Van Journal Week 5: Tassie tour with mom

Van Journal Week 5: Tassie tour with mom

at home in motion ...

After lived in our new van for over a month, we can say calmly that we get used to the whole "van life". It is certainly true that a home on wheels is a great admission ticket to freedom, but it brings with it some necessary restrictions that are not shown in social networks. What I hadn't expected is how much cleaning and maintenance is required. One might think that life would mean less cleaning effort in a small space, but it is as if the opposite is the case.

let's just say after we had strapped into a backpack, dirty and stinking most of the last week, we had a lot to clean, wash and pack it again. I thought that after I lived in guest houses and hostels, I had the practice under control. Unfortunately, things are a bit more complicated when you move your entire house. The notorious "washing day", a familiar ritual that is shared by Van Louble and gray nomads alike, is at least an all -day event.

On this occasion we wanted to make things a little more sparkling and at the same time create additional space for my mother Caroline. She had booked a last-minute flight to Hobart to accompany us around Tassie at a week.
Alt = “Bruny Island”>

First snow

If you have followed our one -month trip, you already know that we enjoyed sunny coastal weather and warm bath on the east coast. I think it's true when you say that the weather in Tasmania is currently changing.

A cold slump had brought South-Tassage stormy winds and snow. On the way to Hobart, the Mount Wellington was already tires white at its tip.

that was a shock for my mother. She was flown in from the warm, tropical Cairns and suddenly found herself again when she threw snowballs on the Mount Wellington. It was fun to see how much the tropical climate had spoiled her. Mama had lived in Sweden and now wore thick sailing jackets and double fleece jackets, while she was still trembling on a 9-degree autumn day.

Nevertheless, it was heartwarming to see her smile when she saw snow for the first time in over twenty years. Although it was only Slask Snö.

• Alt = "Snow in Tasmania">
• Alt = "Snow in Tasmania">

National Park"> Mount-Field National Park

• Visiting Russell Falls Tasmania: The most famous Tassie waterfall
• Visit to the Horseshoe Falls in Tasmania
• Visiting Lady Barron Falls in Tasmania
• Three Falls Circuit & Tall Trees Walk in Mount Field National Park Tasmania

• Alt = "Trees on Mount Field National Park">
• Alt = "Snow in Tasmania">

Camp on the Bradys Lake

One night in the wilderness of Tassie is something that every visitor should experience. Camping at Brady’s Lake was definitely one of the highlights of the week, even if it was a decent route from Hobart. The weather was clear, but the wind was still violent. Fortunately we had our van and no tent.

camp on the Bradys Lake
Alt = “Bradys Lake Tasmania”>
When we arrived, we parked our van on the edge of the lake and began to collect collected firewood. As soon as we got it going, we thought we would try to shield the fire by parking our van in the way of the wind. However, this made it worse because it produced a whirlwind of smoke that whipped around and covered us up when cooking. But after we moved the van a few times, we finally found the position - until mom uprising and her chair flew into our campfire!

The wind didn't bother us. It was great to spend time with mom, to drink from distractions, wine and to keep warm with roasted marshmallows on the fire.
Alt = “Camping on Bradys Lake Tasmania”>

Glamping in the Huon Valley

The Huon Valley was already on the list of excursion destinations with mom. Fortunately, we were invited to spend the night on the Huon Valley Campground to photograph and promote a new glamping business.

It was a unique experience to spend the night in the glamping tent, something that I had never done before. It seems that Covid is not the only thing that changes travel. New accommodation opportunities are constantly being explored and it was a privilege to experience this new movement in one of the best facilities in the country.

• Alt = "Huon-Tal-Glamping">
• Alt = "Huon-Tal-Glamping">
• Alt = "Glamping in the Huon-Valley">

The Huon Valley Campground is also home to two rescued Tasmanian devils. Unfortunately we didn't see any on our three -day hike around Maria Island, so it was definitely cool to see our first two here, albeit in captivity.
Alt = "Tasmanian devils">

Wild and windy weather on Bruny Island

The wind showed no signs of slowing down this week. But as an optimist who she is, mom was not in the slightest.

"Det Finns Inget Dåligt Väder, Bara Dåliga Kläder," she said. That means in Swedish "there is no bad weather, just bad clothes". It made me laugh when I remembered her, a robust Swede who trembled over zero at temperatures.

As always, optimism continued and we decided to go on a trip to Bruny Island. We ran the Flooded Cape Track, have seen a rare albino wall and spent on one of the southernmost points of the island in Cloudy Bay, as far away from the tropical north of Queensland as possible in Australia!

• 11 things that should not be missed on Bruny Island
• The Fluted Cape Walk on Bruny Island, Tasmania

• Alt = "Pulled Cape Spur">
• Alt = "Albino Wallaby on Bruny Island">
• Alt = "Pulled Cape Spur">

alt = “Cloudy Bay Tasmania”>

Thinking about the home in motion

You say that if you accompanied your loved ones, you will get home.

I think my little family has always known that. When I was ten years old, we already lived in five houses and emigrated to one continent at the other end of the world. This constant movement taught me that at home is not anchored in cold stones and mortar. Instead, it is a feeling that travels with them and is ready to fulfill them every time they are in the presence of their loved ones.

I can thank my mother that she gave me this unconventional idea of ​​home that is not rooted in the village but in the family.

alt = “Camping with mother”>
Alt = “Caroline Gaspar”>
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