Day 20, Tuesday 14/1/2014, Freycinet

No sleep-in for me. I was up by 0700hrs. There were some loud annoying neighbours with a teenage girl that wouldn't stop wining. I have a splitting headache, aching muscles and feel really down about not climbing Mount Amos with the others. Hours went by with me just reading and swatting at mosquitos and generally feeling sorry for myself. Leah had gone to the beach with her girls and the teens were just hanging around doing their own thing. I didn't feel well enough to go to the beach, but probably should have. I needed a good cold water dunking.

Finally we all went out for lunch at Freycinet Marine Farm, firstly stopping on the way to visit the shortest lighthouse in Australia. You had to drive up a Jurassic style mountain. There were great views across all the mountain peaks. Amazing landscape!

Yum! Col and I had half a crayfish, and oysters with salmon and brie. Jordan and Jack went with salmon steaks. It's another 35 degree day. After lunch Col and I sat in our chairs in the shade and read until our planned 1700hr paddle.

Our paddle today was superb! Around rocks, beside mountains, crystal clear aqua water and great lighting pre sunset. It was a leisurely cruise around the shoreline ending with a choppy paddle straight back across the bay into the wind. Fiona didn't come because of a sore hand and went for a walk with Jess instead, so an excited Jack took her kayak. I had offered mine to Jordan but she didn't want it, said she was too tired and stayed at camp. It was 1900hrs when we were packing up our kayaks.

After a quick spaghetti bolognaise we went down to join the others for party food and drinks. Poor Leah had to walk her girls to the toilet so much that she really didn't get to chat with everyone.

Day 16, Friday10/1/2014, Tasman Peninsula

Today was the most perfect weather ever. 30 degrees celsius, blue sky and a light breeze.We all went on the amazing boat tour around the south east coast of Tasman Peninsular. Absolutely spectacular scenery! There was a bit of jet boating, darting between rocks and into caves. The tallest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere that looked like thousands of pillars and very jagged rock formations. There was a pod of dolphins playing in our wake, an albatross cruising around, plenty of seals and a lighthouse on Tasman Island.

The kids all had a great time. Eliza sat between Col and I and often screamed in delight and sometimes fear. Jordan almost cried with the prolonged close up encounter with the dolphins. It was a 3hr trip finishing near Port Arthur historic site.

From there, the Morgans headed to another Tasmanian Devil encounter, the teenagers to a chocolate factory. Col, Bruce, Fiona and I had lunch at the famous little pie shop (scallop pies) and did a couple of little lookout hikes (north eastern end of peninsula). After dropping Fiona back at camp so she could do some washing, we checked out the most southern lookout to possibly use for aurora viewing.

I couldn't believe how knackered I was and had to have an afternoon nap, as did Bruce, Jordan and Jack. Even Fiona needed one! Then it was food, coffee, reading and charging camera batteries. I changed lenses and got ready for night photography, heading off for our ghost tour at Port Arthur.

I volunteered to carry the candle lantern and be first into all the buildings. I couldn't believe no one else wanted to. It was fun going into them alone, but sadly not at all scary for me. My favourite was the basement beneath the surgeon's house. It had sandstone tunnels and rooms. Even Jordan wasn't freaked out, so it must be tame. Next time we'll have to do the overnight one where they use scientific tools and sensors to try to prove a spiritual presence.

The sky was a blanket of clouds, and even a few drops of rain so we didn't end up going to the lookout. There was no sign of the aurora from Port Arthur and Leah and Gary had tried while we were at our tour and only saw black clouds.

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.