Woke up this morning and found the air smoky and hazy again. The wind must have turned. Then we heard the fires were moving across from the west, and there was a fire just south of Deloraine, in Chudleigh. Glad we had decided against that.

Today we decided to finally head for Launceston. We had been avoiding the big towns, but George had walked around the centre of town last time we were here on New Year's Eve and he was suitably impressed, and keen to check it out further. We figured we would have to stay in a caravan park tonight, but in Camps 7 came across a place called Old Mac's Farm, 4 kms out of the CBD, and charging $10 a night. A lot better than $35 at the regular caravan park. So we drove there first just to check it out and see if it was a viable plan.

We turned off the main road following the signs. As I said before, Launceston is a hilly town, but this road was just ridiculous. It wasn't long, just a few hundred metres, but almost straight up. The Transit was definitely struggling. However, once we got over the hump (literally), the road curved gracefully and meandered onto a large open property with a lake and wide grassy spots. It was quite pretty.

We met Old Mac and told him we were going to town, but would be back in the evening. He assured us there were lots of spots, and we could trundle back any time. Then he gave us some great advice - the best place to park in town, at the car museum, where all day parking was just $4.

So we parked there and wondered into town. They have a Tiger Bus, a bit like the City Circle tram - free, and covering all the points of interest. The day was still gray and hazy, but also hot and sultry. I don't know why but every time we are in Launie it is always hot. So we got off at the museum, mostly because it was air conditioned. It was interesting and fun, especially the hands on science displays - a bit like Scienceworks or Questacon in Canberra.

After a pleasant morning we headed back into the middle of town, and found ourselves just outside Boag's Brewery. They ran guided tours of the place, capped off with beer tastings and biscuits and cheese. It was about 12.30 by now, but the tour would be starting in fifteen minutes, so we had no time to get any lunch prior. Well, the biscuits and cheese will have to do.

The tour was very interesting, especially in our safety gear get up, and we found out all about the brewing process, as well as the history of the place. Then we wound up at the bar for the tastings. I imagined we would get a small glass of each of the beers to try. But no, it was a whole schooner. I tasted gingerly, and got into the biscuits and cheese specifically paired to bring out the flavours, as he explained. Before I knew it, we were onto beer number two, and I was hardly half way through my glass.

Scoffed it down quickly, getting into the biscuits and cheese to counter the effects I could already feel starting to happen. The second beer was a bit stronger, in flavor as well as strength, with a bitier cheese to match. By the time I had worked through that glass, my head was definitely feeling the effects. Then they brought out beer number three, a very special brew called Wizard Smith, named after a long time employee of the brewery who had given service above and beyond. The beer was excellent, even in my current state. And apparently was only sold in Tasmania - you can't get this on the mainland. Decided to make sure we took a slab home with us before we left.

So we went on our way, slightly tipsy and very relaxed, and headed back to check out the rest of town. I actually had to sit down, and almost dropped off, as George went off to watch a busker. I needed something more substantial in my stomach - the biscuits and cheese just weren't doing it.

As we walked around we saw the Harris and Scarfe cafeteria advertising late lunch for $10, to finish off what they had before they shut. This was perfect - they had roasts, pastas, salads - the works.

Felt much better after that and continued to wander, but it was getting close to four o'clock and the shops were preparing to shut. By the time we got back to the car it was about four thirty, and the car museum was shutting at five. Decided to give it a miss. Seen enough old cars lately.

We headed back to Old Mac's. This time, knowing what lay around the corner, we took the road with a run up, and managed to get up the hill without too much stress. Settled into a relaxing evening by the lake.