2 Geckos Travelling Australia: 2014

Lovely morning, temperature getting better, though we still have blankets on!!! The spare battery in the truck that runs the fridge has been playing up. It is a sealed one but Steve checked it and it had two dry cells. Saw an add on TV last night for a battery place so we headed off into Hobart. I made an appointment to donate whole blood for 10am. We went round to Piersons Point to check out if any yachts were heading in. Just a couple so we headed into town.

Giving blood is good too as I get to check my weight on the scales – not bad. Steve came in so made him hop on and yes he needs to do a bit of work!!!

Went round to the battery place and got a new one. Hope this one lasts longer than a year and a half!!

Around midday the sky was being covered in a thin cloud. They have predicted storms this afternoon and the lady at the Blood Bank said that it will snow on Mt Wellington tonight.

We headed back to Mt Nelson to check out the Signal Station properly. They had flags flying and they were flying well as the wind was building up.

A couple of yachts still coming in. Not sure what race they are in as there are three others happening at the same time.

There was a major storm heading our way.

Went into the Signal Station to read all the info.

Life on the Station.

Flags.

Signalman’s cottage built in 1897.

The storm is building. Steve saw lightning strikes and the wind is getting very strong so we decided to head back to the van to make sure it is ok. The wind on the road was strong, blowing heaps of stuff onto the road.

Then the rain started.

Luckily we are sheltered here. The storm whizzed over our heads and headed south. Those poor yachtsmen will not be having a good time.

By the time we had lunch the sun had come back out again and it was getting hot. We decided that we would head to Bruny Island tomorrow rather than wait for New Year.

Drove back into Kingston and stopped at the Blow Hole to check it out as the tide is in and the wind is blowing well over this side.

Unfortunately the Blow Hole part has collapsed and left an arch. Still very interesting.

Walked out to the cliff edge. Looking down to the entrance to the Blow Hole.

Spotted a few more yachts heading in. Lots of wind for them today.

They are having their own little race to the finish.

Googled the yacht’s number – 49. It was Duende from NSW. It arrived at 3.58.45pm today. It was 2.30pm when we saw it. On board was Tony Cable who has achieved the most Sydney to Hobart races (49). The white one is Art Equity Mahligai, also from NSW who arrived at 3.54.31pm.

Not my cup of tea.

Blackmans Beach. Looks like a lovely day on this side!!

Everyone has a water view at Blackmans Beach.

Got some groceries at Kingston and the black clouds are back again. Zoomed in on Mt Wellington. Maybe there might be some snow!!!

Unpacked the groceries just before the storm hit. Luckily it blew over quickly. Got ready to head off tomorrow. Checked the Yacht Tracking website and the Cairns yacht, Guilty Pleasures crossed the line about 4pm. Watched the news broadcast from the dock and we are glad we didn’t go back into town.

Wind gusts every now and then but no more rain. Getting cooler – Steve said maybe it will snow, his feet are getting colder!!

Lovely calm, clear sky morning. Checked on the yachts and there aren’t expected till after lunch so headed off to Snug Falls for a walk. Passed lavender fields on the way.

Into Snug that is on the coast and then up a very narrow dirt road along the Snug Tiers ridge to a parking area (280m). It is a 2.1 km hike to the Falls (45min return), down a rocky and rooty track but not too bad. The going back up bit might be a different story!! Long drop falls with enough water – would be nicer with more water over it. The water is very tannin stained but the locals from New Newfolk that it was great.

Headed back up past lots of caves.

The rocky pathway.

Not much of a view from the rocky outcrop where they have put a shelter.

Steve was waiting for the bus to take him back to the truck!!

Going up.

Some kids ran up past us and then the mum & dad. Worst still the mum then piggybacked the daughter!! Another burnt out tree but not big enough for Steve.

They built houses on all types of slopes here.

This bit of road had bitumen and little pull over areas as there is no way two cars could pass.

Back to the main road and on to Kettering as we wanted to check out the ferry across to Bruny Island. Fairly big marina here.

The ferry was just leaving. It will cost us $80 return to go across with the van.

Back to Oyster Cove to find a spot for a cuppa (even though it is now midday!) Found this lovely spot.

The ferry doesn’t have far to go!!

Followed the road around from Oyster Cove and we ended back opposite the ferry dock. Magnificent view – such a gorgeous day, but the yachts won’t be happy as there is no wind.

Back to Snug and down to the beach for a look. This one of the Huon Trail signs. In 1967 Snug suffered deaths and huge damage in a terrible fire.

Lovely beach.

Snug Falls comes down Snug Creek to join the sea here.

On one side is sand and the other has oyster beds. The bridge crosses over the mouth of the creek to a walk around the cliff edges of the point.

Looked across to the other side of North West Bay to try and find our van. Couldn’t see it from here but this is where Tinderbox boat ramp is on the point.

Passed a sign for Alpaca Poo ($3 a bag). We had seen Pony Poo too.

Listened to the news and Wild Oats (Hamilton Island yacht) is heading into Storm Bay so headed to Pierson Point. Lots of people parking on the side of the road looking out to the bay. Turned in to the point and it was packed. A guy drove in behind us so we had to keep going – got a bit squeezy.

Found a park back out near the road and made lunch. Then watched as car drove in one entrance and another into the other so someone had to back up – Oops! Climbed up on the gun emplacement with a few others. Lots of other boats out on the water to greet the yachts.

Watched as Wild Oats tacked towards North Bruny then back again to South Arm (across from us), then back again to Blackmans Bay and into Derwent River to win Line Honours for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Was quite exciting.

