TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER     CAIRNS

Drove into central Cairns and went to the PO to collect a bag of mail. Got diesel – 65cpl.

We went to the office of Cape York Air and collected information about mail run flights up the Cape. There are two interesting options: one is a straight mail run, as far north as Heathlands, which stops briefly at about 15 stations, including Silver Plains. That is $390 a person. The other is the Top of the Cape tour, which follows the coast north to the Top, lands at Horn Island for lunch, then returns down the centre of the Cape. That one is $550 a person. Unfortunately, both of these seem too expensive for us, even for just one person, when our total weekly budget is $400! It is a pity, but I sense that John was not all that keen to do a flight anyway.

So, I will have to think of a different birthday present for him.

The mail bag contained a birthday card for John, from V. It would have taken her some effort and forethought to arrange that, stuck out in the wilds as she is.

Tea was brains in batter, for something different. Not bad, even though many people would  not find it a pleasant meal!