AN ESSAY:

Does anyone write essays any more? Is it a satisfactory way for me to put across - as an example - the story of a love affair that began by taking an overnight ferry trip? Or is it considered too long for the forum? In this day and age of instant messaging, is it considered old hat? I have a story to tell and would like to pass it on. The whole thing could be written in fewer words, the emotive and descriptive aspects could be deleted, there are many ways for me to be less verbose, but this is the story. I hope someone gets something from it. It will be interesting to see what response it brings and whether it starts others on a writing 'trip', especially relating to their special place.

CHAZZA

A SPECIAL PLACE... AND WHY...

We were tired. An overnight trip on the Spirit of Tasmania II had provided only limited sleep. That was due to the people in the next cabin seemingly partying on until after 2:00am... and a partner who said No, leave it be, don't cause problems.

Morning arrived, we were off the ship, had picked up our gas cylinders, passed safely through the 'Beagle sniff' and were under way through Devonport by a little after 7:30am. It was fine, mild and sunny, the air so crystal clear as to be unlike anything we had ever before known. It was so sensual, so tangible, we bathed in the splendour of it!

Teamed up with another couple in a second motor home, Sydneysiders who make what they term their bi-annual pilgrimage to Tassie, we headed off on the first day of what was to be the start of a delightful three-month adventure, something that would, in fact, become a love affair. Our friends took us first along what we thought had to be the most beautiful country road in Australia. It went through the village of Don and took us through field and farm, frequently in view of Bass Strait, to the pretty and especially well-serviced town of Ulverstone, the place our new friends said they would retire to within the next couple of years. We can understand why.

En route, we diverted slightly to Braddon's Lookout. This takes in a mountain, sea, river and undulating farmland vista every traveller to the state must see to believe. I won't go into a series of superlatives rather will I say that anyone reading this must make their way to see what the pioneer Braddon saw!

We spent that day, after parking our homes, piling into our A-frame Vitara and driving on the Old Coast Road to Penguin, where we had lunch. My 'Better Half' fell in love at first glimpse of this totally unspoilt little town, located on the beachfront and sweeping up over the escarpment behind. We saw a home for sale on a high point of town with the lovely name, Mission Hill. Buy it...! Now...! Thus came the command, and believe me it was a sentiment with which I almost concurred. The views down over the town and away to the East are as good as any you will find anywhere in this incredibly beautiful land we call home.

A return to Ulverstone, hook up Li'l Suzi, then off on a journey of excitement and discovery, following along behind new friends who had been there, done that before. Already I have nominated a 'most beautiful country road in Australia' but must say right here and now that we drove on at least three others in that one afternoon! We made our way along B and C class roads (which, generally, are of better standard than the streets of our home suburb!) through the countryside behind Ulverstone, especially taken by the rich, red, productive farmland around Kindred and the variety of crops grown.

Why do we import anything from overseas?

Our meanderings took us through to an overnight stop at a place called O'Neill's Creek. Self-sufficient as we are, it was a good spot for us to stay, albeit we joined two other couples already there in cleaning up after those who create mess and make a bad name for the majority who care.

We had a good night. The only partying going on was the chattering of possums (I think?) Tired after a lack of sleep on the night before, after an exciting day's driving and in our own bed, the night simply evaporated! Up again at six (it had already been light for an hour), we found a walking track (which eventually winds its way up Mount Roland; we didn't go that far) and had a good morning constitutional. The highlight of it was to see a Tasmanian Devil, in the wild, in the flesh! I don't know who was the more surprised. We came to a stop and stared; he, too, came to a stop and stared... for about two seconds. With a smile (?) in our direction, he turned and scarpered off into the safety of his bush home.

Twentyfour hours after arrival and we were already in love with the island!

The second day of our twelve week stay took us into Sheffield. I won't now give a blow-by-blow description of all that we found to do just that it included a photo stop to shoot Mount Roland reflections across Treloar's dam, a tour of all the town's murals, a visit to a local museum where we met the interesting and informative Barbara (do you know the world's first coin operated petrol pump was invented and used at Sheffield?), the Town of Lower Crackpot, the amazing Tasmazia maze complex and a lunch on one of the world's great pancakes. Either that or we'd worked up a good appetite!

That afternoon, we sat on a bench in the sun and chatted with locals, visited  Slaters, an olde-worlde type shop in which we bought clothing we never thought to bring with us we were suitably impressed, the selection was incredible! - then made our way to a rustic coffee shop. Here we met Steve, the man who grows saffron, where we had a great cuppa, and where we met Michelle! This is a gorgeous creature, definitely built for comfort, not for speed. Everyone seems to be Darlin' and the term is simply not condescending. This is unsolicited advertising... the cafe's name is Skwiz. It is the local Friday night entertainment venue, with poetry and music evenings; it is a delight, as is Michelle.

Visit!

We were enchanted... and had another 83 days to go! It broke our hearts to leave this gorgeous island at the end of our trip, but it won't be for long. Like our friends with whom we shared the first few days of the trip, we are planning now to retire to what is so patently a better life (although please don't tell anyone, we don't want too many to know and thus spoil it by overcrowding!) We had to return to suburban Melbourne for the nurse graduation of a granddaughter after a three month honeymoon. Every hill you crest, every turn you take, this is a place of unimaginable beauty. The one regret we have is that, in our seventies, we never availed ourselves of its proximity in our earlier years. That is an error we are soon to put to rights, permanently.

Oh, and after finding so many delightful places that might become home, we have pretty much settled on Sheffield, the town of the lovely Michelle! Thank you, Darlin', the lifestyle you and your townfolk enjoy is just what we want to become a part of.

When the good Lord God eventually calls us home, I doubt we will ever be able to go. We will already be in Paradise...! Well almost. Paradise is located just a few kilometres out of town. Don't believe me? Google Earth it...!