photography

As they say, Winter is Coming

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We had our first snow flurries this weekend. We’ve (mostly Tim) tucked in the house and winterized the tools and watch the sun set at 4:30. 

The mountains had some brief beautiful fall colors.  

   
I forgot to take pictures though.  The deer and turkey were plentiful before hunting season. Now I have to remember to grab an orange vest before I run and their numbers have dwindled. 

  
We picked the perfect day to explore the old fort at Crown Point. 

   
    
  
But a new kitten and knitting and weaving projects occupy most of my time. And sometimes it becomes a tangled mess. 

  

  

Just like world affairs.

 

Holy mackerel, look what I found

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I looked up from the newspaper this morning and saw this beautiful rainbow.  A double rainbow tried to emerge but this one one arced from peak to peak. I went up the hill to the cabin to look for the pot of gold but only found two mice. 

We are lucky to be home during the peak leaf colors for a change.  Last week we hiked a new trail up to a fire tower which provided 360 degree views of striking colors. Somehow I forgot my camera.

  
  

 I finished a bunch of hunting hats just in time.

  
The orange one is hand knit. The three deer hats were made on a Passap knitting machine.  Learning to use the knitting machine has sapped days of my time, to the point where I had to vow to exercise before I got caught up in it.  And sometimes it works like a charm.  Unfortunately, a few are too small and they’re not really appropriate for a child’s head so if you know of small headed adults, let me know.

The orange seemed appropriate for hunting season because the cable pattern is antlers.  The pattern is free on Ravelry called Antler Hat, worked up with worsted yarn, makes a quick knit.

Lots of projects under way. A homespun quilt, 8-shaft woven scarf, cobweb lace shawl, child’s sweater. I bounce around the house like a pinball.  Stay tuned. 

Deal Island: parting shots

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We greeted the next caretakers, Graham and Leonie, helped them unload and get settled, and then made a pasta dinner. It was a lively evening and our first glass of wine in 6 weeks!

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I know the feeling when you wave goodbye to your last visitors for the next few months. Bittersweet, but mostly sweet.

We arose early Thursday and departed Deal Island on the Strait Lady. It was the calmest and fastest crossing to Flinders Island we ever had. We saw the sun rise on the cliffs of Deal,

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a last view of the compound,

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sunrise to the east of Bass Strait,

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And sunset from Flinders Island looking west.

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A perfect ending to a fabulous three months. We met lots of interesting, hearty, brave people, took good care of the island and each other, didn’t break anything nor have to be airlifted for emergencies.

Maybe we’ll be back again.

Me and my Ute

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I mowed the airstrip the other day with the little Daihatsu Ute and a tow behind mower. Airstrip is a bit of a stretch. It is a relatively flat area, which has been used in the past as an airstrip but us primarily a wallaby feeding ground these days.

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Then today, we had a phone call from someone who wanted to land here. We couldn’t authorize it and advised them to contact Tasmania Parks and Wildlife. We never heard anything but a small plane buzzed us today. It circled twice and gave us a wing tilt, then left.

I’ve been pulling sea spurge, an invasive plant, with the weedies who are here working. Yesterday we worked our way up a steep hill. It was sunny and hot so we had a nice swim before lunch in East Cove. Lovely.

Yesterday’s sunset was outstanding.

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Even on reflection.

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Squally Cove

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We took a walk to Squally Cove the other day. It’s a bit of a hike: lots of slippery switchbacks with ti tree leaves; and is completed by a rope attached to a tree for the final descent to the beach. There are lots of trail improvements: rock steps at several turns, a ladder cut into a log and a rope handle to use while slip sliding down the steep part near the beach.

There’s a wreck from the early 1900’s visible on the beach, the Karitane. There was a big salvage operation after it sank to recover copper in 1922. Last time we were here, Tim, with a little help from me, reclaimed the “old squally track”. It climbs way up before descending down to meet the main trail. We took it home and had beautiful views of the lighthouse and compound.

