Finally…Tasmania

Wow…we were certainly excited about finally arriving in Tasmania to start home hunting. It felt like we were coming home !!!!!

We have been here for about 10 days and finally, after much searching, have found the home we will buy. It is on an 8 acre beautiful bush block at Sandford, looking down onto a deserted beach and lagoon about 25 minutes from Hobart. It is surrounded by many National Parks so is a very protected area. No close neighbours and very peaceful. It even fits all Mal’s toys…caravan and boat, with a good boat ramp 5 minutes away at South Arm.

Unfortunately Mal flew to Sydney last night to visit his Mum who suddenly became very seriously ill. Last night things were very worrying, but I am pleased to say she is improving and hopefully we will have his cheerful Mum back to normal soon !!!

Mal was very lucky to go out Tuna fishing with our good friend Pete at South Arm. They were very successful with their catch. I spent the day exploring the beautiful old buildings in Hobart, the interesting shops around Salamanca and the wharf area and catching up with Tanya for a coffee. I even met Nick from Gourmet Farmer and had a great chat with him. We have been invited to join them for a lunch once we have settled in Tassie. I will look forward to it. Tomorrow I am heading into Hobart for the Salamanca Markets and then meeting Tanya for lunch at Blue Skies.

Mal is flying back in early Sunday morning, and we are then leaving Tassie on Tuesday night crossing via the ship “Spirit of Tasmania”, then driving back up to Ballina for moving day on the 12th June. Can’t say we are looking forward to that part !!!

Waiting to board

Taking the caravan over on the ship. We are leaving it on a friends farm for a couple of months until we settle in.
Mal and Pete arriving home to South Arm after a day of fishing with Mount Wellington in the background
Part of the catch
Delicious Tuna and Flathead for dinner !!!
a glimpse of our new home
A boat shed on South Arm beach...5 minutes from our new home

 

Sunrise over South Arm this morning...it was 7.15am and still dark!!!

 

Crossing the Nullarbor again

Well, guess what.

We have sold our home in Ballina and are now heading to Tasmania. We were about to board the plane to head back to Perth and pick up our car and caravan and start heading north. That will wait, as on the day we were leaving, we sold the home privately to a lovely couple from Sydney who are the Aunt and Uncle of two of our good friends.

We still flew over and picked up the van and took 6 days to arrive at the ship to take us to Tassie. We had very long days of about 10 hours of driving each day, always camping at amazing spots on the side of the road. We really enjoyed it, especially with the anticipation of finally been able to pick a new home in one of our many favourite spots in Tassie.

We passed an Ettamoga Pub on the way across at Cunderdin

 

No, not fog, but a dust storm
Part of the old "Rabbit Proof Fence" that was built running from between Albany and Esperance in the south of WA up to Port Headland in the north.

 

The highway turns into a airstrip for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
old and new

 

Sunrise one morning
We left the Nullarbor and arrived in Mildura...we will definitely come back here sometime for a longer stay
Next to our van at Mildura

Mal feeding the ducks
They always love Mal
A beautiful tree in Malmsbury Botanic Gardens established in 1863