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The Tasmanian countryside is often likened to New Zealand , and in many ways it is-but when you get a gentle scenic vista , it 's more often than not dotted attractively with gum trees rather than cleared and farmed . The lodge staff having been tipped off in advance , we celebrated the birthday with gorgeous gooey chocolate cake and champagne , and ended the day sitting round the campfire singing Everly Brothers songs in the gloaming , surrounded by pine trees . Meanwhile Ian had sailed there with a friend , also called Ian , and his son - - a 10-hour voyage across open water . They went horse-riding on a scenic route up into the hills-fun but scary because she worried constantly about falling off . no women ( once the Dykes had gone past ) - - well , no real women , anyway - - and precious few in the good-humoured crowd either . In September she drove to Wellington with a friend for the biennial Recorder Week there and had a terrific time , immersed in musical activities morning , afternoon , and evening .