Sun, 12th Apr, 2015 Petal Point Campground to Derby Park

Woke to the most glorious morning of clear blue sky and flat sea. Unfortunately there was a cloud band in the east blocking the sunrise. It is 13 degrees at 7am so jumped back into bed and put the TV on till it warms up a bit more!! Someone is going out abalone diving.

The wind towers are all facing a different direction and going very slowly. While we were watching TV last night we lost reception for a bit. Realised now that was when the wind had dropped and the towers were turning around so must have caused some interference to the TV. We notice it when certain cars full of electronics go by.

We can see the islands a lot clearer – zoomed in on Flinders Island’s high peaks of Strzelecki Peaks behind Cape Barren Island.

I trimmed my fringe then cut Steve’s hair – I think I am doing a pretty good job. We packed up then made a cuppa and enjoyed sitting in the sun and enjoying the beautiful view. 

Some bees decided to buzz around. Managed to take a photo of one.

Walked back out to Petal Point for better photos of Boobyalla Beach etc starting from Mt Connor around to Waterhouse Point and then Waterhouse Island.

Zoomed in on Boobyalla village which is at the mouth of the Ringarooma River and used to be a port for the tin mining area around Derby.

Another shot of the wind tower I took a photo of yesterday. Today with a beautiful blue back drop and facing the other direction and only going very slowly.

Lovely green flat pastures as we head back out towards Gladstone. Instead of No Trespassing signs here they put ‘ Please Respect Private Property’ which does sound much nicer.

Looking across to Mt William.

Through Gladstone – only a couple of houses here. Past the Blue Lake which we will check out another day when we go looking for gemstones etc. This is a huge tin mining area. Back into the hills again.

Heading down into Derby. As we drove into town there were about 10 vans lined the road. Looks like a Convoy!!

Nice camp area beside the Ringarooma River though we are on the high bank so we can’t get down to the river. There is an English Elm beside us so have to watch it doesn’t drop it acorns on the solar panels.

Chatted with the couple in a big 5^th wheeler who were only from St Helens. They have just been to Lightning Ridge and he suggested a better place nearby to find opals. I texted that to Erica & Terry as they are there are the moment. The chap offered for us to park the van on his block in St Helen’s if we needed to. We have found the Tasmanians so friendly and helpful. He also pointed out that this Red Cap Mushroom is poisonous.

This field mushroom is fine though.

Beside us are a lot of campers with mountain bikes. Steve chatted with a couple. A new track was just opened here and the National Titles will be held here in May so they are all here giving it a try out.

After lunch we headed into Scottsdale to get fuel, food and water as the sign says to boil water here first. Lovely autumn colours are starting to appear on the trees.

Stopped at North East Park to top up the truck with water. Chatted with a couple from WA and then a guy from Maryborough. Some of the vans from Derby, which were Qlders too, pulled into the park for the night. I went over to the lake to try and find the platypus but found a metre long eel instead.

Got our fuel – probably our dearest as there were no discounts off here. We enquired about gas bottle exchange but that was $43, the chap suggested we go around to Mitre 10 instead as it is only $28 there. See more helpful Tasmanians. Got our groceries then headed back to Derby. Temperature is dropping quickly with the lovely clear sky. Steve checked the temperature and it was 11 degrees at 5pm.

No sitting around the fire tonight. We had bought some woolly socks to wear in the van so Steve put his on and there are lovely. Decided we need to have our showers earlier now as it gets colder earlier.

Quite night updating my blog and watching TV.

Temperature at 10pm is16.3 degrees inside and 5.4 degrees outside!!!