Category: Australia

A bridge over the Mersey with Formby on one side and Torquay on the other. We past Rutherglen Rd, Bracknell etc. If you’d first settled here what would you name your town/street?.

Tasmania, named after Abel Tasman. About 26000 sq miles, population 600k: cf Wales, about 8000 sq miles, population 3.2 million.

“In 1642 Abel Janszoon Tasman named his ‘first sighted land’ after his Dutch superior Anthony Van Diemen. While Tasman missed meeting any Aborigines, they knew their land as ‘Trowunna’, ‘Trowenna’ or ‘Loetrouwitter’. Despite the official name of Van Diemen’s Land, usage of the alternative ‘Tasmania’ gradually grew” until officially adopted in 1855. Abel didn’t live long enough to enjoy his fame.

Immediately differences from the main land are apparent. No water turbines, rather water holes. More tended gardens with flowers. Kookaburra’s laughing in the trees, echidna’s spiky coats. Well maintained roads thus far. Not so many signs about danger of fire. It feels the equivalent of the Isle of Wight to mainland UK, about a generation slower (that’s not a bad thing). Weather extremes – mainly flooding sweeping away bridges. Hillier.

In common are the variants of customised post boxes. Bungalows and broad streets.

We spent the bulk of today wandering through Meander Valley. A lot going on here: according to the numerous signs the proposal to build a high security jail is not popular; nor the an application for a bauxite mine.

Launceston is a rest day tomorrow so a day of exploring it’s wide streets.

The Great Ocean Road was built by returning Anzac troops, 3000 of them, after WW1. Starting in 1919, 236 mile’s of road cut through rock by pick and shovel, it was completed in 1932. And we can’t build a railway line with automated equipment.

The prices of houses are eye watering. Especially in Surf Coast County and the start of holiday locations.

Lovely cycling with benign traffic. It was a shock to get to Geelong, a city of 300000 and busy urban roads. Though with cycle lanes.

Only grizzle: apart from one place the only low/zero beer so far is Heineken or Peroni. Tap water it is…..

Early rise for the ferry to Tasmania tomorrow. 13hr crossing. If it misses the landing we end up in Antarctica. Win-win.

So to the 12 Apostles. Did you name them? Mark my words carefully and look no further. This is a job simple Simon could do. I was cross I didn’t get Andrew. The dictionary should have given me Bartholomew. I thought Judas gets a bad press, without him we’d miss out on Easter eggs and the rest of the story – “Jesus lived to a ripe old age” might not have sold so well. The other Judas must feel a tad forgotten about. Jimmy the joiner wearing his long johns in the cold morning. I feel as though I’m petering out here so I’ll get back to the main narrative.

What a coast line – we were lucky to see it in the sun and and the shoulder of the main season so the roads and viewpoints were quiet. It all stacked up to be a fun day. The hills returned too so we’d plenty of time to admire the almost rain forest and green hilly pastures.

The story of how the 12 Apostles came to be named (there’s not 12) is the original old horse coach road was very lump and bumpy as the passengers were shoogled about. They started counting the stacks. 1, 2, 3, lots! 11, 12. Sounds as good as any other reason and the tourist information person must have told it many times.

I feel ignorant about Australia, particularly the weather. One morning it was 4C when we got up. Today started around 10C though a significant wind chill. Bring something warm and suntan lotion.

Tomorrow’s task is naming Snow White’s Dwarfs….

Perhaps the most exciting thing which has happened here was in 1840 when Capt Campbell on his whaling ship decided to pull in for a safe harbour. I hereby name this place after me.

He’d sheltered for good reason. The coast is also known as Shipwreck Coast: stormy seas, treacherous tides and rocks have taken a toll. Fascinating to learn one sunken ship (1855) was carrying 2000 tons (Imperial then) of iron railway lines. I’ve not paused to consider the tonnage those sailing ships hauled from the UK. A railway boom the world over.

The whole coastal area seems an explosion (exploitation?) of Western development from 1840s – 1880s.

The next exciting thing is the current development: the small high street is a mass of workers pouring concrete and tarmacadam. So we headed on a lovely coastal meander. Enjoying the flora and fauna and googling what they are. Then rest: we’re on the hunt for the 4 missing apostles tomorrow. Can you name them?