The couple of days have been quite a blur.

We left Hobart 0845hrs, with the aim of having a leisurely drive north to Devonport. Unbeknownest to us, it was going to be a quick drive. I think we forgot that Devonport really isn't that far from Hobart.

Arriving in Devonport at 1130, we had to find a way to pass 5hrs. That was going to be a challenge. First of, we decided to grab some KFC for lunch and went to The Bluff Playground on the foreshore in Devonport. Well, this was a popluar choice, but I am sure, half of Devonport. The place was packed, and yet Saffron was still able to make herself a friend - this young lass, became known to us only as "The Bluff Friend"..... The 2 of them played together for around 1/2 hr before it started raining and we moved on to something else.

This exciting development turned out to be a trip to the local K-Mart. Not to actually buy anything, more to get out of the rain.

After 15 minutes, all 3 of us were bored, so Selwin found an indoor adventure.

This place was great, there were 3 different indoor adventure playgrounds for Saffron to wild on. I was stoked by this place as Selwin and I could sit back relax with a coffee while Saffron played.

Here, she made 2 more friends - we shall call them Pic and Jasmine - not real sure if the these were the girls names, but this is what Saffron called them when we asked her.

Finally, it was 1600hrs and we made the decision to go to the dock to line up for boarding. We pulled up in the dirt carpark where other cars and caravans were waiting. It gave us an opportunity to repack the car and gete our overnight bag more accessible for when we boarded. Sitting the car, trying to keep a 5yo occupied, we noticed a car turn into the carpark, but proceed further down the road. Selwin went to investigate and saw the actual line up, was about 100m further up the road from where we were. Ignoring the car in front of us, Selwin manoeuvred around and proceded towards the gate. By doing this, we ended up being 5th from front.

It was a much nicer spot to wait as well - green grass, beautiful sunshine and a gentle breeze. Saffron ran around playing chasy with whoever and it was just a relaxing place to chill.

Once the gates opened,we were on board in under 45mins. Our cabin was only 4 cabins down and across the hall from where we stayed on the trip over on the other Spirit of Tasmania.......

This had to be Saffron's day for making "fleeting" friends. After Saffron had finished her dinner, she went across the corridor to the children's playroom. It was perfectly positioned as Selwin and I could continue our dinner and relax with a glass of wine, all the while being able to watch Saffron play. It was here, that our very social butterfly girl made more friends. This time, to her father's horror, they were boys...... Saffron had a ball playing chasey,crawling through the tunnels with them and sitting on top of the tunnels just chatting..... She looked so happy and carefree and it was wonderful to watch.

The ferry launch from Devonport was interesting for Saffron to watch, as the ferry literally turned on a "5 cent piece". As the ferry departed, we passed the Caravan Park we stayed at, what looked llike a shipwreck just off shore and watched a gorgeous full moon rise. By this time, we were all starting to get tired.

Saffron and I went back to our cabin whilst Selwin detoured via the bar to get us a couple of drinks to have in our cabin when Saffron had gone to sleep. It was a bit rougher going home - I felt rather unsettled and didn't get much sleep. Saffron slept soundly and the rocking and rolling of the ferry did not bother her at all. Selwin didn't sleep too well, but he was more worried about Saffron rolling off the top bunk. With this in mind, he put all the extra pillows on the floor in the off chance she took a dive.... Needless to say - she didn't budge.... LOL

It was another early rise with our wake up call at 0530hrs. Selwin was already up and off getting us breaksfast and coffees which was desperately needed. I really struggled to get moving. We were called to our car at 0700hrs and driving off by 0720.

I was thankful that we were leaving Melbourne at this time and not arriving. The traffic heading into Melbourne at 0730hrs was astronomical - it was backing up to the Ballarat turn off..... It really made both Selwin and I appreciate our "country" lifestyle all the more....

We reached Horsham (our stop over for the night) at 1015hrs. The staff at the Capitol Comfort Inn were amazing. They allowed us to check early - 1020hrs at noo extra cost. They were so helpful and friendly - I would recommend this place to anyone. We did a bit of shopping and got something for lunch and then went vack to our room for some chill time. I apparently chilled completely to the tune of snoring - I was so exhausted.

We had dinner at the bistro at the motel - and the food was second to none. It was cooked to perfection and full of flavours. Dessert was just as mouth watering and was cooked when you order - nothing was just heated up. It was a relaxing meal with a few glasses of wine that made the evening fabulous.

Selwin went for a lie down at 1900hrs, so we could head off early for our final trip home. Saffron and I went to sleep around 2100hrs - well Saffron did, I spent the night trying to avoid Saffron's flailing limbs as she obviously was having a very active dream..... LOL