|
WEEK 100, WHAT A WEEK..... |
NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Its number 100 in the blog writing this week and I really did not think I would get here, when I started I thought maybe I would write a few and people will get bored or over it and yet people still read and look at photos etc. I think as we go along and it gets hard sometimes to come up with a story or two to fill in the pages and it almost becomes part of you life and you feel guilty if you don't
We have had to the most interesting week for a while and it all is around the snow, lots of wind and rain plus the local possums we have around the house
We have had to the most interesting week for a while and it all is around the snow, lots of wind and rain plus the local possums we have around the house
|
|
Taken early Sunday morning
|
It all started Sunday morning I guess when I walked out the front of house and looked up to see the snow up on the roacks above us and the sun had not really been up long and all around us was small flakes of snow coming down, it was being turned to water as it hit the ground as the sun warmed the air here, we got ready and were gong to head over to the west coast for the day and once we got closer to the turn off to Cradle Mountain at some 645 Mt. the road became covered in ice and snow and the sky turned dark and hen came the snow.
The weather is crazy here can go a matter of 20km or so and it can change without warning
|
So rather than a slow dangerous drive we headed up the short drive up to the resort and the snow increased and the traffic got slower and slower.
The road was covered in snow and the cars passing us were covered in snow from the night they had spent at the resorts. We went pass the shops and hotel up the National parks office near the gate which leads you to the lake area. We parked and Ellen had to go so I walked about the car park and noticed the signs for going up to the park was for only 4x4 and AWD car only. So you can read more below in the travel section 
|
Once we had finished our day in the snow we headed back towards the house taking a different road which took us towards Willmot, which was a longer drive but we were not in a hurry we thought and as we drove along the winds started to pick up and we find a turn off towards house and headed to Sheffield as branches and leaves started to blow all around us.
|
So we made it back to the house and within a couple of hours the power was gone, water was gone and the winds just kept coming, we were told that the winds in Sheffield were around 98km and here on Mt Roland were just over 150km. As you will read and see below it was a wild time. With us not having power from Sunday till Late Tuesday night, which puts a whole new meaning to free camping.
So early Monday I got out and went around house to check on buildings etc. open gates and found this broken it is the main feed for the water and is were the pump draws water from for house, I was not looking for it as power was off and no water anyway, but this had been draining tanks from when it was broke. I managed to stop the water and searched high and low to find parts in the end got in car and was going to drive to town to get parts but only made it to from gate and power lines across drive so had to wait till Tuesday afternoon to go to town and hope they had part or drive to davenport some 26km away
TAKEN 3 WEEKS AGO
|
SAME CREEK TAKEN SUNDAY
|
Taken 8am Sunday morning from Claude Road looking up the Mountain, 5 Hours later winds over 150km and rain came.(not our house sit)
And yes I near forgot I will continue the Base camp section next week as with the storm and such just did not get time this week to complete it.
TRAVEL NEWS
We got up Sunday to a cold day and after a walkabout yard making sure all was well I looked up tp see the snow just above us on Mt. Roland and seeing we had not been out for a few days decided to head up and go to the western coast, we it was the plan time we climbed up to around 600mt close to Cradle Mountain and ran into snow every where, and thought maybe not going to west coast along this road and got to Cradle turn off and headed up to see what it was like and it started to snow and got heavier the closer we go to the resort area.
|
While at the car park a small car pulled in beside us, I was worried that he would slide into me as he got so close.
Well it turned out that they were fellow Queenslanders who had paid 30 dollars for the pass to go up to Cradle, but because of the road the buses were not going up. So we offered them to come with us in the 4x4 as we were going up any way |
|
|
So they got in and were surprised by all the snow on the road and it was coming down in buckets along the road, I was in 4x4 hi range and still could feel the slide and slight wheel stun on the black ice as we moved along the road.
