Sun, 28th Jan, 2024 Mike & Anne’s place, Ansons Bay to Mathers Campground, Waterhouse Conservation Area, Tas

Minimum of 13 degrees this morning and only 15 at 7.30am. Clear sky and no wind at the moment.

Played another game of Scrabble with the kids - they love it which is great. The wind is back in gusts.

Sarah’s family packed up and headed back to Scottsdale.

After lunch we packed up the camper and headed off too as Mike and Anne are heading back to Bridport today. We will see them in a couple of days as we hadn’t explored Bridport previously. We had been up to Musselroe Bay so decided to check out Waterhouse Conservation Area as we hadn’t done that previously and Mike says there are lots of lovely camping spots - hopefully the wind will die down too.

Back up the hill and along the gravel road back towards Gladstone. Back on the bitumen then through Gladstone on the road to Bridport. Passed Terry Street - should have got a photo for Terry.

Thicker clouds are coming over and the wind is back and trying to blow us off the road. Through more cattle and sheep farms.

Turned northward towards the conservation area. Missed the turn off to the lake - will do it on the way out. There is another campground further around but we are heading to the ones on the point that Mike suggested. Through a horse thoroughbred farm then into the conservation area with the low shrubs and trees over the low hills. Nice view as we head down to a boat ramp area opposite Waterhouse Island - there is another little one to the left. Obviously the wind hasn’t settled so we go across the other side to find a sheltered area.

Boat ramp is called Blizzards Landing and it feels like it today.

Continued along the track and checked out the first camp spot, Herbies Landing. Good map showing the area.

Wandered through the campground - marked out bays to camp in and access down to the beach though the low shrubs.

Continued around to the turn off to Village Green and Mathers Campgrounds. Mike had said Village Green is nice when there is no wind. It would be lovely but too windy today. No one camping here today as the wind is howling.

Down the track, lots of rocks. Continued to the beach area - plenty of little spots for a picnic etc.

Back the track a bit then we turned off to check out Mathers Campground. Nice and sheltered behind the hill so I think this will do us nicely and there are no other campers here either. Walked down the vehicle access track onto the beach. Lots of sea grass on the beach and a few march flies have found us already but the Bushmans spray stops their biting. A permanent beach shack is down the end.

On the way back I spotted a big ‘inch’ ant carting a mate back to have for dinner!

Chose a spot with quick access down to the beach. Gusts of wind still come over the trees and rock the camper but nothing like we have had.

Steve found a nice spot for our chairs - someone else had been here before us. Perfect spot for a cuppa with a fabulous view.

Headed off for a walk along the beach. I put my feet in the water - freezing.

Some people were heading in for a snorkel around the point - you need a wetsuit to stay warm in there!

Headed down the beach - lots of big seagrass piles. Found a bright sponge and sadly a little penguin. The wind is pushing us along.

Big Pacific Gulls.

Had to go up onto the high sand as we started to sink in the sand in one section by the water - looking back.

Found a track up off the beach. It is another small campground but has been closed because the trees are now deemed dangerous. There is a private shack just along a bit too.

Continued on - Steve found me a shell. Take a photo and leave it is my new motto. I found one but it had a tenant.

More rocks on the next point and another beach so we decided to turn around. Scanned around the coastline in the distance. We can just make out the windfarm at Musselroe Bay.

Headed back. The wind is much stronger here whipping up the waves. Not so nice for swimming either will all the sea grass along the water’s edge.

Found a track up to one of the other campgrounds - Casuarina Campground. Looks nice. A local was having a nibble on something.

Took the high track through the bush back to the next section of camp sites.

Nearly back to camp we met the snorklers. They said it was not clear but still nice - they had wet suits on of course. We continued on to the end.

Back to camp. Not enough reception for the internet but texting ok. Then the phone rang and it was Terry. He is ok, just keeping cool under the fan at home as it has been so hot, 36 degrees. Big storm coming over but will probably miss him.

Took our drinks back to our viewing area - can’t get much better than this. A couple of wallabies working their way along in the ditch below us.

I went back to the camper to working on my blog and get dinner ready. Steve came back saying he thinks he saw a whale. He saw a big boat he thought and watched it bob then it disappeared. A bit later he saw some shots of water into the air and realised it was probably a whale but it was a long way out.

7pm the tide is out. Nice listening to the waves roll in.

I went out after dark (10pm) to see if any aurora appearing up here - no, I think we need to be facing south.

Warmer night though the wind is still rocking the camper with its gusts.