MOOMINS M.C.

Got off the boat bright and early into fog, which continued for ages and was as thick as pea soup at times.
Picked up my girl at the airport and made our way to Launceston where we went for a walk around the basin, which claimed my lens cap.
Then onto Cradle Mountain where we set up camp and met a couple of jolly Germans travelling the world on their BMW motorcycles.

Sunday 27^th January

Walked around one side of Lake Dove then up to the base of the summits.

From there to the base of Cradle Mountain.

Tackled the summit and managed to make it down eventually.

Walking back via Marions Lookout we encountered 120km/h winds as a southerly front moved in, dumping rain like it was going out of fashion.

The last two hours were spent descending in those conditions and eventually making it back to camp.

A good nine and a half hours.

Sore knees, right shin, right forearm, right hip and a bleeding knee where I’d opened up the surgical scar whilst rock climbing down off the summit, nothing a bandaid didn’t fix though.

Steak and vegies for dinner with a bottle of red, with visits from the local wildlife like possums, devils, pademelons and wallabies.

Monday 28^th January

Breakfast, shoot with The ‘Hoff’ at Lake Lilla followed by hurried breaking of camp and then a fairly swift trip to Strahan for the boat cruise to the convict ruins of Sarah Island, Macquarie Heads and Gordon River, camp at Macquarie Heads with the weird caretaker.

Tuesday 29^th January

Breakfast at Strahan, lovely pancakes with raspberries and blueberries. Made our way to Lake King William with stop over walks at Nelson Falls, Donaghy’s Lookout and Surprise Valley. Bathed in the lake and set up camp with fire and spag bog.

Wednesday 30^TH January

Hiked up to Mt Rufus, a 7 hour slog really, but worth it for the amazing views and flora. Had dinner at the Derwent Bridge Hotel where Snorkmaiden’s order was completely stuffed up, but a good well earned feed. Knackered afterwards, slept like a log.

Thursday 31^st January

Made our way to.

Went through my old home town of New Norfolk and then ended up in Hobart proper, where I finally managed to get a hold of some Cascade Red!!!!!

Caught up with my best mate Scotty and his pregnant wife Rachael.

Had a lovely dinner and catch up over a warm fire in the fresh country night.

Stayed the night with them up in the hills out of Hobart.

Friday 1^st February

Left Snorkamaiden to have a look around Hobart whilst I spent the afternoon at Scott’s workshop giving Eleanor an oil change and general check over in time for the trip to the outback.

Caught up with Snorkmaiden’s friend David his wife Holly and their 1 year old son Finnian.

Stayed the night there after bbq with Tassie beer and wine.

On the ferry.

Australia Day at the Basin.

The heads of Macquarie Harbour which is twice the size of Sydney Harbour.

Eleanor beneath the arsenic stripped hills of Queenstown.

View from Donaghy's Lookout.

Beware! Randy kangaroos from dusk till dawn!

The view from our camp at Lake King William.

Firefighting near Taralleah.