2 October 2013 - Treasure Island Caravan Park, Launceston, Tasmania

Rain, rain and more rain, accompanied by winds, wild and cold, all at their worst late in the morning, blowing at nearly 50 kph, gusting to nearly 80 kph. We lay late in bed, battered by torrential rain and even after we were up, stayed in, rather than risk ending up as wet and sodden as the sheep we had seen driving south yesterday. 27.8 mm fell yesterday and a further 8.4 mm today, although I have to say, I expected those statistics to be greater. Our golf umbrella kept in the caravan for short trips across the park tore in the wind this morning and tomorrow will find its resting place in the rubbish skip.

Chris had been in need of a haircut for a week or so, and today offered the time to do this. Once more I donned my apron and took up the clippers, and took to my husband’s locks with great purpose. Every haircut he has had done by a professional has been criticised for the poor result, or the cost, hence I had taken on the task myself. Today the complaints and criticism were no less, so I made it clear this was the last time I pretended to be a hairdresser. I relinquish my responsibility and don’t care whether he has to pay $100 for each trim. I do not need the after-fuss!!!! We have in the meantime recouped the cost of the clippers many times over.

The day was only saved when the rain abated a little and we ventured out to find a supermarket for bread and the newspaper. Our Tomtom took us first to a warehouse rather than the Coles supermarket, but then, in all fairness, it was one for Target, which is related by corporate ownership to Coles. Finally we were taken through a labyrinth of higgledy piggledy one way streets to another which had sold out of our preferred loaf and our favoured daily news journal. Returning to camp, our trusty navigational device did not know that we could not turn right across the highway to the access street to our camp, and so we ended up driving about five kilometres toward Hobart before being able to turn and head back.

We did momentarily consider driving down to the River Tamar to view the port precinct and the park area which is apparently quite lovely, however neither of us felt we would be encouraged to walk out and about so we left any exploration until tomorrow. Obviously our extra days here will extend beyond the two I suggested yesterday. Surely the weather will improve in the days ahead?

Thus was our day; not at all exciting for would be travellers who might bother to read these pages. A watery sun is peeping over the hill, a glimmer of hope before it disappears for the night.