The West Coast begins

Well it has been a few days since my last blog but we have been busy or out of range. On Thursday we left Sulpher Creek and headed west along the north cost. All these towns are just a stones throw away from each other and you are there before you know it. Burnie is a big town but we didn't spent to much time there, just attending to the necessary duties we all have with motorhomes and dump points. I was still looking for a part for the annex and the locals directed me to Somerset where there was a large caravan dealer who fortunately had the part but not a workshop as they were going out of the caravan business.

They directed me to a man at Wynyard, who of course was not at home. After filling the gas bottle we decided to camp at the show grounds for the night. Alan went on ahead and was in a panic that he could not get in with the car on, &;^%$#@ cars on caddies. Sure am glad I left mine behind in Bundaberg, there really is no need for one down here, at least that is my opinion, it really has been a pain in the proverbial. Anyway he managed to unload the car and get in to the rather confined camp site and we stayed two night here to catch up on the washing etc. Nice town with the friendliest caretaker you could imagine. The information centre has one of the best vintage car displays I have seen including the equally oldest Ford in existence (only two in the world)

We moved on from Wynyard taking a coastal road the locals had put us on to and what spectacular views. We also saw the opium poppies being grown, quite a big crop down this way but I suspect strictly controlled by the look of the warning signs everywhere.

Called in at Sisters Beach for morning tea, quite a pretty spot and here were all these motorhome and caravan camped in a clearly marked "no camping" rest area. One of them told us the locals had told them to camp there but it is no wonder councils can get off side when you see this type of behaviour.

We pressed on to Stanley and climbed a hill to a great lookout over the whole coastline and then toured through the original house of the owners of the Van Diemans Trading Company. The history was amazing and tragic when it came to the local inhabitants, the early settlers in this part have a lot to answer for.

While on the hill I heard a voice on the UHF and I called up and sure enough it was Ronnie Penfold, small world down here.

Took a while to talk Wendy into going up in the chair lift to the top of the "Nut" at Stanley and it was only after we got up there that I discovered Allan had never been on one before and had to change his knickers. It was a new experience for him at nearly 80. Now to get him to skydive LOL. From Stanley we did a quick run out to Smithton and returned along the coast to Black River where we spent the night in a National Park.

We parted company here as Allan and Maureen had to go back to Burnie while we took the back country roads via Myalla, Milabena, Meunna, Preolenna,Calder and Yello to get to the Hellyer Gorge State Reserve where we spent the night. This was a magnificent drive but not for the feint hearted, climbing mountain ranges on narrow but good quality dirt roads. Never saw another vehicle except for three quad bike riders who were having a Sunday ride.

Today we are in Waratah with its beautiful water fall right in the heart of town. The town is only small and has run out of diesel and of course we are waiting for the tanker to arrive. Of course trying to tie them down to when that will happen is a joke in itself, maybe this morning, maybe this afternoon, can't really say type of answer. Allan and Maureen are supposed to join us here today and we head off to Cradle Mountain as our ne t stop.(if the fuel tanker arrives)

Will post some more photos when I get time.