Arrive in Launceston

Made it! Got the 8.40am flight out of Melbourne, arrived in Launceston, collected the hire car and headed up to the Tamar Valley where we were staying.

Tamar Valley Retreat is located right on the Tamar River and has 2 lovely cottages, fully self contained of course. It was unfortunate that we only had the one night here due to our delays but once we had settled in we were back in the car and off!

Followed the touristy route, stopped at brady's lookout, did some wine tasting (and bought a bottle of Pinot Noir) at Tamar Valley Vineyard. The region is reknowned for it's Pinot Noir. The vines are all brown branches at the moment as it's mid winter and cold.

Our host, Ian, at our accommodation sugeested we might like lunch at Velo Restaurant as that we did! It was delightful - both had a Duck and Shitake Mushroom pie - to die for! I finished off with the compulsory death by chocolate dessert, or something similar!

From lunch we drove up to Beaconsfield, the scene of the mine rescue in 2006 where 2 miners were trapped for 2 weeks. One now works at the locl supermarket! No more minign for them I guess. As it is the mine is now closed and no longer an active mine. The Museum of course included a display of how the rescue was planned and performed - interesting to read through it all again.

Drove further up the peninusla again to Beauty Point - the Tamar River really is a lovely river - the day was delightful as well so that made a difference.