Australia 2009 - days 18 to 22 at Freycinet and Hobart (plus climbs on Mt. wellington)

Day 18.
We intended to do the three hour return walk to Wineglass Bay but unfortunately it rains. Instead we spend the day washing clothes, reading climbing guides and planning. In this photo one can see Sofie reading the guide to Arapiles with her dad.






That afternoon we go swimming at Honeymoon Bay. The water is too cold and salty for Sofie. However she does get to splash a little with the help of her dad.









In the evening dad sets off to see Blue penguins (previously known as Fairy penguins ) in Bicheno. Sofie and mum stay at home as the tour guide doesn't want babies on the tour as they could disturb the penguins if they cry and the trip is also held way past Sofie's bedtime.
Photos (without flash) were permitted and in these shots one can see the penguins.



















Day 19.
Rainy weather again ..... so we sleep in and then decide to drive north along the east coast to the Bay of Fires. This was a good decision as we left the rain behind. Freycinet Peninsula seems to have a micro-climate.

Our first stop was Binalong Bay, this is surf beach, again the beaches are crystal clean.












Mum & Sofie waking on the beach at Binalong Bay.













There was a singe surfer on the water and we waited almost half an hour to get a photo of him riding the waves but as can be seen here he never stood up on his board.










Then mum & dad jumped into the surf, the water was colder than Danish water in the summer!! In this photo Hans is waiting for a wave.










Sofie got to dip her toes in as well with the help of dad. She was not impressed with the cold temperature.


















We then continued into the National Park to Skeleton Bay.
In these 2 photos one can see Skeleton Bay with mum & Sofie in the foreground and waves crashing on a rock in the background. It was a great beach!























The coast at Grants point. The rocks are colored red by moss.













We drive home via Humbug Hill, and these two photos are taken at the top of the hill.

























We had made a 7.15 pm reservation at Madge Malloy’s that night which we had to rush home to. The restaurant is run by Madge (who does the waitressing) and her husband who catches all the fish and is the chef so punctuality was important. We were running late but manages to run to the restaurant with 1 minute to spare.
Sofie has too many things to look at so we give up on trying to get her to sleep. In this photo her dad is throwing her into the air.



















Sofie's fascination with the food we eat is grow. In this photo she is eating some roasted carrot..........


















............... and here she studies a very impressive Perch baked with crab on a potato base. It tasted fantastic and Sofie actually ate some of the potato.

















This photo is pretty typical of Sofie's reaction to us when we eat. Her head moves up and down following each fork filled with food. This is actually quite good for her as she has learned to chew food by watching us do it instead of just spitting it all out.







Day 20. Sofie is 6 months old!!!!!
We again plan to do the three hour return walk to Wineglass Bay after we pack up the tent etc. But again we wake up to rain & fog which is a drag so we again cancel the walk.
In this photo one can see a Praying Mantis on our tent. This little fellow was quite impressive and 12 cm long!! After we photographed him we carefully moved him to a tree.








That evening Gabi, Hugh & Alice visited us at our campsite and they actually brought dinner along. Service!! It rained so we all had to sit in our tent. Luckily the tent is large enough and they had their own camp-hairs with them. Everyone was pretty tired so we called it a night quite early.


Sofie was having quite a bad day ...... maybe she doesn't like birthdays :). She was also extremely hungry and in this photo she has latched onto Hugh's nose! Which reminded us all of when she was only 2 days old and latched onto mums chin.






Day 21.
Hugh & Alice meet us at Salamanca Markets. In this photo we are checking put a little plate I was considering buying for Sofie.



















The markets are a variety of fruit & vegetabes, clothing, crafts, second hand things and entertainment. In this photo a group of musicians is entertaining the crowd. Hugh is actually also in a band and is considering doing the same thing.








We spend most of the day in and around the markets and end up eating lunch at Fish Frenzy (see day 16). In this photo we are all enjoying a cappuccino and mum is showing off the romper she bought Sofie. Its really cute and has a kangaroo on the front.







Day 22.
Sofie spend the day with her Auntie Gabi and cousins Hugh and Alice while mum & dad climb on Mt. Wellington again. This time we choose to climb 'Moonraker' which is also a 3 star route, grade 16 (French grade 5+). We spent an hour finding the first belay spot and even though the climb was only 2 pitches (40 + 30 m) it actually took us 6 hours. We agree that we do not wish to climb on Mt. Wellington again, the rock is quite dodgy (loose, hollow, flakey) and route finding doesn't seem logical for climbers not familiar with the area.

Elvira belaying the second pitch. A long way down!





















And in this photo one can see the last moves on the climb ....... a body squeeze up to the rappel point. Had we been a few kilos heavier we wouldn’t have been able to jam our bodies in this crack. Hans actually had to remove his back pack and clip it into protection to do the move!
















Both of us relieved to have finished the quite un-nerving climb, for more details on the climb click here.












Previous posts.

