Well here we are,
last time we communicated we were heading south after our adventure exploring the very tip of this amazing country.
Being so close to home, we called in and got caught up with repairs and improvements to the property. After some time spent with family and friends Dins feet started to itch and the order was put out to finish up all jobs and head out.
Summer was in full swing, the heat and humidity was oppressive, we said farewell and pointed towards cooler climes.
Calling in to our friend's place in the mountains west of Camilla, we spent some time catching up. Then it started to rain and didn't let up for a couple of days. We said bye to our friend and continued our journey south. Rain followed us, we turned westward at Rockhampton and slowly left the wet weather behind.
This was to be the start of a big wet for all of northern Australia. Our departure could not have been better timed.
Tassie was our goal, but we travelled to SA and met up with Deb and the Camels for a while first. While there, I helped shade cloth the verandahs of her stone cottage as well as other odd jobs that needed doing.
Geelong and the Spirit of Tasmania were beckoning us, so with a fond hug for Deb and the camels, we drove out her gate.
While the Malley, where the camels are, was fast heating up, as we travelled south, cooler weather enticed us further. Down to the southern coast of S.A. and then following the coastline east, we slowly made our way toward Geelong, where the Sprit would be waiting to whisk us away to Tasmania.
Crossing the border into Victoria, the cooler weather continued. Winding our way along the cliff edge path of the Great Ocean Road we took in the sights of the southern coastline.
Eventually, Geelong appeared around the corner. I found online the address of a truck parts store I needed to visit as some ways down the road I had discovered a rear wheel stud and wheel nut had parted company with the truck. The wheel stud had snapped off at some point and taken the wheel nut with it. There were still four nuts holding the wheel on, but I needed to replace the broken one as soon as possible. Fortunately, the parts store had a stud in stock, but not a nut. I bought the stud and would have to source a nut when we arrived in Tasmania.
Geelong, like all cities, frown upon people overnighting in public places. There are no areas for travelers like us to camp up, except for the show grounds, which fill up quickly since the ship made Geelong its mainland port and moved from Port Melbourne. Saying that, it is a much better place to board the ship. Not being afraid of a challenge, we went for a scout about. Finding an out of the way car park on the bay not far from the Spirit dock, we parked up for the night and waited for boarding time in the morning to roll around.
A day sailing leaves early in the morning and arrives in Devonport that evening. We try to get a night sailing and have a good nights sleep before disembarking, but when that's not possible, we still get a cabin so Din, who is not good on the water, can lie down and be miserable in comfort.
