Don Quixote

Saturday, 18 August 2012

Winter would appear to be officially finished in Cairns – we have had the two hottest days since our arrival and are actually spending more time in the air conditioned caravan than outside. Cat has started shedding again!

Thursday evening I was very pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a classmate from my high school days, as well as a work colleague (say Department, different building) from Devonport – Margaret, together with her husband Chris, arrived at Crystal Cascades after a few months on the road with the new caravan. We spent some time during Friday morning catching up on news of the last six years.

Friday was a fairly quiet day (too hot to do anything energetic), with just the usual everyday activities. However, the evening was spent enjoying a performance of Don Quixote by the Dancers’ Company of the Australian Ballet. This was such an enjoyable (even funny at times) ballet, with Steven Heathcote playing the role of Don Quixote. The two lead dancers were excellent and thoroughly deserved their three curtain calls. Unfortunately, one of the lesser lead males did come a bit of a cropper when he misjudged his landing after a series of jumps and fell flat on his face – he did roll out of the spill very quickly and back onto his feet. This was the first time we had seen this particular ballet and would thoroughly recommend it.

Today is Long Tan Day (or Vietnam Veterans Day), so we headed into central Cairns late this morning for a wander around the weekly market (the stalls were still the same as previous visits) and a spot of lunch before heading to the RSL for the service. Fortunately, we were able to find a shady spot and really felt sorry for the Navy colour parties, in full dress uniform, who had to stand in the full sun.

No new photos, so have included some taken recently at the Cairns Botanic Gardens.