Day 19, Monday 13/1/2014, Freycinet

Col, Bruce, Fiona and I went out for a paddle in Coles Bay at 0700hrs. First we circumnavigated the little island just in front where Fiona saw a guy in a sleeping bag. The view back from here, and south into the next bay is spectacular. Five mountains, the Hazard Mountain Range, is lining the southern edge. From there we headed north to check out Simon and Lisa's resort, Sapphire Freycinet, having to paddle into the wind the whole way. It looked so posh that we half expected guards to come down and shoo us away. Such a leisurely paddle back following the coastline south with the wind behind us. Col and Bruce then wanted to go around the next point to the south. I definitely didn't want to finish into the wind so I got out and Fiona followed suit.

There was enough time for a coffee and bacon roll before Simon and Lisa arrived with their 2 gorgeous dogs. Hugs all round. It's lovely to see family at the ends of the earth (of Australia anyway). We discussed how sad it was that Lisa, Stuart, Michael and Jamie weren't there to see them, their jobs at the resort and great local things to do. The rest of the group came down to meet them and hang out.

After a bit of a play on the beach with the dogs, Lisa and Simon left to meet with other friends so the rest of us went for a bit of an adventure to the south end of Friendly Beach on a 4WD track Simon had told us about. Morgans spread between the three 4WDs. It was a pretty easy track but 4WD was required for a rocky creek crossing which Jordan enjoyed. It was very windy and wild at the beach which kept the temperature down nicely while we hiked around the point rock hopping. Such beautiful rocks with lovely orange lichen and granite that would look great as my kitchen bench.

Lunch was at our cars overlooking the beach, before heading back to the peninsula and as far south as you can drive to hike up a mountain to view Wineglass Bay. It was really hot now, 35 degrees C at 1500hrs. It was a hard slog for me up many steps, but Fiona and Leah nicely hung back with me for my "photography" breaks, making them perfect models.

It was so much more spectacular than you see in brochures, and there were some great boulders and tunnels that Jack was playing in. There was even an Easter Island head! After a decent rest a photoshoot and lots of water, Jack finally managed to talk Fiona, Leah and I into exploring and climbing. So much fun and it was about 10 degrees cooler in there.

Back at camp we had a cool shower, relaxed and read for a bit, then Col cooked sausages. The vegetables had gone bad so I chucked them and sent the kids down to the bistro to get some takeaway caesar salad to go with the snags.

I told everyone I was planning to walk around to the south bay to get some sunset shots with the awesome mountain backdrop but didn't get any takers. I headed off on my own, enjoyed chatting to a fisherman and got some pretty shots.

Col, Bruce, Fiona and Gary plan to hike up Mount Amos in the morning. I struggled today, so I know I won't manage 2 days in a row. My legs are jelly, feeling very sad. Col was all excited about the mountain climb tomorrow and was packing a little snack box of nuts and lollies. Jordan and Jack started singing at the tops of their voices "Bohemian Rhapsody" with a group singing nearby. I read pretty late with a plan to sleep in tomorrow.

Day 15, Thursday 9/1/2014, Bruny Island to Tasman Peninsula

The most perfect weather yet. Blue sky, sunshine and no wind. It's supposed to get to 25 degrees C today. Great for packing up but sad to leave our beautiful private beach campsite on Bruny. Thanks Phil, and thanks Leah (for finding it). Off to the Tasman Peninsula. Everyone was packed up on time. Well done all, should easily get the 1000hrs ferry.

Got to the ferry at 0900hrs to see it on it's way in. Grabbed a quick coffee from the kiosk, drinking it in the car line up. I ran back to the kiosk again with minutes to spare to buy the "Bruny Island Food and Recipe" book, one each for Leah and Fiona as thanks for arranging the trip and itinerary. I jumped into our car as it passed the kiosk. Then it was time for a grocery top up at Coles, and back to Salamanca markets where I jumped out to get more possum socks, then into Katmandu to get a jacket I had really wanted. It was the last one left, on the clearance rack for $25 and in my size. Yes!

Heading east to Sorrell fruit farm next across the Tasman Bridge. You pay for a certain sized tub and just go for it out in the fields, picking fruit. It was now 25 degrees with no wind and felt quite hot hiking through the fields. We were all scouring the fruit trees while Jordan and Bruce waited at the cafe.

After a leisurely lunch at the cafe we pushed on SE to the Tasman Peninsula, arriving at our campground at about 1530hrs. We set up quickly, then took the kayaks down for the teenagers to have a play. Jack in Col's, Jordan in mine and Jess in Fiona's. They went off to check out a couple of little islands and then rafted up to do photos. They did really well.

