Tasmania, Day 7, Cosy Corner South to Myrtle Park Campground

 Today we were going to experience "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Setting off from Cosy Corner South, where we'd had a pleasant night, our plans were to take the longer route to Myrtle Campground,  however after I noticed a couple if episodes of "limpness" in the acceleration of the van, we changed our plans so we were not on such a remote route. Visited the pretty Halls falls, and stopped at the Big Thumb for lunch in Scottsdale, I like these Tasmania country town parks, with nice sheltered tables.





We then had the van stop on us once, so rang our company who informed us to do a diesel Particulate burn, a bit of a complicated routine involving lots of engine off and on etc, which he cheerfully informed me, he found very hard to do properly,  and it didn't always work! Not exactly inspiring!! DPB done, we set off again, only way to find out if that's the problem is to keep driving. So on our way again, all seemingly to go well til after zooming uphill overtaking a very slow big bus camper, our van decided that no go was on, and stopped, conveniently, or not so,  on an extremely windy double white lined uphill section. At least the road was new and slightly wider, so the aforesaid bus could then overtake us by breaking all the rules, but no other way around. Eventually got it started, to drive 10 mts, and have to do the same again. Thank goodness for Naarahs calming influence as I went through getting it going again. Up at the lookout finally at the top, the bus driver came over to see we were ok, very nice of him, and having some experience he advised doing the DPB thing again. As limited reception to ring anyone, we did this, then decided to get to our campground,  mostly downhill from now, letting our fellow traveller know, that if we didn't turn up at the campground,  he knew where we were, or at least which stretch of road we were on, as both going to same place. Very glad to arrive at said campground spot,  and recieved suitable sympathy from caretaker at checkin, who were most helpful. 

Now fortified with a cuppa Naarah made while I was  on the phone,  we settled down to wait for RACT to arrive, thankful we were not just stuck in a dangerous place on the side of the road. 

The young man duly arrived, and diagnosed major communication problems in the van's electronic systems, maybe why our phones wouldn't charge, TV didn't work and 12v battery went flat really quick. Advised to ring company  and say we'd need a replacement,  then on second thoughts, he hung around til I got through and talked to them, adamant it was not safe to drive, and no, they were not going to drive it into Launceston! 

So settled in to enjoy our campsite. The biggest campsite I'd ever camped on, enough room to park at least 6 full 4wd and caravan rigs, and have room to spare, we looked a bit odd, with our not so small van patked in the middle. The platypus, which lots of other people assured us they'd seen, were as elusive as the fish we tried to catch. Gave up and after some games went to bed. 

The platypus are there, just hiding.
Our van, dwarfed by the huge sute, and the massive tree.

Great camp kitchen, best tassie spud chips cooked on BBQ.

Had to have a swing. No children around so these big kids enjoyed. 

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