THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER     CAIRNS

We have now been here for two weeks and it really is quite tedious. Somehow, relaxing around and not doing much was more interesting at Wonga than here! But I do enjoy having the pool here – that is the redeeming feature. Our camp fees went up to $110 a week, due to school holidays! I reluctantly extended our booking for yet another week, at John’s behest.

I rode to the local shop for the paper, in the morning, before John was up. 2kms.

Today is John’s 58th birthday. I gave him a card and a meal “out” – though that is a present for me too! But it is a change from my cooking and, since we normally do not go out at night, some sense of occasion. I hope!

John spent much of the day on the computer, though we did drive up to Smithfield to stock up on beer and wine. While we were out – without the phone – R tried to phone. Then John tried to phone her, but missed her. She would be very busy with electioneering activities for her beloved ALP. But at least she tried to contact him.

We went out to “Charlie’s” for tea – this is an eatery in a hotel, on the Esplanade. We had vouchers from the Cairns local paper for their Thursday night buffet dinner, at $14 a head. The food was quite good, with much variety,  and we ate well, without stuffing ourselves. We had to queue for a while to get in, though – they do not take bookings. And we queued again for the food. It is a popular place.

As one is not encouraged to linger at Charlie’s, we were home again by 9.30pm. It felt quite strange, to be out in Truck at night.

After we got back to the van, drank a celebratory bottle of champagne.