Dean's Travels

Thursday, 22 October 2015

Day 29 - 22nd October

Lilydale to Launceston and return

Distance Travelled - 65 km

I was out of bed by just after 8.30 am and after a quick check outside for potential subjects to photograph I was back inside having breakfast and then spent some time reading. Checked a few things on the computer and then got ready to go into town.

Drove into Mowbray and did the washing, got fuelled up for the trip to Cradle Mountain tomorrow, had a look through a few shops and then went for a bit of a drive around the outskirts of Launceston looking at some of the older buildings etc before returning home.

Spent the rest of the afternoon reading and researching stuff on the computer ready for the trip tomorrow as well as spending a bit of time on the yard getting a few photos, very few shots and hardly worth posting. Found out later that Shane had ended up at the doctor with a severe asthma attack - Michelle had arrived home just in time to take him to the doctor. I was upstairs unaware of the seriousness of the situation below.

Michelle organised a yummy tea of sushi and noodles and the rest of the night was spent chatting about various things, watching TV and discussing photos. Very much a lazy day today which was probably a good thing as the next few could be quite busy.

Tomorrow I will head off and go to Westbury and Deloraine to look through a few galleries and craft places on the way to Cradle Mountain and then, depending on the arrival time, I will decide whether just to set up camp or go in and start having a look. At this stage the plan is to be back in Lilydale by Monday night at the latest ready to take the car for servicing on Tuesday morning in readiness to drive to Devonport and start the journey home with the ferry leaving Wednesday night.

More shots from the garden

Wednesday, 21 October 2015

Day 28 - 21st October

Lilydale to Launceston and return

Distance Travelled - 87 km

Woke up and was out of bed by about 8.30 am after a night of reasonable sleep, not waking the first time until 4.30 am. Had some breakfast and continued working through photos of the trip and sorting them in different categories for future use.

Around 9.30 am I made a few phone calls to sort stuff out and tee things up for the coming days and the trip to Cradle mountain and surrounds. Then it was off to Launceston to look into car servicing and chase up a few other things that I wanted to do.

Whilst in Launceston I organised the car to be serviced next Tuesday in preparation for the upcoming drive home, did some banking, went to the museum to look at photos again and got a haircut. Then came home and spent the rest of the day working on the computer and taking a few shots in the yard here.

Had a very nice spaghetti bolognaise for tea cooked by Shane and then chatted, watched TV and did computer stuff in the evening before returning to the flat to write the blog before going to bed. Tomorrow I need to do some washing and then do a bit of planning for the trip to Cradle Mountain starting Friday morning and generally have a bit of a lazy day.

Photos from around the front yard at Shane and Michelle's

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Day 27 - 20th October

Lilydale

Distance Travelled - 0 km

Stayed wake as long as I could last night sorting through several hundred photos before finally succumbing to the sleep fairy before I had a chance to write the blog. Consequently, despite waking at 4.30 am for about 20 minutes, I slept in until about 10 am. Got up and had breakfast before sitting down to finalise the last of the photos and then starting the joyous task of backing up all the photos from the last week or so and filing them into appropriate sections.

Worked through until lunch time and then wrote the blog from yesterday and discovering that I had 17 photos that would be ok for the blog. Resized them and then decided it was time to give away the computer for a bit so went back and a little snooze. About an hour later I grabbed the camera and went and sat outside in the front garden and just waited to see what would turn up for photography. Eventually, after a little walk around I found a lady bug on some grass and a small spitfire / caterpillar to try and capture.

After dabbling with for a while I went back to the flat and downloaded them and made a head strt on sorting them out so as to have a slightly earlier night tonight. Finished that in time to come downstairs to another lovely dinner prepared by Shane - tonight was satay chicken. Despite being somewhat unwell Shane did a marvellous job and we had another very tasty tea.

After tea we chatted and generally occupied ourselves before it was time for me to go to bed. Tomorrow I will go to Launceston and chase up a few bits and pieces like car servicing that is nearly due and photos from the museum and possibly a haircut. Otherwise just a lazy day.

Ladybug in the garden

Spitfire / caterpillar in the front garden - converted to black and white

Spitfire / caterpillar in the front garden

Monday, 19 October 2015

Day 26 - 19th October

Mt Field National Park to Lilydale via Ross and Liffey Falls

Distance Travelled - 367.8 km

Woke up at 5.30 am and contemplated getting out of bed to do photography but then sanity kicked in and I went back to sleep for a while reawakening at 6.30 am and finally stumbling out of bed at 6.45 am. I grabbed the camera from the car and walked to the falls for a morning shoot. Rephotographed the single fern and was quite happy with that, the start of a somewhat fruitful day photographically speaking. Continued on to the falls and did another panorama of the falls using 12 photos - 3 rows of 4.

