Today we travelled from Cradle Mountain to Stanley in indifferent weather -the heat wave has ended and the more we went North and West the cooler it got. The highlight of the day for John was getting to Somerset, but it was not to be on home turf, it was finding a hairdressers open. (Interestingly Somerset is on the River Cam - the same name as the river we live besides in Cambridge!)
Importantly on the hairdressing front a young stylist who had just finished a client, could fit him in for a much needed trim, his hair had grown over his ears and it was irritating him. We are not sure where Tasmanians get their hair cut as our journey to date had drawn a blank. While I waited for his hair surgery to be completed they gave me a coffee and biscuit - nothing for the client so by the time we reached the quaint and historic town of Stanley John was gasping.
Our first stop however was the tourist information centre to find out about the Arthur River Cruises - for Sunday - we were given details of the two options to contemplate over lunch along with maps and interesting looking information leaflets that we acquired. The information services are impressive and another big tick for Tasmania - we later returned to book the selected trip and they couldn't have been more helpful and efficient.
We walked along Stanley's Main Street of well maintained weatherboard and stone buildings which had an eclectic mix of restaurants, cafés and gift shops amongst them - there was one general store but in the main the town is focused on tourists. The centre piece is the Nut - a 500 feet volcanic extrusion which is visited by animals and birds alike. The extensive beaches on both sides of the promontory on which the Nut is situated and the seal trips that leave from the small harbour are also attractions. This is another venue where short tailed sheerwaters and little blue penguins live in harmony. There are road signs near the harbour warning motorists to beware of penguins - when they leave at dawn and return after dusk.
After a coffee and scone with the obligatory cream and homemade raspberry jam we checked into our accommodation by the unusual method of a phone call and entering a code we were given into a box to remove the key to our room - we stayed in a nice room situated just below the Nut and looking out over one of the bays.
Next stop as the wind had eased, the cloud had cleared and the sun was coming out was an assault on the Nut itself - you could take the chairlift or walk the short steep route to the top and then meander around the 3km well marked route on its top. Needless to say we walked to the top and it was short but probably one of the steepest tarmaced routes I have ever been on. We passed several people taking it slowly but once started I had to get going with the occasional stop to take in the views. The walk on top was pleasant - but we were thankful for a slight breeze as the flies - an Australian hazard - were being a nuisance.
The return journey was much easier than the outward trip and we were soon at the base.
We quickly returned to the room, freshened up and went to a nearby fish restaurant for supper. The attraction was they both catch and cook the fish - having been recommended the blue eyed trevalla and the menu calling it the Rolls Royce of boneless fish we decided to try it - I had mine crumbed John had his battered......the fish was delicious but it was let down by not very crispy crinkle cut chips - no doubt frozen - they should have been homemade as should the tartare sauce then it would have been a real gourmet from sea to plate experience. That said the fish alone was excellent.
We wended our way back to our room and watched the England v Australia one day international which England looked like winning until a disastrous couple of last overs - John chuntered but I felt sorry for them as they had done really well and dominated for 75% of the game but it proved yet again that the game isn't over until it's over!
(Today's picture is of a wombat from the meadow of button grass near Ronnie's Creek which I took last night.)