Launie to Melbourne

On the Spirit of Tasmania to Melbourne.

Monday breakfast at the Pancake Parlour and a game of giant chess.
We caught a tram and went to Eureka Skydeck too.

Niki's blog - leaving Tasmania

this is me before I leave.

I am going to miss my twin Nienna.

Flat Katy came on the Spirit of Tasmania.

The Spirit of Tasmania

I've been telling my friends that I am going on a boat cruise for my birthday. It sounds great doesn't it. Well, it is until you mention that it is an overnight trip in ocean recliners with two kids and storms are expected. LOL. However, it was a really pleasant trip despite the pillows being smaller than my foot and the food astronomically priced. And it was such a relief to finally be on our way. I am excited at the prospect of having time, a road map and the openroad ahead.

The Camper!!

This weekend we tried out our newly acquired camper. A 1982 Toyota Hiace Pop-top.

We were joined by Helen and Paul, and took a short trip up north.
Our first visit to Port Sorrel and the kids had a ball at the beach.
A scamper around Mersey bluff and then we made a hesitant retreat to find a campsite, due to the wind and threatening rain.
Day 2 saw us "grownups" tinkering in our mobile homes while the kids jumped their hearts out on the jumping pillow. Then a lovely trip through Latrobe: the Axeman's Hall of Fame, The Cherry Shed, Anver's chocolate factory and Ashgrove cheese tasting. It was a great little trip to get a bit of an idea of what we may need for our big roadtrip, which seems to be hastily appproaching.



I'm pretty sure everyone was as happy as these little faces show. :)

Snowy Sunday afternoons

Hmmm... what would we do on a snowy afternoon??

Windy Sunday afternoons.

We looked out on a cold and windy afternoon and thought what are we going to do?? Then I saw the bushes being blown about and realised it had been quite sometime since we let the kites out to play. B2 is obsessed with her rollerblades, so they came along too. We met up with some of our loveliest friends and had a wonderful afternoon.

Enchanted and King Billy Walks

Day 3 at Cradle and we did a couple of the short walks.
B1 followed a very fat, very busy wombat. We were surprised to be up so close to such a big fella. B2 was very scared in the King Billy walk. A mist rolled in and it was very creepy, I have to admit. After a fantastic weekend I gave B1 the street directory and said lead us home. He took us home via a 'short cut' muddy dirt roads, but beautiful farm pastures and in great time. I was most impressed with his navigation skills and have no worries about handing the map over on our trip up the Australian east coast. (Ok, I may get a little tense ... afterall the mainland is much bigger than Tassie).