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”.

It’s definitely autumn now, lots of leaves falling and it seemed to get dark quite early, very different from when we arrived. I couldn’t just go straight into the Marina first thing without having a half hour spin down the Wey.

Then turn around and back home….T42 really wanted to keep going onto the Thames and up to Oxford, and truthfully I wanted to as well.

But back into Marina, top up the fuel and set her up for long term mooring. We’ve done all the packing. I’ll give the hire car a quick wash, she’s covered in leaves, and touch the blacking on T42’s hull where we’ve bumped something. Perhaps a visit to the Anchor pub ? I didn’t get round last night as it had started to rain again.

Australia, here we come !

Another wet day, but fortunately only drizzle whilst we were loading T42 at Kings Bromley. It poured on the motorway, but stopped long enough to unload at Pyrford once a widebeam had been moved off the slipway. We had hoped to get to Walsham Gates but there’s every possibility of the river going in flood, so we’ve moored outside the Anchor pub on the canalised, non flooding, section.

Tomorrow we have to top up the fuel tank and then prepare for long term mooring. Also some packing ! and we are all set for the long trek home. My ears have finally cleared just in time, that head cold / man flu gave me a run for its money….

Yesterday afternoon the sun came out, on went the solar charging and we sat out the back chatting to our boating neighbours Eddy and David. A lovely couple who live full time on their 60′ apart from the winter when they take their motor home to Spain or Portugal…..

The local church clock chimed away, and the butchers produce was delicious last night. We spent the evening with our neighbours again, and gave them a lift down to the services at Fradley Junction this morning. Morning tea turned into lunch then we decided to cruise the last 3 locks to our pick up point. It’s blowing a gale, which made mooring difficult, hopefully it will die down tomorrow morning on the slipway.

Leicester Ring done ! We are starting to think about going home, where somebody is waiting! But first one more night on the Wey, and an overnight stop in Western Australia to see mum and dad….

A grey overcast morning but no rain so we set off on our last full day. A few small locks, and a water point to make things interesting. However as we approached Wychnor Lock passing boats commented about the river. I knew we had a mile or so to do on it, but apparently the recent rain had made a “proceed with caution”

H seemed to be getting nervous, but as we entered the river Trent all seemed OK. Then we went round a corner, under a narrow bridge and past a weir, suddenly I needed almost full throttle to make headway. We battled on round another corner, saw the next set of locks but had to head directly into the full stream to get past the next weir, complete with white water. It was a good test for T42 and she responded well. H was very relieved to get off the Trent, and into Alrewas.

This is a pretty little town, with excellent shops so we are provisioned for the rest of the trip. We also made friends with the Narrowboat behind us, books exchanged and drinks later on. I’m going to watch some boats “shooting the rapids” whilst going downstream, I reckon it could get a little hairy…..

Black and white mini to go with the house….