Sunday 15-12-2013 (Turners Park)

This morning we woke up on the ferry, well, Gabby, Dad and I did. Poor Mum spent the night upstairs, in a lounge, trying not to be sick. We disembarked the ferry at 6.30am which meant that we had to wake up at 5.45am (5.45am!! Way too early.) After a quick breakfast we drove to some markets for vegetables. We then headed to the Kelcey Tier walk. Before we continue, I would like to make a statement: I hate hills! The Kelcey Tier walk involved us travelling through a rainforest. On a hill. We walked up then down, and then up again. Urgh. Never again. Even with all the hills, the walk was still beautiful and really fun. Next we drove to a cider shop and a cherry farm. Unfortunately it was still too early for the shops to be open.  After that disappointment, we drove to the Arboretum (basically a fancy name for botanical gardens) The Arboretum was beautiful with areas dedicated to different countries. The wildlife was also adorable and hilarious to watch. My favourite areas were the oriental garden and the rose garden. After 1 or 2 hours at the Arboretum we headed to a lookout for lunch. The lookout overlooked the sea and the farming land, both of which were beautiful. After lunch we drove to a berry picking farm. We picked raspberries, strawberries and a cross between blackberries and raspberries. The berries were delicious and some of the strawberries were as big as an apple! They were huge! Next, we drove to Goat Island and climbed over the beach to it. We climbed up the rocks to the top of the island. I discovered a cave which led to the other side of the island. Unfortunately it contained a nest of little, flying insects which were very annoying. We made our way up to the top of the island. The view was great! We could see over the sea and the land. After we had headed back to the bus, we decided to call it a day. We are currently situated in Turners Park caravan park. Gabby and I have taken two walks across the beach. When the sun sets, we are going to watch penguins make their way back to their burrows. It should be interesting.

Bye, Maddy.

Wicked Van: 0

Vehicles Overtaken: 1 (Yay!)

Fauna: Where to start? Quokkas, dead animals (road kill), native hens (hilarious, running, cute little birdies), other birds, a swan and her cygnets, skinks and various rustling in bushes.

Saturday 14-12-2013 (Spirit of Tasmania)

Hi all- apologies for the late post, we only took minimal luggage into our cabin of the ferry and therefore didn’t bring the laptop.

We left Serviceton at about 9:00 and drove. And drove. And, unsurprisingly, drove. Apart from a brief stop for ice coffee and lunch, we drove until we entered Melbourne. Having not been to Melbourne since I was 7 (8?) the sight of copious amounts of skyscrapers, an immense bridge and two immense ships in the harbour was very cool. After getting slightly lost (ahem, Navman) we made our way to the boarding area and waited an hour or two before driving into a long line to board the Spirit of Tasmania.

=Fast forward an hour and a half=

Finally, we were directed onto the boat via a very steep ramp and left the bus with many other cars, vans, buses and caravans. Numerous flights of stairs led us to our miniscule cabin. Once everyone was on board, the ship slowly set off for Tassie!

At about 6:00 in the morning, after a sleepless night for Mum, Dad and I (Maddy was snoring away, lucky thing) we arrived in Tassie!

Bye J

-Gabby

Wicked Vans – 1 (very surprising, most likely to be one of the only one we will see)

Vehicles Overtaken – 3

Fauna – Ducks and ducklings at lunchtime, seagulls, dogs.

Friday 13-12-2013 (Serviceton)

Hello! Welcome to our blog. For some of you this will be the first time you’re reading our blog, for others you’ll have read our last blog. Feel free to compare the blogs.

This morning, until 1.00pm, we packed the bus. At 1.00pm we left home and drove 330km to where we are now, Serviceton, Victoria. We arrived at 6.00pm and played a game of tennis after tea (Mum and I vs. Dad and Gabby. Mum and I won!). The sporting grounds where we are camped have facilities including; showers, toilets, tennis courts, table tennis tables, pool tables and an oval. After our game of tennis Gabby and I played a few games of table tennis. That’s all for today, Maddy.

Wicked Vans – 0

Vehicles Overtaken – 0 (But loads of maniacs overtaking us)

Fauna – 1 adorable ragdoll cat on a leash, owned by the caravan parked next to us.