The fire went out overnight. Not to worry, soon have it going again. The shower's a bit of a let down though. I like my showers to have a bit of power behind them. If I want dribbly I can go and stand in the rain.

It's raining now in fact, as it has been for most of the night. That'll spoil the day a bit but with a bit of luck it'll stop. Tasmania just does what it wants.

Now sat in a lodge in Cradle Mountain. This is becoming the perfect holiday. I only need Claire here now and it would be.

This whole place is set in the wonderful wilderness that is Tasmania. Small lodges for sleeping in while a bigger, main lodge provides facilities. The whole place seems set up for couples. Reading all the marketing literature there's a Mountain Mystique - A full body massage and bath for 2. Only AU$100. I'll have to bring Clairey back here one day and do that!

When I was younger I was never into "views". Landscape didn't interest or excite me. That changed a little when I when went up into the highlands in Scotland but being here now I feel alive, inspired and excited. It's such a beautiful place. Tasmania sells itself as the 'natural state' and that's what it is. So little has been touched, a few roads, the odd town and a place like this are pretty much it.

The lodge is gorgeous. I have a whole room to myself, a double bed, shower, toilet and the log fire in the corner - something I will be firing up to sate the pyromaniac in me.

The morning was spent at Cataract Gorge. Had a long chairlift ride across it, a walk round and then the chairlift back again. Claire had told me to walk across the suspension bridge but that was closed.

Stopped in Deloraine for lunch. Had the most wonderful steak sandwich, filled with steak, bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato, cheese and onion.

Now in Launceston, Tasmania. Staying in a motel after flying across from Melbourne, picking up the rental car at the "airport" (small hut, a bit of a runway and a mass of rental car places). Not too bad a night's sleep either considering I'm overlooking the main road.

Texts with Claire are becoming a major issue. They're just not getting through. It's irritating. We've decided to try and send each other fewer messages in a bid to stem the annoyance. Also doesn't help that my battery is running down. I'm now concerned as I don't have a charger and I have to get through the next 5 days without it.

The flight over here was good. Aussie stewardesses are fun and friendly! The landing was so very, very smooth as well.

Cataract Gorge is the intended trip this morning before driving off to Cradle Mountain for a couple of days.

Missed the Botanical Gardens trip today. Which was no bad thing. I finally went to an internet cafe to check the emails.

Discovered I had over 300 of them, of which around 290 were deleted. That's the downside to not checking these things more often, the whole process took ages.

Met up with everyone for lunch at the Botanical Restaurant for lunch. Very good food there. I had a South African Sausage with a load of red onion and red cabbage. Will have to go there again someday.

It's hot tonight.

There's a fan going and the window is wide open.