Day 13 - 10/08 - Launceston - Day 4

On our final full day in Tasmania, Lana & Lindsay took us on a several hundred kilometer drive through the NE Tasmanian countryside. We made our first stop at the Sideling Lookout which provided terrific views of the Tasman Highway and surrounding countryside including Flinders Island in the far off distance.

Our second stop was at an Amish Farm (Springfield Farm Tearoom) for morning tea and a chance to shop for local sewed items and sewing kits. A little ways further we stopped at the Springfield Farm, another Amish Farm and chatted with the owners. Three weeks ago they lost a 2 month old baby born with trisonomy . Angela was able to share with the wife her cousin's life of raising a child afflicted with that genetic defect. The woman was full of faith even in her grief.

We continued on through Springfield to Derby where we stopped for lunch at the Crank It Cafe. This small former tin mining town has re-invented itself as a mountain biking town with B&B's, cafes, bike shops, & numerous trails of varying difficulty. The restaurant owner said they can hardly keep up with business during the summer.  

Our route then took us to Little Blue Lake, a manmade lake formed from the residual of tin mine activities which gives the lake its green jade color like a glacial lake. We reached the turnaround point of our trip at Bridport where we stopped at the Seascape Caravan Park for a bio break and a few photos.

The route back to Hadspen was on narrow and pretty country roads. It was a charming trip and the chance to see the beautiful Tasmanian countryside. We even got a post office photo of the Lilydale Post Office.  At the Gillam's we enjoyed pumpkin soup and pleasant conversation before Lindsay left for choir practice. The rest of us watched the Masked Singer on TV at the end of which the dragon was unmasked. He was the top country western singer in Australia.

We fly back to Melbourne tomorrow to do some touring before catching a late night flight to San Francisco. Stay tuned.