Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s off to Tasmania we go

Twas lovely flying out of ChCh. As we were about to leave a lovely aftershock rattled through the airport. It was akin to having been in a massive fight, been pummelled and generally abused – and then when you admit you’ve had enough and decide to back out of said fight, that your attacker gives you one last thump – just to show you who’s boss.

That’s what a big earthquake is like, psychologically. At least to me. It’s not so much the massive hit, it’s the continual aftershocks.

Anyway, flew out (hurrah!) and via a shortish stop in Melbourne (hot water from the taps in the bathroom – luxury untold), it was onto Hobart (Tasmania) where we picked up our hire car.

Tip for loyal readers
When you hire a car they will always try to up-sell you on the insurance (this is where they make their money). MOST travel insurance that you take out will have a clause which limits your liability on the excess payable if you crash. Worth checking – saved us $700 or so.

Anyway, went to Domhnall & Jill’s to crash for the night (they were off in Melbourne). Hot showers. Ice Cream. Happy happy times. We tried to formulate a plan of attack for Tasmania. Decided to try and tick off Domhnalls top pick – a 5 day walk to a peak called Frenchmans Cap. We were aiming to do it in 3 days.

They have posh wire bridges in Tassie.

And very very changable weather. We knew that conditions were likely to be mixed.. but at least the walk in was dry enough. Domhnall had warned us about the “Sodden Loddens”. A 3km stretch of really really muddy non-track.

Doesn’t really seem to bad does it. But after 2km or so I’d come to the firm conclusion that

1. Domhnall is a masochist
2. Domhnall has long legs

The other thing that you get is leeches. Well, ok, I didn’t get any, but Maaike had 3 (or was it 4?). I suspect I’m just cleaner than she is.

You can see a leech on the plastic in the above picture. I actually had no idea what a leech looks like. I thought it was a sort of leaf-shape.. but no, basically a really flexible (and strong) tube. Very very strong. And hungry. Oh – just in case you come across them ..

1. Leeches are clean (i.e. you won’t get a disease from them)
2. Salt / burning them is the way to go
3. Prefer Dutch to Irish

Anyway, on through the wetlands to the hut at Lake Mavis. I unfortunately didn’t take any pictures of it, but it was a really lovely hut. Very very well supplied and looked after. Also, once you’ve paid for your park pass all the huts are free. It’s quite groovy really.

The next day was supposed to be our (long) day ~11hours + walking. However, it bucketed rain, woke up in a deep puddle and with the low soothing rumbling of thunder. Perfect. So, didn’t go to the summit. However, at about 11am we headed off for a walk – to see what we could see.

We saw some interesting fungi.

But eventually we did get to the top of a pass where we could see over to Frenchmans Cap. It would be fair to say that this was an excellent tramp – and it would have been extra amazing if the weather had been a little kinder. Next time.

Still, beats earthquakes hands down.