Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Devonport to Stanley

Robin is not keen on having breakfast first thing in the morning, so I headed off to the motel dining area by myself. Most Aussies are welcoming, friendly people so I was surprised by the dour reception of the waitress. I ordered the bacon and egg breakfast and was told in no uncertain fashion that I could only eat what was on the plate and could not have anything from the nearby buffet for which I would have to pay extra. She did not even ask me how I wanted my eggs. The best way to handle a grump is to be cheerful so I duly ate the eggs that were too soft for me and complimented her on the breakfast. She was putting up some folding tables and so I helped her with that as well. By then I am sure she was really fuming inside so I think I had done enough damage.


After Robin had risen, we headed off to explore some of Devonport. This city is the southern terminus of the car ferry that sails across Bass Strait between Melbourne and Tasmania. In addition to passenger fares which vary, a car costs $89 extra.


As the name implies, the city is a port which means other large vessels use the facility. It also means a railway line and fence blocking access to the river which is called the Mersey.



Typical small Aussie city.


Closer to the sea the rail line went inland and there was a park.






There had been plenty of rain overnight.







We went out onto this viewing platform where it was quite windy.




Looking back at Devonport.


The sea did not look inviting at all.


Odd colour of some of the rocks.



We headed west following the coast.



Nothing like some good photos of a guardrail. 



The circular bulge makes a dull building interesting.




Every now and then it would rain again.



The railway line follows the coastline. It would be a great ride but there are no government run passenger trains in Tasmania any more. Tasmania railways use 3'6" narrow gauge.


Yes, there is a town of this name.





And here we are in Penguin



I am wearing the Russian sailors cap that I bought in St Petersburg. I needed it. 




Not the equal of beaches in Queensland or NSW, but still a beach.



Does it measure flaps per second.


Another bakery.



Do you go in and order a couple of flappers? Maybe a beak?



We headed further west to Wynyard which was a pleasant looking town. There is an airport (BWT) that it shares with nearby Burnie. However a round trip ticket ro Melbourne costs US $345.  Many Australians prefer to fly overseas for holidays because it is comparatively cheaper than holidaying in Australia.

Just north of Wynyard is Table Cape.




Distinguished looking house.



In this area, the dirt is quite red.



Wynyard has an annual tulip festival and some of the tulips are grown at Table Cape. We were there at the right time.



View from Table Cape.



The sea was a bit calmer here.




The light house which was first lit in 1888.





It was possible to visit the tulip fields but we could see it was about to rain again.





Rich dark soil.


The small village of Boat Harbour Beach.



Marianne likes houses with curved roofs.



It's a popular holidaying place in Tasmania but it wasn't too inviting this cold rainy day.



Finally we saw the 'Nut' at Stanley. It's an old volcanic plug.


Our car.


The fishing port at Stanley.




It looks like a terrier, perhaps an Airedale. However we did not eat lunch there.



Instead we had lunch in this little cafe further up the hill.



Carrot, ginger and coconut soup. Really good on a cold wet day.


Robin had a chorizo, red lentil and tomato soup. You get a roll with your soup and it all costs $10.


The Town Hall.


It looks like it could have been the local picture theatre at some time.


I would imagine that in summer Stanley would be a most attractive place to visit. On a cold wet miserable day, perhaps not.

No comments:

Post a Comment