Our last whole day in Tasmania was spent traveling from Latrobe to Launceston where we fly back to Sydney and start our journey home tomorrow.
Before we left Latrobe I decided my hair needed a trim, and after bemoaning the lack of hairdressers previously, Latrobe was clearly the hairdressing capital as I was spoilt for choice - there were 6 and a barbers! None however opened before 9 am - we have definitely been struck both in Tasmania and New Zealand by the rigid and short business hours; they are more staff than customer centric - but maybe there is no call for longer hours in low population densities. Anyway just before 9am I found one shop on the sunny side of the street which was open - the sun was important as there was a nip in the air and I didn't have my jumper. I then waited 10 minutes for the second member of staff to arrive, the first lass already had a client (but a case in point) - my hair was duly trimmed - and it was worth waiting for. That's one less thing to worry about when I get home.
We then headed the 93km to Launceston stopping for a coffee at The Raspberry farm cafe - 2 raspberry lattes and a berry muffin later we were back on the road.
Although early, we arrived at 11am, we parked at our B&B, a Victorian house called Ashton Gate, and headed off to explore Launceston. The shops weren't inspiring so we did the walking trail instead, stopping at Hallam's a seafood restaurant for a superb gourmet lunch - posh fish and chips for John and a baked aubergine, mint yogurt, pomegranate and green salad with a wholemeal flatbread for me and two lovely desserts followed by a cup of tea. We savoured the meal over 90 minutes or so while looking out over the Cataract gorge where we later walked. It looked like a mini Bristol with a gorge looking similar to the Avon gorge, an old bridge - similar to the suspension bridge - but much lower and a new bridge like the Cumberland bridge in front of it and Of course we were staying at Ashton Gate - the home of Bristol City Football club! The walk was just what we needed - lots of people were enjoying the sun at a great swimming pool in a park at the end of the gorge.
We walked back to the B&B, uphill this time, getting a bun on the way to eat later as no large meals are required tonight after our excellent lunch.
We got back about 1630 and set about packing our bags ready for the flight tomorrow. We reduced it one hold bag and one piece of hand luggage each - it should have been easy as we have bought nothing in Tasmania and ditched a few things - John put a pair of uncomfortable shoes in the bin and I ditched an old t-shirt. We also finished off body creams, shampoos and one suntan lotion - but it wasn't that easy!
(Today's photo is from the Edge of the World - which we visited after our Arthur River boat trip while staying at Marrawah Beach.)