Fri, 17th Apr, 2015 Derby Park to Pyengana Recreation Ground (Pyengana Cheese Factory)

Cold morning, 8.5 degrees but a few clouds about at 8am. Our Tassie neighbours, Glenda & Kerry from St Helens are heading home today. We exchanged cards and we will call in when we get there as they have heaps of vegies they would like to share with us. We have met some great Tassies, so friendly and giving.

We packed up slowly. The black cockatoos arrived in the tree beside us and started ripping into the branches.

The sun has come out as we head off. Heading to Pyengana. Up the Weldborough Pass, slow and windy climb to Weld Hill (373m), into the Blue Tier area.  A few vintage cars are out for a drive.

I wanted to check out the pub for history so Steve turned off and then had to turn the truck and van around in a boggy area but he got it around ok (420m). The publican wasn’t too friendly though so I just had a wander and looked at some of the old photos – wasn’t game to take a photo!! Lots of tin mining history here too. There was one in the 1930s of the pub covered in snow. Back on the road and we climbed to 500m past the rainforest walk. Road closure signs along the road for the Targa Tasmania on 29^th Apr. Stopped at the top (620m) to let some cars pass (we checked out the lookout near here last time). 

Down the other side and into the Pyengana Valley (150m). Turned off to find the Pyengana Recreation Ground to park the van.

Great view over the valley.

Had lunch then I worked on my blog for a while and Steve went and chopped some timber – look at the pile, isn’t he a good boy. They had a woodchop competition here recently!!!

Drove down to the Pyengana Cheese Factory. Cute dog area.

Ordered a coffee in the Holy Cow Café. Steve wanted to try the Cow Paddy Cookie.

Walked down to the dairy to check out the fully automated milking area. The cows can wander in when they want, have a drink, get their teats cleaned and then milk. They can have some grain and then finish off with a back scratch. I got a great video of them enjoying a scratch. Unfortunately we couldn’t see the actual milking machine working but could just see it as the cows walked in and lifted their legs for the machine to come under them. The gates open automatically to let them in and out.

Interesting information on the walls – this dairy is a third generation farm. They have a herd of 200 Friesian cows that produce the milk to make the Pyengana Cheeses that are still made with traditional methods – the only one in Australia that does this.

We looked in the window where they make the cheese – will have to find out when they are going make some more.

They also make icecream – might have to try one later.  Any milk left over is then bottled.

An old butter churn.

Back to the van to sit outside enjoying the sunshine, reading some magazines getting some more good tips for places to go. Bad phone reception so Steve plugged in the aerial but it didn’t improve. He moved the truck a bit and we got one bar. Amazing though Steve got TV reception so he is happy!! Cooling off so back in the van. Leftovers for dinner tonight.

Went out to check the phone and I had two missed calls, Erica saying they area home again and Charles saying he and Sue have a new family member, Scarlett. Their dog Nina had a pup. Also a text from Tracy Pink to say she and Grant have arrived home in Cairns – such wonderful news. Dianne from Burnie rang too for a chat so will give her a ring when I get better reception.