A leisurely start to the day saw a brekky run to the Bark Mill after a car park photo call. The MGA was having a lie in, with Chester and Sallie being shared by our solo drivers.

Straight after breakfast we started worrying about lunch, being the Sunday of a long W/E…..First stop was a winery, sorry booked out, but some members did a tasting anyhow. A few phone calls saw another vineyard selected, and booked. Phew, pressure off guys, now what…Gala Vineyard for a tasting and a vintage Morris Minor viewing

Off to Devils Corner for brunch…..oysters and mussels for some, we shared an apple juice after filling up the car park and going up the look out tower for fab views.

Then onto a platter lunch, with great company and conversation. One couple slipped away for supplies…..fresh crayfish afternoon tea now on ! We have retreated to our unit, no more food till dinner please !

With International travel still restricted the opportunity of local touring with friends is relished. Day 1 of the latest, my 3rd, Tassie Topless Tour saw our group heading to the East Coast, this time with H as navigator rather than Alfie. First up was a blast along a piece of road called the sidling to Scottsdale for morning tea. Numerous hairpin bends, and elevation changes make it a real drivers road. The range of vehicles this year include a couple of Porsche Boxster’s, a 911, a couple of Mazda MX5’s, a Lexus, MGA, Jaguar F type and an Audi. A quick regroup then onwards to St Helens and lunch at the Wharf Restaurant. The roads were quiet, despite it being a long W/E, with no overseas visitors due to Covid.

The Wharf Restaurant, was right on the water….

Then onwards to Swansea and our accomodation at Piermont. This involved a delightful drive along the coast, passing numerous vineyards, all the time following Chester and Sally’s delightful MGA. It reminded us of numerous trips we had done before with the MG Owners Club of WA, following Ian and Corries MGA.

Set amongst trees the various cottages and studio appartments are scattered around the property, but all have magnificent views over the bay towards the Hazards……not far from where we last stayed with the motorhome.

Having the top down for a large part of the day meant a little wind burn, and my bed is calling me after a super evening meal by a talented chef and team……more action to follow tomorrow….after car cleaning !

With Christmas almost upon us we’ve taken the opportunity to have a couple of nights away at Swansea, on Tasmania’s east coast. Of course the dogs are enjoying their time away…

Our Avida Eyre is is 7.6m long, with 2 permanent singles, seperate washroom and shower, with a slide kitchen and dinette. It’s very well designed and we’re gradually finding spots for everything.

We initially set up right along the beach, but have now moved up behind the beach bank because once again it’s blowing a gale. No walk along the beach tonight, the dogs would have been sandblasted. We still have a spectacular view across the bay to Coles Bay and the Hazards. Hopefully tomorrow will be more conducive to walkies…..till then Good Night from Cooper

Well we made it home in one piece with no dramas, so well done DB9. This is the most I’ve driven the car and I feel much happier behind the wheel. Today saw a drive along the Bass Highway to our first stop at Penguin, then a scenic drive along the coast before heading south to Exeter. At my suggestion we lunched at the Tamar Valley Wine Center, which worked well. We then said our goodbyes before collecting Rosie and Cooper, who had both enjoyed their breaks from each other !

A fabulous, well organised trip by our friends Dale and Gale. All I have to do now is wash, polish and detail the 9…

This mornings briefing suggested a gentle drive around the Tarkine Loop, first stop at Kanunnah bridge for coffee. Despite maps being handed out chaos ensued with numerous wrong turns, navigator consultations and the dreaded threat of gravel roads…

Once we had worked out the signpost pointing to the same destination in 2 directions (the clue was in the mileage), the bridge coffee spot was finally reached.

Proceeding to the next destination caused some worry due to a whirring noise. Closer inspection didn’t show anything but we cleaned the tyres of stones and checked the carbon fibre disc rotors. Thankfully the noise had gone, only to re appear some kilometres later then stop as a small branch was ejected. Ed and Jen driving behind picked it up in their E type wheels, and had to stop to clear it. Then Andrew and Marg stopped their XK150 because of a whirring noise……..and so it went on !

The scenery was fantastic, with lots of tight and twisty roads….but I did feel much happier on the wider roads to Stanley. We had a quick picnic in the wharf car park, because it was blowing a gale, before venturing to a favoured photo stop. Then back to Tall Timbers after refuelling…and checking the tyres once more.

Today when planning our route on the GPS an alternative suggestion to Arthur River was the “Edge of the World”, and I can understand why ! Classic car owners always get a bit nervous when driving far away from services, and today would have been a difficult call to the RAC if anybody had broken down…….”You are where…..!” An hours drive from Smithton saw the convoy arrive in drizzle, where the red boat and her crew of 3 waited for us.

