June 2020

In a flurry of enthusiasm last November, we booked to do the Three Capes Lodge Walk in Tasmania with Chris and Bob. We’d been trying to do a trip with them for ages and I liked the idea of doing another multi-day walk with Chris since she got me started with my first big walk in 2008. The plan was to train over Dec-Feb to be ok to do the 4-day, 48 km guided walk, carrying a 9.5kg backpack. There was some trepidation about the backpacks, but we wanted to do this version since the lodges were in the National Park, and the food and lodging came highly recommended by friends. Helen did the walk in December, unguided and staying in the public lodges, and she thought we could easily manage the walking!

So much for ‘BEST LAID PLANS’ – first the heat and bush fire smoke eliminated training walks in Sydney in December. Then we went away for a month, back for a week and then off to the Tamworth Country Music Festival where I fell and chipped a bone in my foot. That should have been a SIGN! – but I worked hard at physio and exercises to the point where I could walk ok. That gave us one week of training where we did lots of 10km walks and got pretty tired before we left. During that time I developed a mystery rash on my back so couldn’t train with a pack (another SIGN that I ignored!)

So many beautiful tracks to walk all around Sydney harbour. This was by the zoo looking at the bridge and Opera House.

It was an easy flight and quite nice to visit Hobart again; staying right near the harbor where our walk started on the 28 February. Day one started out with a bus ride that included some scenic stops before taking a small (ie 15 minute) boat ride to the official start of the walk.

An uneventful short boat ride to the start of the walk. Weather was windy and a bit squally.

We ate our packed lunch at the official start of the 3 Capes Walk.

This is the map of the Three Capes Walk with our lodges highlighted. We landed at Denmans Cove and were picked up at Fortescue Bay.

Day 1 was a 6km/2hr walk on well-formed paths along the clifftop. The lodge (Crescent Lodge) was well hidden off the path and an impressive, comfortable building nestled in the treetops. Even the public lodges were impressive looking buildings.

An easy walk along the clifftops, so it was a nice start.

Our group included 8 other walkers plus 2 guides and the group photo was taken when we got to the first lodge.

Our lodge host greeted us with afternoon goodies and a welcome chat in the scenic lodge nestled in the treetops. Fortunately our fellow walkers were a nice lot of people.

Not really expecting such fancy desserts following an excellant dinner.

Day 2 was sunny and nice and we learned a lot about dolarite rocks and enjoyed lovely cliff vistas. The 11 km walk was ok but I was not comfortable with my pack.

Sunshine and a striking coastline all along the 3 Capes Walk.

Our next two nights were spent at Cape Pillar Lodge, and it was the same quality standard as the previous lodge. Finishing the walk at 4pm meant that Dick had time for an afternoon nap before another good dinner and a good sleep.

Sunrise from our bedroom window at 6:46am on Day 3.

Day 3 was a return trip out to Cape Pillar. Chris and I decided to shorten the walk so we just went to the lookout point where we could see Tasman Island and learn about that history, including the rough and dangerous lives of the early lighthouse keepers and their families.

The first view of Tasman Island on another beautiful day.

Hard to imagine living on this island now, let alone years ago.

Chris and I enjoyed a pleasant walk back to the lodge.

Dick and Bob went out to Cape Pillar with the group, so they did about 18 kms and we did 8 kms.

My back was very sore by this time so I followed Chris’s lead and had a massage. The masseuse found lots of sore places I didn’t even know about. Another good dinner that evening and another early night as we had to start walking at 8am the next day.

A final view from the lounge in the last lodge.

Day 4 was a 13 km trek that started with a climb over Mt. Fortescue (490 m), and it was not optional. My back was very, very sore from carrying my pack so Dick carried all of my clothes to lighten it.

Hiking up Mt Fortescue. We brought up the rear so always had a guide with us.

We did go through some lovely ferns and mossy areas. Dick even found a chair to sit on.

Looking back towards Cape Pillar and along the cliffs where we walked. They are the highest sea cliffs in the southern hemisphere.

We made it to the end of the walk, and needless to say we did skip the extra 4 km return walk to Mt Huay.

We didn’t look quite as happy at the end of the walk and all were certainly relieved that it was over (especially me). My days of carrying a pack are done!

