The time has come,' the Walrus said, 'To talk of many things'

Yes.. it’s been a while since my last blog entry. But shit happens

I finally went back to Tassie for 2 weeks over the Xmas/New Year break.

What a refreshing place Tassie is… I fell in love with it all over again…..

Anyway… from the start.

I got to Sydney airport with heaps of time to spare, but I was still VERY nervous. Not about the flying part, but the ‘will I fit in the seat’ syndrome had been wreaking havoc with my nerves for weeks. Part of me even thought that I would not be able to board!

After forking out $36 for being 4 kilos over my 23 kilo luggage allowance I finally got on the plane. During the online check-in procedure the day before, I was able to pick a window seat in the 4th row of seats… there are 3 seats either side of the aircraft.

I get to my seat and I find that the arm rest’s can be lifted. This made me feel alot better. If the unlucky people occupying the seats next to me are of an average stature, there should be no issues. Then they arrive. A young couple. I apolagise straight away, but they seem ok. Plenty of room.

After take off I start to watch my portable media player (catching up on episodes of Heroes), and then I notice that the couple next to me have gone!! I dont know where they went, but I had three seats to myself!!! I was not complaining… SWEET!

The 90 minute flight to Hobart flew by (boom boom). Next thing I know I’m at Hobart airport…. the first thing I notice as I walked out of the aircraft and down the stairs to the tarmac was the smell… the fresh air. No pollution, no humidity. Bliss!

I greet my brother David who was waiting for me at the airport. After collecting my luggage we head to his place in his bright yellow V8 Kombi… it’s a real beast!!

Davo & his Kombi

David was kind enough to let me borrow his Suzuki Sierra for the duration of my visit. Yes, it was a little cramped for me, but I soon adjusted and found ways of making myself comfortable.

That little red Zook… was a great vehicle. I don’t know what David has done to it, but anything above 4000 revs she loves… more on that later.

I left David at his bachelor pad and started my journey in the Zook towards Eaglehawk Neck.

Eaglehawk Neck is about an hours drive from Hobart… and an eternity from the hustle & bustle of Sydney. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is about this area that attracts me so much. It is just so laid back and calm. In fact the whole Tasman & Forestier Peninsulas area is the same. If I could get work in the area, I could quite easily live there. No dramas at all.

After a quite Christmas Day with my Tassie family (which included a seafood buffet lunch at the Lufra Hotel) on Boxing Day I was off to Bruny Island for two nights.

With the Tassie Family... Xmas Day at The Lufra Hotel.

Me being me, I was running a little late by the time I arrived at Kettering to catch the vehicular ferry across to Bruny Island. However I found that every man and his dog was also running late, as the line up to board the ferry meant a 2hr wait. But it did not worry me. I was so relaxed, even passing the time by listening to the Hip Hop CD David had left in the Zook was becoming enjoyable!!

On the ferry to Bruny Island.

After the 20min crossing of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, I disembarked the ferry and started the drive to my accommodations at Adventure Bay, on the eastern shore on the south island.

45mins later I arrived at Adventure Bay Eco Village. What a delightful place. Located right at the southern end of Adventure Bay. Even though I could not see the surf, I could hear it. I love that sound. The cabin was small… just the one room, containing 1 single & 1 double bed, a bar fridge and a sink. There was a kettle for making tea & coffee.. the usual kind of stuff.

There was a communal kitchen which had all the mod cons, so it got me thinking… I needed to cook myself dinner, but that was tomorrow night.

There was also a toilet/shower/laundry block. Showers were coin operated, 5mins for $1.00.

My accommodation on Bruny Island.

After unpacking and making myself at home I waisted no time in heading out to explore the island. I only had a rough tourist map, but it sent me in the right direction… and that was dirt logging roads. The Zook loved it!!! (and so did I).

2 hours later I found myself on the western side of the island, and came across the Bruny Island Hotel, which as it turns out is the southern-most pub in Australia. It was getting late, the sun was about to set, so I thought what a better way to spend sunset on Boxing Day, than to have a (Tasmanian) beer at the southern-most pub in Australia… and it was a glorious sunset! Could life get any better?

Sunset, Boxing Day at the Bruny Island Hotel.

I then headed back to Adventure Bay via another route, doing my best to drive every road I could on the island.

The following morning Coco Pops was on the menu for breakfast, follow by some English muffins with ham. I decided that I would head down to the Cape Bruny Light House, which is more or less on the southern-most tip of Bruny Island. I found another route to travel across the Island and made it there in time for a morning tea break on the side of the road while enjoying the magnificent views… simply breathtaking.

Cape Bruny Light House.

Little Red Zook on Cape Bruny, looking towards The Friars.

I then heading back to the Bruny Island Hotel for another quiet Tassie beer, taking in the views, watching life go by while sucking in that fresh Tassie air… I really could get used to this.

I decided to head back to Adventure Bay (via yet another route) and get some supplies for making dinner in the camp kitchen. I headed to the General Store at Adventure Bay to see what they had to offer. My stomach was telling me that Chicken Boscaiola should be on the menu… and I was lucky enough to find all the ingredients I needed. I must say I really did out do myself… it was a superb meal. Even had enough left over to have on toast for breakfast the next morning.

……to be continued