Chris L
Another early start from Scottsdale in an attempt to beat the wind. It didn't really work, but the wind was running out of puff (what did I say?). Another gorge descent on the way out of Scottsdale on the road toward Lilydale. The plan was to visit Lilydale falls, then perhaps push on for Launceston and enjoy a rest day.
Again, there were a few more ups and downs through the forestry areas, but nothing that yielded any outstanding views. At one stage I took a detour toward a Lavender Farm, but I guess Lavender must not be in season right now. The place was nothing more than a field of dirt. Not long after this there was a substantial climb, but again, no real spectacular views on offer (I did look for them, honest!).
Eventually I pushed on to the Lilydale Falls reserve. Apparently you can get a key for the showers from the Lilydale General Store, but of course, being Christmas day, the place was shut (yes I did check when I went into town and spent all my small change on a Christmas phone call to my mother).
Ultimately I decided not to worry about a shower, given that I'd only been showering once every two days since I've been here. I pitched my tent at the reserve, and took a walk through the rainforest to check out the waterfalls. They were quite beatiful and had a surprising amount of water, given what all the Tasmanians had been telling me about their recent lack of rain.
There was another guy at the campsite, earings, shirt unbuttoned to half-way down his chest, although I didn't look closely enough to pay a huge amount of attention. He seemed to be spending a lot of time walking in and out of the toilets in two visits to the reserve. Good job I was camped a long way from them, although I was glad when a campervan with a few other campers turned up later on.
Again, there were a few more ups and downs through the forestry areas, but nothing that yielded any outstanding views. At one stage I took a detour toward a Lavender Farm, but I guess Lavender must not be in season right now. The place was nothing more than a field of dirt. Not long after this there was a substantial climb, but again, no real spectacular views on offer (I did look for them, honest!).
Eventually I pushed on to the Lilydale Falls reserve. Apparently you can get a key for the showers from the Lilydale General Store, but of course, being Christmas day, the place was shut (yes I did check when I went into town and spent all my small change on a Christmas phone call to my mother).
Ultimately I decided not to worry about a shower, given that I'd only been showering once every two days since I've been here. I pitched my tent at the reserve, and took a walk through the rainforest to check out the waterfalls. They were quite beatiful and had a surprising amount of water, given what all the Tasmanians had been telling me about their recent lack of rain.
There was another guy at the campsite, earings, shirt unbuttoned to half-way down his chest, although I didn't look closely enough to pay a huge amount of attention. He seemed to be spending a lot of time walking in and out of the toilets in two visits to the reserve. Good job I was camped a long way from them, although I was glad when a campervan with a few other campers turned up later on.