Pancakes, Paradise & Parting Ways

The crisp Tasmanian morning saw us winding our way south from Oatlands, the familiar landscape rolling past our windows as we steered our home-on-wheels towards Sorell. There was a bittersweet tinge to this journey, knowing these were our last precious days together before Sal would temporarily trade our nomadic life for university commitments in Queensland. The morning's errands in Sorell – collecting parcels from the post office and an optometrist visit for contact lenses – felt like final pieces falling into place before our temporary parting.

With errands complete, our hearts naturally pulled us toward Gordon Foreshore, a campground that had become something of a spiritual anchor during our Tasmanian adventures. Though the summer had drawn more travelers than during our winter visits, fortune smiled upon us once again. We secured our favorite spot, where the D'Entrecasteaux Channel stretched before us like liquid silver, its waters dancing beneath the sunlight while Bruny Island stood majestically on the horizon, wrapped in its perpetual air of mystery.

Life at Gordon had a way of delivering unexpected gifts, and this time it came in the form of an old bus and its charismatic owner. Dion, a road warrior with a decade of stories etched into the lines of his face, and his faithful companion "Girl Dog", whose name carried all the beautiful simplicity of life on the road.

The warmer weather brought with it the return of a cherished tradition – Sal's legendary Chocolate Chip Protein Pancakes, crowned with Anth's expertly crafted Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream. The first bite was like welcoming back an old friend, a healthy indulgence we'd sorely missed during the winter months.

Between these sweet moments, Sal immersed herself in the familiar-yet-foreign world of online academia. Watching her navigate assignments with growing confidence, rediscovering her student rhythm after years away, filled Anth's heart with pride. The sight of her surrounded by digital textbooks and notes, determination etched across her face, was a testament to her courage in embracing this new chapter of our journey.

On our final morning, as the reality of our temporary parting drew closer, Dion's generous spirit shone through as he helped Anth prepare our trusty portable diesel heater for its new owner. This faithful companion had kept us warm through Tasmania's winter chill, but like so many aspects of nomadic life, it was time to adapt and upgrade to a permanent solution.

As we bid farewell to Gordon Foreshore once again, heading north toward Hobart and Sal's waiting flight, we carried with us another chapter of precious memories. For Anth, tomorrow would bring a solitary return to these familiar waters, holding space until Sal's return would make our nomadic home complete once more.Baca selengkapnya