I'm writing this while sitting on the banks of the Mersey River in Devonport. We've been killing time for a day or two, waiting to board the ferry tonight.

I mention to Chris that I'm looking forward to getting back on the mainland, she agrees, and after some discussion we realise what our problem is.

We're claustrophobic!

That's right, we can quite happily hibernate for days in a house the size of a shipping container, but we feel hemmed in by the island state.

Go figure.

I guess it's something to do with horizons. With all the hills in Tasmania the horizon is never very far away. The attractions are also never far away, which is good in most respects, but we don't get that feeling of being in the middle of nowhere, of vast plains leading to a flat horizon

We love Tasmania, have enjoyed our time here, and will certainly be back, but, for the moment, we can't wait to get into the Australian outback.

Till next time then, and remember,

don't dream it, be it!