I woke up thinking my room was on fire only to discover a neighbours cigarette smoke drifting through my window...

Having had a cup of tea and two TimTams for brekkie and a Skype chat with Gary, I headed off to the tourist information centre where I was expertly helped by Leila and 20 mins later had a complete itinerary and low down on the east coast. On the way I visited the macaque monkey 'exhibit' in City Park and was responsible for a grown man tripping up. After some embarrassment he turned to me as I walked passed and said, 'I think that's because I was looking at you love!'. Haha!

I stopped at Harvest, the Launceston farmers market and ended up with a jar of local manuka honey and having a long chat with the maker of Blue Penguin wines. I felt obliged to try the wines, it would have been rude not to, and even ruder not to buy any!

Having dropped my purchases and bundle of info back at the shack I headed off to discover Cataract Gorge. I picked up some sushi on the way to eat when I got there. Cataract Gorge Reserve is only a couple of kilometres out of Launceston but feels worlds away. Steep sided valley with a fast flowing River and cascades. I was surprised to find a large 'lawn' at the end, replete with peacocks, a swimming pool and cafe! If walked the hiking track, most people had driven. I crossed the suspension bridge and walked on the other side of the gorge away from this Victorian oddity. I met a very cute possum on the way back who kindly posed for a photo!

I strolled back through town picking up done bits and bobs, including a new pair of shorts which took 5 mins to chose, try and purchase...simples!

I had decided earlier in the day that I was going to go to the Symphony under the stars concert in City Park this evening. A free outdoor concert by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. I stopped by reception to ask if alcohol was permitted at the concert (there are strict bans here in many public places and I wasn't about to have someone take my penguin wine away from me!). The receptionist ended up asking a group of 5 ladies who were setting off to attend the same event. They kindly invited me to join them for the evening! Having packed my bag and discovering that my friend Nicky's husband was playing in this evenings concert, I headed to the park. I found my new friends for the evening who were lovely and very generous with their home grown/ cooked food. They were all keen to chat with me and I got lots of tips from these experienced bush walkers for my trip.

The concert was amazing. I do love a bit of classical music and even more so outdoors with good food and wine! Katerina Nazarova, a Tasmanian born violinist played exquisitely. Guy Noble was a very entertaining conductor who told a story of carol singing in London with his friends as a student. John Cleese opened one of the doors and told them to 'b***** Off!'. For those of you reading all of my blog, you'll remember that I said John Cleese is playing here tonight and tomorrow night, just down the road. Knowing this, Guy had the orchestra play the Fawlty Towers theme tune very loudly! And I'm sure our encore was longer and louder than usual!!!

What a fabulous day!