Kurramine to Cooktown (June 2 - June 10 2012)

Saturday 2 June 2012 - Kurramine Beach

You wouldn’t believe it – but guess who won a meat tray – yep you guessed it - lucky Roy, he hasn’t lost it!  We both enjoyed our meals – steak and salad, very very yummy.

There are 3 Lotus vans in this park and another one in the park down the road – very rare, its usually the Jaycos that are in numbers.  And of course, the owners have to have the Lotus Talk, comparing their vans and trading tips. Ha ha ha and they say women are the talkers!!  One of the vans is heading up to the festival in Cooktown too.

Sunday 3 June 2012 – Paronella Park at Mena Creek

We woke to a beautiful sunny morning at last, but only had time for a quick walk on the beach before packing up and heading off for Paronella Park.  Paronella Park is the ruins of a castle which was built early in the century by a Spanish guy for his wife, but I won’t go into that – too long, you’ll just have to go there yourself and find out all about it!!!

We arrived at lunch time just in time for a tour of the park.  You wouldn’t believe it – but while we were waiting for the Guide, someone called, “Roy Store”.  It was Darryl Jenner who Roy knows from Wynnum (and is Jason’s cousin).  How many times can you say “It’s a small world” but it really is...  The tour took about an hour and we learned the history of the castle, then had a quiet arvo and recouped ready for the night tour, where the castle is lit up.  Darryl and his wife Joanne were there again so we caught up after the tour for a few social drinks. We were lucky the rain held off.

The Castle

Monday 4 June 2012 – Newell Beach

Off again, now we’re heading for Newell Beach just north of Mossman.  We didn’t stop at Cairns because we want to spend a week or so there after we do the Cape. We stopped at Innisfail for coffee-to-go and Edmonton for a few supplies and then straight up to Newell. 

Mossman Gorge

When we arrived, Roy took Jeddy for a walk along the beach while I did the housekeeping ho ho – and once again you wouldn’t believe it, he came back saying that he just saw a car that he’s sure is Lenny’s, parked outside the park.  Sure enough, he rang Lenny and asked him where he was – say no more.  Within 2 minutes Lenny was standing in front of us.  So “Lenny and the Crows” were staying at the same park as us.  Bloody hell (that world really is small)!!!  We had drinks that night but had an early one.


You're not at the end of this blog until you get to the purple text saying "to be continued". There are some long spaces that I don't know how to fix yet, so keep scrolling down and you'll find the next paragraph down there somewhere......... scroll down 

Cane bins - Mossman

Mossman Gorge

View from Port Douglas

Tuesday 5 June 2012 – Newell Beach

Newell Beach

The days have been lovely and sunny and warm and the minimum has been around 17 degrees which is a nice sleeping temp and the max is rising – its 29 degrees now.  We went for a morning walk on the beach before heading off to do the tourist thing up the southern end of the Bloomfield Track to Daintree and Bloomfield.  Bloomfield has a population of 6 with 1 structure which is home/fuel/food etc. 

Bring your own everything or you’ll pay through the nose, but the hospitality was good.  We spent a couple of hours at the Daintree Discovery Centre and that was the day gone.

Wednesday 6 June 2012 – Newell Beach

“Lenny and the Crows” left to meet up with the others in Lakeland and we headed up to Mossman Gorge.  How beautiful, but so many tourists there.  It’s a good thing they have boardwalks now.  Then we went to take a look at Port Douglas.  My God, its just like Noosa.  It is definitely a beautiful town but far too yuppy for me.

We had lunch in a park on the foreshore, but poor Jeddy wasn’t allowed in the park there, so had to stay in the car.

Now for the highlight of the day – we went to a place called Hook A Barra.  It’s barra farm. “Lenny and the Crows” had been the day before and Geoff told us all about his catch, so we HAD to have a go.  Yahooooooo what a buzz!!  Even though it’s a farm (MP and Bob H) - a catch is a catch!! So now I’m hooked.  Before going home, we went straight back into Mossman and bought a barra rod so we will be prepared when we get up to the top.

Mary and Bob - a catch is a catch if you don't miind!!!

