Author: joansjottingscom

The week started as we expected but early Wednesday the tour leader called a meeting 9:30am to tell us that due to COVID-19 the Tasmanian government was planning to go into lockdown hence any tourists were being recommended to return home ASAP. Therefore our tour was to be disbanded and we were advised to make arrangements to leave. Then she drove off…….

We all went from feeling stunned and abandoned to then into a planning frenzy to change our booking on the SOT by bringing it forward. We had accommodation paid for in Strahan for the next two nights so that took some immediate pressure off.

The SOT number was in overload, some got through but I and others had to get family members on the mainland to book for us.

So here I am doing the day crossing, hopeing to be able to drive through the NSW border tonight. Just waiting for the inevitable announcement that the Victorian and NSW border will close and a 14 day isolation period will be enforced.

Addit: The SOT arrived at St Kilda Pier 7:40pm and I was amongst the last called to drive off. There was a cruise ship, the Golden Princess obviously with no passengers berthed beside us. Two other cruise ships were at anchor in the bay.

By now it was dark and the streets were deserted. Google wasn’t a lot of help. The street lighting and signage left a lot to be desired but I managed to get through Melbourne by 8:30pm. It was another 3 hours to the border so I settled in for a long drive. Being a dark night, new moon, I was more than happy to put Flo into cruise control and follow the taillights of an Australia Post semitrailer knowing he was also heading for the border and beyond. A couple of caravans pulled into a rest area just north of Albury so I felt safe pulling over too for a few hours sleep and an early start in the morning.

It was a relief to be back in NSW so the urgency was gone. I filled with fuel at the service centre in Yass and saw a woman coming back to her car with a pack of toilet paper. So when I went to pay I saw a pallet of toilet paper in their shop area. I was allowed to purchase 2 packs of 8 rolls and couldn’t believe my luck. Having been on the lookout for Paul as he couldn’t find any to buy.

I needed some shopping so went to the shops in Dapto and checked with Paul to see if he needed anything. He is having difficulty shopping with the 4 kids home from school. It was strange not having any physical contact with the kids. They were on their newly purchased tablets doing their home schooling.

It was good to reunite with Van. She seemed happy to see me.

Home again now. Robyn had done a cook up and left me some soup for tea. The next door neighbour was over to welcome me home. Van checked out the house and settled in, in no time at all.

The garden will keep me busy for some time, it needs a lot of attention.

So good to be home.

We are now finding that COVID-19 is closing many of the places and activities we had planned.

Latest is that we have approval to continue under strict rules. Keeping our required distance of 1.5 m or 5 m for strangers. To be in groups of 5 when shopping. If not adhered to then we are out.

Lot’s of challenges ahead.

The Friday 13th Scary themed day was brought forward a day due to forcast of rain. The bus and driver also got in the mood. The weather was perfect for sightseeing and the many walks.

What a difference a day makes. Raining and windy today. It’s a free day today so time to catch up.

On to Bruny Island, didn’t stop in Hobart but came through to Kettering to catch the ferry across to Bruny Island.

Catching the ferry back to the mainland tomorrow then on to Dover for a few days.

Myrtle Park Recreational Grounds will be memorable as a lovely grassy campground but more for the torrential overnight rain. At 4am I rolled over and discovered that the rain was coming in through the back door and saturating my pillows. After some weatherproofing measures were taken I tried to get back to sleep with the rain pouring down. Others had issues with water in there vehicles as well. Worse affected were the tent girls.

We were first group to arrive at Pyangana recreation area and found it saturated from the rain which wasn’t abating. Water lay in puddles and was pooling at the side of the road.

Lovely sunny weather in St Helens. We left our vehicles for a bus trip up around the Bay of Fires. Featured were many white sandy beaches and rock formations.

Time to get some sleep, early start tomorrow destination Sorell.

Left home a little later than planned after having misplaced my keys. Thanks to the spare set I’m on my way. (Keys found when I opened my camping chair out)

I enjoyed fish and chips for tea overlooking Ulladulla Harbour.

On to Bateman’s Bay for the night. Evidence of the fires could be seen along the way.

It is alarming to see just how close the fires came to houses/properties and the destruction it has caused to acres of land with much of it still blackened. Wonderful to see the signs of regeneration coming through the landscape.

Although humid, the day started overcast and there was some light rain that quickly cleared. The fires came very close to Batemans Bay affecting a large amount of countryside along the Kings Highway.

Then by contrast the countryside south of Canberra is so dry that dust clouds were being stirred up by the gusty winds and visibility was poor at times.

So after a long day driving I decided to stop in Holbrook. I’m ready for an early night.

A shorter drive today, 2 & 1/2 hrs. Had shopping as well as things to do and sort out/re-arrange. Staying in Seymour tonight. Found 2 Rollers staying here as well. The girls in the tagalong from Queensland are free camping by the river I believe.

Tomorrow everyone for the Saturday AM crossing on the Spirit of Tasmania will meet and camp at the Pines Altona Scouts grounds. Only 20 minutes away from St Kilda.

I was pleased to have company to travel through the outskirts of Melbourne to our destination. The Queensland tagalong arrived about the same time. We got settled and walked the short distance to the Altona Services Club for tea. 26 Rollers heading over on the SOT tomorrow. Early start, 5:30am.

Up early to arrive at the SOT pier for loading. The group ended up on several decks depending on the type vehicle they drove. Flo’s height was a consideration so she had a spot on the side of the ship on level 5. I hadn’t done the day crossing before so was looking forward to it. Time to meet the other Rollers and have a chance to get to know each other. Apart from being a little rough when we entered the open sea it was a good crossing.

