Day 84: We cross the seventh border to get home (24/08/12)

[PICTURES TO FOLLOW SOON]

Actually, technically the border between Victoria and Tasmania lies somewhere in the northern part of Bass Strait, so the border crossing probably took place while we were fast and innocently asleep. But for us it was made real by descending from the stern of the Ferry – being excreted, so to speak, onto the shore of Tasmania.

The fast and innocent sleep had not been all that successful, as a neighbouring passenger had managed to wake us at regular intervals with cries of distress. After the build-up of weather and wind, and the services of our own weather prophet, Niels, we had expected an exceptionally rough ride across the Strait, but it had turned into quite an anti-climax. There was some bumping and grinding, but it was not even as bad as on the way north three months ago. Well before we were woken by the saccharine tones of the stewardess at 10 to 6 in the morning we had been sailing in very calm waters.

Saccharine or not, the wake-up call could not be ignored, so we stumbled about in the unfamiliar surroundings ( the cabin did not look at all like our familiar caravan), trying to get our sleepy heads into gear. Up on deck we looked out on a sleepy Devonport under a grey dawn with rain pelting down. “Should we have come here at this time of year?” Joke asked. “Yeah, perhaps we should have gone to Queensland, instead,” I replied. But hang on a minute! We live here, we are home! We gave ourselves a good shake, fanned away the rose-coloured fog that surrounded us, and let in some of the cold hard reality. This was the end of the holiday. Or would be when we had done the last 100 kms to Launceston.

We descended, went through another quarantine inspection (that’s 2 in Melbourne and 1 in Devonport!) and drove out into the quiet streets of early-morning East Devonport. Thankfully, the rain seemed to be coastal and the sky gradually cleared as we drove inland. As has been the case before when we returned from the mainland, everything looked new and different to us, very green and very clear. As if to welcome us, the sun broke through to light up the whole side of Mount Roland. What a great place this island is!

A short drive and we were ready to leave the highway and drive through the quiet streets to reach home. The sun was out. We were home. 

Home!

We had done almost exactly 15000 kms around half the country without any major mishaps, without injury, with great enjoyment. 

It wouldn't be me without a few stats, would it? Had much fun with these on the way. They will be useful for planning the next trip!

We had seen a lot and learnt a lot. We could thank our heavenly Father for his protection and care, for allowing us to experience this great journey.