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Welcome

This is my journal. Remember to eat fibre daily.

Starting at Saturday, 26 February 2000, and still going.

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07.12.2007Friday 7 December – Devonport

Morning
We woke (fortunately), and packed up the tent just as it began raining. I drove into Launceston, where we bought the cheapest umbrellas we could find—at a place called Chickenfeed—and had a look at King’s Park, its monkeys, and went for a walk across a suspension bridge at Cataract Gorge, before driving to Devonport. Excitingly, we came across a normal-sized Woolworths on the outskirts of Launceston, which cheered me up no end. Perhaps there’s hope for this island after all. We stopped, of course, and I bought flavoured milk.
Afternoon
We found a gale-force-wind-attracting lookout, complete with driving rain, Batman Bridge, and Beaconsfield—which looks just like it looked on every Australian news report while the miners were stuck underground there. Bronwen and I spent a fascinating few hours in its museum. The mine is almost unbelievably vast.
  I then drove on to Latrobe, had a milkshake (caramel, seeing you asked), and set up tent at Mersey Bluff Caravan Park, in one of the most fantastic spots for a camp I’ve seen—overlooking an isolated beach, on a grassy expanse surrounded by shrubbery.
Night
Nice hot chips for dinner were followed by a wander around Devonport, and I’m now eating chocolate. We’ve driven just under a thousand kilometres, and there’s a power point in the kitchen so I can charge my camera battery.

06.12.2007Thursday 6 December – Launceston

Morning
Cornflakes and muesli for breakfast. Pack tent. Bronwen drives to Saint Helens again for water, some supplies from the supermarket—and of course, a chocolate milk for me.
  Bronwen drove to the Pyengana Cheese Factory, at Pyengana in case you hadn’t figured that out, and onto Saint Columba Falls. It rained gently most of the way. Carrying my tripod and a couple of thousand dollars worth of camera gear underneath my $2 emergency poncho (we went all-out on the equipment for this holiday) seems like something I’m going to have to get good at. I drove back down the mountain from the falls.
Afternoon
Bronwen drove to Derby, where we had Bronwen sandwiches at a park. We stopped again at Sideling Range, where we had planned to climb a mountain, but thick fog had rolled in and visibility had dropped to well below a hundred metres, and being bitterly cold and wet, we decided we should abandon our mountain ascent and remain alive.
Evening
Bronwen drove us into Launceston, where we got temporarily lost looking for the Treasure Island Caravan Park, which cost us $22 for a tent site for two. From there, we walked into Launceston, had a look around, and a curry from a nearby Indian restaurant. It wasn’t as good as Halim’s back in Brisbane.
Night
We walked up Cataract Gorge—which really is spectacularly scenic, lit up colourfully at night, and seems to be a popular haunt for the local youth—before walking back to the caravan park and having a shower at last. We’ve put 805 kilometres on the clock, just a little over our 800 kilometre (200 kilometres a day) limit.

05.12.2007Wednesday 5 December – Bay of Fires

Morning
Bronwen and I walked the two and a half hour walk to Wineglass Bay—said by many to be the most scenic bay in Tasmania—via a lookout perched on the side of a mountain. Bronwen had thoughtfully made sandwiches, which we ate on the beach. I knew there was a reason she’d come.
Afternoon
I drove to Cosy Corner Beach, in the Bay of Fires. It’s a free camping area, though quite windy and cold. We’ve done 585 kilometres so far. We stopped off at a beach on the way here, and again at Saint Helens, which has the dubious distinction of having the largest supermarket on the East Coast. It’s a Supa-IGA, about the size of a small Brisbane supermarket. There are some nice rocks out at St. Helens’ Point though.
  Wallabies and wombats are abundant and quite tame. There’s even a cinema at Saint Helens. The council here is called Break O’Day Council. It’s all quite backwards, in a scenic, pleasant, rustic British—but worrying—kind of way.
Evening
After a lovely pasta, Bronwen and I spent a while looking around Cosy Corner Beach. It’s the sort of rugged secluded coast some people dream of. Bronwen cleverly opened the car door onto a rock, denting it slightly—though I’m glad to say the rock was fine.

04.12.2007Tuesday 4 December – Coles Bay

Morning
We woke late, packed out still-wet leaky tent, and Bronwen drove slowly north along the scenic East coast of Tasmania. We visited Dootown, where all the houses are named various “doo”-related names—proof enough that while Tasmanians don’t seem to have two heads, they’re certainly not normal—the Blowholes, Devil’s Kitchen, Tasman Arch, and Tessellated Pavement, before taking a gravel forestry road through Sandspit Forestry Reserve. We somehow managed to have to turn 180 degrees to keep going the right way.
Afternoon
We drove through Orford, Triabunna, Swansea, and on to Coles Bay. We stopped a few times to sightsee, seeing an old convict bridge, several sections of scenic coastline, and some boring historic streets that Bronwen insisted were interesting.
6:15pm
By the time we got to Coles Bay (which has mosquitoes, it turns out) it was too late to go walking, and we were fortunate to get a $20 campsite at the Iluka Holiday Centre, as it normally closes at 6. Bronwen made the first of many marvellous pastas, having somehow managed to disappear and return with half a kilo of good parmesan. Exactly how she managed this I’m not sure, as we only just managed to get a campsite, let alone fine foods.
Night
After dinner, Bronwen and I wandered along the scenic beach, before going to bed, ignoring the noisy kids nearby. So far it hasn’t rained.

