Monday 22nd April 2019
Well I had a great night sleep in our rooftop tent last night. We woke early and headed out for a short walk to Mersey Bluff (1.5km). Then after breakfast at Bluff Beach we went for a bike ride along the cycle way from the caravan park to Roundhouse Park then back to Don River and back to caravan park (17km 1:20 hrs). This was supposed to be a little ride but was much longer than anticipated. What a surprise. The ride went to the park opposite the port then back past the Bluff Beach, past Coles Beach and then along Don River and back.  It was a very pleasant albeit long ride. Now that would be enough exercise for one day for most people but as we were near a swimming pool we decided to have a quick swim as well. Only 2km but it was nice to have a swim as we don’t know when we will get the chance next.

Now in true holiday form we made a quick dash to Kathmandu to buy a down jacket as the forecast for the next few weeks is quite cold.

Then a change of plan from yesterday, due to the upcoming weather we decided to head to Cradle Mountain Discovery Park where we will stay for 2 nights and do the Cradle Summit hike. This is expected to be a 7hour 12km hike tomorrow. We will endeavour to get going by 8am so we can finish it in daylight.

Tonight we are very grateful for our new jackets as it is currently 4°C.  Anyway time to hop in to bed where it is warm.

Easter Sunday 21st April 2019
Well, happy Easter everyone. Missing you all today.

Just a little note on last night’s accommodation. It was a really weird setup on the main road in Newport. The building used to be an old Men’s Hotel in the day. The building was a square surrounding a grass quadrangle with outdoor setting. We stayed in a small room with a shared bathroom and it had a couple of kitchens. We were right next to the shared bathroom so made for a bit of a disturbed night. But for me, what’s new!

We headed to Port Melbourne at about 7.30am where we had out breakfast overlooking the Port Harbour, then boarded the boat about 8am. We only lost a couple of gas bottles in our cookers. We had left fruit and an avocado at the accommodation as we are starting t become old hands at this quarantine business.

We set sail for Tasmania at about 8.50am and it was quite smooth sailing. As we left the protected waters of the bay about 2 hours later, there was a little swell but nothing to get excited about, luckily as DB forgot his ginger and he usually has it to safeguard against seasickness. We have had a quiet, uneventful day, except for our arguing, cranky neighbours on the chairs next to us for the 1st hour. I have quite enjoyed reading my book, doing a little Tasmania reading and just relaxing. After the long day driving yesterday it is a welcome rest before we embark on our ‘bullet-a-gate’ holiday lifestyle as usual.

It is 5.55pm and we have about 30mins before we disembark the boat. Tonight we are heading to Mersey Bluff Caravan Park which is about a 10minute drive from the wharf. The only booked accommodation for the time being. I think we are headed North West tomorrow but only time will tell as we the day unfolds and TOUR DIRECTOR BROADBENT gets us on our way.

Hope you enjoy the blog. I will keep it up to date as time permits. Apologies if I get delayed a day or two with our hectic schedule. But I will do my best.

Hugs to you all.
Fiona and David

Easter Saturday 20th April 2019
Well we were off to a flying start. On the road by 7.50am. What an amazing feat for us as David has been so busy with work , buying a new car and helping lots of people I never thought we would be ready. Well it was probably too goo to be true as we had to do an extra lap around the block as I forgot something. Anyway, a quick trip back home and we were on our way again by 8am. Woohoo US!!

It was a lovely day as we left home, but not long after hitting the freeway we were in a thick fog. This lifted as we approached Wahroonga to beautiful clear skies. The traffic was quite thin and smooth sailing until we reached Campbelltown where it became a little hectic until the Mittagong turnoff. It was then smooth sailing for the next 8 hours or so. It wasn’t until we were at Shepparton when it got hectic again. As we drove in to Melbourne on the busy roads the night lights were very pretty. We had a very smooth trip through the city to our accommodation for the night. A Homestay/Lodge. We arrived at about 7.15, so a very long day. Not difficult driving but constant.

Oh well, off to sleep now to get ready for our trip to Tassie on the ‘Spirit of Tasmania’ tomorrow.