MONDAY 17 APRIL     HEALESVILLE

A good night’s sleep was had!

John was planning to collect his consignment of Huon pine, from Queenstown, today. He phoned the freight yard, after breakfast. No timber for us! He phoned Queenstown and was assured it had been despatched as arranged. Then he phoned the Tasmanian Freight Centre – it sailed yesterday! So there appeared to have been a glitch there. It was worked out that we should be able to collect the wood on Wednesday, as the container “should” have been unloaded by then.

So our day’s plans changed.

We carefully checked Truck and the van for items that could be taken home and left. We did a big unload! The van would be so much lighter, too.

I made several phone calls, arranging necessary appointments for things that had to be done.

Later in the day, took the load home and deposited it in our bedroom there and John’s shed.

John was very unhappy with the state of the garden, principally the vegetable area all overgrown with blackberries. The lawns were mown, but not much else done. But it could be worse – at least the house itself was kept up well.

The animals were, as always, pleased to see us.

Steak and mushrooms for tea.

FRIDAY 14 APRIL     DEVONPORT

After breakfast, did some final oddments of shopping. Bought John a polo shirt. Stocked up on some biscuits and crisps to take on the ship, in case we didn’t like the dinner. Bought a bottle of rum and some coke, that would be our nightcaps on the ship.

Tried to catch up with aunt and uncle a final time, but they were not home.

Back at camp, John painted the new welded section and we did some packing up.

In the afternoon, we again walked around to the ferry terminal, for some exercise, and watched a SeaRoad cargo boat loading and departing.

Tea was bought fish and chips.

Our last night in Tasmania. It had been a wonderful time. We hadn’t done everything we’d hoped, especially on the east coast, but made substantial inroads into same, so we were happy.

THURSDAY 13 APRIL     DEVONPORT

After breakfast, John took Truck to have a radio aerial bracket welded to the back swing bar. He returned via the shops and got me bread, ham and some cheeses.

I got some food ready for lunch.

G and C – former work colleagues of mine, visiting Tasmania – arrived about 11am. It was a pleasant, sunny day, and we sat outside and lunched. There was much talk of travels and of the former work place. They did not leave until well into the afternoon. I enjoyed their visit, very much.

We went for a walk around to the ferry terminal, along the foreshore. We watched the loading and departure of the Spirit of Tasmania. We would  be on it, next time! A campervan arrived, just as they were about to put up the last tail ramp. He was lucky to get on. The boat left late!

Our tea was soup, and lunch left overs.

I tried to phone aunt and uncle but got no answer.

SUNDAY 9 APRIL     DELORAINE

We had a leisurely morning, still being a bit stiff in the legs.

After lunch, went to the Deloraine Cemetery. I had a recollection of being with mum when she visited her parents’ graves there, but could not find these. There were, however, plenty of graves bearing family surnames – relationships to me uncertain at this stage.

Great Uncle John Shephard

Came back to camp then walked along the river bank for a couple of kms.

Tea was soup, cold silverside and salads.

SATURDAY 8 APRIL     DELORAINE

We had a very quiet day! The legs were very weary, after yesterday.

I fetched the Saturday papers from the shops and we spent much of the day reading these.

Every so often, the ducks and geese would potter hopefully up from the river and gaze imploringly at us. We had to be hard hearted and refuse any handouts, otherwise they would have been camped outside the van permanently!

The Meander River behind the van at Deloraine – and resident wildlife

After lunch, John went to the bowls club, but there was no-one there, so he came back and pottered about, making containers to hold the new chisels.

I cooked corned silverside for tea. Very nice it was, too.