Australia 2009 - days 13 to 17 in Hobart and on our way to Freycinet National Park

Day 13.
Aunt Gabrielle babysits Sofie while we climb 'Fiddlesticks' on Mt Wellington. In this photo Sofie is rugged up in mums puffy jacket early that morning.


















A view of Mt. Wellington.
















A closer view of the route. For more details of this climb check out my husbands blog by clicking here.














Hans and Elvira at the top of the first pitch (approx. 30 m).















Elvira belaying Hans as he leads the second pitch to the top of the climb at approx. 25 m.














Day 14.
We dream of climbing the 'Totem pole' which is substantially more difficult than we can climb (Australian grade 25). But even though we couldn't climb this we ventured out to see it. The drive from Hobart is 3 hours return and the walk is 4 hours return. We took Sofie with us and due to the warm temperatures she didn't sleep so toward the end of the drive home she was quite annoyed with us and gave us quite an ear bashing!!!

In this photo one can see a sea lion waiting for the scraps fishermen throw out.










Hans carried Sofie in the front bearer. She didn't sleep and I'm not too sure she enjoyed the walk which was steep and hot.













The views as we got out of the bush out onto the Peninsula.













More views.
















And finally after bush walking 2 hours in hot and sticky conditions we get our look at the Totem pole.




















Day 15.
We take Alice and Hugh sports climbing at the small crag Fruehauf in Hobart. In this photo Alice climbs the route Bedside Manners are Extra (grade 17).




















Then Hugh and Elvira get a go.





















Hans belays us all.





















Sofie's FIRST climb ........... Finally Sofie gets curious and wants to feel the rock.














That evening we eat out at the famous 'Fish Frenzy' its apparently the best fish and chips in Australia!














In this photo Hugh checks out the food after it arrives. It really is good even if one normally doesn't fancy fried things.













After dinner we walk around Battery point and stumble over a restaurant that Crown Princess Mary worked in when she was a student and before she married the Crown Prince of Denmark!!











Day 16 .
We arrive in Freycinet National Park on the east coast of Tasmania on 16/2 and set up camp at Iluka holiday centre in Coles Bay right on the beach. We spend the day relaxing at our campsite, writing our diary and planning the next couple of legs of our trip.

Day 17.
We buy a 8 weeks pass to the National Parks of Tasmania and have a chat to the Park ranger about walks that are appropriate when travelling with a baby. The ranger recommends three walks which we venture out onto.

In this photo one can see the beautiful coastline seen from the Tourville road lighthouse lookout looking south. The Wineglass Bay beach is just visible in the middle of the picture.










In this photo one sees the coast from the same vantage point however here we look out toward the north end of the coast.











And finally a view of the lighthouse which still functions and is actually relatively new.












Sofie fell asleep on the short walk at Tourville lighthouse so I chose to walk the 3.5 km to the next walk at Sleepy Bay. In this photo one can see a view of the beautiful coastline from sleepy bay. This walk was not as easy with the pram as there were a lot of steps and rocks.







We have lunch and Sofie wakes up, possibly because of all the mosquitoes which we suddenly encountered.













We finally make it down to the beach at Sleepy Bay and in these two photos one can see the coastline and then a closer view of the weird rock formations created by wave erosion.

























Our next stop that day was Honeymoon bay.













A very child friendly beach as there are no waves. However the water is very very cold.














On the first beach we get to we find a rock which would be great for bouldering and Sofie and mum try to work out some moves. The rock is used by most families to provide shade.


















..... and a view of more spectacular coastline. The 'Hazards' (pink granite with lots of climbing) can be seen in the background.





Coles Bay and Freycinet National park are dominated by 'The Hazards' In this photo one can see a panoramic view of the formations taken from the harbor in Coles Bay.


After lunch we head out to Bicheno (north of Coles Bay) to do some shopping and visit a Wilderness park. In this photo one can see a juvenile Tasmanian Devil. The park specializes in these unique animals (the worlds largest carnivorous marsupial). The Tasmanian Devils are presently threatened by 'Devil Facial Tumor Disease - DFTD' which is a communicable cancer of the face. Unfortunately most of the wild populations are now infected so the park is one of the places which can help preserve remaining numbers.

Another Tassie Devil smiling for the camera.





















It was feeding time shortly after we arrived in the park which was lucky as little Sofie thus got to meet some of the animals. In this photo she is getting a close look at Marge the wombat. Marge was orphaned when she was a baby as her mother was hit by a car. She is thus very tame as she was reared by the park owners.







Sofie also got a close look at a young grey Kangaroo.













Previous posts.

Australia 2009 - days 1 to 11 arriving in Sydney, NSW; Philip Island, Victoria & Tasmania

Day 1.
We depart Copenhagen for Bangkok - Sydney at 3 pm, 1/2-09. In this photo Sofie is resting in the basinet that was provided by Thai airlines. She actually only slept in this for 30 minutes. Considering that flight time was 20 hours this wasn't very much sleep. Luckily she did sleep whilst in mums arms!















