We headed for the camp on the Huon River as it straight away, knowing the charm of the beautiful small town of Franklin. The RV camp there was $15 a night and worth it as it was so quiet and lovely.
Franklin once was a bustling hub of wooden boat building, and still retains an historic charm with heritage buildings and a strong maritime identity. There's a blend here of old-world charm and modern life in the neighbouring towns. Visitors can explore the Living Boat Trust to learn about the town's boat-building history - we had been there before and it's worth paying the entry fee. It's surrounded by rolling hills and orchards, and is the kind of place Jamie would love to live.
Before long our mate Damon came to see us. Him and his mate Geoff do YouTube videos under their moniker Seriously Series, and they've just done one on Tassie called Forgotten Tracks if you're interested. Damon had invited us to a BBQ of Landie people but I won't bore you with that here.
We spent the afternoon reading and eating Christmas cake, and watching birds and boats, had a yummy pasta for tea and slept a beautiful quiet night through.
I'd seen a poster on the board about swimmers meeting every morning, all year round, for a dip in the Huon, so awoke wondering if I had the courage to join a group of strangers for a freezing constitutional. Ghost Dad would have, I thought, and with his urging I put my swimmers on and my hooded towel and wandered down.
Wild swimmers are a friendly lot. They greeted me happily, gave me some advice - such as not to put my head under, and BREATH. There was about twenty of them, varying in ages, mainly older. They came from the hills with bags of ripe plums and homemade rhubarb cake, and unpasteurized milk from the farm for making yoghurt and cheese.
That's me you see, swimming with my elbow up in mock of the Loch Ness. I had ignored the warning to avoid dunking my head, as I was no stranger to cold water. 15 degrees is cold, but not too bad, and I needed to wake up. It fairly took my breath away, but if there's anything I know how to do is to breath, and wait for my body to calm. It's different to the ocean - still briny, but softer, and rich with tannins. If I stretch my feet down my toes warm in the warmer currents below. I stay in for a good twenty minutes, occasionally ducking below the surface.
I'm alive, I'm alive. Ghost Dad sucks in his breath and dives with me.
In winter they say it dips below 6 degrees, but they laugh and scream and drink tea from thermos. The mountains are covered in snow and the jetty is slick with ice. How wonderful, I think.
Afterwards I wave goodbye and defrost in the camper, hands wrapped around a coffee and shivering. We eat fried eggy bread and fries tomatoes for breakfast and watch the river.
With Love,
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I find that there is some satisfaction in bathing in cold water. We can then feel every part of our body, we feel alive! Thanks for your new sharing, it's always nice to read your adventures! 😃💪
You have a very good view mate!
I always love reading you. You can feel such a love for life (beyond the obvious writing talent), it's just beautiful. Wild swimming sounds mighty good right about now. Also screaming and laughing and bringing a thermos is pretty much all we can do anyway, isn't it? <3
Awww you really get me so well. And it strikes me now that I inherited Dad's love of life, despite the shitty things that can get us down. There's always something really amazing to get chuffed over.
What a beautiful and peaceful place! If you didn't share the photo with swimmers, I would think nobody is around for miles and miles...
I especially like that photo of boats in the small harbor... 😍
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The boats here are great. It's the home of wooden boat building as it used to be a big industry here. Thanks. X
Woah, that beautiful scenery captured my heart. Going to a camping makes us relax and stay calm. I am happy that you do such an activity. It also gives me peace from within while reading your blog. Have a good day.
It's freaking cold out there! I felt cold already qith an overnight electric fan running.
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My friend Tom and his wife do this every morning. New Year's Day he said at least 50 people showed up to go in. He's in charge of ice cutting and told me he cut a hole 20' x 30' so more could go in at a time. I'm afraid I am NOT a fan of getting cold. It would wipe me out for the rest of the day.
Omg if you have to cut ice to get in the water I'm running in the other direction...
Me too!
That sounds like such a peaceful and charming spot.
Franklin really does have a unique blend of history and natural beauty.
It must have been such a relaxing and memorable experience.
!LUV
!ALIVE