Day 183 - Thursday 29 June - Returning to Cairns

Day 183

Thursday

29 June 2017 – Finished Ashley Bell  by Dean Koontz, it was an alright read, but glad it was a freebie from ibooks.

Port Douglas – Cairns

It rained during the night and by the time we got out and underway, the rain had well and truly set in. It didn’t prevent us from completing our jobs and preparing the van and car for our next move. I was intending on doing one last walk on Four Mile Beach, but that went out the window with the wet.

Paul had everything ready by 9.20am and we began our journey south, returning to the familiar territory of Cairns and Lake Placid Tourist Park. The ride was hampered with the wet and slippery roads along with the convoy of caravans making their way to tourist hot spots.
I enjoyed watching the road wind its way along the coast, whether from meters away or from a higher peak. The water was extremely calm and flat despite the rain that had set in. It was one of those mornings where the sky wand water became one on the horizon with no discernible distinction. 

The traffic began to increase and we knew we were returning to a greater metrolpolis. It wasn’t long before we saw familiar buildings, roundabouts and then the comfort of home for the next three days. There was a back up of vans coming in at the same time. While Paul took the car off, I scouted our site to check if we would be able to drive through, but sadly not this time.

After checking in, Paul moved the van to our patch and then reversed the van and trailer in. It took a few tries but it was finally managed and we could finally start the set up.

No sooner were we done, the rain came down. We sat inside, taking stock and deciding what was next. With a shopping list in tow and an empty gas bottle, we took off for the Coles to pick up some bits and then headed across the road for the local Bunnings to swap the gas. 

 Macalisters Brewery was next on the list as it was next door. Paul had been told to drop in on our return to try their smoked porter and that is just what he did. As it was quiet, he was also able to talk to Rob the owner, who was also an ex-chemistry teacher. After enjoying a couple of pints and receiving the name of another brewery in town, we made our way back to the van with our shopping, ready to have lunch.  

The weather wasn’t particularly conducive for getting out and about, so we were happy to hang around for a bit, reading maps of QLD and trying to decide where we might head to over the next week or so. We figure the coastal route may be a bit busy with the NSW and VIC school holidays starting this weekend, so may have to dart inland for a bit, we shall see.

At 2.30pm we decided we should head into town and checkout the Coral Sea Brewing Co. We found a park and then walked into a mall next to the dim sum we had eaten at for Paul’s birthday, if only we had seen it then. The brewery doesn’t have a tasting room, but fortunately the brewers were in and enjoying a break so Paul was able to have a chat and try their brews. 

They were only a young group and of the four in the room three were from Perth; small world.

When we were all done, the keys were given to me and we made our way to Cairns Central, their large shopping centre. We did a walk around the couple of levels trying to get the steps up, but Paul wasn’t interested in hanging around for too long and we were soon back at the car and heading home once again.

Not happy with the number of steps we had done, we changed into our walking gear and headed out. We checked out the lake first. The cloud was low in many patches and was like clumps of spider web that you often find in spikey bushes. 

We then walked down the main road and to a large recreational park where a footpath followed the perimeter of a lake. We had good views of the mountains surrounding the area and their image was reflecting in the lake. We watched fish jump and spotted a young fisherman, who said he caught fish regularly which of course piqued Paul’s interest.

We made our way back to the van, sweating with the humidity. I started dinner, while Paul wrote his review and then we ate, listening to the Ipod and enjoying the peace.

By the time bed came about, I was stuffed and well and truly ready for a goodnight’s rest.