We wanted to drive up the big mountain hereabouts in Ben Lomond national park but the weather when we woke beat us. Low cloud and mist and rain was hanging around and a journey to see nothing at all seemed a bit pointless. So a change of plans and we struck out for the north coast, again avoiding the highways and travelling through pretty country lanes and forestry roads. Bridport had a great little café with good coffee where, on the veranda, we watched nothing at all happening in town. A drive along the beaches and rocky headlands out from the town was rewarding with great views.

Turning towards Launceston, 'Lonnie' to the locals, we hit the Tamar Estuary on the north east side and stopped at the old Pilot Station, now a historical precinct with the old buildings still intact and one housing an interesting little museum staffed by an enthusiastic and chatty volunteer with lots of interesting information to impart

The lighthouse further up the estuary at Low Head was part of the whole pilot thing with the Tamar Estuary being a tricky waterway to navigate.

We followed the Tamar south down the east side crossing over to the west over the Batman Bridge, a sleek modern bridge related in its design to the Anzac Bridge in Sydney, and very impressive. The west side of the estuary has a road that winds and hugs the shoreline and passes through pretty settlements and vineyards.

Mac's Farm and Fishery on the southern outskirts of town was the destination for the night, an odd place with the campsites right on the birdlife-filled dams and with a most congenial owner.