Up early (around six) and stagger out to the fire escape to check out the rowing club - no life visible so head back to bed. Up a couple hours later but still no activity at the boat house - maybe they don't row on Sundays. After packing and checking out of the hotel I was still feeling motivated so I found the public pool. It wasn't the most pleasant experience, but I felt pretty good about getting some exercise (1.5 km). I felt so good about it that I went in to town a found a restaruant that was open (Launceston is absolutely dead on Sundays) and had a huge lunch.
Wandering around Launceston I found my self sinking into melancholy. I don't know if it's leaving Tasmania tonight or if the deserted streets are making me feel lonely. Deside to get out of town and hit the road. I need to get to Devonport to catch the ferry, but it's not more than an hour drive, and they don't start loading until after eleven tonight. I take a longcut and go through the Tamar Valley - Tasmania's chief wine producing region. I only went by a few wineries, but the wine was good, and the cellars were small and friendly (more like the Hunter Valley than Margaret River).
Tasted 11 wines from four wineries:
- Rosvears Estate
- St Matthias Vinyards
- Batman Bridge Vinyards (excellent Cabernet Sauvignon)
- Holm Oak Vinyards (also excellent Cabernet Sauvignon)
I didn't want to be driving the country roads to late (seen lot of wallaby and kangaroo roadkill - and I'd rather not be involved) so I headed for Devonport. Got in around six and while wandering around found the cinema - with a movie just about to start. Saw The Wog Boy which was hillarious. It's an Australian movie and I'm really curious to see if it will be released in the US, and if people will find it funny if they do... After the movie had diner at Mc Donald's - the only thing open.
Got in line for the ferry, it's already a half mile long and they don't even start loading for two more hours! I guess no one knows what to do on a Sunday night in Devonport.
A little excitement when the line starts to move. I get to the ticket booth and give my name to pick up my papers, but she wants to see my student card (I'd gotten a discount). Now I didn't get asked when I checked in from Melbourne, and I just realized a couple days ago that my card has expired as of Jan 1. So I pull over and spend 15 minutes trying to find the card, verify that it has expired (it has) and go to face the music. I think the lady had forgotten about me and felt guilty, because when I showed her the card and agreed that it had expired she said well at least I tried and let me go.
