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.

THURSDAY 4 JUNE   MISSION BEACH TO CAIRNS   148kms

The pack up, departure from Mission Beach, and drive to Cairns, were all uneventful.

We went through Bingil Bay to El Arish, on the highway.

We had no stops along the way – John did not want the hassle of finding somewhere to park the rig and he was focussed on getting to our destination. We will have to dawdle and do tourist things in that section, another time. We got fuel in Innisfail – 67cpl.

Most of the route  was through farmland – mostly sugar cane country. Around Babinda, the mountain range was close as the road skirted its base, and then there was a range on the coastal side as well. Very attractive country to drive through, I thought.

I had to navigate us through some quite extensive Cairns suburbs, but at least this was the outer edges of Cairns and we did not have to tow the rig through the city centre.

I had booked us into the Top Tourist Cool Waters Caravan Park at Brinsmead, for two weeks – booking ahead, sight unseen, because it is getting to be the busy season. In my RACV guide book, it has a 4.5 star rating, but it is not as pleasant as I’d expected, given that. I wonder how the star ratings are arrived at? Our site cost $16.20 – no free nights. This one is over our budget – but we’ve “saved” quite a bit, further south.

There is not much grass around our site – quite a lot of bare earth. However, there are a lot of tall trees and palms to give shade. Freshwater Creek is right behind our site, so that is pleasant. But overall, the park does not look as well cared for as where we have been.

Almost as soon as we pulled in, were visited by some ducks – not a native variety, but ex-domestic type. Quite clearly, used to receiving hand outs from guests.

We did a full set up for our stay, then drove to the nearest small shopping centre and got some rolls for lunch, a few groceries and a paper. Back to the van for lunch.

After that, we drove to Stratford – John having already found out from the caravan park lady where some bowls clubs were – and John booked us in to play on Saturday. That is not too far from here.

Went on to the Lake Placid Caravan Park, on the northern outskirts of Cairns. John had phoned C  again a few days ago and been told that nephew M is staying here, so we were off to visit. We surprised H and M. I had not met them before. They are about my age. We had a drink at their van and talked travel. They had come up the Birdsville Track and through the far west of Qld – with only an ordinary car and van. However, they had an “interesting” time on a very boggy Birdsville Track and M says he will buy a 4WD after this trip! We arranged to have tea with them tomorrow night, and for them to come to us on Sunday. It is most enjoyable to be being “social” again, I find.

I was very impressed with the Lake Placid Caravan Park – wish I’d booked here, now. It is more open, with a view to the mountains behind, and does not seem as gloomy as where we are.

Our early impressions of Cairns are that it sprawls over the foothills of the surrounding mountains, which are pretty impressive. There is lots of lush greenery around, but it is still a suburban sprawl. The roads are very busy. Out in the Lake Placid direction, the suburbs blend in with sugar cane farms.

Tea was the prawns I bought from the Mission Beach markets, with salad.

The TV reception is problematical – all the hills! John is not happy.