Breakfast on the beach before the morning walk.
Monday morning was a sleep-in day with a light breakfast at 0900 followed by an optional walk up the ridge behind the lodge through a swath of forest recovering from a brush fire and then down to another lagoon where black swans glided across the surface. We returned to the lodge for a sumptuous brunch of pizzas and salads.
We’re now in the departure process with bags staged for loading onto the bus and our final walk before the trip back to Hobart.
After brunch the staff and guides had a little ceremony including the group photo, and gave us a package of postcards which included notes from the guides. On the trails, the guides - Isaac, James and Nick - had be particularly solicitous of Jonathan as he navigated the more challenging sections of trail and did so with grace and kindness. In their note, they encouraged Jonathan to take the adventure to Madagascar.
A walk on the beach sounds like a relatively easy activity. However when we left the lodge and walked down to the beach, there was a very, very stiff wind blowing directly in our faces. Add to that the tide was high so there was very little packed sand to walk upon. So we slogged our way into the wind for about 3 1/2 miles to the north end of the beach where the van and luggage trailed waited for us. Jonathan commented that the walk was like a constant uphill climb with the headwind. By the time I got to the end of the beach, my glasses were covered in sea spray and the last part of the walk was like walking through a fog as a result of the impaired optics. I would occasionally lift them off my nose to examine the tracks in the sand to make sure I was following the folks ahead of us.
After dropping Glenn and Heidi off at the airport, and Marianne at her hotel, we took our final goodbyes at our hotel. Then after freshening up, we headed out to dinner, but not before taking advantage of the unexpected laundry facilities in our suite. I don’t recall that I deliberately booked a suite/apartment, but I was thrilled with the easy availability of laundry and it took care of one of the chores we needed to complete before starting the Tarkine Rainforest tour.
Breakfast on the beach before the morning walk.
Holly lays out the char-grilled broccoli on chickpea mash.
Pizza - salmon, avocado, and brie.
Salad - rocket, avocado, fried goat cheese.
Pizza - pumpkin, red onion, and pine nuts.
Polenta with tomato chutney.
One of each slice (other two pizzas were salami/olive and 4-cheese mushroom.
Isaac, Marianne, Nick, and James.
Headed into a headwind - James, Heidi, and Glenn in front, Teresa and Edwin following.
The surf catches Marianne. At high tide, there was very little packed sand available for easy walking.
This sea gull has an 8-pointed starfish in its beak.
An 8-pointed starfish, Carpet Seastar (Patiriella calcar).
Marianne takes a snap of Jonathan on the beach.
The sea spray on my glasses after the beach walk.
Serendipity - I didn't plan for it, but I'll take the use of the laundry.
The gathering up the laundry to wash.
We walked to Ettie’s, a wine bar and restaurant, where we had another excellent meal with another excellent Tasmanian Pinot noir. Tottering back to the hotel, I threw the laundry over into the dryer and started the second batch in the washer. Then, after a shower, finally went to bed.
Another great Tassie Pinot noir - served at Ettie's.
My main dish - Lamb ribs with charred eggplant.
Shared side dish - Snow peas, sugar snap peas, mint and labneh.
Jonathan's main dish - saffron stracci, blue swimmer crab and capers.
Shared dessert - Far Breton, Armagnac custard.
A view of the dining room.
