Where have the last few days gone. Haven't blogged at all, not even felt like it, heh, that is caravan parks for you. After leaving Somerset Beach, our idylic little beach that we had all to ourselves, we set off next morning to catch up with the others at The Tip. As expected a most popular tourist spot, and not surprisingly a terrible track. Oh well, shouldn't complain, it would be even more popular and overcrowded if it was a good road. As the tide was out we were able to walk around to the Tip along the beach, past the mangroves, then we had a good clamber on the rocks up to the most northern spot on these shores. A lovely view, lots of little rocky islands scattered just offshore. All the obligatory photos and posing. As it was Richard's birthday we went back to their campspot at Pundsand Bay CP. A lovely beach, but not so nice CP. But it was nice to celebrate a birthday together. Helen had baked a lovely cake, and a bit of fun with silly presents.
Thursday was a bit of a nothing day, hanging around doing nothing, time seems to drag when you find yourself on a beach where you can't swim. Fish weren't biting either. Were hanging around again as it was Jamie's 9th birthday on 26th and we wanted to see her enjoy it. Well worth it. Both Jamie and Lewis have set treasure hunt games for us before, so I did a similar thing for her presents, it was fun. The next day, I think, they are all blurring together, we did a bit of track exploration up to the Jardine River. Absolutely delightful bush camp where we met a couple from Germany who have been camping around Oz for nearly 2 years! Did all the compare where we've been/what we enjoyed most etc (WA came tops on their list!). Camped at another CP that night as we were heading off for a cruise over to Thursday Island (TI) which left early at 7:30 from the Jetty closeby. Read on the notice board that there was Beer, Burgers and Beautiful People over at the fishing club Friday evening, so we all meandered over. A great evening, just the sort of place you would expect locals to hang out at in an isolated location. Very reminiscent of the old Middle East Days. The photos on the wall of the “trophies' had all the boys eager that they might be as lucky on our trip over to TI in the morning. Unfortunately, the day came and went with no such luck. TI was ok, local people very friendly, very small island. I surprised everyone when I said it reminded me of Canberra – if you weren't born there you were government! Short trip over to Horn Island for lunch and to visit the museum – was a bit disappointment really – the Bull Creek Aviation Museum is far more informative of Australias involvement during the war. I think Eugene, our skipper for the day, had been at the fishing club the night before as well, as at one point he dropped off to sleep, the boat started heading off course and Chauffeur was just about to tap him on the shoulder when he woke with a start and pulled the boat back on course, no kidding.
Saturday we finally left and started our trip south. A short days driving, approx 200Km to Billy's Landing – a nice clearing on the beach on the east coast. A bit blustery, but not cold. It was a nice evening.
Sunday 29th August – 17,283km (finally remembered to check mileage again). Another birthday, this time Trev's! They will be picking up their trailer today, bet Rachel will be glad to have her proper kitchen back, and to not have to set up the tent each night. Trev was told of a good fishing spot near Wenlock Falls so we have decided to check it out. It has been rather a laborious haul into this place. A very windy, narrow and bumpy track. Eventually got there, but Richard and Helen and turned back. Trev took one look and headed off as well. We have stayed for a bit, can't drive all this way to not even cast a lure or 2. I've made lunch and will wait to see if chauffeur is lucky. Trev told us he didn't want to know if we caught anything. Well, chauffeur did catch a good pan-sized barra, but under the limit, fortunately it jumped off the hook just before being landed, so he didn't have to toy with his conscience. He also had a couple of other river fish but were released to swim away. After lunch we followed where we believed Trev had headed up to the Pascoe River. Caught up with him at the crossing, but he had had no luck, fishing that is, in another way he had had some luck when his trailer wheel hit a tree stumped and nearly upended. We ended up spending the night at Archer River. Not the Roadhouse but the actual river crossing which has some nice sandy banks. Found a nice spot with running water, and after a good rinse had some dinner. As it was Trev's birthday there was some nice cheese and biscuits shared, and some cake. I am all birthday'd out – 3 in a week!!
Tuesday 30th August (17,591) saw us heading on south towards Lakefield. Not far down the track we found Trev out of the car, on his hands and knees checking out the nether regions of his vehicle. Diagnoses, a broken shock mount. But as nothing will stop him we continued on, hoping there might be spares available in Coen – Michael had sung the praises of the mechanic there :-) No luck so we pressed on again. Although the Peninsula Development Road (PDR) is the main road up to the top, it really is rather 'hairy' in places. The corrugations weren't bad, in fact it seemed it had recently been graded, but the dust is terrible, therefore visibility can be worse than a good old Yorkshire pea souper (or fog in Australian). The huge road trains thunder up as if they own the road, and you have to pull over and stop and wait until you can see the bumper of your car again. One time we nearly ran up the rear end of one of these road trains as it had slowed right down and we didn't see it until about 20 m away. All the locals tell us it has been a bad year up here for accidents, I can quite believe it. We have eventually arrived at the Lion's Den Hotel, about 30km south of Cooktown. Last time we drove past (on our way up to the top) it was still closed as it was early morning, but as it is in Michael's bush pub book, I was determined we should try and have a beer here this time. Turns out there is one of those (dare I say it) CP's as well. Not too bad, at least we are not designated square postage stamps to park on, and squashed in like sardines. There are some magnificent rainforest trees that we are camped under, and the actual hotel is a stone's throw away – well not one of my throws (but I might be able to spit further than I can throw:-). Will be checking it out as soon as the chauffeur has bathed, unfortunately no nice fresh creek to rinse in tonight.
Wednesday 31st August – 18,101 Lion's Den Hotel – Noah's Beach Bloomfield Track
Well the Lion's Den was well worth it, very characterful. Set off early for the Bloomfield Track. Not sure what to expect, but I knew Ben had done it in a Tercel. As it turned out it is nothing challenging at all, in fact ordinary cars can do it. The rain forest is huge, dense and moist. The weather wasn't with us, the rain came, and went, and came back again unfortunately. But I guess you can't have all this 'green' unless there is a lot of water. Camped at Noah's beach – and sat in the car most of the afternoon trying to keep dry. Held off opening the camper in case it stopped raining, but no such luck. Sure enough when we did open up, the camper had leaked again, but I had been prepared and packed the bedding away in the drawers. Heavy rain during the night, but woke up to patchy sunshine and chauffeur dancing around in delight.xxxx
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