This has been a mixed day, with what seems like a positive balance. I woke this morning, my camper van buffeted by a strong wind, if not a gale. I thought “the gale that rocks the camper rules my world”, and so it did. The Museum of Old and New Art was a possibility, but I needed a sense of getting my holiday started. I didn't want to spent the day in Hobart in this awful weather. Going south wasn't an option since that's where we weather was coming from.

 

My home for the next two weeks
Below, an interior view

In the morning a small mishap with the hot water cover on my van got me rattled. I returned to the hire company's office to report the mishap and they repaired it while I waited. Nothing is a problem to anybody here, they're so nice, so relaxed and incredibly friendly.  While I waited the staff urged me to head up the east coast to get away from the southerly wind and rain. Besides, there's a second and colder front due in a few days, and it is expected to bring snow to Mount Wellington (overlooking Hobart) and the central highlands.

With all this in mind, I headed north towards Orford. Although it was windy, the weather was still fine. To my mainlander's eyes, Orford looks to be a long way from Hobart on the map. In fact it's a short drive, 30 minutes maximum.

Knowing I'd be in Orford in no time, I diverted to Richmond. I parked by the Coal River, took the obligatory tourist shots and decided on a walk along Bridge Street, the main street with its galleries, souvenir sellers and coffee shops. Part way through my walk the weather changed and people scurried for cover. I turned for the car park and got there with no time to spare as a front of cold wind and rain swept over the town.

It was time to head for Orford, even though the wind and rain seemed to be going the same way. At times it poured, other times it just rained, but at least it's easy driving on Tasmanian roads; there's hardly any traffic.

Coming from NSW, I'm used to seeing a different speed limit sign every 500 metres (or less) but there are hardly any in Tasmania. On the other hand, the roads are remarkably well sign posted. The rain stopped at Orford, but Keith kept going. I stopped for lunch at Raspins Beach on the northern outskirts of Orford. There are several parking areas with facilities along the beach front; it's a lovely place, even in these conditions. From Raspins Beach the view across Prosser Bay towards Maria Island was lovely. A trip to Maria Island National Park was on my wish list, but there are no roads on Maria Island, and obviously no vehicular ferry.

Raspins Beach, looking towards Maria Island

                                                A break in the clouds at Raspins Beach

Miraculously, and for just a few minutes, the clouds parted and I got a few sun lit shots from Raspins Beach. Heading north I skipped Triabunna with it's mountains of woodchips at the shipping terminal en route to Japan to become toilet paper. Surely our forests deserve a better end than this; who'd be a tree or a whale going to Japan.

The Tasman Highway returns to the coast at Little Swanport, where after it climbs up and down along the coast with some spectacular coastal scenery. There was no rain after Orford, the wind continued and at times there were breaks in the clouds. Dare I hope for better weather?

I reached Swansea about 3 this afternoon, even in these terrible conditions, I could see Swansea is a pretty place. I found a camping ground and was offered my pick of the powered sites. The camping ground is on three tiers falling down to the shore of Great Oyster Bay. I chose a site on the lowest level, only a few metres from a beach, and with views across the bay to Freycinet National Park and The Hazards, a rugged line of hills on the far shore.

View through the windscreen looking across Great Oyster Bay

                                       Jubilee Beach, just below my van site, this afternoon

So delighted was I with this site, I decided to stay two nights. If the weather improves, I'll use Swansea as a base and go exploring tomorrow. This afternoon I walked along the beach that just seems to go forever. In places there was some shelter from the wind, the sky cleared and there was no rain. From my camp site I face east, the lady at the office showed me photos she has taken of sunrises; I want shots like hers.

Now, as I write this evening a howling gale is buffeting my van. There is another wet and windy front forecast for tomorrow. I can only make the most of it.