Cairns Continues

Sunday, 26 August 2018

Ornamental pineapple

Chocolate in waiting

Big ants!

Inspecting a depression chest

With Carol and Det, waiting for lunch

Bruno's coffee roaster

Bushwalking duo

Rugged landscape, just right for snakes

Dry grass, just right for snakes

Returning from the "waterfall"

Going, going ...

Emerald Creek

On the beach!

Forgot about the ants!

School marching band in colourful attire

Enjoying the parade (and coffee)

Two cute South Koreans

Local mermaids

Local constabulary getting into the action

Brightly lit dancer

Heart attack about to happen!!!

Full moon over Trinity Inlet

Fireworks

The weather has continued to be hot, sunny and dry, although the nights are cool which makes sleeping more comfortable.

This week, after ten years, we finally managed to do the guided tour of the Botanic Gardens and were amazed at the number of plants we have looked at but never really seen or known what they were for.  Apart from ornamental pineapples, cacao pods (chocolate) and many spices, we were also introduced to the lipstick plant and shown how the seeds will stain the skin bright red.  We were also fortunate to spot some of the Cairns Birdwing butterflies.

Last Monday, Carol and Det joined us for a trip to Mareeba in order to replenish our coffee supplies.  After a stop at the Termite shop for the obligatory chilli chutney purchase, we called into the Mareeba Museum – a new experience for Carol and Det, who seemed to enjoy the many displays.  Lunch was on the verandah of Skybury Coffee while we waited for my coffee order to be packaged.  Skybury have taken over NQ Gold Coffee but also bought Bruno’s old roaster and have lovingly restored it to its former glory.  On our return to Cairns, we diverted to the Emerald Creek Falls and tested out the new tyres on the eight kilometres of corrugated gravel road.  After walking along a rough track through the scrub, I gave up when the slope/steps became too steep for my legs and waited for the other three to find the pool at the base of the falls.  Evidently, the actually falls are not visible from the end of the track.  We returned to the car and discovered a lovely sandy beach right behind us and enjoyed the cool water and shade for a time.

The Cairns Festival commenced on Friday and yesterday afternoon/evening was the annual parade.  We took our chairs and a picnic and joined the many thousands lining the Esplanade for this annual ritual.  It actually took two hours for the parade to pass us; there were many local schools, clubs and businesses participating and one of the showgirls nearly gave Himself a heart attack when she came up close and personal!!!  Following the parade, we were treated to a spectacular fireworks display over Trinity Inlet.

The caravan park is starting to thin out, with many of the regulars leaving for the journey south.