Tues, 2nd Dec, 2014 Hellyer Gorge Rest Area

Quiet morning listening to the birds. Overcast again with light misty drizzle. Steve did my hair. Read more info about where we want to go etc. Nice relaxing day.

Followed the other walking track downstream. Met another couple from Newcastle along the way. They had been on the west coast too and said the wind drove them inland. Might have to rethink our next stop – apparently the wind settles in February. Will see after a few days at Burnie and I will check the weather bureau online. Had a laugh with them about pronunciation of Launceston as her Tassie friend had picked her up on it. A lady at Hall Point mentioned it to me too. I had said it as Lawnceston but it is Lonceston, I said are you from Newcassel or Newcarsel!! They also said the gardens below Smithton are magical. The chap had dairy farm and slowly changed it over to gardens over the past 22 years. Might have to call in and check them out. She said the bumble bees in there are something out of Jurassic Park!!

This walk hasn’t had much upkeep for a while as we climbed over logs etc. But it is magical with all the moss covered logs etc, could almost see the fairies flying around.

Found a couple of interesting fungi. Felt wet and spongy.

We left the side of the river and continued uphill. Some great trees in here.

They go a long way up.

Reached the end of the track at the road so turned round and went back down again.

And when they fall down they cover a lot of ground.

 The path was cut through this one.

Can’t work out how old it is – too much moss.

We know where they got the idea for the spongy stuff under playgrounds now – this moss. It is like walking on a trampoline.

Back to the river and to the van for lunch.

Lots of people stop here for smoko or lunch so always someone to have a chat with.

A couple of families who were at the national athletics comp in Penguin were going to have a go at fishing. Steve told them we had seen some under the bridge. They didn’t catch any – just one of the kids fell in the river so that was the end of that. Steve is going to have a go but his line, hooks etc are a bit over the top for trout.

A mosquito landed on the laptop – they are huge but mainly just fly around me.

Made some scones with lemonade, couple plain and a couple with sultanas. Not bad I must say and even Stephen said so. Forgot to take a photo as we gobbled them down.

Headed down to the river to see if Mr Trout is interested in a wobbly piece of plastic!!!

Steve tried this side first and only caught a rock. Had to clamber along the river edge to the other side of the bridge to get it off.

 His lure is the orange thing on the left. I was on the bridge looking down at it.

Then he flicked from there for a while. I saw one fish follow it across the rocks in the middle. I was standing on top of the bridge looking down. Then Steve tried from the bridge right to the spot I saw the trout yesterday eat the bug.

Don’t know why he wouldn’t be interested!! The fact it sinks, is big and nothing like a fly might have something to do with it. But it passed the time!!!

Washed the truck then had a quiet drink admiring our lovely surroundings. Opened the outside dropdown table and found we had a hitchhiker. He soon got his marching orders.

All up to date on the blog so settled down to read my book that I haven’t picked up since Phillip Island. Cooked dinner then heard a rustle in the bush. Put out some bread and he came back so managed to get a photo before he jumped off - it was a paddymelon (I think).

Went through Dan’s movies and had movie night.