THE DROP BEAR DIARIES - CHAPTER 9 "THE GREAT OUTDOORS"

Viewpoint over Wineglass Bay

The Wattlebirds were in fine fettle again at the crack of dawn, awakening all and sundry with their noisy wake up call from the bushes near the Beach House.

Today was going to be a big activity day for us. 

A morning hike in the Freycinet National Park, with its knuckles of granite mountains, white sandy beaches and turquoise water.  

Our hike would take us up a rocky, winding trail for a superb view over Wineglass Bay. 

Admiring the knuckles near the end of the trail

Julie had cautioned us to watch out for tiger snakes, nasty critters apparently.  

Inward musings had us wondering why we were here.  

Nothing like a little drama to sharpen the mind and fire up the adrenalin, we made the ascent with watchful eyes.

A second, easier hike took us to the lighthouse

Another barbecue had been planned for that evening, shopped and prepared for at the Beach House before our sunset kayaking excursion that would take us across Coles Bay.

Hearty sailors ready for the off!

We all looked pretty impressive after we had been kitted up in our kayaking gear and possibly gave the impression we knew what we were doing. After some lessons on paddle and rudder operation we took to the water.  

Jolly Roger and crew aboard HMAS Drop Bear

Nathan helped us into the water and made the experience thoroughly enjoyable as we embarked on a scenic paddle across the bay that included a tea break on a secluded beach. 

He was a terrific guide who talked about life in this beautiful part of the Freycinet Peninsula. 

Returning recently to Tasmania for a quieter life, he had spent the last number of years working on private luxury yachts in the Mediterranean.  

No worries these days about lining up the cushions on the aft deck so that all the patterns went the same way.  

Such attention to detail had us smiling and we completely forgot about the threat of killer box jelly fish, although the water may have been a little too cool for them down here in Tassie.

Julie had done a fine job of firing up our imaginations!

God bless all who sail in her!

Returning to the Beach House damp but happy, the pot bellied stove was pressed into service to dry out our respective footwear,  more excellent Tasmanian wine opened and our attentions turned to the barbecue and this evening‘s gourmet indulgences.

Tomorrow we would head for Launceston and on to the Spirit of Tasmania for the overnight return to Melbourne. 

The lovely Karen had been primed to take us on the most scenic route that inevitably could include a stop at a winery or two.

Fortunately for us Drop Bears are bad sailors, preferring to spend their time high in the gum trees while they scan the ground for prey.  They apparently knew how the triffids met their fate. Seawater can be a deadly if you believe in the storyline of  “The Day of the Triffids”.