Fri, 26th Jan, 2024 Mike & Anne’s place, Ansons Bay, Tas

5.30am a shower of rain came over. Clear sky by 7am, minimum of 16 degrees.

Australia Day - we are so glad to live in this great nation and to have the freedom to be able to travel around it like we do.

Steve and I went for a walk down to the bay. Looks nice except for the sea grass. Lots of kookaburras laughing and now we know why as a rainbow appeared. A shower of rain was coming our way from the dark clouds that just came over the hills.

Only a light sprinkle as we walked back. The wind has quickly taken them out to sea so all good.

Anne put the Australia Flag tablecloth on the table. Joined the kids in a game of Scrabble.

Mike and Steve are trying to work out why the water isn’t working from the water tanks. Looks like the pump has died - it had been playing up. Anne rang a shop in St Helens who was open which is lucky as it is a public holiday. Mike and Steve headed off for a quick drive down to pick it up and then back again.

Anne and I walked with the kids down to their cousins at the other grandparents place and left them there for the morning. We walked back and called into where her other daughter was staying - they have just bought a caravan so we checked it out.

The kids stayed there for lunch so I had lunch then worked on my cross-stitch.

The boys came back with the new pump and got it connected. Late lunch then they collected Oakley and his cousin Ollie and took the boat up the river. Still very windy but they had fun. Steve said the guest needs to catch the first fish - and he did, only a small one, then the next one too. Shame they weren’t good enough to eat.

Had drinks on the patio ago around the fire. The girls came back from their cousins and Anne got them dinner early as all the kids were being taken up the river to go swimming - crazy Tasmanians!

We had a nice dinner with crayfish, lamb and pork steaks and salad. Very Australian. I tried the crayfish with no sauce - it was ok but I won’t deprive someone else who loves it. Steve enjoyed it a lot especially the bits in the legs.

It has cooled off but the firepit works well though it is a bit smoky. The wind comes and goes. Steve spotted a satellite in the clear sky and we noted that the Southern Cross is upside down compared to home.

I commented on hearing the kookaburras and Anne said they always have the last laugh about 9.30pm as the sun goes down. Boy did they laugh.

Big moon rising too. Cooled off when we got back into the camper, 17 degrees at 10pm.