Into the wilds go the house cat and the alley cat.

As we were displaced for about nine days, and also had a concurring opportunity to volunteer up around Soldiers Beach, on Maria Island- we decided to give tent camping a try.  We lucked into beautiful spots up where my dear neighbour took me (six!) years ago.

We had good weather, hot for Tasmania but when you are camp on the edge of various beautiful beaches, the heat can be nice.  Our state is a bit of a geological wonder- so we get white sand beaches, pink sand beaches, beaches ringed with bright orange rocks, and we even went out and saw a beach with dark red rocks.

Campsite #1, pink rocks and clear, clear water.

To be fair...Tasmanias' tourism boom can definitely be felt, there are more and more tour operators, and one morning we had a drone flying over our tent.

 Campsite # 2

 Campsite # 3, I love the imprint between the wallaby feet from its tail.

Last Campsite hours from Darlington, Maria Island.

We did have one night inside as 'someone' caught a cold as soon as we left (I have decided he might be a 'house' cat), I managed to stay well until I got home, but today, day 3 home and I am miserable.  We need to unpack, but our first 2 days home were so busy and I think mentally I knew at least we were moved back in, so I can't seem to do much today, or for very long.

I love camping, but I do also love electricity.

I think we might be destined for a camper-trailer.

The weather is still hot, and I love time in the ocean, but we leave for snow in less than 2 weeks.  I suppose a nice snowfall will set off my tan...

 

 

"...all my life I had been searching for trees such as these..."

On this trip, we were not at the beach, but up into the hills-

I thought that the bark falling from the gum trees looked like an Australian version of Spanish Moss covering trees near swamp lands in North America.

 

I did not get a photo, but I finally saw a pink robin!

Here is it's more common flame cousin - captured by yes, my phone, they are not so shy.

 

 Warning:

Cute animal photos to follow-

 

 I thought I couldn't top my blonde pretty wombat, but I think baby wombat is pretty good.  Right before this a Tasmanian Devil galloped by.  An hour before twilight even!

I seem to see wallabies on their own, while the portoroos seem to go around in mobs, but they are so small (rabbit sized) and quick I never get their photo.

I did have a bandicoot come up really close while I was near the camp fire, which means people had food, in pictures they look like large rats- kind of, but in person that doesn't come across, I think because they move differently.  

We worked most of the day, but without much access to power, evenings are much longer-so I still got to swim, hike, stargaze and spot animals.

Once again I found myself climbing what I would call more a convenient 'rock slide' than a trail.  Although I suppose the arrows did zigzag in a way to be safer than trying to just sprint straight up.  The figure in the distance was the woman whose idea it was to walk...I had a person behind me about the same distance away- she was visiting from France, and she was very quiet until the times we came across other people who spoke french. I really thought a lot about what her actual experience was like...

"...like a ghost wearing flip-flops...I'm not heavy..."

Maria Island is one of the easier islands off of Tasmania to get too.

The island had both a population base and industry off an on until around 1950.

(I am by no means an expert on this subject, but I just spent a few days with many people who are experts)

The island has a unique aspect of the penal colony history, as they had schools and agricultural farms set up, for convicts on their probationary periods.

Can you imagine? A system set up to actually help the convicts acquire skills to transition back into society?

The island was also the first place in Australia with electricity.

Not least, Maria Island is now being inhabited with healthy Tasmanian Devils, as one of the reserve populations as there is still no cure for the tumors.

Read about the plight of the Tasmanian Devils 

I can't believe I waited so long to go.  This opportunity came to me via the volunteer weeding I have been doing with the  'Friends of Peter Murrel Reserve' group.

In part, I have not gone because I didn't have anyone to go with, and there is a drive plus a ferry ride.  There is no public car transport to the island, only walking and bikes.  Except for the few people working on the island.  The rangers only had a few vehicles.  Everyone has to take in all their supplies including water and take everything back off (there is nowhere to put any rubbish, this also has to be taken off).

However, I did go in style (so to speak)-

I went with volunteers who have been going for decades.

They knew everyone from the ferry captain to all the rangers.

We stayed in a small 'bush shack' that is sometimes used for the part time summer ranger (she was off the island the days we were on).

A free car ride/ ferry ride, accommodation, plus good company for the low, low price of about 18 hours of fence painting. We worked in a large group and we were very well taken care of by the Rangers who provided tea breaks (hobbit style! first tea, second tea, lunch, after lunch tea).  White sand beaches, star filled skies, friendly local animals, interesting rare birds, and lots of history. I found out there are nice camp sites all on unspoiled terrain. I definitely have aspirations of being a long time volunteer to the of the upkeep of the island.  

The list for volunteering seems endless, but if you just pick a place your interested in, or a place nearby- once you send an email- people will help you from there.

volunteer landcare tasmania

Pictured here you see a small section of fence, the shack where we stayed, and some nice long views- and of course a very handsome wombat.

 

 

 

the girl I want to be

Zok and I still are suffering from this horrid, lingering, cold that is going around (as we know from gossip in line at the pharmacy).

The weather is not helping, Hobart continues to be dominated by wind, rain and an average of about 65 Celcius.

This is to my opinion, lovely.  I like to sit on my porch, read, and watch the rain fall but warmer weather for swimming would not be unwanted.

We are all about projects, Zok is on his own chopping down a tree, so there have been lots of trips to the tip.

We also ordered firewood, which is now stacked and we are stocked up.

I have been tenatively routing out a road trip in the U.S., although all plans are subject to change.

I also (mostly) went through all my CDs.  When you own as much music, know of as much music, and love as much music as I do, this whole digital age is a bit of a pisser.  I can't put all the music I want in one place or even on one player.  It's a constant balancing act, made harder each time by Apple updates. 

Meanwhile I try to remember this girl: because she believes that happiness is just a choice and perspective.

 

"...I'm going to live on a mountain...way down under in Australia..."

I can not put into words how much I love the East Coast of Tasmania.

Zok and I talk about moving out that way.

The land prices are not exactly inexpensive, and I had a moment of clarity when the woman we rented from near Bicheno, mentioned that she hadn't been to see a movie in a cinema for five years.  As the closest one was about a three hour drive.

But of course, the quiet and the glorious night sky is very tempting.

 Sadly, the iPhone is not exactly able to capture Jupiter rising over the ocean.

 But here are some photos from the daylight hours.