A summer in Tasmania

[drron]

The Monday before Australia Day I had important work to do.First it was off to this place.
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Because they were selling something mrsdrron really likes.
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After dropping those it was off to DPO.A comforting sight.
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After collecting mrsdrron we headed into Devonport via East Devonport.Here is an example of how the Islander fruit pickers live.Not far from a very large berry farm.
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[drron]

We were headed to the Ellimatta for dinner.A little early so went to Mersey Bluff.The Ferry was arriving.
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Neither of us were very hungry so just shared a dozen oysters and a plate of salt and pepper calamari.So no pics.

 

[drron]

So after a sleep in on Australia Day we set off for a drive.The Bass Highway towards Ulverstone and turned off onto B15 to Sprent.Not as lush country.more plantations though still a pleasant drive.
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We then headed to Leven Canyon.On the last bit before the car park a very sick wallaby by the side of the road covered in flies.It didn't move.However an hour or so later coming back there was no sign of it.
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[drron]

I then walked to the lookout.A pleasant walk just over 500 metres but mainly uphill.
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You can go down nearly 700 steps to a lower lookout.
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[drron]

And the views from the lookout.
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A camp ground down on the river from where you can walk part way into the canyon.
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[drron]

Returning back on B15 we passed through the 3 remaining houses of Upper Castra.Not in great condition but still being used.
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Then Sprent which is obviously not a rich area.On the outskirts of town a cemetery that is now part of a private property.
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A little further on we turned on to B16 through Kindred to Forth.Better farmland and still some flowering poppies.
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[drron]

Then views of Bass strait.
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[drron]

Next another large berry farm.
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And in the town of Forth the flowering gums are starting to bloom.
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[drron]

On to B19 and then to the Tasmanian Arboretrum again to hopefully show mrsdrron a platypus.
First black swans and water lillies.
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And in a larger pond a young platypus.I wasn't good on my timing.
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Mrsdrron was better at it.
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And more water birds.
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[drron]

They have a good collection of Wollemi pines.
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But lots of impressive trees.
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And whilst here we each enjoyed an ice cream.

 

[drron]

That night we went to Belly's Bar and grill in Latrobe.The definite restaurant recommendation in Latrobe.We shared a dozen oysters then mrsdrron had crumbed scallops and I Moroccan spiced quail.They were excellent.
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We then went for a drive up over Dooley's hill.This little fellow was adjacent to the houses and didn't think we could see him.
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Over the hill it comes into River road which runs alongside the Mersey from Latrobe to East Devonport.
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This part is closer to East Devonport.The council are building a path/cycleway.Latrobe Council is extending it into Latrobe.When the last little bit is finished there will be a track from Latrobe through East Devonport and along the coast to DPO.Or cross over the Merse and you can walk all the way from Spreyton through Devonport and on to Mersey bluff,Coles Beach and along the Don river to the Don River railway depot.
From where we were nice views over the River to Spreyton.
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[drron]

We then turned around and drove back towards Latrobe.
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That is Pig Island on the other side which I had walked around 5 days ago.The pathway extends right to Bell's Parade.
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Then to the little park beside the river where the road bridge crosses the rive.A pretty little spot and it is getting close to dusk when platpi are more likely to appear.Unfortunately not today.
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But the ducks decided to check me out.
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[drron]

Wednesday and we went over to Burnie for lunch.Went to Fish on the Edge at Wivenhoe.Reasonably priced seafood cooked well.We shared a dozen oysters.
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Then we got them to put 2 of their entrees on to the one plate which we shared for main.Coconut prawns and crumbed scallops with a side of sweet potato fries.
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Really nice.I have also tried their seafood laksa and fish curry both of which were excellent.I recommend it.

On the way back to Latrobe we stopped at Perfecta cherries and bought our last box of export cherries.A lovely day and had an icecream with views to Turner's Beach.
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[drron]

Thursday and our new favourite restaurant in Devonport - Prem's seafood Bar and Grill.
Fantastic mussels from Spring Bay.
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We shared 500 Gms.
Mrsdrron then had the jumbo prawns and I had the salmon.
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Both really nice and cooked perfectly.

 

[drron]

Friday and we drove south.There was heavy rain forecast for the north on Friday afternoon.We were able to leave ~ 1300 and only had a few light showers before reaching our destination.
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Yes Saffire at Freycinet.The rain started coming down once we got into the room.
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The room.
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And the view when we first walked in.
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[drron]

1730 and up to the lounge for pre-dinner drinks and canapes.Quite a few gins on display.
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This became my favourite gin.Fine just with ice.
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Sheep Whey Gin (Rare Aus Botanicals) - Grandvewe

(40% alc) Each bottle hand painted and written with Ryan Hartshorn's (Master Distillers) signature AWARDS: • GOLD medal winner (World Gin Awards 2018)

grandvewe.com.au

And there was no lipstick on my glass.
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[drron]

So to dinner.
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And the matching wines for the tasting menu.
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An Amusee bouche -okonomiyaki.
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I liked it,mrsdrron not so much.

 

[drron]

We both had the mussels.A little disappointing as the broccoli soup was quite bland.
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My calamari though was excellent.
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The Kingfish and Waygu were also excellent.
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Mrsdrron had the scallops without the chilli which also was excellent but no photo.She then had fig ice cream for dessert which she loved.
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Whilst I had the tasting menu dessert.The covering was not needed an quite tasteless.The actual dessert was very good.
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And the view.
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[drron]

The mini bar - all complimentary if you could drink it all.Plus nuts,chocolates,popcorn and chippies.
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I managed to consume the gins with tonic and the Gala.

 

[drron]

On waking the next morning we found that the forecast of rain all day was very wrong.
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So a long soak in the bath.