Thursday 7 June 2012 - Cooktown

Newell Beach

Endeavour River

Head em up, move em out!!!! (As Flint would say!! Or Ward Bond?)  Our last morning walk on lovely Newell Beach – I love this place.  After saying goodbye to Jenny the Manager, we headed north again to Cooktown.  We stopped for lunch at Palmer River Roadhouse, which was full of memorabilia of the gold days. Nice spot.  Arrived in Cooktown at about 3pm and was busy setting up so missed out on Happy Hour.  Nevermind, we made up for it after tea!!

Beautiful Cooktown

Friday 8 June 2012 – Cooktown - Elim Beach

The Others and Roy & Jed at Elim Beach

We woke quite early, put a load of washing on and headed off into town to find a Dump Spot.  We got waylaid along the way looking at all the sites, lookouts etc and heaps of pics later, we found the Dump Spot.  When we arrived back at the park, we had just enough time to get ready for our days outing with the others. There are 13 of us in all:  Roy and me, Maureen and John Bristow, Lenny and the Crows (Geoff and Diane), Dave and Merle Walton, Freddy and Wyn Stevenson and Graham and Hanne Dodd. (I’ll refer to the group as The Others, so I don’t have to name them all each time).

Jeddy - Elim Beach

The days outing was up to Hope Vale and Elim Beach and the coloured sands.  We had a wonderful day with JB doing a top job as our Tour Guide (because he has been there before).  Our Guide took us to Hope Vale first, which is an aboriginal community and a place you’d just want to keep going through – and we did.  Then to Elim Beach which is breathtaking!!  We had a bit of a wander here before heading off to find Eddy and get a permit to go to the coloured sands.  $10/vehicle – easy money hey!

Eddys camp at Elim Beach

The Ute at the coloured sands

There’s always something, with us!!! This time it’s the CB!!!!  We hadn’t used it up until now and were disappointed to find it didn’t work. After Freddy enlightened us that we were pressing the wrong button to talk, it actually wasn’t broken at all.  derrrrr!!!  Thanks Freddy.   Then, just when Roy was getting into the swing of things with The Others in the convoy – it went blank.  And as you all know, Roy isn’t in his element when he can’t talk.  He’ll have a look at it when we get back to the van.

The Gorge - stunning!

This is that funny man - Lenny of "Lenny and the Crows"

Off again, this time onto the beach and the beautiful coloured sands.  They are much the same as the ones on Fraser, and just as lovely.  We took heaps of photos then headed back off the beach (tide coming in) and back to Elim Beach where we had a picnic lunch in paradise.  How much better than this can it get!!!

The convoy

Coloured Sands

Roy and I stopped off at Isabella and Endeavour Falls on the way back and The Others went on ahead.  The falls were lovely – what waterfall isn’t?

Endeavour Falls

Roy bought a hand-held CB on the way home…

We met at the RSL for tea, but didn’t stay late, instead came back to the van and had drinks there.

Isabella Falls

Saturday 9 June 2012 – Cooktown - Archer Point

Another early start.  We were supposed to catch the Bush Poets Breakfast at the Gardens but sort of got there a bit late and it was far too crowded so had brekky at a café in town instead.  We booked our NP stop at Elliot/Twin Falls in advance as that’s supposed to be the way its done now.

Bush Poets Brekky - Too Late!!

Then under the instruction of our Guide once again, headed off to a place south of Cooktown called Archer Point.  This time it was just the Guide and Maureen, Lenny and the Crows and Roy and me that went.  Jeddy stayed home (with a bone as a bribe).  We have the full annex set up because we’re staying a few days – so its quite homey for him….  Pampered pooch.

Archer Point

Guess who forgot to bring the new hand-held CB - Oh my…

Archer Point

Archer Point

Howz this for a Free Camp - Archer Point

Another perfect spot…. How lovely is it up here!!!  Well done John.  Roy and I stopped at the Chinese Shrine before going back to the van. 

Its marvellous what can be achieved by group consultation. (having a few drinks with the others). Fiddling with a few wires and things, and somehow the CB is up and working again.  (No explanation!  but the problem is solved).

We ended the day with a wonderful BBQ with The Others. 

