The writer Greg Clark, tells the beautifully simple story of Tasmania’s Huon Valley. It spans rivers, orchards, forests, towns sans gentrification, friendly locals and, to a lesser extent, homes where smoke from chimneys drifts without purpose when the yachts on the nearby bays are becalmed.

Captain Huon de Kermandec (often spelt Kermandie) was second in command in a French expedition lead by Admiral Bruni D’Entrecasteaux that was dispatched in search of a fellow explorer (La Perouse) who, in the manner of lost captains, was a little tardy returning from the New World.

Kermandec was captain of the Esperance, Admiral Bruni D’Entrecasteaux the Recherche. In 1792 they sailed to Van Diemen’s Land, reportedly, to escape the battering of those regularly mischievous twins the Roaring Forties and the Southern Ocean.

Captain Huon spent only about five weeks in Van Diemen’s Land but must have been one hell of a nice bloke. His eponym is all over the place. Right by Huonville runs the Huon River. Huon pines, one of the slowest growing and longest living plants in the world, grow on its banks.

Apple orchards ran over the hills and through the valleys and Huon orchardists produced enough apples for grandmas the world over to turn out scrumptious pies for eons. The apple prices tumbled late in the 20th century and locals set about expanding their repertoires.

So when you are sitting in the local pub or restaurant in Hounville with your other visitor friends, you can take delight in impressing them with your research skills!