A relaxed start to today as we have a fairly short journey ahead of us. We watched the Lady Jane FranklinII leave on time for today's adventure into the Gates of Hell and beyond.
It was bright and sunny as we left Strahan, it looked really beautiful . Following e coast road this time we soon saw signs he Bach we were told about yesterday. It would have been great to detour but a little too far. Wed is manage to get a glimpse of the beach from a photo look out a few miles further on. Golden sand, blue sea, quite inviting.
Our first stop on route was the town of Zeehan, an old mining town. Some of the buildings looked quite interesting but it looked a bit run down and all the shops were shut. On a Saturday!!!
We left with a few photos but not the elusive coffee we had sought. Ever onward, next stop Roseby another mining community. Quite a quaint little place,some lovely old buildings. But again the coffee shop was closed! Walking further up the road we found a lovely little place called the Bakehouse. Lovely smells of coffee, pies newly baked bread and cakes met us as we went inside. It did not disappoint; coffee was good and sausage rolls more than lived up to expectations. A very pleasant place for a stop off.
The town had a community garden growing an interesting selection of veggies and a few flowers . There was a small waterfall and the mine is still working.
Back on the road which twisted and turned through forests and the occasional cluster of houses too small to really be a village, we made our lunch stop at Roseby Lake. A calm stretch of water used by canoeists. It was absolute freezing here, windy and lots of drizzle. Not too pleasant.
Onward, ever onward we eventually reached a lookout point in the Cradle Mountains. The view was spectacular: blue and purple mountains in the distance, flat plains with small pools and an abundance of flowers. Very pretty. Sadly again very windy and wet.
We arrived at our 'home' for the next two nights in late afternoon. The Wilderness Village is just outside the Cradle Mountain National Park so we will have some exploring to do tomorrow.
Our lodge is quite nice and very practical. The receptionist told Mike that there are snakes in this area but not to worry as the anti venom for all three types is the same. Quite comforting!!!!?
Still we are organised for the rest of the day and can look for maps and walk ideas tomorrow!