The first hours cruise saw us progress from the coastal scrub to wet sclerophyll forest and our first encounter with a white breasted Sea Eagle. They have come to expect a free fish from the boat and swoop down when given one.

Further cruising saw us enter the rainforest proper as the channel narrowed and vegetation thickened. Boris, one of our guides, entertained us with stories about some of the pasts colourful locals, local flora and fauna.

After 2 hours cruising we made landfall at Turks Landing, basically the skipper nosed into the bank and tied up. Time for a drink before a walk, then a BBQ lunch.

Boris took us for a gentle stroll and explained about the bush and how vulnerable it can be. It made us appreciate where we live even more, and how areas like this must be preserved.

Lunch was a super spread served by our attentive crew in a unique bush camp. Apart from the huge mosquitos it was perfect.

Returning to the boat and starting the engine saw the return of another pair of Sea Eagles. The last free fish of the day took a couple of goes before one caught it, but provided a great photo opportunity.

All in all a fantastic day with great company, and I managed to get on a boat at last. We shall see what tomorrow brings….

Day 1 of the Roaring 40’s driving trip to the Tarkine. A little bit faster than a narrowboat is our favoured chariot, a Aston Martin DB9 Carbon Black. We are surrounded by Jaguars namely E types, XK’s and XJS’s with their lovely owners, many who we’ve travelled with before. Everybody is enjoying being out and exercising their toys.

First stop was Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden. This magnificent garden is like an amphitheater on a grand scale, in full flower. The Mollis Azalea’s were particularly vibrant with a sweet scent.

Whilst walking around the small lake I spied a fish struggling on the bank but then realised it was a platypus ! Quick get the camera, but by then he had swam off…..still I had been only 5 foot away, amazing to see in the wild.

A light luncheon was served, but being Melbourne Cup Day we all felt slightly under dressed compared to the ladies on some other tables.

A great choice for lunch. Next stop was at the Wonders of Wynard, with an excellent collection of Vintage Fords. Many of these are unique, being collected and restored over time by one passionate owner. Then back on the road again to our overnight accommodation at Tall Timbers in Smithton, considered the gateway to the Tarkine or “Edge of the World”. The Tarkine is an area similar to Wales but with no roads or towns. The only way in is by boat or foot…..Tasotter will always take the boat ! so we are all booked on a cruise tomorrow.

Yes 10 months ago Tasotter had a lot to look forward too, a new boat and some Canadian adventures. How times have changed, I hope you are all safe and coping with COVID, wherever you are in the world.

After doing all the house renovations, and adding to the family with young Rosie (a long haired Chihuahua pup); we’ve taken to travelling again. Sadly not on a boat, but a 7.6 meter long Avida Eyre motorhome. There seem to be a lot of similarities to a Sea Otter, even though the caravan park owner looks puzzled when you ask where to connect the shoreline power !

The slide out kitchen really increases the interior room, allowing a bit more play area for the dogs if the weather is inclement. The small dinette and swivelling Captains chairs is sufficient for the 2 of us.

Between the front cabin and twin beds is a split bathroom with shower one side and basin/wc the other. This is a vast improvement over T42’s arrangement, no fighting with a shower curtain whilst simultaneously holding the shower head,soap and operating the tray pump out !

Finally there is a small “garage” underneath for all those odds and ends, I’ve resisted the temptation to add an anchor, settling for an e bike instead. For our first trip we’ve just ventured to Turners Beach, and the very nice Berry Patch Cafe for take away lunch. As the van is equipped with solar we will be able to live off grid for a number of days once I’ve sorted out what everything does. Stay tuned for further blogs !

Tasotter is in Western Australia, enjoying Christmas with Mum and Dad, and dreaming of the UK canals to escape the heat. A feeling captured in my Xmas present from H.

Our big news is that T42 is on the sales pontoon, 😔, but Prime Thyme is now in our spot at Pyrford Marina. She is a 2002 30′ Sea Otter, in beautiful condition.

She has an L shaped settee, seperate shower and a lot more storage than T42 as the extra 4 foot is all in the cabin. T42 and Prime Thyme side by side at Pyrford whilst our friend Penny does the equipment transfer.

Plans for our 2020 cruise include an Oceania cruise of the inner and outer passage from Vancouver to Alaska and back, a Rocky Mountainer rail trip, and our inaugural cruise in PT. Hopefully this will involve a Sea Otter Rally, possibly around Oxford, and a trip to Kings Bromley Marina. Until then I can dream…..cheers Tasotter.

After a long, but uneventful, flight home we are both battling the jet lag. Cooper was very pleased to see us, Sue had done a wonderful job looking after him and the house.

The garden is covered in blossom at the moment, with the Camelia’s and Azalea’s being prolific.

Our “Otter” parcels had arrived from the Shetland’s. Tasotter will sally forth once more next year, till then “au revouir”.