Stanley and the Nut. Chapter 15.

 

 

Stanley nestles below a 152m high volcanic rock formation called the Circular Head, more fondly known by its nickname ‘the nut’.   purported to be over 12.5 million years old it has stunning views from the top I cant’ attest to this as I was spending the day resting on the beach.   The town is ‘cute’ – old-fashioned, regenerated weatherboard houses surrounded by nodding long-stemmed flower balls and  picketed fences that line the street under the nut whilst the shops smack of times gone by when women promenaded along the sea front, in voluptuous skirts and long-sleeved blouses. shaded from the sun by parasols.

The restaurants offer a la carte menus at a reasonable price or you could just buy your own food from the local supermarket, cook as the day fades and eat as the sun sets.

As usual we headed out to catch the sunset and as usual the sun was ins the wrong place.  However, what we did find at the viewpoint was cheap honey, an honesty box and a sign that said due the fact that people were taking the produce and not paying cameras had been installed and that they were watching you!   We spend a lot of time looking for the camera – empty threat but what a shame that people still consider 10 dollars for a bucket full of honey to be too much and have to short change the bee keeper.

Stanley has produced a prime minster Joseph Lyons and a that is supposed to be onof the oldest houses in Australia – even I , who comes from England where historic buildings abound was impressed.

A farm with a history of convicts

here are two views from the campsites – second campsite is free.

Seagull’s checking us out

I loved Stanley, this was a place I could see myself retreating to, living in a house with a view and writing that book that I’ve never got around to yet.

And so my journey  through Tasmania was over.  The next day we packed up and headed back to Devonport to catch the ferry – stopping at the renowned chocolate factory/shop/restaurant on the way to console our drooping spirits.

Back at work, I bounced into my daily 7.45am meeting.

“You have a spring in your step” someone observed

“Give it two weeks” I replied

“How about two hours” someone else responded.

It’s been 2.5 weeks so far and I’m still buzzing – Put Tasmania on your Bucket List – you will not regret it.