Day 13, Tuesday 7/1/2014, Bruny Island

Today started with Col cooking bacon and eggs for brekkie. Just after that Fiona came back from her walk to the lagoon and said they were going for a paddle in there. Out to the ocean was out of the question with a southerly, big swell and chop.
We ended up paddling for half the day. Going in through the channel was easy with the wind pushing us, then heading around to the right (east), sheltered by the spit, paddling through oyster farms, then pulled up to walk over the spit, looking to the south.

From there it was fun catching the wind across the lagoon to the northwest corner. Very choppy and we were flying without having to paddle, especially when we were playing around rafting.
Then of course the hard slog paddling back against the wind. What a workout!
I pulled out at the southern end of the channel, as soon as there was surf to deal with as I was too exhausted to take it on. Fiona and Bruce did the same as me, but Col decided to go for it, out through the surf, then riding them back in to our little beach. He ended up in the drink!

No rain today, but nonstop wind. It was 2pm when we got back. 4hrs! Morgans and the kids had been walking, swimming and playing along the beach.
I had Tassie wine with a hot smoked salmon and peach chutney sandwich. Followed by a coffee by the fire. By the way, I had to do brekkie dishes when I got back from a 4hr paddle, thanks kids. I had a lovely chat with Gary while doing them though.
Poor Jordan, always so tired. She's gone back to bad for a sleep. Hope she's OK.

Fiona and Jess have gone for a walk. I turned it down as I'm sitting by the fire with a coffee, exhausted from the paddling. My arms and shoulders cramping up. I'd better go and drink a litre of water to protect the kidneys.
I ended up changing my mind. I caught up with them still chatting with Col, Bruce and Phil (the owner). He's lovely.We walked over the hill to the lagoon site, saw stingrays in the channel and walked back along the beach.
We found Jack in the bush in a half cubby with his sword. He's been running around crazy playing games in the bush. Eliza and Amara found the half cubby and decided to cover the floor with fir pine, which made a beautiful carpet.

My day was made when Jack, Jordan and Jess all went wild in the bush and built a cubby house further in (sorry Jack "a structure").
I then did a bit of photography with Leah and Fiona. Leah and I then went down to the beach with Amara as a model. No rain, no wind, no clouds!

It is 2115hrs and I'm sitting outside writing in my diary by the natural light. The sky is still grey, white, pink. We're all hanging out around a great campfire. Jordan and Jack are doing our dishes, thanks guys!

Such a great day. We're looking forward to perfect weather tomorrow to paddle around to Mable Bay (caves), Phil's advice. He says the other headland to the east has a seal colony and lots of great whites.

Day 12, Monday 6/1/2014, Bruny Island

Due to wind and rain (again) we all went for a drive to the lighthouse plus a lookout on the way. The coastline is so beautiful and rugged! It is the oldest original lighthouse still standing in Australia.

Next was a stop at a little beach you can camp at, then the most southern vineyard in Australia, "Bruny Premium Wines". Col and I loved the Captain's Pinot Noir. Bought a bottle to take home, plus a glass each to have with lunch which was a shared platter of cheeses, salmon, sourdough, oysters and cherry chutney. Jordan stayed in bed this morning choosing not to come. I miss her already!
After lunch we headed to Adventure Bay which is at the north east end of the southern island.

The water was turquoise! Stopped at a fudge and berry tasting place, but it was really just a shop, not tasting.Col and I were in with Fiona and Bruce while Jess and Jack had Jordan's car. The six of us headed back across the middle of the island, through the bush. It was an easy dirt road. Morgans stuck to the blacktop.

The wind had picked up. Fiona and I didn't want to go kayaking, so Col took the opportunity to give Jack a go in the "sheltered bay". Actually they couldn't be tougher learning conditions. A wave entry and strong winds. He did well on several waves, then finally tipped in. Col was catching waves i like a pro!

Bruce, Fiona, Eliza, Amara and Gary went walking off to fish in the lagoon. Leah had a visit to my tent with photos and computer and we did some downloading. Next a glass of wine and diaries around the fire with Jordan and Jess, Jack using the flames to dry off, and Col keeping it stoked.
Jordan had made the most of her "self time" doing photography on the beach, drawing and writing in her diary. Very proud.
Jordan then cooked bacon carbonara while Col BBQd some snags. Col came for a rare romantic walk to the end of the beach with me before we did the dishes. It's still light at 2000hrs. Everyone has gone to bed as it is raining, except Col who is still playing with the fire. It only gets dark after 2120hrs. Time for me to snuggle up and read.