​Flinders Island 11-13 February

Saturday we spent time in the north of the island and that included a delightful picnic lunch stop at Emita beach overlooking quiet, tranquil waters.
Furneaux islands were discovered by the British 1773 - over 50 islands splatter across the sea. Of course others had described them before that. This and other gems of history both human and natural we learnt at the history museum at Emita. We both reckon it is one of the best museums we have visited. With many rooms devoted to specific parts of history - maritime including ship building, geological and wild life, and there's a reconstructed mutton bird processing 'plant' dating back to the 1800 and early 1900s. Quite an elaborate set up albeit rather grizzly when you think about the reality of it. Moonbird is the aboriginal name for these beleaguered birds, perhaps because they fly in to their burrows on dusk or later after feeding all day far out to sea; they are actually short tail shear waters. I believe they got their name as 'mutton' birds from the early settlers, whalers and sealers who ate them. Apart from their food value, they were highly prized for their rich oil which is high in omega3s; you don't want to know how that was collected. Rather ugly! They are now semi-protected, fortunately. Hunting these birds is a traditional practice for the aboriginals of Lady Barren Island.  They harvest the oil and use it to produce an extensive range of toiletries and therapeutics.

We camped that night at a beach at the southern end of Marshall Bay, totally alone!

Sunday 12 February
The ever present wind started to pick up in intensity and the forecast was for stronger winds the following day when we were to fly home - oh dear. Our flight was rescheduled a number of times the upshot of which saw us heading back south to camp at Yellow Beach again, but we indulged in a scrumptious dinner at the 'pub' overlooking Lady Barren Beach in the twilight! A photo couldn't do it justice as the wind added mood to the raw power of the setting. We tasted abalone for the first time! Can you believe it? Seafood here is plentiful and fresh, you order what seafood you want in advance and the fishermen catch it for you! is that service or what?

Monday 13 February
We woke to very strong winds. The stands of melaleucas/paper barks were clacking together in a crazy Morris dance, whispering and whinging as they swayed and jostled. It turned out to be a day of waiting as our flight departure changed numerous times, but we finally got off the ground, albeit in extremely scarily high winds. Biggles and Algy did a brilliant job of bringing us back to mainland Tassie safely albeit on a bumpy flight path! It was a wonderful visit.