Mon, 22nd Jan, 2024 Spirit of Tasmania, Geelong, Vic to Devonport, Tas to Malcolm & Kerry’s place, Westbury, Tas

I had set the alarm for 4.30am as the announcement last night said they would be waking people at 4.45 for the 5.30am departure off the ship. Got sorted and headed to the staircase ready to go down to Level 5 again. The truck drivers were first off then our level so we headed down to our camper as they loaded our ramp.

Drove out into the early morning light. The rest of Devonport is across the Mersey River.

No bio-security check this time. Drove out and around to the foreshore to have some breakfast. 11 degrees in the camper - a bit nippy when I walked across to check out the sign. We did the foreshore walk last time.

We then went out a bit further to a park. Scared some rabbits on the green grass as we drove in. Steve coloured my hair, not ready to go grey yet. He put the water in the spare toilet canister so we didn’t pollute anything! The Spirit headed back to the mainland.

Headed back to town, across the Mersey River (upstream) and around to a shopping centre to pick up some fruit and vegies. Malcolm had said not to get potatoes, tomatoes or cucumbers as he was growing them and had heaps.

Back across the river again (downstream) and headed to Westbury on the highway.

Just as we neared LaTrobe the truck stopped. Luckily Steve managed to get it off the road enough as the trucks roared past us. When I got out I could smell diesel and looking underneath I could see it dripping down and a short trail behind us. Steve got to work, he had just enough room on the roadside so no one wiped his bottom off as he leaned into the engine bay. He found out it was the fuel filter - had blown the bottom off it. Of course Steve had a spare one. So many cars and trucks whizzed by but no one stopped. We had pulled up just past a driveway and the chap came down to collect his rubbish bins and came to see if he could help us. By then Steve had it sorted. Now to bleed the fuel back through which went well - a win for once.

Back on the road and all good. Through farming country with sheep and cattle.

Nice view across to the mountains.

Stopped for a cuppa at a rest stop where a couple were selling cherries and hotdogs.

Lots of pine plantations here. Big areas have been recently cleared - lots of logs laying in piles.

Open farm paddocks as we near Westbury. Blue sky and puffy white clouds.

Purred along till Westbury then turned off onto the road to Malcolm and Kerry’s farm. Malcolm’s great grandfather, Sir Walter Lee (chainsaw sculpture) has been repaired - his arm broke, and he stands proudly in front of the long entrance. He was a Premier of Tasmanian a few times as well as a wheelwright before buying this farm.

Malcolm said to park near the house so we backed in and set up.

There are 3 new kids (goats that is) in the family - one for each grandchild. They love bouncing on the trampoline.

Kerry came back from the shops. Second daughter Bec and fiance Tom are getting married next Friday so Kerry’s sister, Michelle and husband Phil are over from WA. We stayed with them on their farm when we were cruising around the wheat belt. Their son Daniel has been over here helping Malcolm too. We chatted away.

The boys disappeared in the afternoon. Lots happening in the sheds with the silos being built and the usual farm stuff. Kerry drove Michelle and I over to see Sophie & Nathan’s new home. As we came around the corner near Westbury two mad guys came around the corner in an old Buick - it was Mal and Steve. They had been for a blast - I missed getting a photo of them.

Afternoon tea with Sophie - her house is lovely. They had been living in their caravan in the shed for a while so she is glad to have moved in now.

Drinks with everyone in the house. Malcolm showed us one of the Tassie Devils that went into the possum trap he had near the apple trees. He rang the wildlife people and they said the young ones are being kicked out my the parents now so they have to find their own areas to live. He relocated him to some scrub further along then a few days later got another one so he went to a different area.

BBQ dinner though we ate inside as there was a cold wind blowing. Well it was for us!

Back to the camper just as a shower of rain fell.