Life under Canvas

It almost seems like sacriledge getting the laptop out in such a beautiful location. Despite the idealic setting, the glow of the screen instantly brings back the outside world.

We arrived in Devonport, Tasmania last Monday night after an uneventful journey. The kids and I slept for 4 hours in our cabin after the exhaustion of the previous week's house pack up, interspersed with visits to various decks. At one stage we lost Ollie - he had made his way into the onboard casino and was found sitting in front of a one armed bandit.

Devonport was depressing. Bleak, cold and very few redeeming features; even the trees were grey, windswept and sad. Henry said "I want to go home". At this point Jane and I looked at each other and asked ourselves why we'd left our carefully constructed and comfortable lives. Our spirits lifted the next morning as we drove out into the beautiful Tasmanian farmland.

Three hours later we pulled into the Stanley Caravan Park (no booking) and met the enemy. Our enemy over the next few months will be the dreaded GREY NOMAD. Cashed up baby boomer retirees in massive RVs have taken over! The caravan park was full of them and not a spot left (not even school holidays!). The park owner referred us to another caravan park with a dismissive wave (I could see the thought bubble above her head "newbies").

Instead we found a tiny guide book reference to a Blackwater Creek camping ground. After nosing our way alongide a beautiful estuary about 10km out of Stanley we pulled up in a wonderful little sandy campsite which has been our home for the last 5 days. What a ripper!

Since then the days have drifted into one. Hours upon hours have been spent on the beach fishing, digging holes, collecting firewood, chasing crabs, being chased by crabs, collecting oysters and staring off into the distance. Its amazing how quickly you can slow down when you really try hard.

Despite some early trepidation, we have slipped easily into campsite life. With Astrid now gone Jane and I have had to divide up the tasks equally: she does kids and cleaning and I do cooking, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking and surfing. The daily challenge is to decide which of these activities to do: our campite is like a huge camping and outdoor store on wheels.

Over the last two days we have driven around the NW visiting the Tarkine Forest (mountain bike riding), the Big Tree (a 400 year old 60m stringey bark gum - amazing), Dip Falls, Wynyard Farmers Market and the little seaside town of Penguin (no penguins - apparently all eaten).

Tomorrow we will do the Penguin markets - our first market in Tasmania - to help fill the travelling coffers.

Please email us on darvall@netspace.net.au

Love from Jane, Toby, Ollie, Eloise and Henry.