I found a tick on Jeddy’s paw this arvo – so put tea tree oil and then insect repellent on it but it didn’t drop out like it’s meant to.  I know you’re not supposed to use twizers but that’s what I did.  (Does anyone know what you should do). Roy was holding Jeddy’s head so he wouldn’t bite me – but he ended up getting bitten himself.  It was probably a good thing that he’d had a bit to drink, his reaction wasn’t as bad as it could have been….  They’re both alive which is the main thing.

An early night at last!!!

Sunday 10 June 2012 – Cooktown - The Captain Cook Landing

Another lovely day.  It started with an early morning walk and we saw 4 wallabys and a dead snake along the way.  Then down to the festival to see the Landing Re-enactment of Captain Cook.  (I was quite bored, so wandered off to take some pics).  We watched a Go-kart Derby for a bit and did the Museum.  That’s enough festival for me – I’m festivalled out!!!

Cooks Landing Festival

Roy’s having a grand-dad nap at the moment.  He’s really given his knees a working out the last few days (they are really going well) – and he’s not the spring chicken he used to be (quietly)…. And I’m taking the opportunity to catch up on this thing!!!!!!!

Oh yeah – the CB is NOT working again – it must be a loose wire.. Roy will look at it –when!!!!  Ever!!!

Well that’s it until next time – maybe from Weipa.  Tomorrow we’re doing the top section of the Bloomfield Track (we might even go right down) depending on how long we stay at the Lions Den ha ha……..

Then we head out of Cooktown on Tuesday to drop the vans off at Lakeland and then on to Archer River where we’ll be watching the State Of Origin on Wednesday…

Stay blogged in to this site to view the next episode of "Traveling Adventures with Roy and Helen", or don't....  

To be continued....

First 11 Days - Getting the hang of things!!!!

Wednesday 23 May 2012 - Adios Amigos  (Goodbye My Friends) - Chinchilla Weir

Chinchilla Weir

After all the years of talking about it, we finally did it.  We left our island paradise and comfort zone on the 10am barge on Wednesday 23 May and headed for Chinchilla Weir to spend our first night, arriving around 4pm.  It was a very long day and even though it was State of Origin night, Roy was so buggered that he was asleep by 7:30 (that meant he really was tired).  Once again our trusty "Dreampot" came through with flying colours and we enjoyed a yummy corned meat, spuds and tomato and onion casserole for tea, complimented by a few reds to boot. "Just what the doctor ordered" as my Dad would have said. This is a beautiful little spot, but would have been even more so if we had some firewood.  Just chilly enough to enjoy a fire and a glass or two of red.  It got down to about 14 degrees in the van.

Yellowbelly - No we didn't catch them - he did!

Thursday 24 May 2012 - Theodore

Outside Comet Pub

Next stop was Theodore.  We had planned to stay in the Free Camp on the river but we arrived too late (about 4pm) and you couldn't fit another van in, it was chockers.  So we camped at the Showground instead.






Friday 25 May 2012 - Capella

Lighthorsemen - Capella

We left Theodore at about 9:30 heading for our next stop which was supposed to be at the Comet pub.  We were looking forward to having a counter meal for tea but arrived at 1:30 to find the pub was all locked up.  Very bazaar!!  Roy and 2 other young guys who were wanting a beer, walked right around the place but it certainly was all locked up - very strange.  So on we went to the next town which was Emerald. We weren't fussed on the free camps there so soldiered on to Capella.  A lovely little town and nice little van park. (not free though). It got down to 14 degrees in the van that night - really still quite comfortable.  Weather has turned overcast and drab though.

Ahhhh!

Saturday 26 May 2012 - Charters Towers

This is a very boring stretch of road.  Many thanks to Lynn Harland for the audio books which kept us from nodding off along the way.   We had planned to stop along this section of highway at a camp called "Cape River" but another disappointing spot, so kept going until we got to Charters Towers.  We stopped at the Tourist Park for the night and have decided that we will have to come back to CT on another trip because there's so much to see here.  So much for the free camping, we've only stayed at one so far!!!

Sunday 27 May 2012 - Townsville

We're booked in to the Range Van Park for 4 nights.  The weather has been very gloomy up until today - its actually sunny and warm so far and the min temp inside the van has been about 15 degrees (getting warmer as we go north).  We had fish and chips on the waterfront at The Strand.  Very beautiful place.

