Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Return to Myrtle Park

The first time we checked into Myrtle Park at Targa, we decided to spend a week here whenever the campsite would be able to fit us in. It is such a beautiful and peaceful spot, with awesome facilities. One of the amazing things is the size of the trees around the campsite.

P3260357

Just behind the campsite is the creek, where every night and morning, the platypus and trout can be observed.

P3250338

If you are lucky, you might even spot an amateur fisherman or two around the place. P3260367

The camp caretakers are Sal and Steve. They are wonderful people who did everything in their power to make our stay enjoyable. They even managed to find Daniel some work in the local area, so we could stay a little longer than originally planned.

Daniel was having a discussion with Steve, when suddenly Steve disappeared and returned with a trout and offered it to us for dinner. At first Daniel refused, but the kids thought it would be great, and Karen thought we could cook it in the fire (she looks for any excuse to start a fire when she is cold), and so it was agreed. Fish for dinner!

P3250323 P3250325 P3250331

Excellent! Beautifully cooked! Amazing Taste!

Thanks Steve!P3260351

This is the delivery vehicle that Steve uses for delivering firewood and picking up the rubbish. Incorporating the latest technology in Tasmanian Air Conditioning systems, the vehicle is a real gem. All he has to do is stay on the left hand side, and the job’s easy.

 

 

P3300405

Camp care-takers Sal and Steve with the Askey-Doran bunch

 

P3240309

When we arrived at Myrtle Park, we had mail waiting for us. School books! yay! We finally have some school work to do. The kids feel this was a mixed blessing. But imagine only doing English and Handwriting practice for 3 months. The kids were actually excited to see Social Studies, Maths and Science arrive. 

So they have to put up with doing school work in this idyllic environment. Interestingly enough, we opened the Social Studies books, and they started with early Australian settlement. In the past 3 months we have visited Old Hobart Town, Port Arthur, Ross, Cambelltown and other historic sites all over Tasmania. Then we opened Josie’s science book and found a chapter on Limestone caves. Last week we visited Marakoopa Cave system near Mole Creek. The children are beginning to understand that they have been getting a live education without studying from books.

They are still trying to convince us to continue with this live educational system, and forget all about the book, but that is not going to happen.

We did manage a few day trips during the week. The first was a farewell in Devonport for Mum and Dad who left on the boat to head back to the mainland, and drive up to Brisbane to spend Easter with my sister, Naomi. We also managed a shopping trip to Launceston, and to Legana to go to church on Sunday.P3270383

While Mum and Dad were in Tasmania, they introduced us to their good friends Brian and Rhonda, also from Townsville. When they came to Myrtle park that same week, it was fantastic to see them again, and share some meals, games (like tennis), and even some tall stories with them. Perhaps we will see more of these wonderful people as we continue our travels.

 

Karen does not like being cold.

When there is a reasonably long walk to the toilets, and you have to complete this walk first thing in the morning, the last thing you need is frost on the ground. This indicates that it is a bit too cold, and it is time we were in a warmer climate.

P3300384

Very beautiful, very cold.

(for us poor Queenslanders)

 

Myrtle Park is one our favourite Tasmanian camping sites. It has been a highlight on our trip, and we hope someday to return and enjoy it all again.

No comments: