FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER     ATHERTON

We had to get up early as we were going to Cairns to collect S. We could feel the humidity building as we came down the range from Kuranda. Cairns was like a sauna! For the first time, I realized just how much is the contrast between Cairns and the Tablelands, at this time of the year.

We got to the airport just as S’s flight landed, at 10.45.

S said she needed a major shopping fix, after the privations of Port Moresby, so we turned her loose at Cairns Central, arranging to rendezvous again with her at 5.30pm.

We walked around for a while, getting my blood pressure pills prescription filled and buying some regional calendars to be sent off for family Xmas presents. Bought lunch at the food court, then went to the cinema where we saw Holy Man – just so-so, as far as I was concerned. But at least it was a cool place to sit!

Left Cairns about 5.45pm, calling in at the cellars at Smithfield for wine and beer replenishment.

It was dark by the time we got back to Atherton, so S did not get to see much of the local scenery. We did 209 kms today.

There was a storm building up and then we had heavy rain.

Bought fish and chips for a very late tea.

There was much talk about the life S is leading in Port Moresby – quite restricted in many ways, and with a very high level of security. She seems very happy to be here. She slept in the annexe, which was a bit damp – as everything is here at the moment – and where water ran across the concrete slab floor, whenever it rained. Guess it is no worse than some of the places she stayed in when back packing through Asia.