Saturday 9th March, we went for a drive up the North East corner of Tassie, pretty much wilderness out there. After refueling at Gladstone (a wayside stop) we continued to Musselroe Bay, absolutely nothing there except for a few run down beach places. However the beach was beautiful and I was able to walk along the beach (back brace on) and we found a little rocky area and I took off the brace and my shorts and very gingerly lowered myself into the cold water. It was heaven on my back and also getting the weight off my feet felt so much better. I think I could have stayed like that all day it was just so lovely.
We Headed down to Ansom Bay thinking we might get a tea/coffee there but nothing much there either - it was a very unimpressive drive, then when we got back to Bridport the cafes were closing. We managed to get a drink and some chips and had that in a very nice park, probably the nicest part of the day and close to home...well expect for the water therapy on my back.
Sunday, I thought my back could cope with some golf so we drove to Tam O'Shanter golf course, about 35kms. There was a big group in front but they had played 9 (it's a 9 hole course with 18 tee boxes), so they hit off the 10th and we waited for them to clear but evidently they had played 18 and were just playing a skins rounds on one more hole, so they finished up and we were pretty clear for the rest of the game. It was a nice little course with very tricky greens, one in particular was very frustrating, a par 5, 3 to get down and the. About 7 putts to get in the hole which was precariously placed on the edge of a slope down.
My back was not good to start and I didn't have a lot of movement in my right hip however after a bit of stretching & walking it improved a lot and I was able to hit some good balls, although our scores were not impressive.
Monday 11th March: Leaving Bridport to head for Coles Bay, we were packing up when Heather & Robbie from the next apartment who were also packing up said they had played at the same course yesterday, and had been going to ask if we wanted a game with them but then thought maybe my back wasn't good. Anyway we talked a bit and they gave us their phone number as they live towards Hobart at Cambridge and said to look them up for a game. Anyway we were all heading off in the same direction and all going to the "Tin Museum" at Derby so we met them there and ended up having morning tea together, talking more and we planned to meet them on Wednesday at Bicheno to play golf.
Coles Bay is a lovely place, our accomodation looks ok, not too central which means quiet so that is good and plenty of space in the cottage. We have the Hazards Mountain Range looking out our window and they are so spectacular especially with the sun setting on them.
Tuesday 12th March we drove into the Freycinet National Park and bought our Park passes, got some tourist material and headed into the park for a look around.