Well l slept like a baby last night, think l definitely needed it. The girls slept well too in with Charlotte and Jake.
Still can't believe we're in Tasmania, but believe its true when l here that unique laugh of Amanda's coming from the kitchen. We all have some breaky and arrange our day. Amanda has some appointments with the kids in the morning so Marty and l decide to head to Beaconsfield to check out the mine and then meet Amanda and the kids at Cataract Gorge in Launceston for lunch.
The drive to Beaconsfield was beautiful with rolling hills, planted crops and amazing houses. We arrived late morning to this small mining town, and that was the only thing it had going off it l think. The mind stuck out like dogs balls, looked exactly like on telly all those years ago. We headed into mine and what stood out to me other than the mine was the awesome ruins of old buildings around the mine. The museum was amazing, very interactive for everyone, little and big kids alike (ie. the dads!). Marty and l were amazed how good it was set out and all and different stuff it covered. Didn't actually learn a hell of a lot about the mine, more about the town history. Was a bit disappointed with the mine side, but l think because we couldn't go down it and we grew up with the Bendigo mine tours back in Vic, we already had a tall bar set. We spent about an hour and a half looking around and at the end the girls for a little bit of gold as souvenir from the people.
We headed off to Launceston to meet up with Amanda and the kids. Again the drive was awesome. Tassie has got the brilliant landscapes l must say. We got there around 1pm and cooked up some snags on the barbie. Cataract Gorge is overwhelming to say the least. It's nestled in the back of Launy city and it has a chairlift, a huge bridge across the gorge and a swimming pool on the huge grass area. It really is a natural stunner!!! Anyway, after lunch we headed off on our two hour walk to the old hydro plant which took us all along the gorge. There was a lot of steep climbs and steps, the girls were not in the spirit and began complaining not even ten minutes into it!! Then Boo come a gutser on the ground quite hard and the tears were flowing. Thank god for Amanda who distracted her with a colored beatle..... After these events we made our journey to the hydro plant which we had to cross a cable hung bridge. The views were amazing and everyone enjoyed trying to bounce the bridge whilst walking over to the other side. After a quick wee stop for some little kiddies we headed back, the kids well and truly over it, again thank god for Amanda! She has spirit and played games with the kids, the favorite being running ahead and then hiding, proceeding to jump out and scare everyone!! Meg didn't think it was so funny to start with but then joined in... We eventually made it back then made good on our promise to the kids and got tickets for the chair lift. Had no idea how petrified Amanda was of this and was wondering why she was making excuses trying to get out of going on it. Her and Charlotte were the first on, then Marty and Boo, then Jake, Meg and l all went on together. Didn't know to later shy Amanda wouldnt turn around to get her photo done, now know her knuckles were so white from holding on and she was frozen still!!! We got to the other side and had to get off then on again, little did we know that she was contemplating walking back. Well done to her, she got on and said she actually half enjoyed the ride back, apart from watching Jake moving around so much in the chair with me!!! Lol.
Anyway, after our thrill seeking (haha) we decided to head into Launceston to see the monkeys at the city gardens. No luck though, was closed when we got there. Instead the kids had a play in the playground then we made our way back to Devonport, picking up KFC on the way home. Mark was waiting at home for us after finishing work, feeling bad that he's missing out on the fun with everyone. Hope he can come along sometime while we're here.
After a big day out, we were all pretty knackered. Had some war wounds with a crook hip and neck, giving me the irrates really. Anyway, headed to bed hoping to wake up physically fitter tomorrow!!! Not likely l think, lol......
Bell Xx