We are now overseas...Hello from Tasmania

Greetings from Tasmania!! Already we think it is beautiful here.

We are however, extremely tired after an exhausting journey over here on the boat. All started off well- we were most impressed with the facilities (restaurants etc) and tucked into a big dinner while we watched Melbourne disappear into the distance. Once we entered open water however, it all turned bad. It was a very rough crossing and that meant feeling sick and very little sleep for me. Adam also suffered- worse than me. He vomited much of the night and when we finally arrived was still shaking and sick. We disembarked at Devonport and then I drove us the 100kms to Launceston, where we are staying tonight. Adam then crawled into bed where he spent much of the day. He’s feeling more normal now, but we are both ready for some sleep.

Our boat story done, the scenery here is lovely- rolling green hills, tall mountains, beautiful bays and rivers. I have already spied a few new birds to add to my list, as I walked out to Tamar Island, in the middle of the river and a wetlands area- saw some bright finches and wrens and lots of waterbirds.
The city here is old and quite grand, with impressive architecture. We might have breakfast out before we set off tomorrow.
Tomorrow we head off for the east coast. Looking forward to it.

The last couple of days we enjoyed our journey along the Great Ocean Road seeing the well known attractions such as the 12 Apostles. We stopped at Apollo Bay for a quick lunch and then stayed the night at Lorne, a really beautiful beachside town. It has an impressive hinterland also- I went for a drive and saw a pretty waterfall and on a short walk to a lookout an echidna crossed my path. On our drive into Lorne, I also saw 6 koalas in the trees by the side of the road which was really cool. It would be a nice place to visit again some day- outside school holidays.

Yesterday I had a walk and swim at Lorne before we set off. We stopped in at St Kilda in Melbourne in the afternoon to fill in time before our boat left for Tassie- we went to Acland St and indulged at one of is famous cake shops.

Anyway, I really am too tired to think. Probably only got an hour or so asleep last night.
More news and photos from us soon.

On a final note, I want to pay a special mention to little Gidget- a special dog mum and I have had since 1991. Of course, she's been living with mum most of that time, but she was always like my dog too- I took her to dog training etc in the early years and I have always loved her a lot. Anyway, Gidget has been suffering the pains and ailments of old age the past couple of years and she had to be put down yesterday. I am very sad I wasn't able to see her again before she went and mum is obviously upset too and missing her already.
Sending you love little Gidget- I know you are up there playing in doggie heaven now.


Love E&A