Dec. 5

We have arrived to Tasmania! Our first flight wasn’t on time so there was a little concern that we may not make the flight to Hobart. There is only one direct flight there each day, but we made it to the gate on time and with our luggage tags in our checked luggage we knew that they were also on time. We had to go thru a secondary check in customs, because we had a rice product. I had brought some freeze dried meals with rice and didn’t want to have any fines by not declaring it. The agent wasn’t sure what it was, but after checking the package she gave us the go ahead. Now all we need to do is find Pip. Ah Pip and Chris, friends from the early 90’s that we worked with us at NOLS. When Tasmania came up on our radar, their names came to mind. Occasionally in the last 30 years we had minimum contact on Facebook. Fortunately thru other friends that live in Australia we were able to get their contact information. Once contact was made we did several zoom calls and exchanged numerous message. They were oh so helpful in making our trip to Australia a big success. They quickly invited us to stay at their home in between our tracts (Australian word for trails). Now, having departed the airport we were on the look out for Pip. Chris was working at the Wooden Boat School so Pip was picking us up at the airport. Shortly after we arrived we texted Pip and got a reply saying that she would meet us at the passenger pick up location. We headed over and checked out the cars as they drove by. Finally there was a recognizable face and out comes Pip. Unfortunately we are not over whatever we had(the covid tests were negative) Don has a cough and I have a minor sore throat. With masks on we hop in and try to keep our talk at a minimum, but that is impossible as we are so glad to reacquaint with each other. Pip said that the information about our flight was that it had been delayed and may even be canceled. We were glad that she had waited. Chris is working at the Wooden Boat School so we head his way to say Hi.

Before heading to see Chris we stop at Banjos, a pie and sandwich chain . It lived up to Pip’s recommendation.

Sabe, a constant companion of Chris and Pips hangs out in the shade as we start catching up on life.

It is a short drive to the Wooden Boat Centre where Chris works three days a week.

It is so fun to see Chris and Pip and realize we have a lot to talk about.

Chris gives us a tour of the center. The wooden boats and accessories are impressive.

We talk a little more as Chris shows as around. Chris built a sailboat here called Wild Honey, that they own. The plan is to take her for a sail in the future. we are looking forward to that.

Chris needs to return to work so we head to Bruny Island where they own a home on the waterfront. A ferry is needed to arrive to the island. Bruny Island is made up of two land masses connected by a neck of land. There is North Bruny and South Bruny. It is a short drive to their home which they have lived for about 10 years. Pip is from New Zealand and Chris from Australia. They both worked for NOLS. Before working different courses they decided that a goal would be to figure out where they want to eventually settle. After the course was over they would share their goal. They both decided that Tasmania would be ideal. They made it a reality. After having lived in various parts of Tasmania, they found this piece of property with a house that met all their needs. It also greatly made our needs as well

Not wanting to share our virus, we gratefully set up our tent in the front yard. The location was perfect. We have so much to talk about. I talked so much that I got laryngitis and if Don talked too much he would start to cough. We plan to be here just for a couple of days. We have a permit for starting the Overland Tract on Dec. 10.

One task that needs to be done is buying food for our hiking trip. Pip offers to take me to Hobart to check out some places to buy prepared camping meals. One store is called Strive which only sells food that they have created. I had read some reviews and it seemed like this would meet our needs. It did! After buying some delicious looking meals they point us to a store close by that sells bulk food called Scoops. After checking out that store our food needs for our trip was complete.

We head back to Bruny Island where Don has spent a quiet day relaxing. In the morning Pip had put some Wallaby in a slow cooker. It was stated that one had to eat Wallaby when in Australia. We were happy to oblige and thought it was quite tasty.

It was the perfect topping for noodles. SO delicious!

Of course we had to taste some of Bruny Islands finest.

Other than not being 100 % we are off to a great start. Tomorrow we will spend the morning getting our gear and food ready.

Dec.8

We managed to get what we needed for our trip which included stopping at the Chemist warehouse for a snake bite kit.(Hope we don’t need it). a freeze off for tics and some lozenges for our throats.(hope we won’t need them much more either). Chris takes us to the bus depot in Hobart and soon we are on a three hour bus ride to Launceston.

We will be back to Bruny, after some hikes and look forward to more talking!

Jan.1-Jan 7

Welcome to a new year! For the next 6 weeks we will be exploring more of Tasmania and spending a little time in the Mainland of Australia. Pip prepares a great Breakfast for us to start the day.

Lots of good food to spend the day exploring.

We got in the car with Pip, Chris and Sabe and headed out. There were lots of places to visit on the island including the homemade ice cream of Bruny Island. It was made from honey that was gathered from the bees on the island. Delicious!

We visited a light house that once has guided the ships in this area.

We could see why looking at all of the rocky outcrops.

Lots of wind and wave action hit this island.

Another drive and we were visiting a museum mostly dedicated to the early explorations of Cook and Bligh. It was a small museum filled with a lot of information.

We stopped at a secluded Beach where Pip and Chris were married. Fun stories about that day!

Then it was back to their home where we love the setting for our tent.

For the next couple of days we alternated between visiting friends and preparing for our road trip of Tasmania.

One day we visited a couple of ex NOLS instructors who lived nearby Hobart, We had worked with Travis in Alaska.

They were living in a stone house that his wife’s parents had built patterned after a French House

We were impressed but apparently the Tasmania officials thought that it needed to be reinforced. Even though houses like this have stood for centuries in France.

One day found us visiting some of Pip’s and Chris’s friends who have created a very efficient garden.

This is the day we have waiting for….to go out on the sailboat the Chris built at the Wooden Boat School. Pip helped out a lot

Jan 7

It was a day of rain and our last day with Pip and Chris till we return to their home in about a month.