Places not to miss around the Bay of Fire

Many people know the Bay of Fire by reputation - it's a GREAT place! We went a little further afield this time (not TOO far mind you!) and found some places well worth visiting. For some strange reason, they're all related to food. Dunno why that is... Dave, pass that Oyster will you?

Blueberry Cottage

Yumm! Trudy's jams and marmalades are really good - and her Onion Marmalade is extra special!!! If Jams aren't enough for you, the things that makes this place REALLY worth visiting are the beautiful gardens, orchard and a stunning driveway. Once you get there, you'll find Trudy - a real Lady - who makes her own Gollies (that's the new 'Politically Correct' name for Black Skinned rag dolls I used to have as a child. I STILL call them Golliwogs!) cushions and amazing jams. You'll find her tucked behind the Pancake place on the Elephant Pass Road. Please say 'Hi' from us if you do visit!

Blueberry Cottage Website

Here it is on Google Maps

Sir Loin Brier - Bicheno

After visiting Trudy, keep heading south to Bicheno. It's a lovely town with an amazing smallgoods shop. They have a huge array of sausages, fresh meats, smoked and picked fish, cheese - completely un-expected!

Here they are on Google Maps

Eureka Farms - Upper Skamander

Fruit, berries, ice-cream, jams and Worcestershire Sauce. Make sure you have a bottle of bubbly handy after this visit!

Here they are on Google Maps

OYSTERS! Straight from the Oyster Farm - fantastically fresh and yummy! They're at 444 Binnalong Bay Rd. half way between St Helen and Binnalong Bay.

Here they are on Google Maps

Taking the Spirit of Tasmania with Pets

Lots of people have asked about our trip over to Tassie - and how it went with Diesel... so here's the scoop!

The Spirit of Tasmania has Pet Cages in the main Car area. There are 3 size cages - really large dogs (Danes, St. Bernards etc) need their own vet approved cages be supplied. Cats can travel in the smaller cages just as well as Dogs! The cages are clean and have water provided. The Security Staff check the animals 3 times each passage. It's best if you fast your pet for 24 hours before traveling and give dogs a good walk a couple of hours before you board - no yicky poos that way! You might also want to bring a Cushion for them to lie on as the cage floor is metal and it can get a bit cold. Once the voyage starts you can't check your pet as the garage is sealed for security reasons. Rest assured they're checked regularly!

You must treat the pet for Hydatid Tapeworm and take evidence (ie empty pack, vet letter) with you as Tassie is Hydatid Free and they want to keep it that way!

If your pet is an anxious traveller you might want to check with your Vet - they may recommend a light sedative. Naturopathic Vets may also recommend some drops you give for the week before traveling. We did this with Diesel the first time and he was a happy boy!

With your pet safely housed in the cage, enjoy the passage! The trip is 9 hours and very comfortable. You can sit up (the seats are MUCH better than a coach or train) or take a cabin. When you arrive in Devenport you'll go through quarantine so don't try to take fruit & veggies - they'll be confiscated!

Happiness is...

A fantastic break on a beach!

We're back after our wonderful 2 week break in Tasmania. We stayed at Dora Point for the whole time - ate LOTS (118 to be exact!) of local Oysters straight from the farm, drank Juuust a little too much wine, read books and walked with Diesie. 

Fantastic. Only problem is... we had to come home! Oh well... Australia Day isn't too far away!

Welcome to 2009 everyone!

Oh - and I just posted some Pics to Diesel's web site. Have a look if you like! The Bay of Fire is an amazing place!

Merry Christmas... 'n stuff

We can't believe it's already THAT time of the year! It was February last time we looked. Regardless of our personal time paradigm 'issues', here's wishing you all a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

We're heading off down to Tassie for a break - taking Diesel, the 4WD, tent and a couple of select bottles of Red. See you in 2009! The shop re-opens on the 7th January...

Eat More Camel & Roo - it's Official!

It's official! Kangaroo meat is excellent - and now the word is getting out about Camel too! Both these animals are in an abundance in Australia - but the imported Camel is a bit out of control. Neither of these animals belch or fart methane and both have soft padded feet. - much better for the soil than the cloven hooves of sheep and cattle.

We've been selling Camel meat for a little while now - and Diesel tells us that it's got his 4 paws up! So - whilst we can't offer you - our 2 legged friends Camel to dine on, your 4 legged ones are in luck! Preservative Free available - of course!

Here's 'The Age' story. Bon Apetite!

Kitten Season is here

It's Kitten season again. That means many people will be getting new kittens as valued and loved family members.

Some people however find that their family cat has fallen pregnant and had an unwanted litter. Most people do the right thing and find homes for these mistakes - some don't. We've already personally found an abandoned litter of kittens. These kittens often perish or survive to become feral cats. They can spread disease, kill native wildlife and have more feral litters.

If you have a kitten or adult cat, PLEASE do the responsible thing and have them de-sexed! The cost is not huge - and if you're a pensioner, organisations like the Lort Smith Animal Hospital will do it for a very small fee.

Updated Website

We've spent the last 5 months working on a major update to our website. Whilst it's not yet complete (Wow! It just takes so much TIME!) We've posted the site so far - the remainder will become a 'work in progress'! We hope that people who see the website but haven't visited us in person can really get a sense of what we're trying to do... and particularly - if they have something they'd like to contribute that could help others somehow, to do so!

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The Maniacs