Sofie checking out the view as we fly over central Australia. The desert is just amazing.




















Day 2.
We arrive at Sydney airport at 9 pm, 2/2-09 and because we had Sofie with us (and the airline had lost our pram) they actually drove us from the gate to customs in a electronic buggy.
Video of the ride in the electronic buggy.

Luckily the rental car office was still open so we picked up the car and then drove to our hotel which was only 2 km from the airport in Mascot. We can recommend the hotel (Formule 1) which is basic but ideal when arriving late.










We also rented a child seat from the car rental company. In this photo one can see Sofie relaxing in the child seat. In this photo she is still dressed in clothing but due to temperatures which soared into the high thirties we quickly changed her into nothing but a singlet and a diaper. She did however cope quite well with the temperature change and the new time zone she was in.






Days 3 to 5.
Our first stop was a quick visit to her auntie Yvonne and cousin Cyan who live about 1 hours drive from Sydney. In this photo dad is introducing Sofie to her cousin Cyan who turns three on 20/2. Amazing how quickly time flies as we all remember when he was Sofie's age as though it was yesterday.









Sofie and Cyan on the sofa. Cyan had expected that Sofie could play with him and was a little disappointed that she was too small to play in the sand and build etc.


















We bought a tent when we arrived in Sydney. In this photo one can see the size of it - it is a 9 man tent but really comfortable with three rooms. In this way Sofie gets her own room and sleeps really well.








A huntsman spider, these are harmless but still quite un-nerving when one meets them indoors.












Cyan saying goodbye to Sofie after breakfast on the day we depart to drive south.














Day 5.
Halfway between Sydney and Melbourne we stop in Albury and intend to camp. But due to temperatures which are in the forties we rent a cabin and spend our time in the pool which is almost bath water temperature!!. In this photo Sofie and mum do some of her swimming exercises.








Then Dad takes over.













Sofie relaxing in the shade after her swim.















Day 6.
We continue south to Philip Island which is located approximately 75 km south of Melbourne. Temperatures are still in the high thirties and luckily we pass through as the freeway we travel on is closed a day later due to bushfires that cost over 190 lives.

The island is famous because of the 'little penguin parade'. Every evening these small birds parade onto the beach to reach their nests. Photos were not permitted so instead we took this photo of mum and Sofie.


















Day 7.
We intend to spend the day on Philip Island but temperatures quickly rise to over 44 degrees! We manage to take a quick visit to a Koala reserve in this photo one can see a mature male koala.


















We also saw a giant lizard in the grass.














In this photo one can see a young Koala that had apparently just left its mum.




















We decided to spend the rest of the day in Melbourne's aquarium. This was air conditioned and we spend almost 4 hours here until it was time to board the ferry to Devonport, Tasmania. The aquarium has a large Antarctica and in this photo one can see a lovely King penguin preening itself.
















More penguins diving.














Sofie stays awake through the whole visit and in this photo she is checking out the fish and sharks in one of the big tanks.











At 6 pm its time to board the ferry. Sofie has taken position at the wheel and looks like a trucker with her bare arms.



















We booked a 2 berth cabin but luckily we got a 4 berth which was great with Sofie. We all slept soundly and had a really early night as the heat had taken it out of us.


















Day 8.
We arrive in Devonport at 7 am and in this photo Sofie sits with her dad after a really nice nights rest in cool temperatures. We drive directly to Hobart (3 hours) and set up camp at the campsite. We then drive to Mt Stuart to visit another of Sofie's aunties (Gabrielle) and two cousins (Hugh and Alice). In this photo Sofie is being introduced to them all.







Later that afternoon Hugh and Alice show Hans how to compose music on his Mac using the GarageBand program.













Day 9.
Our campsite in Barilla only minutes away from Gabrielle’s house. Temperatures in Tasmania are much nicer and we all sleep really soundly in our tent.











Sofie takes a definite liking to Sebastian the dog and he quickly becomes very protective.














Sofie relaxing on her activity mat ....
















..... and she can now sit up with the help of cushions.















Day 11.
Whilst Alice has her first day back at school the rest of us go walking on Mt Wellington (alt. 1270 m) to check out potential climbs. In this photo Hugh, Hans, Sofie and Gabi check out the views of Hobart from the walk.











Hans carries Sofie and in this photo they check out the climbing guide.




















We actually walk 'bush' all the way up to the beginning of one of the routes. In this photo Hans is seen carrying Sofie over the boulder field. She really enjoys the view and falls asleep on the way down.


















That evening we buy a new rope as our 70 m rope is not sufficient for rappelling down the long routes. In the climbing shop we get beta on an area that is appropriate when climbing with beginners as we intend to take Hugh and Alice climbing.

In this photo Hans explains some of the climbing equipment (a number 4 BD Camelot) for Hugh.












Previous posts.