Oysters, Chocolate, Cheese and Wine, Bruny Island. Chapter 9.

When the weather is bad, eating and drinking in a cosy environment is always a good idea. Luckily Bruny Island has a plethora of cottage industries that cater for those of us who are less hardy and adverse to being weathered by the wind.

After camping for the night at 7 mile beach (or is that kilometer?), just outside Hobart, and witnessing a spectacular sunset we woke to the first grey day of the holiday.

As we caught the ferry to the island it started to rain and the wind velocity ratcheted up. Not a great day to be camping but as all other accommodation was booked out (including unpowered sites) we had to pitch the tent in the free campsite.

Have I mentioned that there are a lot of free things to do in Tasmania? Of course I have because I can’t get over it! The state is RV friendly and provides free campsites for motor homes and campers. If you are able to cope with a basic toilet facilities and no showers for a day then this is a good alternative when accommodation options are chock-a-block. Tourist information even gave me a map with all the free campsites marked on it!

So what to do on a wet, cold and windy day on Bruny Island when your none 4 wheel drive, 12-year-old car throws a tanty and starts to shake itself to bits on the unpaved, potholed roads that cover most of the island? Have an epicurean tour (paved roads only) to check out the local food and wine industry of course. Oysters, wine, chocolate (the caramel fudge with white chocolate was a winner), award-winning wine, local cheese and cream teas with raspberry jam made by Nonny were all consumed with relish.

The sign said “We do not supply Lemons, 40c for a whole one, 20c for half. Dont’ whinge to us you should have brought your own!”

I said “Cheapskates” (out of hearing of course)

Homemade fudge and chocolate – only 5 dollars for a packet of cut offs (and it lasted at least 10 minutes)

Cheese wrapped in wine soaked vine leaves. Cheese wrapped in ham then baked, Yum.

Award winning vineyard

10j

sigh…….drool……tummy rumble.

Replete we headed back to camp calling in at a couple of beaches along the way as the sun had decided to show itself

Then it was time to rest out stomachs and prepare for a night of penguin spotting at the Rookery, which entailed and quick nap and ………more food. A hot meal (no mean feat on a single burner camp stove!) for a cold night (well you know you have to justify it somehow 🙂 )