Last days in FNQ

After our morning boat ride and breakfast on Thornton Beach we finished off our Sunday with G & Ts around the fire..........

..... followed by David's carefully crumbed and fried calamari and salad for dinner ..... and a roaring fire as the sun went down and the stars emerged overhead.

The plan on Monday was to head north towards Noah's Creek for a walk and a swim. But unfortunately for us there were extensive repair works underway on the flood damaged causeway across the creek so we couldn't do the walk as planned. We headed to beautiful Noah's Beach instead - deserted of course - a stunning walk at low tide on hard, unblemished sand.

We walked to the mouth of Noah's Creek - keeping an alert watch out for a possible croc sighting - no swimming here!!

The view to the west along the edge of Noah's Beach reminded me of that beautiful children's picture (collage) book by Jeannie Baker: Where the Forest Meets the Sea - "My father says there has been a rainforest here for over a hundred million years". 

We found dozens of these curly, spiraled sand patterns on the beach - made by marine lug worms - very evident when the tide goes out, apparently.

Back at the cabin I managed to capture this lovely shot of Rob enjoying the view of the surrounding mountains - just before we were due to leave ..........

We drove back to Cairns late yesterday afternoon. We're staying at the Novotel for two nights; David and Ro have a lot on their "to do" list back at their Cairns house before our departure for Arnhem Land on Thursday.

We celebrated our last night together in Cairns with a delicious Thai meal at Iyara By Sakare on the very buzzy Cairns Esplanade. 

The Novotel lagoon pool looked very inviting in this morning's early morning light - 25oC max today although it was only about 19oC at this time of the day. Hotels here really need to have decent pools as there is no swimming off the beaches (too many crocs and stingers!!!).

We walked around 8klm this morning, all along the Cairns esplanade - in perfect FNQ winter conditions.

We spent the afternoon getting a load of washing clean and dry ready for our departure tomorrow, visiting a local gallery and then drinks and a meal by the pool this evening - a good way to spend our last day in Cairns.

Arnhem Land here we come!

A week in FNQ

We flew into Cairns a few days ago, ready to spend the week with our friends David and Ro before we all head off on our 13 day trip to Arnhem Land together on the 16th.

David and Ro never sit still for long so we were only in Cairns overnight and then we were on our way to their property further north, in the magical Daintree NP.

Crossing the Daintree River, north of Port Douglas, on the ferry is always an adventure. David and Ro are locals so they get key position on the ferry, ahead of all the day trippers.

Their cabin on the edge of the rain forest is more than twice as big as it was on our last visit, four years ago...  after all David's additions.

They're still a work in progress, including the main bathroom. But no worries, because look at their solution to an unfinished bathroom  ......... the most luxurious and (mostly) private outdoor shower (with plenty of hot water on offer too!).

Their cabin has the most glorious setting...........

The new kitchen is a work in progress too so David has a temporary set up established in the cabin breezeway. Being David he has no trouble cooking us gourmet meals despite the makeshift set up!

On the edge of their property is the magical Cooper Creek .......

We swam in it today, in crystal clear water, fresh flowing from the surrounding mountains - just beautiful, and over 2 mts deep here in parts!

And a reminder that this is part of a protected Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Site - especially the waters and land around Cooper Creek. David and Ro have special permission by agreement to enter this land.

To access David and Ro's property you have to cross this "shallow" running section of Cooper Creek. Last time we were here we crossed it in our little hire car. I think it would be too deep to do that now after a very rainy season here.

It was running pretty fast in the middle of the crossing (and about 30 - 40 cm deep in parts).

This is a close up view of the so called Blue Pool in clear sight of the crossing over Cooper Creek - a highly sacred Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal site - a women's site for healing and birthing - entering without permission or swimming here is considered desecration.

It's like a tropical garden run wild everywhere you look.

Yesterday afternoon we met up with David's daughter Thea at the renovated (by David) property they run as an Airbnb. It's just around the corner from David and Ro's cabin but in a more settled part of Diwan. We thought it looked beautiful - and it's a very popular property on Airbnb - no wonder! 

It even has views of the sea in the distance (this pic was taken from the hot-tub deck).

David's three year old grandson Harlan lives an idyllic, free range childhood here on the edge of the Daintree. This discarded snakeskin was a source of excitement this afternoon.

His nine year old mate is a careful quad bike driver but it's still quite a shock to see them tearing around the property (very safely) and the access road together.

David had a night off cooking last night as it was fish and chips night at the local Thornton Beach Cafe Restaurant. It's a popular weekly event with the locals and it was great fun to meet some of them last night and enjoy the best fish and chips we've ever eaten (a big call I know!)

... and what an outlook - on to beautiful Thornton Beach!

This morning David planned an early morning boat outing and a gourmet breakfast  together, prepared picnic style on the beach.

He launched on Thornton Beach - not the easiest of jobs with the tide a bit lower than ideal. Luckily Thea and her Dave, both experienced boaties were there to give a hand.

Our joy in getting out at sea wasn't to last too long unfortunately as some problem arose with the fuel filter (?) meaning the engine was running too rough and erratic to risk going too far. 

So we landed back at Thornton Beach before too long - and a great place for breakfast anyway!!

Crepes, fresh coffee, tropical fruit salad, yoghurt - all delicious!

Harlan and I dug for fossils!

Horse and Hair and a Birthday

Ella celebrated her great success in her first semester of study at the Uni of Canberra with a new hair colour last week. It's quite a dramatic change, but we all think it looks stunning! It will suit her well as she embarks on her new combined degree next semester.

And Ella's not the only one who gets regular hair treatments either!

Abi's Friday afternoon ride (and lesson with Victoria) was extra sweet last week because it was also the last day of school for semester one - and the start of winter break - yay!

At Pony Club yesterday morning the assembled horses were joining in the FIFA World Cup fever with their own version of "horse ball". Sammy took to it really well after a bit of introductory coaching in "handling" that big ball.

Sammy was heading staright for goals in this shot - yay!

He deserved all his extra treats afterwards 'cos he was the team's MVP for sure.

We finished off our wintry weekend with dinner at Claire and Glen's last night - our first visit to their happy new home in Belconnen. Ella and Abi were immediately at ease amongst the rellos - with an admiring audience all around, including Billy the Golden Retriever looking on longingly at them, through the window.

These two make any gathering the party of the year - lucky us being along for the ride!

... and through good fortune there was even a birthday to celebrate and strawberry cheesecake all around - with lots of candles too!