Monday February 22^nd

 

Walked the length of Colloroy Beach today as far as North Narrabeen.

 

 

Had to walk on the water’s edge as the sand was so hot, quite a few surfers,  and fishermen out so plenty to look at.

 

The lagoon at Narrabeen

 

Sat at the rock pool watching the swimmers then walked back along the road. I had paused for a breather under a tree and was reading the estate agents blurb on a board when he turned up, thought I was a potential buyer and invited me in. Of course I accepted and was shown round a beautiful flat which I would have found absolutely perfect had I been in a position to buy. It had direct sea frontage, first floor, 180degree view of the ocean, two bedrooms a gorgeous white kitchen, big verandah and a fantastic build in window seat, ideal for curling up with a good book! At $1.25it didn’t seem too bad! If only……

Back home packed up ready to go and then went down for a swim in the rock pool and a wander along the rocks as I watched the kite surfers. I don’t think I will ever get bored with it!

Tuesday February 23^rd

Up ridiculously early for the flight to Cairns. Surprised to see how many others in the hostel were up, I think lots of them must be working. I was surprised too to see how quickly the bus got into town, must be a good commute, though people did have to stand. Relatively good flight though there was “weather” near Cairns. Picked up my hippie camper, just lovely, and everything seemed quite straightforward.

 

 

The heavens opened in a first class tropical storm and traffic was very slow out of town. Drove along the highway to Ellis Beach and found a campsite right on the beach. So much easier than putting up a tent!

 

Wednesday February 24^th

The morning dawned fine and clear after last night’s rain, although the storm clouds were gathering. Major disappointment with Pompey who lost to Barnet, despite my message in the sand.

 

Had a walk along the beach, before the rain started....

                

 

 Then , when it stopped just as suddenly , left for Port Douglas. In the 60s this was a sleepy fishing village of about 100 inhabitants, but the building of the Sheraton Resort changed all that.Four Mile Beach was beautiful, though no swimming because of jellyfish,

 

but found the town itself antiseptic and the perfect place for all the elderly cruisers from the P and O ship anchored in the bay. All they seem to want to do is spend money in the shops .Interesting to see in the local newspaper that they are trying to get planning permission to build a retirement complex….. There was a lovely lookout at the end of the beach

and a super bookshop/café in the main street. Reading a biography of Jo Nesbo was amazed to see he almost played for Spurs but had to give up because of an injury, then formed a successful band whilst doing a business studies degree and qualifying as a financial analyst. He was then asked to write a book about his travels with the band but wrote a detective novel instead. How can one person be so successful in so many fields?

 

Leaving Port Douglas, and taking the road north arrived in Daintree,population, 146,  a lovely little village on the river where there were lots of menacing signs about crocodiles! From there it was a short distance to the ferry crossing the Daintree river and up to Cape Tribulation, a beautiful drive through the rainforest. Signs warn of cassowary crossings and crocodiles and the rainforest goes right to the white sandy beaches. (Myall and Trib.)

 

 

On the way back, stopped at Cow Beach which the book describes as “a little bit of paradise” – but they were drilling in the car park! I felt much better back over the ferry as wasn’t supposed to go north of the Daintree, and found a good camp site with a fabulous pool, in Mossman. The Daintree itself is protected by World Heritage status, but not before a long struggle with the loggers.

 

Thursday February 25^th.

After a swim in the pool I went off to Mossman Gorge where I did all the walks through the rainforest, very lovely but very, very hot!

The centre is run by Aborigines and centres round their possession of the land and what it meant to them. The shop was full of beautiful art and craft work and I was sorry not to be able to add to my luggage.

After lunch I drove through the Atherton Tablelands to Mareeba. This has a wild west atmosphere, selling saddles, hunting, shooting and fishing tackle and is the home of one of Australia’s biggest rodeos .It was once the home of the tobacco growing industry but today coffee, whisky distilling, mango wineries and numerous fruit and nut plantations have taken over. Lake Tinaroo, where the the night’s campsite is situated was once famous for tin mining but is now a favourite place for Queenslanders to get away from the heat of the coast. Up on the plateau of the tablelands the air is much clearer and the humidity drops noticeably.