Stayed at the falls for a while just watching and listening to the sound of the water dropping down and the different sounds coming form the forest surrounding it. There is an amazing array of sounds when you take the time to be quiet and listen for an extended amount of time. This is a lesson I learnt over and over again today - sitting and waiting quietly can bring unexpected results. Whilst looking down into the water near the platform I saw a 15 cm long trout holding itself still against the current. I watched for about 2 minutes before deciding to try and take a photo. Just as I raised the camera it took off in a hurry not to be seen again.

After about 20 minutes of sitting at the falls I wandered back to the campsite and had a shower followed by breakfast sitting in the camp kitchen. As I was quietly drinking my coffee, off in a world of my own, a blue wren (known as superb wrens but I think that is possibly going a bit far) came and sat just a little way from me in the bush. I slowly picked up the camera and managed a few shots before he took exception to being photographed and took off with the best insult he could muster (see photo below).

Having been told in no uncertain terms I swallowed the rest of my coffee and went to start packing up, finding when I got there that things were still quite damp and my campsite was still very much in the shade. I shifted all my gear to a nearby vacant site that was fully in the sun and as I charged the Engel battery via the solar panel and let the tent and fly dry out I sat in the sun and started processing more photos. The big trouble with taking panorama shots is that it chews a lot of battery to stitch them together and I am mindful of getting lost in the photography when stitching them with the computer running off the inverter from the accessories as it can lead relatively quickly to flattening the car battery. As a result of over enthusiastic photography yesterday I had several very large panoramas to stitch ( 13 - 15 photos each ) so decided to start on them and consequently flattened the car battery (particularly since I forgot the iPod and GPS were still plugged in and charging) which I discovered 50 minutes later just as the first panorama was finished. I normally remember to start the car after about 25 minutes and let it run for a while but absorbed in looking through photos I forgot.

Realised the battery was flat when I went to start the car thinking it had only been 20 minutes or so since I started and when it would turn over looked more closely at the computer details and realised my error. Turned everything off and attached the solar panels to the car battery and whilst that was charging I packed the tent away and rearranged the way I had the car packed away. Went and filled the water bottle in the camp kitchen and by then the car was ready to go.

Left Mt Field and headed towards Ross. On the way I saw an echidna crossing the road so turned around, parked and watched, somewhat in awe and somewhat in trepidation as it made it's way across the road dodging (with a little help from some observant drivers) 2 trucks and 2 cars. As it got close to the edge of the road I grabbed my camera and jumped out to take a few photos. Got a few from a distance with it on the road and then sat off the side of road in the grass and gravel for it to continue it's travels. After sitting for about 15 minutes it was close enough to reach and touch. As I moved my arms to get the camera in position it curled up and started digging itself into the ground. I got into position and then just waited. About 10 minutes later it decided to check if the coast was clear and started to bring it's head up. I waited a tad longer and then as it got ready to move fired off a few shots and then left it in peace as it burrowed down again, scared, I assume, of the noise of the camera.

Back in the car pleased with seeing my first live echidna close up I continued to Ross. The drive was reasonably pleasant winding through lots of farm land with definite signs that spring has sprung. There were lambs in the paddocks with their mums, calves wandering close by and baby ducklings in one of the rivers. Arriving at Ross I went to the info centre and had a look at their display and museum on Merino wool. Then I went for a look through the woodwork shop which had some nice pieces in it. After that I had planned to look at the Ross Female Factory - a prison for women and girls during the convict era. This however was closed as they were waiting on a snake handler to arrive and remove some snakes from in and around the buildings. Had a very nice vanilla slice from one of the bakeries there (as recommended by Shane and Michelle) but I am not sure if it lived up to it's advertised name as the "World's Best". Friends of mine in Southern Cross make a vanilla slice that I am sure would rival this one. Took some photos of the old bridge and then decided to head towards Liffey Falls as there is no camping available anywhere in Ross or the close surrounds.

On the way to Liffey Falls I saw another echidna on the side of the road and once again pulled over and waited patiently, rewarded with a very nice shot ( or one that I think is very nice anyway). Continued on it Liffey Falls, quite enjoying the winding and hilly roads to get there. Parked up and went for a walk down to the falls with camera and wide angle lens in hand. Very much enjoyed the falls and spent time just listening and watching again.