03.12.2007Monday 3 December – Port Arthur

7:30am
Got up. Packed. Turns out it’s raining. Walked to Lo-Cost Auto Rental, where we picked up our Hyundai Accent Auto, 2005 model. We’d booked a manual, but turns out they had an auto instead—which normally cost a little more, so can’t complain. I drove to Mount Wellington, through thick fog, which lifted just as we got to the top. We couldn’t have asked for better timing really. It was very cold, and didn’t take long before the fog began blowing back—something between sleet and cloud, cold and coming sideways. The car wouldn’t unlock with its remote key, due to the transmission towers on the mountain. The car radio also failed to work. Bronwen drove back to Lo-Cost Auto Rental, who changed a fuse, fixing the radio.
1:30pm
I picked up an American tourist from the Pickled Frog—who Bronwen had met back in Brisbane—and we drove to Port Arthur, where we had chips for lunch and left our American friend. Bronwen and I went for a walk to Remarkable Caves and along the spectacularly cliffy coast, before getting a $20 campsite at Port Arthur Caravan Park.
Evening
After setting up the tent, we went for another walk, had Bronwen’s curry for dinner, and wished it hadn’t again begun raining. A Launceston school is having some kind of camp here, so it’s very busy, with school kids all over the place.
Night
The tent leaks from the corner of each window somehow. Fortunately it didn’t rain enough to be a big problem, though the two corners of the bed did get wet. The bed also went down a bit—fortunately not enough to really matter. Perhaps buying the cheapest inflatable air mattress and K-Mart tent wasn’t the way to go.

02.12.2007Sunday 2 December – Hobart

Morning
Both Bronwen and I slept in. I woke feeling seedy. We went for a walk around Hobart, looking for food, but nothing was open. It was fairly hot and tiring. Around lunchtime, as things gradually opened, we had nachos at a café on the main mall.
1pm
It’s quite hot, though I suppose not very hot compared to what Brisbane would be at this time of year. Bronwen and I retired back to our room.
2:20pm
Off for a walk. Checked out a local beach, imaginatively named Sandy Beach. The water is quite cold—I don’t think I’ll be swimming. We also found a Woolworths, so there’s some civilisation around here, though the city still seems very small.
9pm
Wandered around Hobart. Bought a milkshake. It has been quite hot, only getting cooler now, though it didn’t get dark until 8:30. Had a nice curry that Bronwen made for dinner.
11pm
Back from our walk, and off to bed. There weren’t many people around, but there were still several restaurants open—later than they’d normally be in Brisbane, particularly on a Sunday night.
Comment by io – Saturday 12 April 2008, 1:39 PM
  The ubiquitous milkshake makes materializes in Hobart!

01.12.2007Saturday 1 December – Tasmania

Day
Bronwen had already packed for Tasmania, but me being myself, I hadn’t, so packed now. Then, with everything neatly packed away ready to go, it occurred to us to weigh the bags, and they came out far too heavy. A quick re-pack, moving everything possible into cabin baggage, or not taking it at all, got the weight down a little.
Afternoon
I drove up to the train station, dumped Bronwen and the luggage there, drove home, and walked back to the station, catching the train to Roma Street, changing for the airtrain, and catching that to the airport. Thus began our Tasmanian holiday.
5:40pm
Jetstar’s Airbus A320 departed roughly on time, with Bronwen and I seated in seats 1E and 1F—I asked for extra legroom—but not before we’d had to pay $35 excess baggage, which was actually lenient, it should have been around $50.
9:15pm
We arrived in Hobart. My first impression was that the airport is very small, and catching the $12.50 bus into the city, that Hobart itself is also very small. Bronwen had prebooked a $60 room at the Hollydene Inn. We went for a short wander around the city, and then slept.

30.11.2007Friday 30 November – Packing

Packed for Tasmania.

29.11.2007Thursday 29 November – Shopping

Went shopping, preparing for Tasmania.

28.11.2007Wednesday 28 November – Working

My last day at work. Everyone is nicely impressed by my last-day-of-work email.

27.11.2007Tuesday 27 November – Working

Working.

26.11.2007Monday 26 November – Working

Working.

25.11.2007Sunday 25 November – “Gabriel”

7:30am
Work at Valley.
3:30pm
Drive home. Woolworths then Hungry Jack’s with Bronwen, Stella.
9:50pm
Watch “Gabriel” with Bronwen, Stella, at South Bank.
Midnight
Drive Bronwen home.

24.11.2007Saturday 24 November – Sarah

Morning
Drove to Bronwen’s for voting. Stella supported the Greens.
Night
Drove to the airport with Bronwen, met Sarah, walked to international terminal, etc.
Later Night
Pancakes with Bronwen, Stella.

