Along the East Coast

We continued on from St. Helens and made our way to Lagoons Beach. This was a camp in the bush near a lagoon and beach and believe it or not the kids swam in the lagoon despite the fact the water was FREEZING!!!!  (by our Broome standards)  The next morning we made our way along Elephant Pass and found the Mt Elephant Pancake Barn and yes we had the most delicious pancakes ever.  The kids were most impressed with the huge pancake that hung over the plate and neither of them left a scrap on their plate!!!!  We then decided to leave our camp and head to Bicheno as the weather was beautiful.  We did a walk around the Break Water and the clear water and white sand was amazing.  We then went to the Blow Hole which the kids loved.  There was a perfect swell so the Blow Hole was spraying water very high up in the air and if you weren't careful you would get wet as one tourist found out while we were there.  To finish up we then did the walk around Whaler's Lookout for a birdseye view of the town that was spectacular.  We continued on to Coles Bay and camped along the Swan River.  This was not the prettiest bush camp but it sure was the funniest.  Just as we got the kids off to bed and Glen and I were sitting by the fire a school group on camp turned up.  We then got to watch a bunch on Year 9's try and set up their tents and get themselves organised.  The funniest part was when they discovered one by one the drop toilet.  We had tears in our eyes we were laughing so much.  The next day we went to explore the Freycinet National Park with our first hike taking us to Wineglass Bay lookout.  Again the weather was in our favour and the view was breathtaking.  So we continued to make the most of the day and walked around the Cape Tourville Lighthouse and saw some more beautiful views.  The next walk had us go down to the beach at Sleepy Bay and explore the rocks.  After a big day we headed back to the camp and the kids were tucked up in bed asleep without any complaints.  This meant we could sit back by the fire and watch the school camp again.  This time we got to watch them cook dinner on their little camp cookers.  Very entertaining.  The weather cracked up today and we are in for a few days rain so we left the East Coast with very fond memories and have made our way to Hobart now.  Never know we might bump into Princess Mary!!!!

Haydan chopping wood for the fire at Lagoon Beach

Emmalisa and her pancake

Haydan was quite impressed with his pancake too!!!

Haydan and Emmalisa checking out the boats at Bicheno

The Blow Hole at Bicheno

Haydan and Laura at Whaler's Lookout

Sunset at Swan River - Near Coles Bay

Wineglass Bay

Family Photo at Cape Tourville

Beaconsfield to St. Helens

Well back on the road again and our first stop was Beaconsfield.  If the name of this town rings a bell it is because it is where the 2 miners were trapped underground for 2 weeks while rescue crews dug them out.  Needless to say while in Beaconsfield we went to the Museum and Heritage Centre that showed a by gone era through to the  Mine Rescue.  The kids liked climbing into the tunnel where you could see the cramped space the 2 miners were trapped in.  They also liked making phone calls on the old phone exchange phones and the big water wheel that powered the old crusher at the mine. It was a great hands on and interactive museum.  That night we camped on the banks of the Tamar River under the Batman Bridge.  We then made our way to George Town and explored more of the early history of the Settlement of Australia.  We even got to go on board the replica of the Norfolk that Bass and Flinders sailed around Tasmania to prove it was an Island.  The kids loved climbing under the decks and exploring all the ropes and riggings.  Bridport was the next stop but here it rained so we were unable to explore much but we did have a look at Mermaid Pool and went for a little Foreshore Walk when the rain eased enough.  It continued to rain so we just pulled up at a camp at Scottsdale near a nice little river.  Here we passed the day playing with puzzles, blocks and colouring in.  The next day we looked at the sculpture of Simpson and his donkey that was carved from a tree.  It was then a big day as we drove to St Helens.  Our first stop was at Ledgerwood where we saw the Anzac sculptures that were carved out of trees.  These trees were planted in 1918 in memory of local soldiers that died in WWI.  In 2001 the trees were deemed no longer safe and had to be removed but the community fundraised and the trees were turned into sculptures to depict a likeness of each of the soldiers.  This was an amazing tribute to see and as you looked at each tree you could read a story about each of the soldiers.  We then continued on to St. Columba Falls, it was flowing well due to the recent rains. After that walk we felt we need to stop off at the Pub in the Paddock for a 'drink'.  This pub literally sits in a paddock and is heritage listed as it first opened in 1908.  It was a farm homestead where a farmer, his wife and 15 children all lived.  As the 6 sons got older the mother realised that they were more interested in drinking than farming so she got a liquor licence and opened her house as a pub and served the local community (and her sons).  At the pub there is also 2 pigs that you can have a beer with.  Haydan loved feeding the pig a beer.  Apparently Priscilla the pig's best effort is 70 something beers in one session!!!!!!  From pigs to cows we then went to the Pyengana Cheese Farm and sampled some nice cheese.  After all that we found ourselves a great beach side campsite at St. Helens on Swimcart Beach.  This campsite was right on the beach and had one of the best views ever.  Here we passed the days flying a kite, playing on the beach and having a few rounds of golf on Glen's 1 Hole Par 2 Golf course.  We went for a drive to Ansons Bay it was a rough bush track that the kids loved.  After a few day at the beach we moved into to town for a good hot shower and a bit of R and R.  We will continue on down the East Coast as we head to Hobart.  

Haydan at the camp at the Batman Bridge

Below the decks on the Norfolk having a cup of tea

Simpson and his donkey carving - Scottsdale

A tree carving at Ledgerwood

St Columba Falls

Emmalisa at St Columba Falls

Haydan and Glen having a beer with the pig at The Pub in the Paddock

View from the campsite in St Helens

Swimcart beach at St Helens

Breakfast by the beach

Arrival in Tasmania

Well it was a very rough night on the way over on the boat.  Emmalisa kept waking up due to the boat rocking constantly and by 2am she decided she was not going to bother trying to sleep anymore and stayed awake.  That was until 5am when she fell asleep and we could not wake her when we had to get to the car at 5:45am so we carried her to the car asleep!!!!  We made our way down to Stanley where Grandma, Poppy and Max (our dog) live.  The kids and Max were so excited to see each other and have spent many hours in the backyard playing together.  Poor Max is used to a bit of a laid back lifestyle now so the kids have worn him out on many occasions!!!!  We have enjoyed walks at the beach with Max and playing in the parks around Stanley as well as enjoying some treats at the local coffee shops. We have not done much touring so far as we have had to get ready for a wedding that Glen was a Groomsman and Emmalisa was a flower girl for.  So there have been dress and suite fittings and rehearsals and just catching up with friends and family.  We did however go to the Deloraine Craft Fair which is an annual event where the whole town becomes a market and you even catch a bus to take you from venue to venue.  It showed the best food, wine, spirits, art and craft that Tassie has to offer.  There were activities to do too and Glen and Haydan had a go at Archery while we were there.  Haydan was very pleased when he got a bullseye on his first shot!!!!

The weekend of the 12th was the big day of the wedding and everyone scrubbed up alright.  Emmalisa looked very cute (even if I say so myself) and quite enjoyed getting dressed up and having her hair done at the hairdresser.  Many people asked if they could take her home but I said we would keep her.  It was a great day and a great night was had by all.  We have now had a few days to recover and sort ourselves out and we are about to do a tour of the North, East and South of Tassie to be back in Stanley for Christmas, so stay tuned for our adventures.

Haydan having a go at Archery

We can scrub up alright!!!

Haydan at the Wedding

Laura and Emmalisa at the Wedding

Kids playing with Emmalisa's flowers

Glen and Laura at the Wedding Reception