Arrived at Devonport 6:30 pm and regrouped to travel to Turner’s Beach berry farm to meet the whole group (48 Rollers) and get our tour information in a meet and greet session. Cold night, looking like rain.

Woke to a cold overcast day with misty rain. First activity on the agenda was a trip down the road to the berry farm where we picked and sampled as we filled out container with blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries. Then we drove in our convoy, the group is divided into 5 groups, to the Tasmanian Arboretum to explore and have a BBQ lunch.

We did the walking trails and saw some interesting bird life and platypus.

From there we drove through some dairy farms and picturesque countryside to Sheffield where we stayed at the recreation area in town.

Very cold and it rained. Not good if you’re in a tent.

After a windy night in Sheffield we had a tour of the Tasmanian Truffle Farm, featured a few years ago when the brother and sister Henry and Anna were on MKR. Enjoyed the tour with interesting commentary and the amazing selection of samples for us to try.

Then on to Deloraine with a free afternoon to look around, shop before driving on to Bishopsbourne Recreation grounds. The weather actually was sunny during the afternoon and warm. Time to have tea and settle in for the night.

Long awaited rain has arrived. We have had 3-4 days of heavy, soaking rain which has fallen on many drought affected areas of NSW. I’ve measured 400mm + in my rain gauge.

Fires that have caused massive destruction over the last 74 days have officially been declared extinguished. This is what so many of us have prayed for. Now we face the threat of flooding due to the amount of rainfall coinciding with the king tide influence on many coastal areas. Lakes that have silted up have had to be opened to relieve raising water levels threatening properties. Low lying flood prone areas have isolated some places due to water over roads. People have been asked to work from home if possible and not to travel. High tide is adding up to a metre to the raising water levels. People have been evacuated.The SES is receiving many calls for help. Sadly many fire affected people are also being affected by the floods.

The dams in the catchment area are filling. The push for a desalination plant to be built in our area seems to be not as necessary/topical as it was last week.

Hopefully the water restrictions will be lifted. We were on level 2 prior to this rainfall. Restricted hours for hand held hose to water garden and wash cars.

Interesting times we are living in.

Three weeks into the New Year and so much has happened.

After relentless weeks of fires and the heartache/distruction they caused we have had several days of decent rainfall as a welcome reprieve.

There have been reports of blinding dust storms in the central west and yesterday a massive hail storm in our national capital.

I have been listening to the local ABC coverage to keep up with what was happening so close to home. Indirectly we have all been affected by these events. The news reflects the global reaction to these catastrophic fires, highlighting the effects of climate change. There have even been pictures from space showing the dense smoke blanket from the fires.

After a 2 year hiatus I volunteered for the Illawarra Folk Festival, this time I was on Traffic. Nothing like broadening one’s horizon. I saw lots of familiar faces in the crowd over the four days. It was hard to know if they were faces from the past or recent people who had come through the entrance gate. Thursday was the bad weather day with 70 mm of rain, mainly overnight, which created boggy areas and puddles.

Van continues her laser treatments and physio. It took some doing but I managed to get the necessary items for her exercises. Never thought I would be doing this!

Not long before school commences for 2020. We have one starting high school this year, how time flies.

I can now start organizing for my Tassie Trip.

Debate about New Year Eve fireworks continues with many scheduled fireworks cancelled from celebrations for this year. Sydney will go ahead unless conditions deteriorate.

Heatwave conditions are forecast today with a total fire ban across the state. Another day of tense fire awareness with several large fires continuing to burn south and west of here.

Our second Christmas without Chris was a quiet family gathering. Nobody is as good at carving the meat but we managed. We adjourned to Paul’s to continue our day with the kids. They were very excited at the prospect of more presents. They had spent their allocated time with their mother and her family.

Paul managed to assemble the basketball hoop/stand with some rather cryptic instructions just before the mosquitoes hit us and the light failed.

It was good to see and spend time with family and friends over this special time. I’m looking forward to 2020.

What a wonderful trip/experience I have had over the last 10 weeks. I’m now enjoying being home and getting into the festive mood with Christmas fast approaching.

I arrived home on a Monday afternoon, a bit earlier than expected so was able to surprise the Tuesday lunch group the next day.

Friday evening was our tuckshop ladies annual pre Christmas night out. So I’ve been able to see a lot of friends.

Wednesday evening was spent with Paul and the grandkids.

Robyn moved out on Friday after having been house and dog minder when I was away.

I have managed to make the much requested Family Photo Album for 2018 -2019 for Paul and the kids. The books are a pictorial diary of the year and the kids love them. A lot has happened over this 15 month period.

Van has had an ongoing problem with her back leg/hip causing her some distress. She was on some medication while I was away and reviewed by the vet last week. To make a diagnosis, she had a day at the vets to do X-rays under an anaesthetic. As a result, she is to have a physio assessment on Wednesday and may require regular physiotherapy. (The things you do for your pets. She is lucky she’s not a farm dog!)

Tuesday was my birthday and although I’m away I was not forgotten.

I was surprised to see written on one of buildings in the main street, SA Government Department of Nuclear Waste Management. Our bus driver on the town tour told us of how the town was very motivated to have one of these nuclear waste storage facilities 18ks out of town. It means jobs and a huge grant of funding to the area.

When I booked into Port Augusta CP the woman at the counter was saying that there is a tender for a small town just north of them. They need the injection of funds to survive.

These articles were in the local paper (Port Augusta).