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 18, Sunday 12/1/2014, Tasman Peninsula to Freycinet

Everyone had to be ready by 0815hrs to make sure we didn't miss our cruise at Maria Island. The alarms were set, Morgans for 0630hrs, ours for 0645hrs but we were ready by 0745hrs. Morgans were fast today and were ready by 0800hrs. Williams and Parkes (including the teenagers) took a short cut up a dirt road through farms and the tiniest town ever. It only had two buildings, a mini church and one that looked like a combo school, grocery store and pub. Morgans route was longer, but faster on the black top, meeting at roughly the same time in Triabunna to have brekkie and coffee in a sweet cafe. I bought a lovely book there on aurora chasing in Tasmania. This was the place for us to board the ferry for our leisurely cruise along parts of Maria Island. In places it reminded me of Jurassic Park and was a geologist's (or Gary's) dream.

An hour further north had us at Coles Bay, Freycinet. The Big 4 was pretty sad. We were given spots that were barely large enough for a hiking tent, way back from the water and not all together. Col and I would have coped being separate from the rest but Fiona and Leah were upset that they had booked ahead 6 months specifically to get better spots. They went to discuss it with reception, but with no luck.

After a drive, a cruise and setting up tents we all voted on dinner at the pub at the front of Big 4 which was pretty good. Fiona bought a sav blanc to share with the girls 42 degrees S. Yum. Coles Bay is quite protected with a little island out front and Sapphire to the right. It was decided on an early paddle tomorrow before meeting up with family. There is a swarm of mosquitoes here, much smaller than ours but relentless. An early night to bed to relax with my Game of Thrones book.

Day 17, Saturday 11/1/2014, Tasman Peninsula

Another glorious 30 degree day (with a lovely cool breeze). After a bit of a sleep-in, we spent 6hrs exploring Port Arthur. Mind blowing history at its finest. Eliza and Amara did well to cope with this. They had fun doing their cards (exploring a historical person), hugging everyone and exploring the ruins.

Our day included a little cruise and talk on the Isle of the Dead. This was a highlight as the guide was so animated, funny and informative. The saddest part for me was visiting the memorial for the victims of the massacre. I couldn't help but cry.

Morgans hadn't eaten much that day so they went straight to the Tavern near our camp for an early dinner. Williams and Parkes went to Remarkable Cave to hike down into the cave, although our teenagers bailed and went back to camp. The cave really is remarkable! Fiona and I had fun with our cameras with Col and Bruce as gorgeous models.

Needed to stop at IGA on the way back to grab a couple of things. I was totally jealous of the Morgans eating out as I was too exhausted to cook, but our food will go bad if I don't. I had some fresh salmon pate from Bruny with some Tassie wine to ease the burden and Col helped by BBQ-ing the meat.

Jordan came for a little walk onto the beach with me for sunset photos which was wonderful. I made her model for me and she had me cry-laughing when I attempted a massive close-up.

After tea, Leah, Gary, Eliza, Amara, Fiona, Bruce and I all went back to the lookout to search for the aurora. Not even a glimpse of it the the perfectly clear sky. Maybe last night was our only (missed) opportunity. There were some lovely photos taken regardless, and Eliza and Amara enjoyed modelling for Leah's ghost photo.