Tues, 13th Feb, 2024 Malcolm & Kerry’s place, Scamander to Malcolm & Kerry’s place, Westbury, Tas

14 degrees this morning but it warmed up quickly with the bright sunshine. Forecast for 32 degrees today with a storm for this afternoon then a drop in temperature.

Went for our walk along the beach again.

Relaxing morning chatting.

The wind picked up from the north-east before lunch. We packed up the camper after lunch and headed back to Westbury hopefully before the storm came.

As we left Scamander I noticed a lovely building on a farm.

Now for the 10km climb up St Mary’s Pass with the wind whipping the trees now. Heard on the UHF that two vehicles have collided on the pass but have now have been removed which is good.

When we got to the top we saw Police with the two cars - a ute with a very crunched front.

Into St Mary’s - we can see the storm clouds building in the distance. The wind is pushing us along.

At Tullochgorem - old railway siding the wind swept a sprinkle of rain over us. Getting darker as we go further into the storm.

Quick stop at Avoca but only got to see 3 history signs before the rain started again.

Drizzly rain and the wind has settled as we turn back onto the Midlands Highway and head north. Rain continued on and off.

A few great flashes of lightning across the clouds as we near Launceston.

Back onto the Bass Highway and back to Westbury. The rain has stopped and the sky is clearing now.

Back to our usual spot and had a cuppa. We rang Jax Tyres and booked in for Monday morning to put the new rims on the truck as we head back to the mainland on Tuesday night.

4pm a big roll of thunder was heard then at 4.30pm the rain started with more thunder and lightning but it passed over quickly and cooled things down.

The silo delivery for tomorrow was cancelled. The sun is out again but the wind is back.

Cooked dinner and took it inside to eat with the others as the wind blew outside.

Watched the news for the first time in ages. Sadly a swimmer had died near St Helens the other day. Megan sent a photo to Kerry showing the hail that fell at their place in Launceston - that lightning we saw on the way here.

9pm headed back to the camper - very windy. 19 degrees in the camper.

Mon, 12th Feb, 2024 Malcolm & Kerry’s place, Scamander, Tas

A bit warmer this morning, 16 degrees when we got up - still a min of 14. Clearer sky.

Joined Malcolm for a walk along the beach, this time south towards the river. Kerry will join us at the river later. Clear sky - much nicer than yesterday.

We wore shorts and thongs today so I can put my feet in the water. Malcolm took a photo for me.

All good till the wave got me so I got a wet behind! Then the wave got Steve too.

Spotted a big bird sitting on the beach and it didn’t fly off as we got closer. We edged up to it and realised it has a broken wing. I didn’t have my phone so will ring the animal rescue when we get back in case there is someone about who can collect it and give it some help.

Got down to the river then realised we have to wade through the water or walk a long way further down to be able to cross over. We watched a chap on the other side and he was walking a fair way then he was swimming so we won’t go that way.

We headed around the edge of the ‘lake’ as the river can’t get out to the ocean at the moment. Malcolm said when they put in the latest bridge they changed the angle of the supports and it changed the flow of the river and it has since silted up. We got around to the ‘bridge’ that didn’t make it to the edge but we got onto it and across.

Met Kerry near the bridge and headed back along the main road. All the sea gulls in a row waiting for someone with chips!

I rang Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and sent them a photo of the bird. I got a call later advising they will be sending out someone. It was an Australian Gannet.

Got a message from Marion & Pete to say they are grandparents again - Tim and Sophie had a little boy, Benjamin Peter on the 8^th Feb - mother and baby doing well. That will be us soon.

Had a cuppa then we went with Malcolm for a ride in his speed boat up the Scamander River. There is a section for water sports where they take the kids tubing and skiing. Very nice ride though the paddle-boarders probably weren’t too keen on when we came by! We meandered upstream till the river became too shallow then headed back.

Stopped at the ‘ski area’, two small clearings they can unload at and ski from. Malcolm had a swim as he said it was a hot day! I put my feet in the water - lovely and chilly!

Got a good selfie and Malcolm took a group photo and one looking forward to the bridge.

Back home for lunch. The bird rescuer rang so I gave her directions. Hope it was still there and ok.

The wind has sprung up after lunch. I worked on my blog and then some cross-stitch for a while then went up and helped Kerry finish the jigsaw while we had a cuppa.

Malcolm pruned his Yukkas. They look great so I sent a photo to Jon so he can do his - his reply was - something for me to do when I get back!!

The temp has reached 35 so we headed along to Shelly Point Beach for a swim. The shells have disappeared under the sand. Amongst the boulders we found a nice shell, a star-fish and lots of thick kelp.

I had put my togs on but a bit chilly and wild for me. Malcolm went in of course - perfect he said. 

Nice view back along the beach to Scamander.

Found some shells above the water line. More peeking out from under the sand where the water is rushing in.

Wandered around to the northern side and found some lovely pools - I could have had a dip here.

I went up to the little lookout - nice view and information about whale watching.

On the way back we drove up to a new estate area - they have great views up here too.

Then across the river and up to another new gated estate - complete with tennis courts etc. Some have views of the river and Green Island - a little island in the river apparently.

Stopped to read the signs about the many bridges that have been built here across the river. Malcolm said it was a shame they pulled down the old one as everyone loved fishing off it.

Back home for drinks out on the front deck for about half hour then the wind changed direction and the temperature dropped so we headed around the back out of the wind.

Ray & Carol rang to see where we were. They are heading back across to WA with Anthony etc in April. Might catch them somewhere.

Graham & Sharon rang then - busy me! They are heading across to Westbury so will give us a call when they get there to catch up.

Malcolm cooked his special pizzas but no anchovies this time! He does a great job as long as Kerry has all the ingredients of course.