Northward bound
 |
| Cape Wickham Lighthouse, the tallest in the southern hemisphere |
I wake to a lovely day, clear blue skies and a light breeze. So ideal for exploring.
Before going further afield, I head into town to fill up with petrol. I consider it best to close my eyes and wave my payment card rather than dwell on the cost.
Heading north, I stop briefly at the top shop at Reekara, but it's closed. It's only open very limited hours so I proceed to the Springs, driving through some beautiful coastal heath once off the main road; and arrive to some more lovely coastline and the northern end of Yellow Rock Beach
I did need to stop for a blue tongue lizard which was right in the middle of the road.
I'm barely 50m onto the beach before I feel the need to extract my trash and treasure collecting bags. Unfortunately there's more for the format than for the latter, but I did spot a lovely violet sea snail shell, collected a rather attractive cowry and spotted a rather dried out Physalia, the blue bottle. I'd seen a couple of these on the southern end of this beach the other day
 |
| Janthina janthina - the violet sea snail |
A pair of hooded plovers preceded me along the sand and I did my best to stay down on the wet sand to avoid the risk of treading on nesting sites.
The blues of the water are reminiscent of the blues of tropical waters.
 |
| Stunning blue - but hard for the camera to capture |
It wasn't the easiest of beaches to walk upon so I turned around and headed back to go and explore my next destination.
On the way to Cape Wickham light, I paused at the memorial to the wreck of the Neva, a ship carrying mainly a cargo of female convicts and their children. She hit a reef and 224 lost their lives immediately or overnight with only 15 survivors. The second worse of Australia's maritime disasters.
The captain was amongst the first to abandon ship and managed to save his own neck. He was never held to account for that particular action.
I explore the site of the Cape Wickham lighthouse, which commenced operation in 1861 and is the tallest lighthouse in the southern hemisphere. Further shipwreck information about the Loch Leven and a few graves and commemorative plaques were also close by. I also wonder about some very solid concrete remains on top of a small hill next to the lighthouse...
The area is very exposed to the wind and even though the wind today is mild, it's stronger here and cold.
Then onwards to Disappointment Bay. It seems its name stems from the wrecking of the Neva and the 'disappointment' of the lives lost. Local lore apparently has many of the bodies buried in the dunes behind the beach.
I walk the length of the beach and I'm delighted to note that there's very little trash apart from an accumulation right at the eastern end, but also very often treasure.
There's a few shells and some broken shells, but nothing that really grabs my attention other than a valve of a chiton, which made me remember how fascinated I was by those as a young teen before I had any means of finding out what they are.
I spend a while in the relative shelter of some rocks at the eastern end of the beach before shouldering my backpack and returning to the car.
The walk back is easier with the wind on my back and near the western end of the beach I do find a few interesting little shells.
My next destination is Martha Lavinia Lagoon, which iNaturalist has told me has orchids. I am not disappointed. I find leaves of red beaks almost as soon as I have parked with many more leaves in the general vicinity
 |
| Leaves of the red beak orchid Pyrorchis nigricans |
There were some other leaves but I didn't really know them, they were later identified for me as Eriochilus cucullatus, commonly known as parson's bands.
 |
Eriochilus cucullatus, parson's bands leaf |
 |
| Eriochilus cucullatus, parson's bands leaf |
 |
| Eriochilus cucullatus, parson's bands leaf |
 |
| Eriochilus cucullatus, parson's bands leaf |
Then I spot a tiny little orchid bud which I initially thought might be a Sun Orchid but then, after finding a minute Caladinia pusilla, decided that the buds were also Caladinia pusilla.
 |
| Caladinia pusilla 'tiny fingers' - a threatened species |
I also found a single bearded green hood, is always exciting.
 | |
|
This whole area has been classified as a Ramsar wetland and I am surprised at the amount of evidence of vehicles on the shores of the lake and the whole wetland area.
I continue on to Penny's Lagoon, which is a little freshwater lake that locals use for recreation. Given that there is no water source feeding i,t nor water outlet, one hopes water quality will be maintained over time. There's some good visitor facilities in the area but disappointing to see toilet paper beside the picnic shelter when there is a toilet just up the road.
 |
| Penny's lagoon |
From there to Martha Lavinia Beach, a big long steeply sloping Ocean Beach, on which I have a very short wander.
 |
| Martha Lavinia Beach |
On my return I slow down at one point thinking that I spotted an orchid stem and butt and upon closer examination I was correct. I'm guessing a variety of Sun orchid but which particular species I could not say.
Then it was back to my Airbnb and another lightning quick shower and change of clothes before heading into town for some culture!! Tonight was an art gallery opening, about which aAnne from the car hire had told me.
As I arrived, a couple of ladies welcomed me pointed me towards the alcohol and food and told me to get myself organised with that and then socialise. Apparently looking at the art was optional.
I procured a glass of wine and proceeded to look at the art on display, some of which was interesting, then found myself in a room with a small number of people watching video footage of one of the art pieces being flown like a kite. The artist explained her work and I ended up chatting with the lady I was sitting next to, an older local lady who is very interesting, who after instructing her grandson to get her yet another glass of wine told me about herself and her approach to life, the universe and everything.
When I left, I seemed to have a couple of new friends, one of whom will possibly visit me in Hobart, and the grandson, Scott, who has promised me gin tastings at the airport to keep me occupied before I leave the island on Sunday.
Been back for dinner at my Airbnb of stir-fried vegetables and a King Island lamb chump chop which was remarkably tender.
Some good pre-sunset colours we're on display before the sun dipped into the cloud bank on the horizon.
Comments
Post a Comment