Seascapes

Leaving Hobart after a good morning at Salamanca, I pointed the reliable little Barina in the direction of Richmond, intrigued to see if there were any similarities to the Richmond where I started teaching. I knew there was a bridge at least!

This drive was nothing like yesterday’s: quicker and much calmer because I HAD filled up before leaving Hobart…so I arrived in Richmond in drizzle but ready to enjoy what the very small town had to offer. With scenery more like Richmond, Yorkshire than Richmond-upon-Thames the town has a lovely and very tempting range of craftshops with tons of handcrafted wooden goods from bottle openers and cheeseboards to kaleidoscopes any of which would be a very attractive addition to any home. Shame the suitcase is already too heavy!!

I resisted the shops initially for a visit to the bridge: traditional and impressive in its rural setting, but was soon drawn back to the main street with its galleries and bakeries. I loved them!

Before long, however, I was ready to hit the road and aimed for Swansea where I had booked a room for a couple of nights. Accommodation had been difficult with much being booked out for the long weekend (which I discovered by chance!) but I was happy to have an opportunity to check out Swansea: not at all like the one in South Wales. Very small. A real little seaside community. For me it brought a room with a view over the bay with its constantly changing colours.

I knew I had to get up early the next morning to drive into the Freycinet area for the Wineglass Bay cruise.

When I woke the skies were grey not because of the time, but because of the rain! Would the cruise run? I called, but it was too early for anyone to be in the office. Knowing I had about an hour’s drive I set off anyway, deciding I could make the most of it if the sea was too high for the boat. After a drive through lovely farming country, I arrived at the jetty and my fears were confirmed: no cruise today. So I booked for tomorrow and set off to see what I could find.

I drove through the misty rain to a couple of lookouts. Then gave up and dropped into a local hotel for coffee and an early lunch to give the weather a chance to change. It didn’t cooperate immediately and as I left to make my way to some of the places I had noticed on my morning drive, the rain was still coming and seemed to be getting heavier.

First stop was one of the beaches: grey, grey sky, white, almost grey, sands and angry sea: a different kind of wilderness.

Then it was back to the rural scenery through farms, wineries and olive farms.
Just before reaching Swansea I spotted a sign for Nine Mile Beach. By this time the sky was blue and there was a little respite from the rain, so I took my chance and made it to the beach. What a difference!

This was definitely a learning day! The day I realised just how much fun can be had with a camera even in the rain. Just one caveat: rain in Australia doesn’t mean cold. Will it be the same in the UK?

Waking early the next morning I was pleased that the rain had abated and the cruise I had been looking forward to would probably be happening. Because the next day would be the Melbourne Cup ( Australia’s Derby Day) it was unlikely that the cruise would run, so this was my only chance to do it.
Glad it happened! Wineglass Bay was nominated as one of the world’s best beaches and the only way to see it other than a longish hike is to go by sea – and there’s only one cruise. It’s locally run and the skipper knows his stuff pointing out all kinds of landmarks and rock formations along the way.

Back on land the time had come to begin the journey north. I had intended to get as far as St. Helens but actually ended up in Bicheno a cute little settlement with lovely sea views. I spoiled myself and got a room with free wifi in a hotel where I was told fairy penguins came into the grounds at night. They did!!

I was still wondering what I would do the next day when I went to bed. I was beginning to veer towards making my way back to Launceston but wasn’t sure how long the drive would be.

I have been quite surprised at my own adaptability and ‘laidbackness’!! Very little forward planning, so somebody must be looking after me – and I’m not sure I deserve it!

A quick look at the map in the morning – together with a look at the grey skies – and the decision was made: a quick trip to the Bay of Fires and then on to Launceston should be manageable. So off I set again to find more Tasmanian seascapes.

The Bay of Fires has some amazing colours and beaches but the day wasn’t going to let me see the best of it and walking wasn’t going to be on the agenda.

this was my first view of the south end of the bay. Despite the rain, I decided to travel to the northern end of the bay as the weather was so changeable and I hoped it might lift.

I should have learnt that lesson by now!! What you see at the start of the day here is no guarantee of what will follow. Makes for an interesting life.

So now I was on the final leg of the trip back to Launceston. A quiet day tomorrow and then the flight to Melbourne.
The Tassie verdict? Come if you can: it’s a delight.