Once we got to the top car park there were few cars and a couple of non 4x4 parked up how they would get back would be a trip for them, we spent some 40 min or so as the cold and snow falling along with the wind was freezing. The couple who came with us walked down to the lake but due to the snow and mist you only saw bits of the mountains and lake area. |
|
|
|
|
So after a while we all jumped back in car and headed back down the road to an area which is protected from the winds and had a further look about, that's where we came across the snowman on the picnic table and of course we ran into the rude people who just parked in the middle of the road just to take a photo and held us up because they were in a non 4x4 so leaving the road was not an option for them, lucky the park people were there and got them moving along
|
|
|
Yes it was cold, but we were all rugged up and better prepared then last time and the snow just kept coming down and we have learnt form past visits you need to get in early so you can drive up the road to the lakes as later in day too many cars go in and the don't let you in once numbers have filled the carparks at end of road. And the speed limit is 40 km and much slower during the snow periods but we cam across a couple who thought it was a speed way and were speeding and did not want to pull over, they found I just did not move over and had to slow quick, hate people like that and I do it in a way that most would not know I am getting them to slow.
As you see the mist lifted sometimes and you were able to get a few shots of the hills and area and the snow still just coming at times it stung your face when the wind was up. Now after a while the car was starting to ice up and look right at home. So we headed back to the main park area to drop off your passengers who were leaving the area the next day and were glad that we had taken them up and they got to see the snow on Cradle Mountain, as not long after we came down the storm started to hit and it got pretty bad.
Taken 4 weeks ago
|
Taken Sunday
|
So we dropped off them and headed back towards the house and decided to go back a different way and as we came off the mountain down to about 400mt the winds picked up and up, we really did not think too of it till we stated to leaves and branches flying across the roads.
So we found an exit to Sheffield and headed back into town as we needed some bread and milk, by the time we got back to Sheffield the trees were like match sticks being blown about everywhere. Got what we needed now this was about 2.30pm and headed out along the Claude rd. towards house and the trees were being tossed about and the wind was pushing on the car, this is when we came on a tree across road and just got past it and the wind was up around 80 to 90 km by now and we got the house.
Made our selfies a late lunch and was watching the trees and the roar of the wind when the power started to flicker in and out a few times.
By 4.50pm it was dark and then bang no power and the winds just got stronger and stronger and later we found out the winds were 150km gusting up along Mt Roland.
So we found an exit to Sheffield and headed back into town as we needed some bread and milk, by the time we got back to Sheffield the trees were like match sticks being blown about everywhere. Got what we needed now this was about 2.30pm and headed out along the Claude rd. towards house and the trees were being tossed about and the wind was pushing on the car, this is when we came on a tree across road and just got past it and the wind was up around 80 to 90 km by now and we got the house.
Made our selfies a late lunch and was watching the trees and the roar of the wind when the power started to flicker in and out a few times.
By 4.50pm it was dark and then bang no power and the winds just got stronger and stronger and later we found out the winds were 150km gusting up along Mt Roland.
|
So we were luck we had the fire going to keep warm and this house once the power goes so does the water as its all tank with a pump.
We always have a good number of bottled water around the place just in case we do have issues with pumps or power. |
|
|
|
We have had a few good days since Tuesday and these photos were taken around the base of the mountain, its so nice to see the green paddocks but remember it was around 5 deg. when I took these photos. They are saying we will get some more colder weather by end of week so the snow is trying hard to get here |
|
|
So an update on the bulbs that are coming up, they are growing fast and some have started to show signs of flowering in next couple of weeks so should have lines of white and yellow flowers lined around the fence soon.
The story Book is back
This months story is one about how nice the people of Tasmania are in every way, the go out of their way to help always friendly and don't invade your space at all.
Now John you may not want to read much further here as it is about your place.
The owners here before the left made a big mistake they let my wife know they do hand feed a Possum who comes down at night, please note, I did say A possum.
Now that was fine for a week or two only one possum did visit and all was good, John I did warm you don't read this.
Well lets get a little back ground now while we were house sitting in Atherton they had one Wild Turkey that someone feed, note one turkey well by the time we left she had about 10 following her about digging up grass etc. Are we getting a picture here now.
Well last night as we have had no power for past few days, Ellen goes out just before dark to cut up the apples to feed the darlings, we it was like a scene from a John Wayne Movie, the stampede part, well across the roof and water tank came the thundering noise of wild Possums on the move, yes people POSSUMS, they arrive in all sizes and colours, black with pink noses, light grey with big tails and its a battle to see who gets the best spot for a feed of apples.
Apples you say they cost a bit to buy, No people, we found an apple tree down near the steam engine station with apples on it and all over the ground, must be only one for miles with fruit still on it. Sorry John.
