This morning after a wander around the bay, we head to Cygnet to visit Phoenix Creations gallery, David carves beautiful spoons and stirrers from reclaimed, and recycled Tassie timbers. And does it so beautifully.

We had to leave with one… but gee it was hard to choose which one!

I then take a detour, telling Mum and Gaz we were on the scenic route to Huonville, a couple of turns bring us to a familiar sign… Fat Pig Farm – little did they know we have a booking for an afternoon Friday Feast… they were very surprised and rather excited!!

So after being greeted by Sadie, we met Matthew and their wonderful team. And took our seat at their long lunch table.

This feast is all about paddock to plate, and it didn’t disappoint. After several dishes and a few drinks, it was time for a wander. To see where all these fabulous tasty veggies are grown, and say hi to the pigs too…

Back to the table for more dishes and then dessert.

We leave full as a boot and all with smiles from ear to ear… What a Great Day!!

An early morning attempt at Lake photos, but for the first time in about a week the frost held off, so the shoreline wasn’t as interesting as the breakfast in the Lodge dining room.

Due to copyright restraints there are no photos from The Wall, what an amazing installation. 100 meter wide Huon Pine panels all hand carved. A must see…

No restraints on one of our favorite sights nearby, the wooden hydro pipe. We saw this leaking like a sprinkler hose in summer, but this time the leaks are frozen and forming icicles – really cool!

We continue South, to Randalls Bay, for our little weekender with views over the Huon river.

Frosty starts to the day mean sleep in and wait for it to melt. At 10:30am the trees and ground are starting to defrost.

Heading for lunch at Queenstown, and a near miss for our first road kill – a Western spotted quoll, on the left of the road, took a sudden dash across our path, brakes slammed on and amazed it made it thru to the other side unscathed.

What an unusual sight to see a nocturnal carnivore at midday!

We enjoyed some pub grub before heading east to Lake St Clair.

Along the way, short walk into Nelson falls, in the Franklin Gordon Wild Rivers NP, our number 31!

We were all surprised by its size and loudness…

After a restful night, and keen to get back to Cradle Mountain we all decide (even Nan) to do the Dove Lake track, a 3 hr circuit, which happened to be our 30^th short walk, from the  60 Great Walks app. Yay halfway thru them! (not all done this trip – its taken 3 visits to get to 30!)

Our lunch stop, at the southern end of the lake, with Cradle Mt looming above us, we were all grateful for a warm bowl of noodles to help get thru the wintry conditions.

Max & Gaz take a quick detour from the circuit track, up towards Cradle’s saddle to Wilks Pool, just around the snow line….

So impressed with Mum’s (nan’s) fitness! I had trouble keeping up with her!  Powered on all day, and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

By Leni:

Mum & I head off to the Devils@Cradle wildlife park, a breeding program helping to stop the close extinction by the threat of the facial tumors on Tasmanian Devils.  It was nice to discover that on our previous holiday to Tasmania, the devils we en-counted at Maria Island came from this breeding program.

This enclosure had 7 young devils (cheeky teenagers) which were just over a year old.

There were a few enclosures with adult devils (or retired breeders) which were so curious following you around the whole enclosure as you walk by.

They were also breeding quolls. Eastern and Spotted-Tailed. (fast buggers they are) If you were lucky every so often they would come to check you out.

It was an amazing experience to see so many devils and quolls, and to listen to their funny screams and growls.

With no snow predicted on the roads, or frost around (– by the time we get up!) we decide to head to Cradle Mountain. First time visit for the Kids. And the dusting of snow is a first sight for us too.

To our surprise, the rangers station was a hive of activity, loads of people and cars, doubting we would make it to Lake Dove as the car quota gets filled easily, and access is only via a shuttle bus, we were preparing to take our day pack for a cuppa when the boom gate opened, we all quickly jumped back in the car and headed on thru – happy to make our own way down to the lake. Happy Days.