We could see the American boat, Comanche, coming around the point so waited for it to arrive.

Comanche had such a great start (it is her first year – she is only 2 months old) but obviously didn’t suit the ocean as well as Wild Oats. Wild Oats had passed Comanche and had at one point a 40 nautical mile lead but that has shrunken to about 10 as they head into Hobart.

Lots of helicopters flying around and all types of boats zooming along beside the yacht.

She has turned again and heading towards Hobart.

Zoomed in on Comanche and the couple of boats greeting her. Love the face on the main sail.

As Comanche was passing us, Wild Oats had crossed the finish line.

Headed into Hobart to see if we can get a park and get down to the docks. Going down off the side of Mt Nelson, looking over Derwent River and the tall tower of the Wrest Point Casino where Mum & Dad will be staying.

The Tasman Bridge.

Found a park on Macquarie Street – meters on Sunday till 4 and it is 3.45 so we figured we will be ok. Headed down to the docks and as we rounded the corner we saw the top of Comanche head over the finish line area.

Old time street entertainment as we headed down to the docks. Washboard, pianola and squeezebox playing great tunes.

As we entered Elizabeth Street Pier we heard the presentation beginning for Wild Oats. We are behind the presentation dais but we could see the yacht and what was happening. There is plenty of room to watch.

Walked down onto the floating pontoons to get a better photo of the yacht. Boy that mast is high.

We can see Comanche out in the open dropping her sail.

The old sailing boats are heading back in too.

The Comanche cheer squad are here waiting.

Comanche makes her way into the dock area.

Everyone gave the crew Three Cheers. Then the crew from Wild Oats did their cheer.

It was a tight turn around. Two crew climbed out onto the front point to push them around off the pier where everyone was sitting.

They played “Fat Bottom Girls” as she docked.

Went for a walk to find a coffee which was lovely. Chatted with a chap about the other races happening today too. Melbourne to Hobart Race – via West Coast and another via East Coast and the Launceston to Hobart. Boy it is going to be crowded in here with all these yachts coming in.

Walked back around the Pier to check out Comanche (also to get my jumper I left in the toilets!!!)

They were all happily celebrating – no official presentation for second.

Steve said the lady on the left could be Kristy Hinz whose husband owns the yacht. After someone in the crowd chatted with her she disappeared to the other side of the yacht and left the media man to talk to people. I was taking the photo of the crew in his garb.

Certainly a wide boat – plenty of room.

Took photos of information panels, manual grinders and helm. We had seen a lot of this on Sunrise where the chap explained all the coloured buttons etc.

Comanche has manual grinders where Wild Oats had all electric grinders.

Looking down into the cabin and it looks like drink bottles.

Wandered over to Wild Oats and the deck hand was the only one left washing the yacht.

Wild Oats is a lot skinnier.

Only one entrance to the cabin area.

The helm.

Got Steve to take a photo of me to prove I was here too!!

All the news vans.

Back into the marquee to check how the other yachts are going. Guilty Pleasures is sitting in 42^nd position for Line Honours. There will be a group of them coming in around midday tomorrow so will go back to the point to watch them come in. A chap explained the handicap bit for us.

The trophy goes to the one who wins using the handicap system. Apparently during the open water the sea was quite rough and the Maxi Yachts had to slow down but the smaller yachts could still go fast so it is possible they will win the trophy over the big ones once the handicap is worked out. There are also different classes of yachts too. In other words there will be lots of winners in the end.

Another couple of shots of the trophy.

The Line Honour Winner’s flag.

Into the Taste of Tasmania area. They covered wooden seats with green carpet and there is heaps on the ground giving lovely outdoor areas.

Stopped to watch a couple of entertainers doing balancing. She was the anchor and they were both very good. Took a couple of videos too.

Lots of people enjoying the show.

Great balancing.

Into the pavilion which is a buzz of activity. Lots of stalls selling local food and drinks. Wandered around. We tried some chocolate coated raspberries – very nice. There was a band playing on one side then DJ out the other side where the markets usually are.

Headed out past the Tasman Fountain which commemorates the Dutch Explorers and Abel Tasman.

Walked back up Salamanca Place into St David’s Park. On these walls are very old tombstones that have been saved from a cemetery – what a great idea. I googled about the cemetery as I didn’t have any info on it. It was the first burial ground in Tasmania. The last burial was in 1872 as the town was growing and the townspeople didn’t want corpses near their homes. It contains over 900 of the ‘First Fleeters’ and first settlers of Hobart Town.

Even the broken ones were saved – some only had half the words.

Lovely band rotunda. The park was opened in 1926.

This old tombstone was to celebrate the life of a policeman killed on the job in 1843.

Back up the steep climb then turn off up to Mt Nelson Signal Station. There is a whole subdivision of houses up here too. It is now 6.15 so the gates to the signal station are closed but we can park near and walk in.

Followed a path and found a plaque for Trucanini, an Aboriginal who died May 1876. The park area down the hill slope is named after him. There is a walk down to hill which we were at the bottom of the other day.

Walked around to the signal station past a scurrying rabbit. Great view over South Arm and Iron Pot lighthouse.

The Signal Station is closed but we checked out the plaques we could see. It was established in 1811.

Peering inside we saw a photo place guide.

Under the signal tower explains how they used semaphore system and flags. Originally flags were used. The Semaphore System used moveable arms attached to the mast to send coded messages. The first semaphore was erected in 1829. The station was decommissioned in 1969.