TUESDAY 24 NOVEMBER     ATHERTON

We had to be up early in order to drive S to the airport at Cairns for her return flight to Port Moresby.

S got to see the countryside from Mareeba to Kuranda, and down the range, in the daylight. Again, there was the effect of entering a sauna, as we came down into Cairns.

Found the plane was delayed, due to an air traffic controller strike at Port Moresby. So we took S into Cairns where there were a few shops she decided to visit. Returned to the airport where there was now a degree of confusion at Qantas about what was likely to happen.

S was convinced the plane would go in the afternoon. She encountered some people she knew from work and decided she wanted to lunch with them. So she asked us to leave her at the airport and go. I think we were not polished enough to move in her professional circles! At least, that is what it felt like. It did seem that she did not wish to be seen with us, and I think John was rather hurt.

So we headed off to shop for ourselves: the book exchange; the good craft shop where I bought some more handanger materials; Harvey Norman. At the latter, we were recognized by a former student of mine, who now works there. He also knew John, from when he worked in our local video shop. We had a lengthy chat.

Refuelled Truck at Brinsmead – 67cpl. Dearer than up in Atherton!

Then we headed back up the range again, and out of the oppressive heat. John got me to drive, from near Mareeba – he was tired. No wonder, after the non-stop whirl of the past five days.

We found there was substantial storm damage in the rainforest between Tolga and Atherton, with some trees down. It had been a very localized storm, though, as there was no damage up our end of the town. But we had a few minutes of anxiety, wondering, before we got there.

John was not feeling well. He lay down and did not want any tea. I think it is a combination of all the driving, the tension of having S here and hoping all would go well, and the let down now she is gone.

S’s husband phoned to ask if we knew what was happening, as he had heard there were no planes flying into Moresby. Then S phoned to say she was staying in an hotel, at her own cost, as the delay was not the fault of Qantas. She was unsure when she would get to Moresby – or if she would have to buy another ticket. She said there was talk that there may be no flight until Friday. There was nothing we could do. Had she not been so insistent that we leave, we might have been able to organize something better.

I did not make any tea. I was not hungry either, and I was very tired too.

I had told the park people in advance that we would be having a guest and they charged me an extra $4 for each of the nights S was here.

We drove 242kms today.