meanderstravels

We have left Port Douglas and the heat and arrived in a very pleasant, sunny Melbourne. Took the Skybus from the airport and then after a quick phone call to the apart/hotel we took their advice and took the train/metro to South Yarra station. Arrived with no problems, we must be improving. Hoping to hear from Andrew in the next hour so we can find somewhere for a bite to eat. Melbourne has a really pleasant feel to it. We thought the jerseys had to be put to the bottom of the case, but perhaps we’ll need them here in the evenings. Wifi is by the hour here, so we will log on each day, but won’t be on all the time until we reach Chris and Martin in Sydney. Apartment is really nice, all mod cons, balcony/terrace, even though we are on the 7th floor, lounge, separate bedroom, kitchen, laundry facilities, we could live here! Quite centrally placed for the cafes and markets of the city. Will use the trams tomorrow to get a feel of the city.

Our apartment sun deck with Astro Turf.

Last day in Port Douglas so we travelled two hours north up the coast to Cape Tribulation and through the rain forests. The Tarmac road runs out at CT and it is a gravel road from there onward for 4×4’s only. Having crossed the Daintree river by cable ferry the road winds it’s way through the rain forests that literally go into the sea.

Ferry takes no more than about twenty vehicles but not a problem because there are very few cars on the road. This is a pretty remote part of Queensland.
A very rare and endangered bird roams this part of the world. It is called a Cassowarie and looks a little like an emu I think. There are signs all along the road to be careful not to run them over, if you ever see one !!

This is the funniest of them all though.
Came across a place called PK’s Jungle Village so we had a bite to eat.
Is this the place you stayed at Tom ??

Just another beach

That’s it from Queensland. Enjoyed it all especially the great climate.

Today we did the barrier reef, with a boat/ company called Calypso. We were very lucky as Port Douglas is quiet, there were only 28 on the boat, about 8 divers and the rest snorkelling. We went to Opal reef on the outer barrier reef, did 3 centres for diving in roughly the same area, but with different things to see. Paul and I obviously weren’t paying attention as we missed the shark and large turtle. However we saw plenty of beautiful fish and brightly coloured corals. It was a great day out. They picked us up at 8.40am and we got back at 6pm, after stopping for a beer on the way back. We met a great crowd of people and the crewe were great. All together a very successful day. BBQing tonight on our balcony. Got the wine in and the steak.

‘Im on his yacht

‘Er in a very fetching little number!

Typical reef. Doesn’t look much from above but beautiful below.
It took one and a half hours to reach the reef which is about 30k out. This makes it even more amazing as the coral is only a meter below the surface.

On the top sun deck on our back to Port Douglas
Two Spanish, two Aussies and four Poms including Me and Er.

Walked for another hour along the beach before breakfast. Not the real me getting up this early.

The stunning four mile beach taken from the high ground behind our apartment

Booked our trip to the Outer Great Barrier Reef for tomorrow leaving at 9.00 and returning about 4.30.
Had a lazy time today around the town with a spot of lunch again at the Marina. Calamari and a pot this time.

Port Douglas is a very pleasant all low rise town

Idyllic ??

Up bright and early to do a walk along the “4 Mile Beach” which starts about 50m from our building. Walked for about an hour and came back for some “brekkie”.
Drove north up the coast to Daintree village where we went on an hours cruise on the Daintree River looking for birds and crocs. Saw a couple of crocs but not clear enough to warrant a fot.

Mangroves all the way along banks.
Headed back towards home and detoured up to the Mossman Gorge and walked for an hour or so to the gorge and along the forest trail. Very steamy .

Back to base for a nice shower and a cuppa of green tea on the balcony where there is a nice breeze coming off the ocean.
Out on the town tonight for dinner I think.

Left for the airport early for our 10 am flight to Cairns.
Goodbyes from Ann, Dennis and Emma with a few tears.
Good flight hugging the east coast of Queensland with great views, it being a cloudless day.
On arrival found out our car hire company was not based at the airport so had to wait for 20 mins to get picked up and taken to the depot. No big deal.
Drive up the coast to Port Douglas very scenic and took about an hour.
After checking in to our apartment building went to find somewhere for a light lunch. Cone of prawns and a “pot” ( small beer) for two overlooking marina. Tis b——-y hot here!!
Did a little shopping for tonights dinner. Er did marinated chicken wrapped in bacon superbly cooked by Me on the BBQ on our balcony washed down with a well chilled Chardonnay.
Nighty night .

Last full day in Brisbane with the family. Everybody coming round tonight (14) for last supper of meat and potato pie prepared by Denis ( he always does this when United are playing important matches and the family comes). Irene is preparing her special caramelised orange trifle.
All went well and we all said our farewells with hugs and kisses.
Hottest day yet at 30 degs.

