Rain, rain and rain backed up by howling winds and a redolent feeling that this was England rather spoilt the morning. However, knowing we had to move we were up early and breakfasted before packing the car in the wet. Although we are supposedly prepared for all eventualities we have not come equipped for the Tasmanian weather, I only have one pair of jeans and one jumper and we have two pack away macs, hardly sufficient for pouring rain and cold winds. The tour manager was not a happy bunny.
We decided to drive north away from Hobart, along the coast road to Falmouth, unfortunately the rain continued and refused to abate so from time to time we were able to see the ocean and the golden beaches which abound along the coastline. Falmouth was a very small village and in a rather amused manner the tour photographer took some pictures capturing the rural locality.
We then drove up St. Mary's pass to a central plateau bordered on one side by coal mines and high mountains which we just about able to perceive through the mist and rain. The drive back to Hobart was uneventful through farming land consisting mainly of pasture with hills in the distance. Hobart itself proved to to be a huge traffic jam and it took us ages to get back to the house.
We were warmly greeted and given tea and cheese and biscuits before heading out again in the rain to a restaurant where we enjoyed a meal for the tour director's birthday. Surrounded by good friends we had a thoroughly enjoyable evening, full of laughter and bonhomie. Who could ask for more?