As I sit on the front deck in the winter sunshine this week, I'm reflecting on the travels that could have been, had we both not got ill. Dear Ganesha sits on his own in the car - he's our protective mascot on all our travels - waiting for us to be well enough to go places again. I can't wait to head back to Tassie, and have been thinking a lot of the ice falls in the Meander valley and maybe one day hiking there in the middle of winter.

On the last trip I headed out to the Meander Valley for a, well, meander! I didn't want to merely hang out in Devonport waiting for the ferry and wanted a last jaunt into the forest.

I really have gone to some mad spots, often very much in the middle of nowhere. It always turns me off to see a heap of RVs in a place so I tend to head where they aren't.

Lucky Tasmania is so extraordinary that there's more than enough to explore. If you unravelled what it had to offer like string, the line would reach to the moon and back. Rivers, beaches, lakes, mountains and waterfalls, and more. January's road trip was so awesome - I didn't post half of what I discovered there.

Flicking through my photos, I found a ridiculous video of me exploring in the woods, whispering away to myself. I was doing it to send it to Jamie who was already home, but I thought I may as well share it here for your amusement.

The Meander Conservation area is down the end of a six kilometre dirt track, and to get to any number of falls and beauty spots, you have to hike. The Meander Falls sound most magnificent in winter, as the falls can freeze. Imagine long sheets of frozen waterfall. It must be quite the hike in and not for the faint of heart on icy and snow covered tracks, but it's now on my bucket list for sure.

Of course I should have researched a little more thoroughly - the walks from here are a minimum of three hours, and to Meander Falls, it's about seven hours return. That gives you an idea about how big these wilderness areas are.

I was there, however, to find fungi. I didn't have time for a huge walk nor, of course, inclination at this part of the trip. Though it's fairly dry, I do find some on the track before I even enter the forest. Honestly I felt like a pixie in those forests, like I was about to grow lichen on my limbs and mushrooms would begin to sprout from my brain.

The most scary thing, however, was the swing bridge crossing the Meander River. You'll be able to see it in the video. I find them terrifying but I'm not one to let that stop me!

Just before the bridge there is a lovely sculpture made from an old log. It's a homage to the large beasts that walked these lands long, long ago. In the quiet of the forest when the trees creak you can imagine them just out of sight.

I didn't walk too far, as the track seems to go up a steep incline covered in fallen trees. I am not even sure I have the right track, but if I do, it's clear this isn't an easy track to hike.

Crossing over the swing bridge I take an unmarked track to the left, back toward the river. I'm trying to find the water to dip my fingers in and wash my face. I'm a little crazy over water, as some of you might know. Instead, I find an old lodge that may still be used, though I was too creeped out to poke my head in the door. There was an old fireplace and a toilet block falling into disrepair, and a strange smell that really made me feel queasy. Some places you can't handle in the day let alone the mere thought of being there at night.

After exploring a little I head back to Devonport, stopping at a few places along the way to admire the view or have short walks through forests. Damn it was a good trip. For such a small state it sure does have a lot to offer.

With Love,

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