great north west!

A huge thank you to our hosts who looked after us so well.  We were spoilt rotten indeed and we look forward to dropping in again before we head back to the mainland.

Plugged in!