Lee & Jim's Travels: Things we did in March 2014

Hi All

We hope this blog finds you all safe and well, We left Cranbourne and headed to the Melbourne port to board the Spirit of Tasmania which we had to be there for 5.45am as there was a cruise ship in port at the same time so we were advised to be there early.

The we departed on time and sailed down Port Phillip Bay towards the heads and into Bass Strait it was very calm sailing, Lee rang our friends, Andrew and Helen who live in Lonsdale, to let them know we were on our way to Tasmania, they went down and wave a towel from the Point Lonsdale jetty.

We past thought the heads and the sea became a little more choppy but then well past the heads it was quite calm again, we had recliner seats on the ferry as it was a day sailing and we could walk around and read.

We arrive in Devonport and the next day we went down to Launceston to book in to the motel and then go and pick up our friends Rocky and Sue, from the airport.

We had three nights in Launceston where we had day trips out and about, the highlights were Cataract Gorge, Tour guild around Town, Drive up the west side of the Tamar River and then over the Batman bridge, while we were taking photos of the bridge and a car pulled up and in it was a old work mate Danny from Perth, fancy seeing him at the bridge.

We continued up the east side of the Tamar river to Low Head and then back down to Launceston to have a few drinks.

We then toured east to Scottsdale, St Helens where we were to stop for the night but there was no accommodation left in town, so we contained down to the coast to find some room for the night, we found a house to rent for the night in Swansea.

We then headed for Port Arthur where we spent 2 nights, there is a lot to see and is very interesting, the entry ticket is for two days so we took advantage of this offer.

We then headed to Hobart for three nights the highlights were Mt Wellington, Cadbury Chocolate Factory, Old Hobart Town, Constitution dock where we saw Wild Oats yacht and the air walk in Huonville,

We then moved on to Strahan, passing though New Norfolk, Hamilton, Ouse, Lake Stain Clare and Queenstown look like moon scape from the old gold mining days.

Strahan, We did the Gordon River cruise which was awesome day out and a wonderful lunch and great commentary along the way by the Captain.

We left Strahan and head for Cradle Mountain but on the way the weather changed and the rain came we only managed to get some good photos of the mountain,

We then headed fro Burnie for the hight but again no room available so we found rooms in Somerset, the next morning we head west to Stanley to see the Nut and other highlights.

Then back to Launceston via Devonport, Latrobe, Deloraine Hadspen to drop of Rock and Sue in the morning at the airport. After saying goodbye to our friends we went back into Launceston for lunch, then drove to Perth. A little place, but at least we can say we have been there. The next day we headed back to Devonport via Sheffield. A pretty place with lots of muriels painted on the sides of buildings. We even had our photos taken with a baby Alpaca. (so cute). We finally sailed at 7.30 pm , and we were glad we had booked a cabin for the night. The trip to Melbourne was smooth .

Hope you all stay safe and well till next time

Regards Jim & Lee