We were delighted to find that the forecast -1degree overnight temperature did not eventuate. It came in at a mild 7 degrees, probably due to a heavy cloud cover.
As we drove out of Tarraleah we came across a point above the town where two canals met and from which the water entered those huge pipes to hurtle down to the Tarraleah power station.
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250315 At the top of the Tarraleah head. Water from two canals collect
here before entering the pipes to hurtle down to the power station |
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| 250315 One of the canals. The water is flowing at quite a pace |
We were still in mountainous country and surrounded with eucalypt forests for the first 40 minutes of our drive. We had morning tea at a little village in the forest called Wayatinah which, surprise, surprise, was the site of another hydro power station. Seen one power station, seen them all. What is so amazing is how small these power stations are. However the space taken up by the land cleared to transport the water should not be overlooked as part of their footprint.
There was a 25 year old pine forest on one side of the road which was about to be felled. In so doing, the huge gum trees alongside the road were exposed to the prevailing westerly winds and were at risk of falling over the road. So they were being felled too. We were at the spot at which one big one hit the ground.
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| 250315 Felling trees for safety near Wayatinah - before |
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| 250315 Felling trees for safety near Wayatinah - during |
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| 250315 Felling trees for safety near Wayatinah - after |
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| 250315 Some sizeable trees were felled |
The forest gave way to open countryside with rolling hills covered with yellow grass. Cattle and sheep appeared again and by the time we reached the town of Ouse, we were among smallcrop farms.
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| 250315 Gone are the forests - near Ouse |
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| 250315 The township of Ouse |
For the latter portion of our 122 km drive we followed the Derwent River. It was quite a big river by now. We had begun to see poplars and willows lining the banks and in the various small villages we passed through, the silver birches, the claret and golden ashes, the elms and the oaks were in various degrees of autumn tones. It reminded us very much of the New England Tablelands.
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| 250315 One of many such views in the Derwent Valley |
During the morning we passed some police cyclists who were on a ride to collect money for one of their charities. They waved us by to pass..... on double lines. What is the world coming to.
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250315 These were policemen conducting a charity ride,
undaunted by the hilly country
We are camping tonight at Berriedale, about 15 minutes to the NW of Hobart, on the Derwent River and with a view of Mount Wellington.
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| 250315 The view from our caravan park over the Derwent at Berriedale near Hobart |
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| 250315 From our caravan. Cuppa time, with Mt Wellington in the background |
We have had a sunny day today but tomorrow the forecast is poor.
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