This sums up Dick’s feeling about the end of the walk.

On our return to Hobart we were treated to wine and cheese by the tour company, had a farewell dinner with Chris and Bob, and hurried back to the bathtub in our hotel room. Nice view of Hobart harbor from our hotel room.

As we had half a day in Hobart we visited the Tasmanian Museum and Gallery. In contrast to what we had heard previously, we learned that there were Tasmanian aboriginal people who survived the genocide which wiped out most of them. Another sorry story of death and destruction of indigenous people and their culture.

P.S. – My shoulder pain got worse and was diagnosed as tendonitis and bursitis. PPS – I have been known to use ‘SIGNS’ as a reason or excuse to do something we’re debating on. In future I may need to listen to them when they are telling me not to do something, I really want to do.

ISOLATION, LOCKDOWN, PANDEMIC and a new song.

Everyone no doubt has stories of their time in lockdown due to the pandemic. I made a few notes about our experiences as its so easy to forget about how we passed the time of isolation and social distancing. I summed up much of our experience in a song which follows at the end of the blog. From early March our world started to change and as part of the over 60’s cohort, we basically followed government advice to stay home. By 24th March NSW was in total lockdown and the Queensland border closed on 25th March. Strange how easily our life transformed into online classes, Zoom get-togethers & seminars, grocery deliveries, daily walks and more time for ukulele practices.

Not the best time to be selling a motorhome, but in March we put the Lestervan on the market nevertheless. In the end our new motorhome arrived in April and after various in-person and facetime showings we sold the Lestervan on 2nd of June.

Celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary in isolation with a take away meal and watching wedding videos. After 3 hours even we were bored with the videos!

As restrictions began to loosen up in May we began seeing friends and family again. In June we farewelled our dear Hermy who, as the girl’s nanny and a good family friend, was an important part of our life for over 30 years. In between we have had some long overdue repairs done on our property and caught up all the regular medical appointments; but the big focus has been on getting Belle, the new motorhome, ready for an extended trip north chasing warmer weather.

SOON WE WILL BE HEADING OFF FOR MORE ADVENTURES IN BELLE!

PAT’s PANDEMIC SONG – For some unknown reason the new words to this Skyhooks (70’s Aussie band) song just kept going around in my head. Then I found the uke chords in the SCUM Ukulele songbook, so it was meant to be. I clumsily put them together and then asked my musical friend and physio, Catherine, if she would “tidy it up” for me. The result of all that follows. We play it often now, for our own ears only. This version includes the uke cords in case anyone is interested.

All My Friends Are Staying Home. – (With Thanks To Skyhooks and Scum and Catherine)

INTRO: C/// G/// Am/// //// F/// G/// C/// ////

CHORUS

Well (C) all my (G) friends are staying (Am) home now ////

(F) They’re all doing (Em7) what they’re (C) told /// ////

Zoom (C) facetime, skype and virtual cups of (G) tea

(F) E-ven computer lessons for my Uke and (G) me /// ////

It’s (C) hard not-to-(G) hug n-kiss the (Am) family /// ////

But (F) nec-ess-ar-y to keep all safe and (G) well /// ////

CHORUS

Well I (C) looked into the (G) TV the (Am) other night (the other night)

I saw (C) Netflix, Iview, Apple and SB-(G)-S

(F) A movie, a puzzle, or (G) clean up all this (C) mess? (Ha, ha, ha, ha)

And (C) sometimes I feel like I just ne-ver go (G) out //// ////

I (C) wonder (G) now if this will (Am) ever end (Oh, will it – ever end?)

(F) This great big world has changed, there is no (G) doubt

(oh no, oh no, oh no-o-o)

CHORUS

But (C) I’m all (G) caught up in this (Am) virus

Yes (C) I’m all (G) caught up with this (Am) fear

And this (F) house! I’ll (G) never get out of here (C) repeat x1

So (C) no-one is (G) going out, no (Am) drivin’ about

The (C) air is fresh and the sky is (G) clear

(C)Are we (G) fixing up the (Am) worlds’ woes

By (C) just stayin’ (G) home and drinking (Am) beer? //////repeat x 2

Month: June 2020

3 Capes Walk plus some isolation musings