To the north! * Sixtyexpress

So what are we up to today? Mostly we are just enjoying the lovely countryside in this area……with a few coffee stops.

This was made when a tree fell across the sculptor’s driveway.

To begin we are visiting a lavender farm. Bridestowe Lavender Farm was established in 1922. Unfortunately we did not see beautiful purple blooms blowing fragrance in the air as the main harvest was in January.

We did try lavender scones…not my favourite. Did you try them or was the ice cream more your taste.

Bridport is next. It is mainly a tourist town but it did have a history in timber transport. In one area , there is a conservation reserve for wildflower preservation. Only banksia’s were in flower, just my luck.

All that remains of Brisport’s timber history is the pylons of the old pier.

On route to Low Head we saw some wood carvings in a tree stump.This seems popular in this area as there are more in George Town. Do you know the type of tree? I will have to find out.

Low Head is the site of the oldest pilot station in Australia. Ships had been struggling to negotiate the entrance to the Tamar river. The pilot was rowed out in a whaler boat no matter what the conditions.

This Morse code equipment and semaphore flags were used by a young lady to signal the ships. This helped the trainees on the ships to practise.

Were you a pirate captain and complete the tasks.

A mercury barometer. The inlay is beautiful

School and local shows meant visitors to the station.

School meant both boys and girls got to do sewing and model building

A lighthouse was built not far from the pilot station.The pilot station is now a museum. Although there is a lighthouse, there is still a pilot ensuring boats don’t go astray. The last boat wrecked was in 1995, the Iron Baron. The best thing about the museum is the personal stories that bring history alive.

Low end was and is a popular holiday destination . Summer brought many people . When the actual station was downsized, the local community bought the area so that it could be preserved and kept for everyone. You can rent the pilot cottages for holidays and this helps maintain the site.

One funny story is about cows and the foghorn. In the past cows wondered around the town and neighbouring fields during the day. At night they would come home to be milked. But when the fog horn was installed , they all went to the lighthouse. They thought or were hopeful, that it was a bull. Their owners had to start fencing them into yards.

Around the town are historical buildings.We are staying in the Pier hotel built in 1880’s. Mike remembers it from his sailing days…..part of his misspent youth?

Check out some of the interesting buildings , sights and statues around the town. I even found a penguin!

Tomorrow will be more history…….some of it is really interesting…and we are going to a platypus and echidna reserve. Yes you will get to see them so have that camera or iPhone ready.