Slept like crap. Woke up maybe 3:30 and didn't get much more sleep at all (although I do remember having one dream about not getting the boarding passes to our cruise but the people saying don't panic cause we can still print them.. must be a thing I have about missing boats...)
So dragged the sweetie out of bed very early and his back did NOT agree with this plan.
Post, telegraph and customs offices in Strahan
But made it to the wharf with plenty of time to spare and boarded around 8:00.
Gordon River Cruises
Spirit of the Wild
So the mother type person and Nick and Tab did the stoopidly expensive top deck, so we did too. *Stoopidly* expensive. But it was still very nice.
A quick shot of the rear of the lower deck
Premier upper deck lounge
There was breakfast as we boarded. Yoghurt/muesli cups, fruit cups, pastries.
Then we headed out and back in through Hells Gates.
Captain of our cruise and bridge of the Spirit of the Wild
Bonnet Island lighthouse
Hells Gates at the entrance to Macquarie Harbour
Entrance Island lighthouse
Hells Gates from the ocean side
Small boat in Hells Gates
The houses on Macquarie Heads are only accessible by boat
Harbour Master II - the other tour boat on the Gordon River
Salmon breeding nets in Macquarie Harbour
Fur seal and cormorants on top of a salmon breeding net
Then morning tea. Truffled mushrooms and tomatoes, and a very nice pumpkin and sweet potato soup.
Then up into the lovely Gordon River. We even had some nice reflections.
Me and Stu on the Gordon River Cruise
Reflections on the Gordon River
Reflections on the Gordon River
Eagle in a tree near the Gordon River
Tannin coloured water in the Gordon River
Foliage in the forest next to the Gordon River
Huon pine tree next to the Gordon River
Stu enjoying the view on the cruise
Reflections on the Gordon River
Jetty on the Gordon River
View towards Heritage Landing
We stopped at "Heritage Landing" for a walk through the forest. Not exactly peaceful though - too many people.
Heritage Landing sign
Foliage at Heritage Landing
Foliage at Heritage Landing
Foliage at Heritage Landing
Foliage at Heritage Landing
Foliage at Heritage Landing
Foliage at Heritage Landing
Then back onto the boat downstream and had a nice lunch. Lots of salads, and some "ocean" trout from Macquarie Harbour.
Back in Macquarie Harbour we stopped at Sarah Island. Most of the buildings were made of wood with just stone/brick foundations/fire places so there's not much left after two hundred years, but some of the stone buildings and the eucalypt boat ramps were still there which was pretty cool. If you can imagine past the brutality of the place.
Sarah Island
Ruins on Sarah Island
Harbour on Sarah Island
Ruins on Sarah Island
Servants quarters and kitchens on Sarah Island
Lime pit on Sarah Island
Solitary confinement gaol
Tannery and bootmaker's workshop
Ruins on Sarah Island
Penitentiary on Sarah Island
Shipmaker's slipway on Sarah Island
Reboarding the Spirit of the Wild
And finally back to Strahan.
West Coast Wilderness Railway train at Regatta Point Station
The caravan park washers were all full with queues so went across to the place next to Molly's. There were two free, but as I left someone came and took one, and by the time I got back with washing the other one had been taken as well, but at least the first one only had 20 minutes to go. So got myself a Hard Solo from the Thirsty Camel next door and waited. Finally put the load on, but even now I can't actually remember if I added any detergent or not. We may just have rinsed clothes... Brought everything back to hang out in the room (they very nicely provide a drying rack to hang clothes on).
Then we took a drive out to Ocean Beach which was somewhat wild, but it not really considering the lovely afternoon it turned out to be.
Stu on Ocean Beach
Stu on Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach
Windblown sand on Ocean Beach
Back in town I ordered a meatlovers pizza from Molly's and eventually it was ready, although we didn't finish it. Hurray for leftovers!
Then gps/photos/blogging.
19:30 is bed time right?
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