On the way back up to the car I came across a series of fungi growing out of a fallen log. I had seen an amazing photo in the Mt Field National Park office of some fungi and when out on the track came across a ranger and asked him about the fungi and he told me it was the wrong season, it is best in Autumn to find the fungi. Maybe this section of rain forest is different or maybe they just didn't get the memo but whatever their reason for being there I appreciated it and took the time to take some photos. This did however mean having to walk about 15 minutes up hill to get the other lens and ten came back down again and go up again afterwards but hey, who said you didn't have to work for your photography? After trying to get some decent shots, not overly hopeful - had real trouble trying to focus on the right spot for the image I had in my head but maybe something will look ok - I headed back up to the car ready to find a spot to camp.

Arriving back at the car I was quite dismayed to notice no camping signs that I had not taken in before. The area looked well set up and I was quite looking forward to the prospect of spending the night there and maybe trying to get some nocturnal activity photos of the local wildlife. Given my success so far today maybe that was just pushing my luck too far. Thought about trying to find another place to camp for the night but in the end decided it was just as easy to drive the extra 100 km back to Shane and Michelle's. Set off, waiting to find somewhere with phone coverage so I could let them know of my early return. Eventually found some in Westbury and having sent off messages etc. continued on back to Lilydale, quite weary and looking forward to bed.

Once home downloaded a stack of photos (today is now the new record for photos on this trip) and assigned them to their respective folders before deciding enough was enough and it was time for bed. The blog and sorting of photos for publishing had to wait until tomorrow.

Russell Falls, morning shot

The fern again

Blue Wren, Russell Falls

Echidna on the way to Ross

Sign on the Ross Bridge

Ross Bridge

Echidna on the way to Liffey Falls

Liffey Falls

Stream below Liffey Falls

Liffey Falls run off

Fungi at Liffey Falls

Sunday, 18 October 2015

Day 25 - 18th October

Gordon to Mt Field National Park

Distance Travelled - 132.4 km

After falling asleep rather quickly last night I woke just on 5 am much to my disgust but was able to roll over and sleep again for short while and then dozed on and off until just after 7.30 am and got out of bed around 7.45 am. Breakfast was a casual affair and although the sky was somewhat cloudy and overcast I sat and rad for a while before giving up hope that the tent would dry anytime soon in the cool and cloudy conditions - by 9 am I was yet to see the sun make an overt appearance.

I decided that the dampness was not too hard to live with and so packed up and finally left the campsite at about 9.30 am. I drove through to Kingston and made use of the Macca's wi-fi from their car park to post my blog.

Leaving there I drove to Hobart and decided to have a wander through the replica of Mawson's Antarctic hut. Whilst it was well set up and had some interesting information and displays it was hard to get too enthusiastic over it as it just did not feel the same as being in the actual huts like I was earlier this year. It did however give me more insight into how Mawson's men lived as we did not visit his hut in Antarctica.

The museum of old and new art (MONA) was my next place of call. This was an interesting place with some good exhibits along with the usual stuff I can't understand or appreciate but as an experience I think it was worth the effort to go there. It was well patronised and located in a beautiful setting which both added to the experience.

Finishing at the museum, it was time to head for Mt Field National Park to look at some of the waterfalls there. I arrived about an hour after leaving the museum and was quite impressed with the set up they have here. After organising a camping site I set up the tent in the beautiful sunshine and then spent a lovely half hour sitting in the sun reading before getting ready to go for a walk to the falls.

I am constantly hearing how little rain has fallen this year and was quite pleased Russell Falls looked as good as it did. I spent a bit of time taking photos before wandering up to Horseshoe Falls and taking more photos there. Wandering back along the path I spotted a few things that caught my eye as potential photographic material with my other lens and in slightly different light. It was very pleasant walking through the cool rain forest with massive tree ferns and large trees covered in moss wherever the eye roamed.

Got back to the campsite and read for a while and generally lounged around before heading back to the falls around 6ish. Did some more photography and then came back knowing I had a lot of time to look forward to on the computer stitching photos together after taking quite a few shots during both sessions. Chatted to a couple of ex teachers from WA in the camp kitchen for a while about all sorts of things before organising tea and making a few phone calls.

Started sorting photos and writing the blog and thinking of possibilities for tomorrow as I sat in the car feeling a little weary from the activities of the last few days. After I do some more photography here tomorrow I will head towards the town of Ross and then go from there. One option is to head back towards Michelle and Shane's, another is to head to Liffey Falls before going back to Lilydale.I will wait and think about things more before making any final decisions.

