Bruny Island and back to reality

·      On our way to the ferry to Bruny Island, we managed to fit in 3 wineries! Firstly, Spring Vale winery where the owner greeted us at the Cellar door, an 1842 stable!

·       20 years ago switched from cattle and sheep to vines! Then Devils Corner which was set high up on a hill looking over Moulting Lagoon and boasting an observation tower. Finally, Freycinet Vineyard, the first vineyard on the coast- this one very farm like. All different except for the wines which were universally great!

·      Reached Kettering where the ferry leaves in time for the 3 o’clock one. Very smooth 20 mins crossing in sunny weather and a smooth ocean.

·      First stop was Get Shucked Oyster farm to buy some take away oysters- if we had known we could have chosen the drive through – a bit like McDonald’s but way way better!

·      Adventure bay Caravan park was right across from the beach so we took our chairs and had drinks and nibbles by the water on a lovely balmy night- unbelievable this is Tasmania nearly April!

·      Next morning Mark finally got his next surf, when we drove to Cloudy Bay. He was very excited to come over a hill and see swells rolling in! Had a good paddle and surf in algae rich sea! Dark red algae which made the breaking waves pink and apparently like minestrone soup to paddle through. Mark managed an hour with dry hair before he fell off!! He came in with his wetsuit covered in algae as was his face and hair. Thank goodness for the outdoor shower!

·      Stopped at Bruny Island Premium Wines on the way back from the surf and decided to have lunch! Good choice with wine tasting as we ate our oysters (the rose went well) and then chose a glass to have with the mains. As I keep saying Tasmania is great!

·       Next morning took a boat ride out to the Southern Ocean, passing by towering dolomite sea cliffs, little bays, caves, blowholes, rookeries and seal colonies. Beautiful day with no wind and no waves! Very unusual and said to be the best day of the season- just as well as we ended up in the adventure seats second row in front with seat belts and advice to keep it tight and not for those who are prone to sea sickness!  I still took 4 ginger tablets when they were handed out just in case. The  mill pond ocean also meant we could go between the land and the monument, a single dolomite tower in the ocean which was being scaled by some very brave or stupid rock climbers.  And hang about in the Southern Ocean looking towards Antarctica! Finished off by coming across a “feeding frenzy” – lots of birds including albatross, dolphins, and seals all feasting on huge balls of bait fish. The birds were diving and coming up with fish while the mammals were in an and out of the fish, under the boat, and generally having fun feasting!

·      After the boat trip left for our next camp site at Cloudy Bay. We booked it due to its proximity to a surf beach and 6 foot surf was predicted – Mark beside himself with anticipation. Sadly, this was not to be- calm again! But the camping park was very beautifully set in forest with cleared sites set apart from each other. No one else there except the owner and his two dogs- Ollie and PJ! We had choice of any site! So why did we choose the one which required reversing Arvi up what looked like a small rise to us but obviously a mountain to him – the smell of burning, smoke coming from the engine and Arvi came to a stop! A long rest was necessary for him to recover and make it travelling forwards!

·      Phil, the owner had left us firewood (and a fire extinguisher) and luckily Mark had jiffy fire lighters left over from a previous camp fire. In no time we had a fire and a meal to eat sitting around it – all on our own far from civilisation and in a deserted forest camp site!! I wasn’t scared at all!!

·      Next morning woke to drizzle and grey skies. Perfect for reading in bed! And then driving to the Cape Bruny light house, the second oldest in Australia. Followed by more reading, napping and then camp fire and dinner! Probably our first rest day!

·      Sad goodbye to Bruny island but not before we visited the chocolate/fudge shop, the artisan cheese shop, and the House of Whisky where we were initiated into the ways of whisky tasting. This is different from wine – no swirling, expect the first sip to taste like petrol (well maybe they didn’t say exactly that!), heat the glass with your hands, add a drop of water and taste again!

·      Had a couple of nights in Hobart in the showgrounds which doubles as the hugest RV and caravan park except when the show is on! We stayed in the main ring and when I heard a horse whinnying the first morning wondered if the show was about to start!

·      Our time in Hobart was spent with a full day at MONA, including lunch and a tour of the Morilla winery thanks to a Xmas gift from our children!

·      The gallery is quite something – from the building and grounds to the art! It is not for the fainthearted – the time needed to do it justice and the exhibits which range from weird (a poo machine that needs feeding and disgorges at 2pm daily!), to explicit images of female genitalia, to pottery and sarcophagae (?) from ancient times, and more conventional landscapes and portraits. 

·      Same can be said for the restaurant and winery which as well as fabulous wines makes Moo Brew beer which Mark says is good!

·      Left Hobart after a major disappointment for Mark finding that the Cadbury factory is no longer open to visitors so no shopping for his favourite chocolate- which can be found in every shop and supermarket in the country!

·      Our last night in Tasmania was spent in a small historic town called Ross with a main street lined by elms and a bridge built by stonemason convicts in 1836.They were given pardons after building the bridge. Also in Ross are the remains of one of the two female convict/factories in Tasmania. If a female convict became pregnant (usually the result of rape) they were punished and their sentences increased and had little contact with the baby. Hard life.

·      One last stop at a winery called Ghost Rock eating a platter of all things that Tasmania do so well and a glass of their lovely Riesling!

·      Now after disembarking from the ship in Melbourne at 6am, waiting for D&G to wake up and give us the promised breakfast!!! Then will head off on the long drive home!

·      It has been a very special action packed 3 and a half weeks in Tasmania and can thoroughly recommend visiting the Apple Isle although we only saw one of those on our last night in Ross. Should be called the Winery Isle, the Gourmet Food Isle or the Amazing Sights Isle!