Well - we survived the night but it certainly wasn't what I'd call a smooth crossing . . . things started out OK - we enjoyed a lovely dinner all together and then had a bit of a look around the ship before relaxing in the lounge area. We'd been sitting there for about an hour or so I suppose with the journey relatively calm but it didn't stay that way . . .
Throughout the night, I was OK as long as I was laying down - as soon as I sat up, I'd feel a little nauseas, so I'd lay back down again. I remember having my fingers crossed that Adam would be OK because I didn't know how I'd go if I had to get up to help him. Thankfully, we all survived the night (and managed to keep our dinners down - *grin*) AND here we are in Devonport!
The first thing we decided to do was head to the supermarket and stock up on our supplies - especially fresh fruit & vegetables which you aren't allowed to bring into the State. We then made our way to the caravan park and set up camp. It didn't take long for the boys to disappear though - with a pillow jumping mat in the park, they kept themselves very busy!
With such an early start to the day, we had plenty of time to do some touring of the area and headed east to Port Sorell, Shearwater and Hawley Beach. I loved the rock formations at Hawley Beach - they'd be lovely to photograph later in the afternoon I think!


Once arriving back in Devonport, we then took a drive to the Mersey Bluff Lighthouse.

The lighthouse was first manned in 1889 and is situated on Mersey Bluff, a headland of dolerite volcanic rock of Jurassic Age (185 Million Years). The rock was formed as a sill intrusion, faulted down, to Bass Strait. The rock cooled giving joints and fractures. Some joints are like 'packs of cards' and when eroded, give flat surfaces for seating and surfaces for Tasmanian Aboriginals to carve inscriptions on.

From Mersey Bluff, we then drove around the coast a little to Point Fredrick and spotted 'The Spirit Of The Sea' sculpture.

It represents power & strength - the elements of wind and sea with man rising from the sea. Facing the mountains, it represents the connections between man, the sea and the land, making this a symbolic reminder of our heritage.
From there it was back to camp - it has been such a very long day since we got off the boat. Tomorrow we'll be packing up and starting our journey south to Hobart. It won't be a quick trip there though, there's so much to see along the way!
Shirley