The sign on Bruny Island I forgot to put on yesterday

Russell Falls

Horseshoe Falls

a fern on the Russell Falls track

Stone Hut, Mt Field National Park - converted to black and white

Saturday, 17 October 2015

Day 24 - 17th October

Gordon to Bruny Island and return

Distance Travelled - 208.4 km

After a windy night with a lot less sleep than I had anticipated, and wanted, the alarm went off at a maddeningly early 5 am. I decided to forego an early breakfast and eat at a more reasonable later after getting to Bruny Island - it also meant an extra 15 minutes in bed. I eventually dragged myself out of bed at 5.15 am and commenced to pack away the tent even though it was a tad wet from the dew. I think the tiredness was kicking in as I did not feel 100% and was hoping for a smooth ferry ride.

Left the campsite at 5.30 am and drove through to Kettering and found the ferry terminal with issue and was first in the queue at 6 am. By 6.10 am a few other cars had rolled up and we were able to get our tickets at 6.20 am and we were boarded and underway just after 6.30 am. It is about a 15 minute trip over and the water was dead calm giving a nice foreground to the morning sunrise photo I took from the ferry.

Got off the ferry without incident although I was still feeling somewhat less than 100%. Drove to the lighthouse at Cape Bruny - at the very south end of the island. Took a couple of photos of the lighthouse and then went back to the car to try and have a little nap. Dozed on and off for a bit and finally came to at about 11.20 am. Headed off towards the other end of the island and stopped at a second hand shop run out of a shed. Nothing of interest but in turning around to go back to the shop (after driving past and then deciding to look in it) I did notice a sign above one of the letter boxes - strangely enough it rang a few bells -Bottomley.

Talked to the guy in the shop about it and he said that it was Ralph (I think) and he owned the shop and the property behind it. I told him of the coincidence of the name and suggested that it was probably no relation. He replied that maybe I would like to reconsider that fact as Ralph apparently is a multi-millionaire and it was suggested if I played my cards right that I could get some serious money. Unfortunately Ralph was not home when I drove past his house.

I called in at the Adventure Bay lookout and took a couple of photos of a nice looking beach before deciding that all I really wanted to do was get back to camp and rest up. Drove to the ferry terminal and waited for the ferry to arrive. The wind had been blowing from the time I got to the lighthouse and the water was looking a bit choppy so I swallowed a couple of tablets and waited the 45 minuted for the ferry to arrive.

Got back without feeling any worse and went to the campsite via Maccas to post my blog from the car park. When I got to camp I set up and did my photos before laying down for a bit. Didn't really sleep but felt a bit better when I got up. Had tea and then wrote the blog planning for an early night and hopefully a bit of a sleep-in tomorrow.

Tomorrow I will head back to Hobart and look at a few things there before heading off to find Mt Field National Park and camp somewhere near there for the night.

Sunrise from the ferry

Cape Bruny lighthouse

Adventure Bay from the lookout

Friday, 16 October 2015

Day 23 - 16th August

Port Arthur to Gordon

Distance Travelled - 206 km

I eventually made the decision to sleep in the car and was very glad I did because although I did not get a lot of quality sleep I stayed dry which is more than what would have happened I think if I had slept in the tent. Several times during the night I was woken by the sound of rain coming down, quite heavily on a couple of occasions. The last time I woke was just before 5 am and then I could not get back to sleep again. The rain finally stopped just before half six and at 7 am I got out of the car and went for a walk with the camera. Nothing much photographically on show.

Came back and organised breakfast and then headed off to Port Arthur. I sat in the car and waited for 45 minutes for it to open and then walked through the doors promptly at 9 am. Paid my fee and got the info and headed off to see what it was all about. went on the guided tour / talk and was quite impressed with the performance. After that I had finished I wandered around by myself losing myself in the history of the place and the way it has been so well presented.

I spent some time photographing the ruins and hope that they come out ok. I think a couple will make good candidates for black and whites provided the actual photos are ok. It was quite eerie inside the Separate Prison where prisoners were kept and made to be totally silent except for sounds from their work for the duration of their sentence.

After being immersed in the place for 3 and a half hours I went and had some lunch and then went back and continued wandering about for another hour and a half. By that time my head was pretty much full and was struggling to take in any more so I decided to head off and start driving towards the ferry ready for tomorrow.

The drive through was ok and I stopped at a few places to look at visitor centres. I eventually got to Gordon where there is a camping site that is quite well set up right on the edge of the water. I set up the tent as it looks like it will be quite clear tonight and then sat and read for a little while before organising tea. After tea was done with it was time to start sorting photos and doing the blog. I am feeling really tired as I write this so some of the photos may have to wait until tomorrow.

It is about a 40 minute drive I would guess to the ferry tomorrow so it will be an early start as I would like to get the 6.30 am departure to get to the lighthouse as early in the morning as possible. Apparently it is about an hour and a quarter drive from ferry drop off point on the island to the lighthouse. After I have finished at the lighthouse I will see what else is around to do over there before heading back and finding a campsite for the night.