Heading South.....

After a three month stay in Ulverstone, we finally left on Sunday, making our way down to Snug, just south of Hobart.  We enjoyed our stay there and in a way, was sad to leave but we will definitely return sometime next year.

We drove a whole 14 kilometres to Forth and the GPS took us on all the backroads so it was an interesting and winding drive.  We stayed Sunday and Monday nights at the Forth Recreational Ground which is a lovely spot next to the wide, and strongly flowing, Forth River.

The Forth River

 A nice large grassy area is set aside for fully self contained RV’s, so you have to self sufficient,  that is to be able to provide your own power, have a holding tank for grey water, your own shower and toilet although there are good clean toilets there. There is no dump point though.

Area set aside for RV Free camping at Forth

The maximum stay is 48 hours but Andrew, the ranger from the council said that we could stay longer as it was not very busy there.  There were a number of large groups when we arrived….I think they came for the long weekend (it was Show Day in Devonport on Friday) but around midday, most had left to head home so we were left with about 15 there, an assortment of caravans, motorhomes, whiz bangs and a couple of sedans. Yes, people travel and sleep in their cars, normally overseas tourists.

One thing that is great at present, is that we are getting enough power into our solar panels.  This didnt happen in winter because of the angle of the sun and the short duration that the sun was shining.   Now, the sun shines from 6am to well past 8pm and we are still getting solar coming in.  So, every electrical device gets fully charged each day and the batteries are full for overnight for the running of the fridge and Nicks CPAP machine.

Home....and the solar is pouring in. 

There was a pub within walking distance (we didn't go there but we heard it had good meals) and there was also an interesting coffee shop.

The area around Forth is hilly, green and a large vegetable producing area. For example, Perfecta, a producer who is a major exporter of onions worldwide to destinations such as Japan, South-East Asia and Europe.  They also grow, pack and export cherries.

Around about (the whole of the North East Coast) there are paddocks of white……pyrethrum…which is used to make a natural insecticide from the dried flower heads.  They can also just be used as flowers of course, being from the chrysanthemum family they look just like daisies. Tasmania is a major producer of pyrethrum on the world stage.

Pyrethrum

Tasmania also has a opium poppy industry and we passed fields of white poppies, but I didnt get to stop for a photo.  Click here for a fact sheet on the poppy industry.  The warning signs put up all  along the fences are interesting.

Premium Fresh is another producer in the Forth area who grow carrots (including purple ones) onions, swedes, turnips shallots, leeks and brussel sprouts.

After Forth, we traveled 30km to Sheffield…a town well known for its murals.  We are staying here at the free RV camp site two nights.  Again no power or facilities although there is fresh water and a dump point. It has been extremely windy and I mean windy….the sort of wind that shakes a 3.5t van.  Needless to say, I have not ventured outside the van in two days.  Like you in your home, I have plenty to keep me occupied….

This will be the third time we have been to Sheffield so I do not have any photos of the murals but if you click on the link it will take you to images of the fabulous murals (images of murals sheffield)

Heres hoping that the wind dies down for a short journey to Railton tomorrow.