Next Bruce and I took Gary out after a bit of convincing. Col was working (he brought his computer), Leah was clothes washing and Fiona was minding Eliza and Amara. We took him around the islands where we saw cormorants and gulls with chicks. He found it was much easier than he had expected. Leah soon joined Fiona on the beach, but didn't want a paddle. It's a beautiful, well protected little bay "White Beach".

After dinner drinks in our camp. Everyone is getting excited about the boat trip tomorrow. I've also now booked the ghost tour for tomorrow night for Parkes and Williams. The Morgan kids are too young. I gave them their books and then everyone went to bed while I stayed up pottering until 2300hrs.

I had washing to do then headed down to the beach to play with night photography. I was desperate to see the Southern lights which are meant to be spectacular in the next two days. While setting up my camera on the beach I heard a couple talking. He said "I'm not sure, I think it's a kangaroo". Next second I'm under a spotlight and the 'kangaroo' is waving back at the couple.
The beach faces west so I went to the playground to check from there. No lights. All I found was a rabbit which I chased and almost caught as he suddenly decided to play dead.

Day 14, Wednesday 8/1/2014, Bruny Island

I had a restless night, waking up at 0330hrs, waiting an hour to go to the toilet, back to sleep from 0500 to 0730hrs. Kayaking at 0800hrs.
The entry waves were big this morning. I was a bit scared paddling out with waves rolling over my kayak, face and head. They seemed to go forever. About twelve waves to cross.
The sunnies came straight off as I couldn't see through the salt wash. Col tipped over as he tried to put his sunnies in the rear hatch due to the large swell. Ahahahahah! Cool way to start the trip (literally) and after making it through the waves unscathed!

I got to practice our recovery technique before heading out into open sea through large swell. As we rounded the point the swell was large enough that we couldn't see each other in neighbouring troughs.
After 3km we had almost made it to Mable Bay (big cave) but the swell picked up even more and Fiona became ill so we had to turn back. Bruce and I had to raft up with Fiona to prevent her rolling while vomiting.
It's unbelievable how crystal clear the water is, that is until we came across a big slick of muck on the surface that smelt like rotting fish. Our guesses consisted of sludge off a fishing trawler or whale vomit. Hmmm, paddling through burley in great white territory!!
Then it was crystal clear again with giant orange jelly fish and tiny egg sized glowing blue balls.
I was dreading the surf exit, only to find it had flattened dramatically and I paddled in easily, getting out completely dry. Col and Bruce had a bit of a play in the surf though with Bruce finally getting wet. Such a sad day for Bruce, losing his 25yr old brown leather hat. RIP!
A total of 6km this morning. Short but beautiful. The 1100hr deadline was met for our outing to the oyster farm where we had lunch and then cheese tasting.

On our way back to camp we went up 236 stairs to a lookout at the northern end of the neck. I had muscle burn and right thigh cramping. The view was amazing! The water had amazing colours with the sun out, differing from the west to the east. I played with panoramic photos, then limped back down.

The teenagers had chosen to stay at camp to finish their "structure" which looks pretty cool, plus walked on the beach, played cards, ate and chatted. Sounds lovely!

Col and Bruce again played in the surf with their kayaks, Jack deciding not to join in today, choosing to play with some photography instead along with Leah, Fiona, Jess and I. Jordan was laying on the beach watching, while Gary, Eliza and Amara went swimming in the beach. Crazy, Gary didn't have a wetsuit like the girls!

Col tipped over twice but managed to right himself the second time while still in the surf. According to Col, Bruce just didn't go hard enough to fall out. We got our first full group photo today posing on a log using Leah's tripod.

Time to clean up the kayaks and start packing up. We need to be ready by 0800hrs tomorrow to get to the ferry by 0930hrs for a 1000hrs crossing. It will be a 5hr journey in total, plus stops for tasting and shopping.
I've already booked us in for a boat trip Friday morning to see the seals and caves on the Tasman Peninsula. Still need to book a ghost tour.
Such a pleasant evening. Perfect weather, friends, campfire, good food and good wine. Surrounded by happy, laughing, relaxed people.
Our host Phil is sad to see us leave and would love to have such beautiful families back. He says he'll take us out fishing next time and says we can use his beach if we're ever passing through for the day.
Leah told him we'd send some lovely photos for his website.
Just enjoyed Amara doing my hair. Bliss!