Its windy and fresh, we take the walk west to the beautiful Wombat Pool, with views of the snow capped Cradle Mt, popping out through the clouds every now and then.

We last walked to this pool in the year 2000, when there were only 2 of us… it was much warmer then!!

Taking advantage of the warm clear day, Gary & Max tackle the Mt Roland summit track. Reportedly possible in 1hour return by a legendary local, who we were lucky to meet on the accent.

We didn’t quite make the summit – Seven Shed brewery was calling… and their early winter closing hours were fast approaching.

Back to Silver Ridge at Dusk, perfect time to be amazed by the platypus display in the farm dam.

Back to Silver Ridge at Dusk, perfect time to be amazed by the platypus display in the farm dam.

It was extremely fat & busy – circling the dam, feeding in the shallows, and at the first clear opportunity legged it up the bank to head to the lower dam.

This morning we skirted behind Mt Roland towards Mole Creek – looking for Paradise. Morning tea by a stream, re-fueled we head for a walk to Alum Cliffs.

Deep gorges sandwiched between farmland and wooded forest. Nice to see the rivers flowing even though it was from a long way up.

On return to Silver Ridge, Leni full of adventure, wasn’t keen to sit idle. We donned our wet weather gear and complimentary gum boots to trudge off in the rain – in search of the Silver Mine.

Home to glow worms as well as a Cave Spider – apparently endemic to Tasmania. They can live for 50years and the eggs take 9months to hatch.

One of the largest tree stumps we have EVER seen………

Time to get back as darkness is falling and fog starts rolling in.

Full moon is only a day away… its bright outside, at 10:30pm we have a wander around the farm, no sky action – its crystal clear… stars a plenty.

The view of Mt Roland, from our kitchen window, is looming and ever changing.

Happy to see more blue sky, we decide on a road trip. The rolling countryside offers us lovely views for the 1+ hour drive to Burnie, and our first glimpse of Bass Straight, its a beautiful calm day, we make our way straight to the Makers Studio for some paper-making.

Next stop Hellyer Road Distillery, a tour and tastings on offer, nice to see this wonderful company has grown from strength to strength since we visited 3.5 years earlier…

Gaz eagerly poured then wax sealed himself a bottle of cask strength whisky, the numbers on the barrel refer to the year/day of the year and number of barrel. So this lovely golden liquid is from 2006, 278th day of the year (October 4th) and 12th barrel of the day.

Another cosy night by the fire, after our slower drive back to Mt Roland, in the dark – through the thickest fog we have experienced in a while.

A lazy morning at our cabin before setting off for a forest walk thru the tall trees at O’Neills Creek, with a little food foraging – yum Mushrooms….

Promised Land was near, and we were keen to have a challenge at Tazmazia and wander the streets of Lower Crackpot.

After lunch at Moina, Round Mountain lookout, provided great views, elusive phone service – for catching up on calls & emails and a great cuppa…

Time to head back for sunset at the farm, just as the sun dips low enough, Mt Roland reflects the skys sunsetting colours.

Reluctant to leave our lovely cabin, on such a beautiful morning. We pack up and head for Pine Lake.

Last visited in Summer 2016, today was a very different scene, along the boardwalk we came across a woman from Melbourne, dressed only in active wear, a little distressed from a stumble off the boardwalk, onto the frosty, snow covered rocks half a meter below, she had lost her footing whilst blinded by the sun and landed on the craggy rocks, dropping her telephone and single car key, the phone was visible, but the key had vanished.. we all helped look for some time, but had no luck, starting to realise the seriousness of being stranded in snowy frozen environment with no access to her car, we called off the search and sent her with Gaz in our car to find the nearest mobile phone reception to call for help. Meanwhile the rest of us braved the brisk wind and views of the frozen lake to await their return.

After fare-welling Kim and leaving her in the hands of the trusty tow truck driver, we carry on with our day.

Deloraine is our halfway point for today, supplies – shopping – lunch, fireside with mulled wine!

Hard to drag us away from this….