We had about 26 hours on our own before more visitors arrived. A group of “senior” kayakers from Tasmania. They couldn’t have been nicer. They camped on the beach at East Cove. I made a substantial apple cake and shared half with them when they came to say goodbye. They’re heading to Flinders Island at 0200.

We meet the nicest people here. It’s hard to get here, which makes the beauty all that more spectacular.

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A tree falls

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A large she oak tree fell on the track to Winter Cove. Never fear. Volunteers here. Tim got approval to use the chainsaw and off we went in the little Ute. We made quick work of it and have some firewood to boot.

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Meanwhile, I got to drive the Ute.

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That’s me on the right with the gear shift on the left. At least there are no other cars or right turns!

Skinks were out in big numbers the other day. They were on the entrance to the garden and all over the lighthouse steps. I think they may be the blue tongued variety, but none stuck out their tongues at me.

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We’ve added our home to the destination signs at the entrance to compound. 16,518 kms, unless you are trying to qualify for airline miles. Then it’s much less. Now they award “dividends”, a fraction of the distance traveled.

Mates4mates made it here after waiting a week for a weather window on Flinders Island. They are crossing the Bass Strait in sea kayaks to raise awareness for their organization, which supports wounded, injured and ill Australian Defense Force personnel. They are a group of 12 men, ranging in age from 25 to 66 years old and are in great spirits while they wait for today’s gale to blow through. Then they will be off to Hogan’s Island to the north and finally Wilson’s Prom, in Victoria.

We watched another boat drag anchor in West Cove, across the Pass, during this morning’s gale. We were able to contact them to discuss the anchorage but they hauled anchor and headed north. We’ll check later to see if they sought refuge in Garden Cove, on the north side of the island, which would have been protected from the southwesterly gale.

Never a dull moment on this “deserted” island!

Chasing rainbows

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We try to air the lighthouse in sunny, breezy days to prevent mold and algae growth. It takes at least an hour to walk there and back. Tim opened it in the morning and I closed it before dinner.

To my delight, I saw several rainbows during my walk.

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When I got to the lighthouse, sea squalls looked like clouds rising directly from the ocean.

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And there were more rainbows arising from the sea.

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Magic.

I’m not at home until I’ve waxed the floors

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It’s true. On my hands and knees. My kids will tell you how treacherous life was after I applied butcher’s wax to our wood floors. A brief walk in socks could send you flying.

Same is true here on Deal Island. What struck me the first time we were here was how the floors shined. They were clean this visit but not gleaming. While Tim was off clearing nasty nettles off the track to Winter Cove, I got busy.

First I washed and stripped, the floors. I looked forward to using the 1950’s era home floor polisher again. Just like the ones used in commercial spaces but smaller, and fun!

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Then I applied two coats of wax. Now I can call the Caretaker’s house home.

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We had some fair weather and aired the lighthouse and buildings. I took some nice shots of the living compound during our walk.

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We stay in the group of buildings in the distance, to the right of center. It’s about a 40 minute walk to the lighthouse from there.

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Today there’s a gale wind from the northwest. I’ve done the best I could to protect the plants in the garden. Time will tell.

Our local wifi spot

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Weather has changed a bit as the result of at least one cyclone traveling south but nowhere close to us. With the fog and low pressure, we lost internet service in the house. Luckily there’s a hotspot on the island. This is our view from it. Why are we on the internet?

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Tim calls it a lukewarm spot.

I am fine with the down time. I finished my merino mohair blanket and experimented with my charkha spinning wheel. I even spun some acceptable cotton.

We’re still entertaining visitors. Today we had tea with a retired physician from Sydney who has been visiting Deal Island for more than 20 years.

Yesterday was foggy but I also smelled smoke. I chose to run to winter cove. I was concerned because I still smelled smoke and saw wafts of fog drifting in but that’s all it was, fog. Apparently there was a controlled burn in the mainland, which we could smell because of the wind.

We celebrated St. Patrick’s day with a shot of single malt scotch and chicken pot pie. Good cheer to you!

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