Friday morning after the big blow on Thursday night was a revelation. Our awning had blown out but fortunately there was no damage and we put it up again. The rain had gone away for the day and there was also patches of blue sky and sunshine. And no wind! So we set off for Dove Lake and when we arrived there was a special moment when the sun came out, with some blue sky and the scene was pretty good. The lake not glassy blue with those reflections but not far off. Fifteen minutes later we would have missed it!

Off we set on the Dove Lake circuit walk (about 6.5k) and as you would expect it goes along the shoreline, with a few ups and downs. Most of it is on a boardwalk and takes 2 hours the sign says. We took a bit over 3 as Allthego found lots of interesting things to look at. We also decided to walk the other way around the lake rather than the way the sign seemed to point, which was the way most others went. This was a strategic decision as it would mean that as people (and there were a lot of them on this walk) passed us they wouldn’t see our backsides. Readers should remember this. It was a great walk and the weather held up for

Just one of the many Topiary items at Railton

Cradle Mountain is in the background clearly visible for us on Day 1

Better on Day 2!

us pretty well with only the odd shower along the way.

After a late lunch we made arrangements to see Devils@Cradle for the evening feeding show, which went from 5.30 to a bit after 7pm that night. Pretty cold out there, but no rain and the wind had gone. Still. Learnt a little about the devils and the facial tumour that has wiped 80% of them out over the last 15 years. They really tore into a wallaby hind quarter with gusto!

Returning to the van we were pleased that it was all calm, no rain and no wind. Very quite indeed. After dinner we topped up the  hot water bottles and off to bed. Early this morning (Saturday) we awoke to a  white campsite and about 3 cm of snow on the ground and covering the vegetation. Also the annex roof. Easy to clear though and all was well. The morning has again been relatively calm, but the wind and rain has picked up this evening. Went up to Cradle Mountain to catch the snow there  for one last photo!

Dove Lake and the old boathouse

Devil having a yawn at Cradle Mountain

Some snow fell on us last night, the previous night it was

just sleet!

Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain this morning after last nights snow fall.

Bit blowy as we close off from Cradle Mountain. Tomorrow morning we head to Strahan for 2 nights.