Monday 9^th April

We are back on 2Xs, in Strahan, tied up to Petuna, the big blue fishing boat, on the wharf at Strahan.  It is VERY cold.  There was snow on the mountains as we came down from Launceston, all very beautiful, but…brrrr…

By the way if you are ever driving in that area, go to the Round Hill Café, just near the turn-off to Lake Barrington.  It is wonderful!  Cosy and warm with fresh homemade food.  We had a cup of (strong, hot, flavoursome,) coffee and shared a raspberry/coconut slice which was so delicious I wish we hadn’t shared it and that I had had a whole one, and maybe even a second one, all for myself.  Round Hill Café – go there!

We arrived back in Strahan and I dropped off Pete at the dinghy to bring 2XS back to the harbor.  BRRRRR!!!  I took the ute up the hill and filled it lovingly with diesel, with the help of a fat young mechanic – I had no idea how to unscrew the fuel cap…FAIL!!  Then I spent a happy half hour going round and round and under and over with the car wash hose. BRRR BRRR!!!!   But worth it!  All the squashed insects down the gurgler…all the mud and dust – down the gurgler!  Very satisfying.

Pete with 2XS met up with me, the ute and a tray full of groceries in time to tie up to Rodney the Elder’s Petuna – all the fishing boats are in and there is no room on the wharf.  We got all stowed away and tied up and a big squall blew in – not thunderbolts and lightning, but very very frightening nonetheless!  The boat rocked and rolled and Phil, a brand new friend from a smaller yacht in the harbor, Sandpiper (a North Shore 33) scampered off back to his boat, to make sure it was safe.

Our plan had been to get back to Strahan in time to take Ron and his wife Laura out to dinner, to thank them for lending us the wonderful clean shiny ute.  Unfortunately they couldn’t come – family responsibilities.  We still had our booking, so Phil (from Sandpiper) came, with his wife Lesley.  They have been sailing around Tasmania for two months and are due back at work in Melbourne on Monday.  We had a delicious dinner at Risby Cove, not far from the wharf.  A kind local had lent Phil and Lesley a beautiful luxurious car – people in Strahan are AMAZING!! – so we went with them in case another strong squally blizzard blew up.  (It didn’t.)  The restaurant was warm and cosy and jam packed full of people – I told you Strahan is amazing!

We will stay here tomorrow, gazing anxiously at the weather maps and BOM warnings…With a bit of luck we can leave and zoom off on Wednesday…Till then, all is well, we are safe, the heater is on, the boat is safe, we are happy.

Allan M – if you are reading this, we went THROUGH Tullah, the place of your birth, then went INTO Tullah off the highway and spent a very happy half hour or so driving up and down and around the streets.  What a beautiful place, gorgeous lake, splendid mountains.  But…BRRRR…and the real estate prices made us stretch our eyes!  $220,000 for a house!!  $120,000 for a prefab cabin!