Jean and Ted (inset) had to rush through their tenting trip to the Apple Isle.
It’s safe to say that grey nomads Jean and Ted Winterfield’s long anticipated trip to Tassie didn’t go according to plan. In fact, as far as relaxed sightseeing holidays go, it was pretty much a disaster … but it’s a disaster they’ll never forget.
The couple from Mount Gambier in South Australia generally spend three months of the southern winter volunteering at Lorella Springs Station in the Northern Territory. This year, they also decided to spend three weeks exploring Tasmania before their annual trek north.
Although they have previously been to the Apple Isle, this time they decided just to take a tent in order to save on ferry costs. While they had previously been able to do a lot of free camping, they suddenly found that the tent limited where they could stay as many places only allowed self-contained vehicles.
But, if the Winterfields – who are both in their 70s – thought that was the biggest problem they would have, they were about to get a nasty surprise.
“As time wore on it became evident that things were getting serious with the virus, so even though we didn’t really want to hear what was happening ‘in the outside world’ we did tune in on the radio or internet to see what was happening,” said Jean. “It was a worry when it came to using public amenities and the camp kitchens and trying to social distance from everyone, yet still trying to communicate … all of it was very unsettling.”
As talk grew of border closures, Jean says the couple just ‘zipped through’ so many beautiful places.
“Our intention was to take our time but it was like having the grim reaper hanging over our shoulders and we didn’t feel right about sightseeing,” she said. “I must say though that, wherever we went from the larger towns to small villages, the townsfolk were so friendly and helpful and that’s what we love about Tasmania.”
Ultimately, the couple were glad that they did bring just their tent as it allowed them to change their crossing dates a lot easier than those travellers who had brought their big caravans or motorhomes across the Bass Strait.
In the end, their trip was only shortened by about three days but the fear and uncertainty had cast a shadow over pretty much the whole adventure. Ted and Jean booked a night crossing cabin on the ‘Spirit’ to enable them to properly self isolate and they had packed sandwiches so they didn’t have to go the cafeteria.
“In the morning, all the passengers congregated in the lounge area to await our calls to go and get our vehicles and it was like we had all been to a funeral,” said Jean. “People were spaced out, they weren’t eating or drinking or even talking, they had worried expressions, and it even felt weird to smile at someone and get a half smile back, each of us was just as worried as the next.”
The Winterfields have now completed their mandatory two weeks in quarantine, but they are still are not going anywhere unnecessarily and are having groceries and medications delivered.
“Ted normally helps at our local footy club and I volunteer two days a week at our local Salvos store but none of that’s happening now,” said Jean. “It’s all just a bit odd to be at home like this, although we do see our neighbours when we are in our yards so at least we can have a chat, albeit from a distance.”
So, when this is all over, is volunteering in the Territory back on the agenda next Dry Season … or perhaps even another tenting adventure to Tassie? “We will most certainly will be very anxious to hit the road to somewhere once travel restrictions are removed,” said Jean. “And the sooner the better!”
