Television at Mission Beach

Friday, 28th June

Keeping a close eye out for Carlton supporters 

No need for an alarm clock this morning – 30 Hornet fighter jets departed Townsville at 5.30 am!


With clear blue skies all day, the temperature quickly rose to a very pleasant 25 degrees, and still no wind. How lucky we have been. The couple of hundred kilometres north to Mission Beach should have taken less than three hours, however, we quickly discovered that major road works were happening around Ingham and still happening (after many years, it seems) south of Cardwell. We spent many, many minutes sitting in long queues – one stop was so long that we were able to make a “pit stop” and have morning tea. I did even consider putting the kettle on to make coffee and sell it to the waiting drivers! Cardwell was also dug up, with major redevelopment happening along the foreshore. This lovely spot right beside the Coral Sea, a firm favourite with caravanners having plenty of parking room, no longer had places to park and enjoy the view across to Hinchinbrook Island. Unfortunately, it also looks like the redevelopment will include angle parking along the foreshore.

With so many delays, it was apparent that we would arrive at Mission Beach until well after lunch, so stopped at the northern end of Cardwell, where we found a place long enough in front of some houses. In front of us, part way across a private driveway, was the small campervan we had followed for some time a few days before and had left the three big trucks to intimidate him. Obviously still thinks the road belongs to him …

Shortly after leaving Townsville, we started meeting Army vehicles, obviously returning from an exercise somewhere to the north. Three hours later, they were still going past and we were getting waves from many of the drivers when we were stopped for roadworks. It took us a while to work out why only us were getting the waves and then realised Les’ army ribbon stickers are on the front of the caravan. Nice to have a veteran recognised by today’s serving forces.

We are staying at the Mission Beach Hideaway Caravan Park, right in the middle of the village. This is a fairly big park, very well maintained and has a lovely tropical feel. We are in the middle of the wet tropics, so the atmosphere is very humid. Unfortunately, we have had trouble with television reception. A co-axial cable was required, which after being fed through the hatch and connected to the television, failed to give any picture. Much muttering (and sweating) by Himself, changing of cable, more muttering, checking with neighbours and testing their cables (which worked), back to Mr Personality at reception (who seemed very uninterested) for an extension and permission to use the connection on a vacant site. Success, thank goodness – Sydney Swans play Carlton tonight! The coffee cup was then replaced in the drawer and the whiskey bottle brought out – he is starting to feel a little better.