Well after her day of working at the HUB we stop by and out she gets and fills the plastic bag with apples as a local walks by walking his dog see her and I guess felt sorry for the poor lady picking up fruit, starts to talk to the wife, me looking in mirror sees his face go from a smile to a look not sure of. He walks past me shaking his head.
Well by this time she has her apples in back seat and I ask what did he say, "well I told him why I getting apples to feed the Possums" he replied "what they are pests here seeing the number plates of the QLDRS and says we shoot the bastards and walked away.
Back to story the possums are lined up and still fighting about who is getting what, suddenly Ellen is off out the back door to feed the lone possum and he does not get apple no way he is up the back having Spaghetti bog or left overs and he is loving the spag bog, sorry john your possum have some big tastes here.
Meanwhile remember it pitch black out side only the torch light from Ellen, I hear the front door someone is knocking on door, remember I said about polite Tasmania people, I get up and grab a torch and am looking at door though window and see no one but bang, bang on the glass of window below me and its a possum taping on glass, I call Ellen one of your dinner guest wants to come in, she say what and come to door and tells him to go around side of house and he wanders off around house, damm this is getting weird and strange, he must have gotten into a fight because a few min. later was back knocking on door again and looking at me though the glass.
Now this is a nightly thing now and the cats and I just watch the possums do their thing
Now John you may not want to read much further here as it is about your place.
The owners here before the left made a big mistake they let my wife know they do hand feed a Possum who comes down at night, please note, I did say A possum.
Now that was fine for a week or two only one possum did visit and all was good, John I did warm you don't read this.
Well lets get a little back ground now while we were house sitting in Atherton they had one Wild Turkey that someone feed, note one turkey well by the time we left she had about 10 following her about digging up grass etc. Are we getting a picture here now.
Well last night as we have had no power for past few days, Ellen goes out just before dark to cut up the apples to feed the darlings, we it was like a scene from a John Wayne Movie, the stampede part, well across the roof and water tank came the thundering noise of wild Possums on the move, yes people POSSUMS, they arrive in all sizes and colours, black with pink noses, light grey with big tails and its a battle to see who gets the best spot for a feed of apples.
Apples you say they cost a bit to buy, No people, we found an apple tree down near the steam engine station with apples on it and all over the ground, must be only one for miles with fruit still on it. Sorry John.
Well after her day of working at the HUB we stop by and out she gets and fills the plastic bag with apples as a local walks by walking his dog see her and I guess felt sorry for the poor lady picking up fruit, starts to talk to the wife, me looking in mirror sees his face go from a smile to a look not sure of. He walks past me shaking his head.
Well by this time she has her apples in back seat and I ask what did he say, "well I told him why I getting apples to feed the Possums" he replied "what they are pests here seeing the number plates of the QLDRS and says we shoot the bastards and walked away.
Back to story the possums are lined up and still fighting about who is getting what, suddenly Ellen is off out the back door to feed the lone possum and he does not get apple no way he is up the back having Spaghetti bog or left overs and he is loving the spag bog, sorry john your possum have some big tastes here.
Meanwhile remember it pitch black out side only the torch light from Ellen, I hear the front door someone is knocking on door, remember I said about polite Tasmania people, I get up and grab a torch and am looking at door though window and see no one but bang, bang on the glass of window below me and its a possum taping on glass, I call Ellen one of your dinner guest wants to come in, she say what and come to door and tells him to go around side of house and he wanders off around house, damm this is getting weird and strange, he must have gotten into a fight because a few min. later was back knocking on door again and looking at me though the glass.
Now this is a nightly thing now and the cats and I just watch the possums do their thing
|
|
This is Charlie the Possum
Photo of The Week
So below, is the new standard Photo as the other shot has not changed at all and here this area is changing faster, but all the same will continue to check out other spot and it does change will add it back in will be the same position, so this photo taken this week, where we are staying about same day and time, so each week as the weather changes and gets well into Winter you will see the changes over the 2 months about we are here.
Great Places we have visited in past 100 weeks.
W have been to so many places and really have trouble picking out the best of the best but here are five places we would revisit and have in some cases, just right click on photo to visit the page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I know someone who is going to enjoy the views like this, soon, only 14 days before you freeze