Fri, 2nd Feb, 2024 Mike & Anne’s place, Bridport to David & Maureen’s place, Huonville, Tas

Minimum of 12.2 degrees. The wind is starting to pick up again at 7am.

Loaded the camper back on. Said bye for now - hopefully we will catch up with them again before we leave.

Headed out of town then turned off to follow the road to Pipers River. Crossed the narrow Brid River and through more farming area. The strong wind is back so pushing a head wind again!

Over the Pipers River then we turned off before the township of Pipers River. A new road to mark on my map book as we headed towards Launceston. Through more farms and pine plantations and big areas of grape vines but no cellar door here.

Fields of yellow flowers.

Near Turners Marsh we started a climb up and around the hill edge then up to the top - nice view back.

Turned onto the Lilydale Road and headed downhill - great view here too.

A little bubby rabbit ran alongside the road ahead of us but luckily he went into the bush - not onto the road.

Onto the Georgetown Road where we stopped at roadworks. Anne rang to say she was sitting behind us as she had to come into town for an appointment.

Onto the East Tamar Highway into Launceston and along Wellington Street to the end to then climb the hill and onto the Midland Highway so we can head south to Hobart.

Turned off to Evandale (1830) where we had come to watch the Penny Farthing Festival back in 2015 - it is on again on the 17^th Feb. ‘Castle’ water tower.

It is a lovely little village. We went around to the village green for a cuppa. Bit chilly so we sat in the sunshine.

We decided to take a minor road south via Nile rather than the main highway - another road to mark off on the map. Open and flat so great viewing all around over the farm land to the mountains.

Through the little village of Nile. Passed poor Wally Wombat who didn’t make it across the road. There is so much roadkill along the roads.

Onto a gravel road with the honey coloured grass waving in the strong wind.

Across the South Esk River.

We are weaving our way through a huge property called Vaucluse - sheep, cattle and grain by the looks of it.

Back onto the Midland Highway into road works.

Through Campbell Town - stopped at the Red Bridge (1838) over the Elizabeth River. Great wood carvings too.

The ducks were quietly sleeping under the little pedestrian bridge over the river. We had camped here in May 2015 and froze with -7 degrees and the diesel heater stopped working as the diesel didn’t have the winter conditioner in and it clogged up.

A text with photos came through from Jon & Annalise - catching little barra at the Speewah Barra Farm that is closing down.

Continued down the highway which has safety dividers using posts and wire. Sent off photos to Greg as he is always on about there should be something between the two lanes of traffic.

Continued on to Ross (1821 - over two hundreds years old now) for lunch. Still very windy and chilly but another fabulous town full of so much history and things to see.

I had sent a text to David & Maureen to see what day suits them for us to visit. They are home so we will go directly to them in Huonville tonight. Nothing like driving one end of the state to the other in a day. Easy in Tassie. We met them last year in a rest stop north of Alice Springs and they said to come and stay which is so nice of them.

Continued on, crossed the old bridge over the Macquarie River then back to the Midland Highway again.

A silhouette of a lady on the hill is in relation to the Female Factory of Ross. We checked it all out the first time.

Nice views as we travel down.

More clouds coming over and the wind hasn’t let up so there goes the fuel economy again.

Passed the turn off to Oatlands - another fabulous town to visit. Over the highest point on the Midland Highway (488m) then down the other side.

Dropped down to 260m as we passed the turn off to Kempton where we had Christmas Day in 2014. Fields of lavender.

Rose up again then a straight descent down - signs warning of wet and icy conditions - glad it isn’t today - just strong wind.

Down to Bagdad - rural township with lots of old and newer homes. Dropped down to 60m as we near Brighton. Into more housing and industrial areas are we get nearer to Hobart.

Before we reached the Derwent River at Bridgewater we turned south to go down the east side of the Derwent as we hadn’t driven this section. Across the Jordan River and then into town of Old Beach.

Turned down Jetty Road and parked there for a look around. The wind nearly blew us over and it is cold. Took a few photos and read the information about the two ex-convicts that started the ferry service here and prospered.

Views across the Derwent River or is it the River Derwent as a sign says - to Mt Wellington then along and up the river to where the Jordan River flows in.

Back to the East Derwent Highway with the cliff on one side and the water on the other. Need to clean the windscreen.

Around and onto the Bowen Bridge over the Derwent River on Goodwood Road - we laugh at all the similar names. I think I remember Dad saying he worked at this facility after finishing his uni degree as a Chemical Engineer.

Onto Brooker Highway with all the traffic and headed into Hobart.

Onto the one way Davey Street. A sign says there will be a Ironman Competition here on the 4^th as we pass Constitution Dock.

Continued onto the Southern Outlet to Kingston. I had forgotten about the steep climb up around Mt Nelson - Steve hadn’t.

Down the other side and into Kingston and down to the beach for a cuppa. The bay is sheltered so looked nice but the wind was still cold and strong so we sat in the camper to enjoy the view and keep warm. We can just see Iron Pot in the distance.

Back out and onto the Huon Highway, up the hill and along then another long climb up. Across Vince’s Saddle and then down into Huonville. Snapped a photo of the view as we passed Grove Lookout which was on the other side of the road, hence we didn’t stop.

Lots of wineries and fruit trees etc and the wind is still blowing hard.

Passed the Apple Shed that we visited with Mum and Dad in 2015 - lovely memories.

Through town, then just before the bridge we turned off to park by the Huon River and go for a walk as David and Maureen weren’t due home for another half hour. The Huon Jet boat was slowly coming down the river from its tour further upstream. The old sign needs replacing. The first bridge was built in 1876.

Up to the intersection right at the bridge with the pub, The Grand Hotel, on the corner. They need lights here as it is a very busy intersection.

Back down to the Huon Jet office and another info board which explained how Huonville, the river and the timber got its name - from a French sea captain.

I programmed ‘girlie’ with the address. We crossed the river then turned up their road. Passed some houses then the road changed to a gravel narrow road. I thought ‘girlie’ had it wrong but we couldn’t turn around so continued on. Fantastic view.

Eventually - I was holding my breath - we came to a grid and a sign with their surname so we knew we had the right place. I suppose you get used to it once you have done the drive up and down a few times.

They had just got home and the wind had blown some shed panels around so we just pulled up and helped get the panels under control. Then we said hello and commented about the view - it was amazing. David’s father had bought the hilltop 40 years ago and ran some cattle - now he and his brother have homes up here. Set up camp beside the house.

Walked around to get photos of the incredible view.

Chatted over a cuppa and nibbling on huge cherries. They were from a local orchard that exports them overseas. The house is warmed by an slow combustion cooker - works well and it is their hot water system as well.

Back out to the camper to make dinner - the wind has settled at last. Joined them in the house for a cuppa. Their lounge room windows look over the valley and we watched the headlights weave their way down and through the valley.

Back to the camper for bed, 15 degrees so we put our heater on to warm up the camper before we had our showers.

Very peaceful up here now the wind has stopped blowing.