2 August – Saturday
The Scouts in the Cairns region celebrated 100 years of Scouting with some displays and activities along the Esplanade this morning. We visited them for a while and spent some time talking to the Regional Commissioner.
Following this, we walked along the foreshore to the market and I managed to upset one of the stallholders. When I asked if she would knock $3 off the price if I bought two pairs of earrings for $40, I was told in no uncertain terms that I was being insulting. Needless to say, she missed out on a sale. On the walk back to our car, we watched the emergency helicopter, which was on the helipad opposite the hospital, load a patient and take-off. There was no effort made to keep the immdiate area clear of onlookers and the helicopter took off right above our heads.
This afternoon we finally made it to Lake Morris and Copperlode Dam, the water supply for Cairns. The 16km road was cut into the side of a mountain, was very narrow and twisty and rose over 500 metres. It didn’t even have the psychological security of a barrier fence. Coming back wasn’t as bad, as I was driving on the side of the road against the hill. The actual lake was very beautiful, set among the mountains and rainforest.
An interesting feature of this particular jungle was the electricity pylons, which were built 75 metres above the ground, so that the wires hung above the canopy. In order for the towers to have minimal impact on the environment, if they weren’t accessible by foot then a helipad was constructed on top of the tower. I don’t think I would like to be either the pilot of, or the passenger in, a helicopter attempting to land on a small area on top of a high voltage tower 75 metres above the ground!
Tonight Ranjit is coming to entertain us in the caravan park – as the camp kitchen is the venue, we will be entertained whether we want to be or not. Given the average of the campers here, I’m not really worried about Ranjit being a head-banging rock band.
Nearly forgot the weather report – hot (2), dry and clear.
The Scouts in the Cairns region celebrated 100 years of Scouting with some displays and activities along the Esplanade this morning. We visited them for a while and spent some time talking to the Regional Commissioner.
Following this, we walked along the foreshore to the market and I managed to upset one of the stallholders. When I asked if she would knock $3 off the price if I bought two pairs of earrings for $40, I was told in no uncertain terms that I was being insulting. Needless to say, she missed out on a sale. On the walk back to our car, we watched the emergency helicopter, which was on the helipad opposite the hospital, load a patient and take-off. There was no effort made to keep the immdiate area clear of onlookers and the helicopter took off right above our heads.
This afternoon we finally made it to Lake Morris and Copperlode Dam, the water supply for Cairns. The 16km road was cut into the side of a mountain, was very narrow and twisty and rose over 500 metres. It didn’t even have the psychological security of a barrier fence. Coming back wasn’t as bad, as I was driving on the side of the road against the hill. The actual lake was very beautiful, set among the mountains and rainforest.
An interesting feature of this particular jungle was the electricity pylons, which were built 75 metres above the ground, so that the wires hung above the canopy. In order for the towers to have minimal impact on the environment, if they weren’t accessible by foot then a helipad was constructed on top of the tower. I don’t think I would like to be either the pilot of, or the passenger in, a helicopter attempting to land on a small area on top of a high voltage tower 75 metres above the ground!
Tonight Ranjit is coming to entertain us in the caravan park – as the camp kitchen is the venue, we will be entertained whether we want to be or not. Given the average of the campers here, I’m not really worried about Ranjit being a head-banging rock band.
Nearly forgot the weather report – hot (2), dry and clear.
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