Thursday 20 July
Proserpine - Shute Harbour - Airlie Beach
It was nice to not have an alarm waking us this morning
though I was still awake early. There had been a bit of a stiff breeze during
the night that saw Paul scampering to close vents and bring in the awning and I
heard those around us doing the same thing. By the time we were awake it had
calmed down a little.
I sat in bed loading photos, aware that the internet was
still password free for the time being and I knew I had a few pics I wanted to
load up.
By 830am we were up and out of bed, having showers and
breakfast and deciding what to do with ourselves. By 10am, yes it is a long process
this decision making, we had a plan and took off in the little car for Proserpine,
a small sugar cane town 30 min inland from Airlie Beach. My brother lived in
this town in 1999 while working at a golf resort as a green keeper in Midge
Point.
We didn't stop in town, just did a drive by of the Main
Street, as we continued on a further 30km to Lake Proserpine where Paul could
do some fishing. We made our way past the dam wall and located the boat ramp
and picnic area, parking and setting up at a picnic table. I went off for a
walk along the edge checking the view while Paul set up his rods.
When I returned I joined Paul on the bank by the water and
waited for the fish to start biting. Unfortunately the bites were nibbles and
we didn't catch anything. After about an hour of trying, we packed up our gear
and made our way towards home.
We decided that we would have lunch at Shute Harbour, 6km
further on from our caravan park. As we followed the road in we could see the
carnage created by Cyclone Debbie. There were some boats and yachts parked in
very interesting spots, including the road edge and high in the mangroves, with
very little hope of being salvaged anytime soon.
We checked out the harbour area where the buildings had
copped a battering, some were being repaired others were left. We could see the
homes overlooking the harbour that were also covered in scaffolding and yellow
tarps.
A lookout on a hill provided a great view and the perfect
spot to stop for lunch, though the breeze was in and I was cold.
We ate and then did a drive amongst the small settlement for
a closer look at the aftermath of the cyclone and then we returned to the
caravan park for a couple of hours of r
and r because we had worked so hard.
Just After 3.30pm we made our way in to town, as I was
desperate for water. This is the first place I have found where I can't drink
the tap water at the park.
First we did I a walk of the street, heading to the head of
the street and a lookout over the bay. We returned to the road passing a sign
for a craft beer café at the port, so we made our way along the waterfront
before finding the row of shops at the port and Denman Cellars and Beer Café.
Paul was happy to see the extensive collection of beers in their fridge.
While he chose a beer, I thought I would have an espresso.
Martini. We enjoyed our drinks and the view while chatting to the staff. Paul
noticed there was an event being set up and when he asked he was told it was a
beer and food matching evening with Yenda beers. We were told we could come
along, but at $50 a head we declined, until we were told we would be shouted
the event after Paul played the beer reviewer card, then we couldn't turn it
down.
We made our stop for water then returned to the van to
spruce ourselves up for the dinner at 7pm. We were done with plenty of time,
making it back to the café 20min early. We met the rep Sam and Paul and he were
off talking beer.
We sat at a table with 10 others and enjoyed the meal:
chicken skewers, kataifi prawns, Thai beef salad and pork belly followed by
stout chocolate cake. The meal was delicious and Paul enjoyed the beers. We had
great company during the event and thoroughly enjoyed our impromptu dinner,
however we were aware we had an early one ahead of us so made it for home at
9.30pm ready to jump into bed and warm up as I had worn far too little to the
open air venue and was frozen.
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