Monday 7th March 2011

 Lawrie and I went on a bus tour arranged through Spin In and there were 3 other ladies, all spinners, plus our driver, the Purple Princess Judy who enjoyed a day touring the Highland country.  The tour was with Judy’s own company, Eye See Personalised Tours and what a great day we had.  Judy’s favourite colour is purple and hence the name.  Judy provided morning tea and lunch and all her containers, serviettes, etc were purple.  We visited the Tarraleah Power Station in the mountains before on to The Wall just before Derwent Bridge.  The Wall in the Wilderness is a work in progress by a local carver, John Duncan and is a compilation of huon pine panels each approx. 2 metres wide and 3 metres high.  The project has been going for 6 years and it is expected to be another 4 years before it is completed. The panels tell the history of the Central Highlands district from the Indigenous people to the pioneer timber workers and pastoralists to the Hydro workers and miners.   You are not able to take photos of his work however there are postcards and a book that can be purchased.  The workmanship is so realistic that the drovers coat hanging on a hook has to be touched to confirm it is wood and not fabric.  Just incredible and well worth a visit.  Details of this wonderful exhibition can be seen at www.thewalltasmania.com

Dragging ourselves away from here we drove out to Lake St Clair for lunch and then enjoyed a short walk at the lake and of course had to feel the temperature of the water.   Needless to say there was no thought of swimming as it was quite cold.  The walk displayed many varieties of vegetation and one section of the track was flanked on each side by lush ferns. 

Trees reached for the sky proud and tall and the girth of some was amazing.  Lake St Clair is one end of the 5 day walk undertaken by enthusiastic hikers that links with Cradle Mountain. There are huts scattered along the walk to provide basic shelter for those undertaking this adventure.

We then made our way to the southern end of Great Lake before heading back down the highway to Bothwell.  We crossed many rivers and channels along the way and even saw some Highland cattle resting beneath trees.  All in all a thoroughly enjoyable day and the biggest praise came from Lawrie as he commented that she was a ‘good’ driver.  High praise indeed coming from my truck driving husband.