Ulverstone 10 – 15 Nov 2007

Woke up with just enough time to enjoy the ship gliding into Devonport Harbour. It was a perfect crisp sunny morning. The sun seems sharper, similar to when you go to the snow. Devonport looked very attractive with houses and town buildings gently set out on the harbour’s edge and masses of greenery. We explored the town by car and were very impressed with the bountiful displays of FLOWERS! It felt like the UK! The rhododendrons are still in full flower and lots of beds of flowers that would not grow so profusely in NSW! For those that care, how about lilacs, beds of cineraria, foxgloves, polyanthus, apple or cherry blossom everywhere?
We found a great produce market and delighted in purchase of large cheap bunches of rhubarb, bag of apples, Dutch Cream potatoes (never heard of them before), raspberry jam and an apple Linzer tart.
Drove east looking out for a quiet location so we can rest up and get some things sorted out. Happily stopped in Ulverstone which is turning out to be a great stop. We are right on the beach with a few shrubs in front. The weather has been mostly spectacularly sunny with a touch of coolness but really close to perfect. Took a drive along the old coastal drive to the next town, Penguin, and were amazed at the colourful flowers growing on the sides of the road and railway line. The rail is unprotected by fences and right next to the road and the flowers are planted right up to the track. There were even little arches of flowers leading to pathways across the line and reminded us of Cottington Green, Canberra. All informally done without OHS restrictions - couldn’t dream of it in NSW!
Peter did a U-turn into a house with an antique sale sign out the front and was entertained by the eccentric owner who Peter recognised as a controversial painter, famous for painting 1,000s of innuendoes in the style of Monet, Streeton, Whitely, Dobell etc. (that were fraudulently on sold by others as originals). He was a hyperactive and knowledgeable character with a house full of extraordinary antiques and paintings.
We stayed on in our camp spot in Ulverston for 6 nights, taking the car out for drives or going on long walks around the estuaries and long coastal areas.
We discovered, belatedly, after hearing noises like growling ducks at night, that we were in the middle of penguin rookery. So for the last three nights we were out on duty observing the delightful tiny Fairy Penguins. They are currently laying eggs and taking turns to go out to sea to eat leaving their mate behind in the bush beside us. At night they come out on to the lawn and cause havoc to some mobile home people in the park by partying under their home. Parties start at 1030pm! Even though they are shy they tolerate you watching them.