We drove north up the east coast to Noosa/Noosa Heads about an hour and a quarter drive from Brisbane. Noosa is quite a busy holiday area, lots of waterways lagoons etc and the beaches are of golden sands abounding with surf doods. We had a nice walk along the beach for an hour or so before a snacki sushi lunch.

Out of Noosa and drove up to a lookout point to view the Heads from above.

Heading for home we drove down the Sunshine Coast, very aptly named as it has been a beautiful sunny day.

Surfers Beach
Irene wanted to see wild kangaroos so we made a small detour on the way back to an area where they should be around. They were where they should be !

Après dinner and at the moment we are Skypeing Irene’s sister at the Red Lion pub that they have just taken over. All going well.
Last day with the relies tomorrow and all the family coming round for the last supper.

Y

Total blue skies and hot today.
Set off in the morning to “Mount Coot’tha” which is the high ground to the SW of Brisbane which provides stunning views to the city and beyond. Great viewing area with restaurants and cafes.

Irene’s niece, Emma, works in a tower block next to the “Gabba” cricket ground and has access to the Cricketers Club so we went for lunch. Very strict dress code. Men have to wear “pants” and definitely no ” thongs”. Very nice lunch with super views of the ground. No game or practice going on though.

View of the ground from the restaurant.

View of the ground from Emma’s 10th floor office
After lunch we got dropped off in the city in the bohemian West End district. Had a coffee in the Gunshot cafe and then walked to the river and visited the Art Gallery before training it back home.

Brisbane Art Gallery

Monday morning found us visiting another bead shop. Paul was delighted!!! This one was huge and left me a bit bewildered, but Dennis got what he wanted. After that we had a tour around the rest of ‘The Shaws’ houses in Queensland. We went into Petrie Old Town. A site of Old Queensland buildings that have been moved to a site to show you an example of an Old Town. On the site was the Church that Matthew and Christine were married in. Very cute, simple wooden structure. Just as we were leaving I spotted a koala in a gum tree. Another of our hit list. He was very cute. An Australian Indian completed the day….. Yummy

Petrie Old Town, the church where Matthew and Christine were married

Koala up a gum tree

Sunday started with Matthew arriving on his motor bike and Christine and Ryan (in a post party haze) arriving with morning tea! Apparently common in Oz, ‘pull-a-parts’, melon, bananas and cheese and biscuits with tea or coffee. Madison and Emma were all here, so pleasant morning was had. Emma brought out her patchwork that Ann had made for her. It’s truly beautiful, a Noshi knot, the way an abalone is tied, traditional Japanese quilt. Madison also had her quilt here, under going repairs! A traditional patchwork, with hearts on made out of her old dresses. Very pretty.

Matthew and his Suzuki 600

Emma’s Noshi quilt

Maddies quilt

After morning tea Emma, Madison, Paul and I set off on a 9km walk to Woody Point. Out in the midday sun, but actually a lovely breeze along the sea! Maddies and Emma managed a very credible 6km, and we’re picked up by Ann, their saviour, whilst ‘the oldies’ walked on for another 3km. We were picked up from a bar in Woody Point some time later. A lovely walk and great to keep up the standards Marg.

Rainbow beach, between Brighton and Woody Point

Dennis is a bit of a wiz at jewellery making, so we walked to the local bead shop and selected things for poor Dennis to complete!! It was great fun and now I have a selection of handmade jewellery in our suitcases. It was a great little shop, with a really good selection of beads. After that a few hours of making followed the shopping! Paul didn’t get involved, he played with his iPad all day, without being hassled by me! After a creative few hours we went to Redcliffe and had a walk around the spit. Saw our first close up pelican. We only have koala, kangaroo, and possum left!!

Irene and I went into Brisbane for the day again and I had to get up very very early so we could journey into the city with Irene’s niece Emma in her car, leaving at the unearthly hour of 8.30am. Made it OK
We went to a food and wine fair at the Brisbane Convention Centre, a very smart and quite new venue. A lot of food and wine tasting was available some of which we did partake.
Again we were on the “South Bank” which has all been fairly recently regenerated with lots of cafe’s and restaurants. Very swish. Had a lunch of grilled squid and salad.

After our light lunch we walked over the river to the Botanical Gardens, a very pleasant spot in the middle of the high rise city.
The Aussies seem to like giving everyone instructions !

All these were at the start of the footbridge over the river on just two signboards

And I thought ” Aussie Rules” was a peculiar Australian game !!

An oasis

Lazy day not doing a lot. Nearby shopping centre trip where Er bought a silver thingy to attach to her necklace. Very nice. Took a walk to the seafront and walked along the prom.
We shopped for tonight’s dinner and Irene made Bobotie for everyone all washed down with some Yellowtail Shiraz.