Monday 28 May 2012 - Townsville

We did the tourist thing today - Castle Hill Lookout, the Reef HQ Aquarium and the Maritime Museum.  I have fallen in love with Townsville and especially its beautiful old buildings in the town area.  Roy was amazing today, doing all those stairs on the Castle Hill walk. I was very impressed with him!!!!  Good on you Darling... What a man !!!!!!!!!  And not to mention our wonder dog Jed who was very well behaved all day, having to stay home alone and without a single complaint.  What a dog!!!

We met up with Roy's relies in the evening for a family gathering at a lovely park on the esplanade.  Ron and Carmel supplied everyone with Pizza, thermos' of tea and coffee and soft drinks.  It was a wonderful catchup.

No hands!

Tuesday 29 May 2012 - Townsville

Priority today was getting Jeddy's ear looked at.  He has a blood blister in his ear which was drained the day before we left, but we were told that it may come back and it has.  The verdict being, either he has surgery which will mean stitches and a bucket on his head for 2 weeks, which would really be uncomfortable travelling in the back of the ute like that - or just to let it go and it will hopefully just shrivel up in about a months' time, just to keep and eye on it - which is the way we will go.   After the vet, we went for a drive up to Hervey Range and had lunch at the tea gardens there.  Then back to the van and an early night.  The weather is turning to mush again and we plan to do the Magnetic Is tour tomorrow.

Tea Gardens - Hervey Range

Wednesday 30 May 2012 - Magnetic Island

We headed off  on the Yellow Stretch Mini Moke Tour with our guide John.    We were the only ones on the tour (it didn't rain!! but it was very bleak).  The tour took 3 hours and the highlight was feeding the beautiful little Rock Wallabys.  We stopped for morning tea along the way and called into all the picturesque bays around the island.  You can pick up a little cottage for around $250k at present.  It's only 20 mins by SeaLink from Townsville.

Rock Wallaby - Magnetic Island

Once again Jeddy was a very well behaved boy!!! (or so we think - Nobody complained to us anyway).

Thursday 31 May 2012 - Hull Head

There must be something wrong with the lure!!!

Rain Rain Go Away!!  Wish it would p... off!!! Our intention was to go up as far as Mission Beach , but the rain and visibility was so bad that we called it quits at Hull Head, 9km south of Tully.  What a beautiful spot. Right where the river meets the sea.  The caretaker here told us that this is where the EYE of YASSI came through.  Most of the cottages were flattened, but you should see the mansions that have been rebuilt and what a paradise!!!  We stayed at the camp site just behind the VMR and right on the river.  This is the first signage we've seen, warning us of CROCS.  But  we didn't see any.

Hull Head

I tried out the new Jelly Prawn Lure that we got from Ben Jones (jellyprawnlures.com), which are supposed to catch anything.  I'm aiming to catch a barra.  But of course the crocs must have scared them away. ha ha  If nothing else - it was good practice for me because I have never used an eggbeater before or fished with a lure either.  Obviously I have a lot of practicing to do.  It was very relaxing though, aided by a glass or two of wine.

Another "Dreampot" meal to the rescue - what would we do without it...

Friday 1 June 2012 - Hull Head

Maureen and John Bristow are staying just down the road at Cardwell for a few days, so come up for a day visit.  We had a lovely catchup and the rain held off for much of the day.  We'll next see them when we meet in Cooktown for the festival next week.

Saturday 2 June 2012 - Kurramine Beach

The bloody rain keeps coming!!!!   We left beautiful Hull Head at about 10:30 and we're heading for Mission Beach, calling in at all of the beaches on the way.  South Mission Beach was very nice but we continued on until we reached Kurramine and have checked in to the Kurramine Beachfront Van Park.  We have a waterfront site but it just won't stop raining.  The park is connected to the local pub, which means that guess what we're doing for tea tonight......

This is the first time I've been able to get to the Blog, hopefully it will be on a more regular basis from now on.

Bleak

Stay blogged in to this site to view the next episode of "Traveling Adventures with Roy and Helen", or don't....  

To be continued....