Utopia

"We can't have kids stealing and just running wild. We're going to have to have stricter rules and hand out demerits... I guess".

- Ralph, Lord of The Rings

Early in the week we were given direction by National Parks to lock the fenced area where our house is, and erect signs explaining it is now closed to the public - effectively giving us a 5 acre buffer from Covid-19. Apart from the Kayakers we have had no more visitors to the island in over a week. With state borders now closed, we have felt like border security officers on the lookout for vessels with binoculars and marine traffic apps to monitor boat activity in the area. J Although we do feel a little cut off from the outside world, we are also feeling pretty privileged (smug) and protective over the island. Our 3 beaches remain open, we have kilometres of walking trails and 4000 acres that we can wander through alone and unrestricted. Social distancing rules are not an issue here.

This week we finally hiked across the other side of the island to Winter Cove which is now our favourite of the three beaches. Clear blue water, white sand and plenty of rocks that hopefully make ideal habitat for southern rock lobster. it’s a bit of a scramble to get down there but definitely worth the effort.

A couple of warm still nights gave us the perfect opportunity to head down to East Cove armed with a cask of De Bortoli's finest shiraz cabernet and some food to throw on the BBQ. We were also hoping to too see some penguins returning to their burrows after a day of fishing. We were in good company as 2 gulls, who will apparently kill penguins for the fish in their gut, were also waiting patiently at the shore line. As darkness fell the penguins started to return and soon they were everywhere, and loud, very loud.

It’s a strange time to be on our own on an uninhabited island and we never anticipated that there would be so much global uncertainty during our stay, making us feel even more isolated than we had imagined. As I write this, we have just found out that Flinders Island is now closed to everyone, including Tasmanians.

It’s a bit of an emotional roller-coaster and we are grateful that we can speak with family and friends regularly to know everyone is safe and staying positive. Sending our love to you all and hope you can remain in good health both physically and mentally x

BBQ-ing at East Cove

Dinner date at East Cove

Poor Dan - I keep dragging him out to sunsets

Fairy penguins heading to their burrows - there must be 100's, if not 1000's here.

Winter Cove - our favourite beach

Another sunset

Little Squally Cove - AKA "Bunnings" Just in the right location for ocean debris to get washed up including tons of driftwood used to make all sorts of things by previous caretakers.

Hiking on the cliffs around Little Squally Cove

Having a fire and a glass of wine