Birthday at Port Douglas

Friday, 18 July 2014

 

Local fauna

Came down in the last wet season

Jungle perch

New lookout

Tuesday, it rained, and then rained some more, but at least it was warm rain.  With little else to do, Himself decided to undertake some important shopping and talk to the Mitsubishi people about having the Pajero serviced.  They could do it that afternoon!  When he went out to collect the vehicle from the service yard, the reception girls had tied a large gold bow to the roof racks – and no, he didn’t take a photo!  While he was away, I took the opportunity to try out the new tray for my convection oven and made some biscuits, which the man opposite asked if he could quality control.

Wednesday, the sun came out again and the temperature shot up.  I needed to visit the Cairns Regional Council to sign a legal document from the Kingborough Council and despite all arrangements being made and Marion expecting me, the receptionist was very protective of Marion’s privacy and it took some persuasion before Marion was advised of my presence.  We farewelled a couple of neighbours this evening as well – the one’s opposite are headed to the Cape and the ones behind are headed south.

Thursday was probably our hottest day so far – a good day to sit in an air conditioned hairdressing salon.  The ladies even remembered me from last year.  We thought it would be cooler during the afternoon if we had a walk to the Crystal Cascades and while it was cooler under the trees, the humidity was much higher.  We were also treated to a number of Ulysses butterflies – we have seen so many this year!  The water level is also much higher than previous years.  Since our last visit, a viewing platform has been constructed at the end of the pathway, with views to the waterfall on the left and the creek on the right.  Being a student free day (school resumed last Monday and Friday is a public holiday owing to the Cairns Show), a number of teenage boys were showing a number of teenage girls how brave they were and jumping from the high cliffs into the water.

One of the park owners has told us that he was called back to the park after 11.00 pm a few nights ago when a Wicked camper came in very late and made the mistake of attempting to free camp beside the overnight caretaker.  He politely asked the Wicked people to leave, they refused, he rang the owner’s son who arrived and informed the Wicked people they had to leave.  The Wicked people again refused and rang the police to say they were being threatened.  I gather the police arrived and sorted out the sleeping arrangements, but probably not to Wicked’s liking.

Today is my birthday and despite not getting breakfast in bed, I did receive a lovely pair of gold earrings.

With the temperature again expected to reach 27 degrees and a cloudless sky, my decision was to have lunch at Port Douglas, together with a spot of retail therapy.  The drive along the coast was spectacular, with the air being so clear and the sea very calm and blue.  We joined the usual throng of tourists at the lookout on the way and took the obligatory photos.  The crocodile in the Mowbray River was hiding today, but the tide wasn’t very low so there wasn’t much mud for lounging thereon.  We had a lovely lunch, with a glass of wine, and enjoyed poking about among the many shops.  Some very nice resort wear was available, for a very nice price, but not really suitable for wearing at home.  We stopped at the lookout again on our return journey as there was a hang glider just hanging about waiting to be photographed.  It has been a very enjoyable day, with lots of telephone calls and well wishes via the internet.