Hi again, this time from Tasmania (or "Tassi" as the locals call it),

Like most things in Australia, the island is a lot bigger than we'd thought - something like 200 miles long & about the same in width. It's also a lot greener & hillier than anywhere else we've been so far, quite a bit cooler & has got a very different 'feel' to the mainland. This may be due in part to the inhabitants who, rumour has it, participate eagerly in an in-breeding programme. It goes without saying that we certainly don't subscribe to this idea; however, just to be sure we checked at one of the popular Incest Clubs on the island who confirmed that this practice is not common. The only thing that continues to puzzle us is that there are only 2 surnames in Tasmania! (Tony's humour - please don't be offended!)

Anyway, back to what we've been up to. We got here just over a week ago & needed to get ourselves ready for the Overland Track, a 6 day/6 night walk from Cradle Mountain in the north of the island to Lake St Clair. Getting to the start wasn't easy so we hired a car for a day to save a bit of time & drove up the east coast, via Wineglass Bay. We also had to get our provisions for the walk on this day; our shoping list/menu was:

Breakfast (6 days) - muesli bar & Berocca tablet (makes fizzy orange drink with vitamins and takes away the taste of the water!)

Lunch - small sachet of tuna for 3 days & Cheesy Vegemite (like Marmite with cream cheese) for 2 days. Both 'served' with wraps for Linda & crackers for me.

Dinner - can of Ravioli & half a packet of instant mash potato, can of baked beans with remaining mash & the rest of the time a Pot Noodle each.

Our snacks were: trail mix, mini Cadbury Boost bars and beef jerky.

The night before we set off we visited a conservation centre for the Tasmanian Devil, a grumpy & aggressive marsupial only found on the island. We also saw Quolls there - these look something like thin cats with pointy heads - who live in the trees.

It was a lot colder than we expected when we arrived at the National Park start point for the walk so we had to buy windproof jackets to keep us warm. We set off the next day in beautiful weather & started to get used to the heavy backpacks - worse this time because we also have to carry a tent (the same one that we carried round the world in 1996 & never used! The only time we've had it out of it's bag was a weekend in Chertsey in '97). The walk itself was very undulating with a big climb on the first day up to near the summit of Cradle Mountain. Distances each day were quite moderate, the most we walked was 12 miles but this took 8 hours as it's slow going with weight on your back.

We chose to camp on 4 of the 5 nights - hut accomodation was the option but there's not much privacy, just a 2-tiered sleeping platform so you never know who you may wake up with!

Now to the part we know you most enjoy (especially Janet!) - the toilets! These were certainly memorable for the smells & the flies. All were of the 'long-drop' design (use your imagination!), with deposits left to pile up under the hole in the floor boards & no water; instead, we had to throw a cup of rice husks (thoughtfully provided) on top of the growing pile.

Water was available at the huts but only from a large tank that collected rainwater. There was no runing water anywhere else so washing up of pots & pans had to be done in cold water (no soap allowed) over a greasy grid just below the water tank (the same place where you have to clean your teeth). To keep ourselves clean we walked up the track with a container of water, stripped off & had a shower hoping that no-one was around.

But these are the worst bits & are soon forgotten when out on the trail again with great scenery & plenty of fresh air. Also quite a few animals (wombats, wallabies, quolls), strange colourful birds, loads of small lizards, a couple of snakes & mossies to keep us occupied. We also found that a mouse had been in our bags overnight on the last night & had half eaten one of our breakfast bars!

We finished the walk yesterday & got a bus back to Hobart where it was luxury to have a proper bed, hot & cold running water, flush toilets (no rice husks) & a nice Indonesian curry to reward ourselves. Plus there was a washing machine available at the hostel so now all our clothes are clean and fresh again and a mirror as we hadn't seen ourselves for six days! We also had to carry all rubbish out of the national park so it was also a relief to find a skip to dump everything.

We fly back to Melbourne tomorrow & will then begin a 3 week journey to Sydney. The only thing we've planned is a trip to the Blue Mountains to do some more walking (once our legs have recovered & hopefully without the tent this time!)

We've just got back from a bike ride from the top of Mt Wellington, 1350m high near Hobart. The good thing was that we got a lift to the top & then freewheeled down 21km. (Chris, it reminded us of the descent on bikes from Glenshee before we went off road)

That's all for now, folks. More in a couple of weeks from the mainland.

Love from Tony & Linda

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Comments

5 Mar 2010

I can see that you are having a good time, I like the photos.
The wild life looks a bit strange (especially Tony!!)
Thinking about you.
Love Ian.

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3 Mar 2010

Hiya
It sounds as if you're having a wonderful time on your travels. Thank god it was only a mouse in your travel bag....could have been worse.
Stay safe and enjoy Sydney.
Love Eileen & Steve xx

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2 Mar 2010

Hello
I love the detail you put into your blogs - especially the about the long drops - nice. So inspired by your tales of the walk that I'm going on foot to the Trafford Centre today :-)) Keep on enjoying and keep safe. love Janet. x

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2 Mar 2010

Hi Guys,
Tasmania looks exciting. Glad you are both squeaky clean again. A curry is always the best reward after a trip like that.
Are you going to install a 'long drop' at home when you get back?
Yes that Glenshee descent was a classic especially with a cafe at the bottom before you start the tough section.
Take care,
Chris & Anne xx