Thwarted by the Rain Gods

They have it in for us – no doubt about it. Either that or the spirits of Port Arthur really don’t want us visiting them.

We woke to a grey view of the street showing a light drizzle, the rain radar showing nothing much and a forecast predicting well...rain. Suitably armed with the hotels umbrellas we headed over to Salamanca place for breakfast. Whist we were there the rain persisted, so we decided we need to get our own armoury and after checking out and extracting the car we headed up to Target’ for shoes, coats and umbrellas. Finding the queues in the car park most cordial we eventually got our goods and headed off to the Museum of Modern and Ancient Art. All the whilst listening to the squealing sound of the wiper motors mentioned in previous posts.
The MONA is an amazing place – Art to the extremes – designed to delight and intimidate. It succeeds on all levels. (“Seen one – seen them all”.... indeed not Madam, a closer inspection reveals they are all indeed remarkably unique). The building itself is a masterpiece - They recognise that not having windows in not ecologically friendly. It does help with the ambience of the place though.
In our case it also blocked out the fact that the rain was continuing in earnest outside.
After being thoroughly entertained for a couple of hours we came back out and headed off to Port Arthur for an education in the worst of our ancient and modern history of our great land. Hobart can be resplendent with its extensive waterways and high mountains framing the city and surrounds. Mt Wellington was spectacular in its ability to hide itself today. The picturesque waterways of the drive down the Tasman Peninsular were hidden behind the fog of the ever increasing downpours. A brief lightening of the sky was simply a precursor to a particularly heavy dump.
A brief stop at a roadside market saw us secure some famous Apple Isle apples (when in Rome...). We arrived at our wonderfully located beach side huts mid afternoon. Not only does this contain the first working ½ flush toilet we have encountered in Tasmania, the position is absolutely amazing – being right on the beach we could enjoy the fresh air, calm waters and views across the bay to pristine forested hills. That is if the driving rain wasn’t obscuring the view and keeping us indoors. So we decided to drive down and have a look at the Port anyway, even though it’s mostly outdoors. 30 minutes later and 5k’s from our destination we discovered why the wipers were being so noisy. In that they stopped working altogether.

So there we were – literally and the end of the earth, no wipers, constant pouring rain, no phone signal and darkness due in an hour or so. Decision time....
The drive back was an interesting experience. Constant searching for phone signals, careful navigation by vague white lines and the tail lights of the bus in front leading the way. It didn’t take too long for the crew to realise this was not the time for cheap point scoring. We eventually made it safely back to Dunalley Pub where we could use their phone, call the appropriate services and partake their wares (the pubs that is). The RACT guy couldn’t resolve the problem (can they ever these days?) and so here we are – Back in our remote beach side hut (got a lift back from the barmaid) with no transport and a vague plan for getting some tomorrow.
The rain continues to bucket down and the forecast indicates that it will continue to do so. Someone up there really does not want us to get to Port Arthur.....