Sun, 4th Feb, 2024 David & Maureen’s place, Huonville to Bush camp by Lune River, near Southport, Tas

5am - light rain started.

Put the heater on when we got up for breakfast then packed up. David & Maureen were heading to Geeveston early with their icecream van to a car show there. The wet weather certainly won’t be good for the old cars so it might be a slack day for them. We thanked them, hopefully we might see them on the road again somewhere. David gave us the rest of the huge cherries which was so kind and we will enjoy them for sure.

We headed off down the road back to the main road. Low cloud hanging on the hills.

Turned southward as the rain should ease tomorrow so we thought we might try and see the Aurora Australis from down this way.

Passed Apple and Pear sales sheds - good to see Apples back on the Apple Isle again as Tassie used to be known as.

Through Franklin (est 1836) - home of the Wooden Boat Centre. Lots of cute old homes line the road too. Great campground too along the edge of the Huon River. Lots of sail boats moored here too. The drizzly rain continues.

Stopped for a cuppa with lots of little blue wrens at Shipwrights Point. Found a cairn for the pioneering shipwrights of 1842.

Huon Salmon near here and we can see lots of the ‘ponds’ out in the river.

Turned off before going into Geeveston to head southward. Up and down the hills through farm land and orchards. Up to 180m then down a narrow range road passing more farms.

Continued on to Dover - nice town - great view over the water even on this grey sky day.

Continued on and crossed the Esperance River then back up into the hills again.

Lots of vans coming north - school starts again this week. Down to a few houses of Hastings on the tip of a bay then back up into the hills again.

Turned off onto the Hastings Caves Road rather than going into Southport. We drove into the National Park centre to find out costs etc. Decided to come back tomorrow as the sky should be clearer though we will still need jumpers as it is only 9 degrees in the caves. We have access to the thermal pool too with our ticket which is 28 degrees.

Back out to the main road then along a bit to a clearing beside the Lune River. Walked down to the water which is very tannin stained.

Someone left some shells by a fireplace.

Set up for the day and night.

The rain has stopped for the moment which is good. Worked on my cross-stitch and blog and Steve read his book.

Warm lunch today as it is still chilly then fresh cherries, apricots and blackberries - yum.

The misty rain came back and it felt a lot colder than the thermometer indicated so we put the heater on to be more comfortable.

Played a few games of cards at drinks time then roasted some vegies to go with lamb steaks for dinner which warmed the camper up some more. I had left the kitchen window a jar and we could feel the cold air coming in so I moved the thermometer in front of it and watched the temperature drop from 24 to 14 degrees. Then I closed the window!

Another caravan pulled in for the night.