23.11.2007Friday 23 November – Compassionate Leave

Took day off for “compassionate leave”.

22.11.2007Thursday 22 November – Fast Bus

Morning
Insane bus driver. Fastest I’ve driven through the city, weaving in and out of traffic... and it was in a bus... with a female driver.
Lunch
Custard tart and whipped cream for lunch.

21.11.2007Wednesday 21 November – TPG Internet

Woke up to no internet. Put in the TPG details, and they work. Seems they churned me sometime around 6 AM this morning.

20.11.2007Tuesday 20 November – Birthday Pizza

Day
Working 7 to 3 in the Valley.
Night
Kangaroo Point with Bronwen, then birthday pizza.

19.11.2007Monday 19 November – Curry

Morning
Slept in.
Afternoon
Had lunch at the Ville, along with two milkshakes.
Evening
Went to Indooroopilly with Maz and Stella.
Night
Had curry for dinner with Stella.

18.11.2007Sunday 18 November – Stella moves in

Morning
I slept in. Stella officially moved in today.
Midday
Drove to Garden City with Bronwen and Stella.
Afternoon
Had nachos from the Calypso bar.
Night
Had planned to go to Gold Class at Indooroopilly and see “Elizabeth—The Golden Age”, but this did not work out due to Stella losing her phone while out, and suddenly having to buy tickets for Dad to Perth.

17.11.2007Saturday 17 November – All My Friends are Leaving Brisbane

Morning
Bronwen’s hair blew in the breeze.
3pm
Saw “All My Friends are Leaving Brisbane” at Indooroopilly with Bronwen and Stella.
Night
Bronwen and I had curry from Halim’s, the leftovers of which Stella then ate.

16.11.2007Friday 16 November – More Work

3pm
Work.
Comment by Lloyd Fulton – Thursday 28 February 2008, 8:32 PM
  Hey Ned been reading through you journal and I am impressed with the pic's think they are really good. Especially the the Landscape/Panaramic ones. Can you tell what Camera and Lens combination you use.
  
  Thanks
Comment by Ned – Friday 29 February 2008, 3:00 PM
  Thanks for the compliment. Camera has varied, but mostly a Canon 400D. Lenses vary. Usually a Canon 50mm f/1.8, Canon 17-50 f/2.8IS or Sigma 70-200 f/2.8DG.

15.11.2007Thursday 15 November – Working Alone

3pm
Working alone.

14.11.2007Wednesday 14 November – Pancakes, Work & Veggie Baguettes

Morning
Bought a wireless USB thing from Umart for Stella, and a USB Ethernet adaptor for Lucienne.
Midday
Drove to Indooroopilly with Maz and Stella, had a veggie baguette for lunch, did some shopping, and am now preparing for work.
Afternoon
Worked.
Midnight
Went to Pancakes with Stella, Raymond.

13.11.2007Tuesday 13 November – Working

Day
Working.
Night
Picked up Stella from college, along with her remaining things.

12.11.2007Monday 12 November – Working

3pm
Working at EB.
Night
Moved some of Stella’s things from college to here.

11.11.2007Sunday 11 November – Rain, Leeches & Coomera Circuit

Drove down south to walk and photograph the Coomera Circuit with Maz and Bronwen, but it rained, there were thousands of leeches, and it was too wet for photos. Abandoned attempt a couple of hours in.

10.11.2007Saturday 10 November – Dularcha National Park

Day
Slept in a bit, then drove to Dularcha National Park rail tunnel, then on to Ewen Maddock Dam, and the Glasshouse mountains, with Bronwen, Maz, and myself.
Night
Eated Curry. Much good.

09.11.2007Friday 9 November – Day Off

Day
Had the day off. Drove to Indooroopilly with Maz. Bought Nandini and Stella fans. Bought a keyboard. Tried to set up XP on my old computer but it is being annoying.
Night
Drove to Bronwen’s, had dinner with her, and came back here to have dessert and sleep.

08.11.2007Thursday 8 November – Pides

Morning
Working in the fishbowl, where it’s cold.
Night
Had pides at South Bank.

07.11.2007Wednesday 7 November – Rain

Night
It rained. Maz and I walked to South Bank to take some photos of the city.

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Please Note: All dates use the logical DD-MM-CCYY (day-month-year) format, and NOT the backwards American style. 01-03-2001 would be the first of March, and not the third of January.

’Tis all a Chequer-board of Nights and Days
Where Destiny with Men for Pieces plays:
Hither and thither moves, and mates, and slays,
And one by one back in the Closet lays.

The Ball no Question makes of Ayes and Noes,
But Right or Left, as strikes the Player goes;
And he that toss’d Thee down into the Field,
He knows about it all—He knows—HE knows!

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.

And that inverted Bowl we call The Sky,
Whereunder crawling coop’t we live and die,
Lift not thy Hands to it for help—for It
Rolls impotently on as Thou or I.
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