Monday 14th September 2009 - Cairns. Queensland

Hi Folks,

Now at Cairns – Northern Queensland, (Cool Waters Caravan Park) the furthest point North I shall be staying, I intend to be here for a little while, as there are many things to do and see, as I am now bordering the “The Great Barrier Reef” the “Daintree Rain Forest” which are both now a “World Heritage Sites”.

On the Road here I passed, at least 80 miles of both Sugar & Banana Plantations that extended not only along the road-side, but as far inland as one can see. Queensland is known throughout Australia as the Banana Republic, or the people are Banana Benders, having seen great expanses of Sugar and Banana’s I can understand that cliché!

It has been a mass migration here, the “Grey Nomads” are heading south for home, as most of them come north to escape the winter from the States of New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, so they head south as summer returns there.

It is strange to see, as in Mission Beach, Caravan Parks relatively empty and the few remaining Campers pausing, before they start to head for Home, taking up-to 4/6 weeks to make the journey! (Prices should therefore fall steeply?)

The two weeks at Mission Beach, South Mission Beach and Bingil Beach, was a true taste of Paradise, Beaches that one walks everyday and although (together) they are 20 miles long, it is well worth it.

Worth mentioning that on the very last day at Mission, I met on the Beach a Cancer Surgeon who specialised in Melanoma’s, who I persuaded to look me over, he declared that I would have no problems, as I am dark-skinned, but to be careful!

My weight has stabilised at 13 Stone, I had thought that I had gained a little, but no! I am static and feel good for it.

NCS & I had our very first heavy Tropical Storm (“O o O’ Noah didn’t it Rain!) Awoke to a very hot 33° humid morning, but by the afternoon the rain had stopped and the Sun came out (With his hat on!) and things were much improved.

NCS came through Trumps, no leaks, no problems, and started first time when I decided to turn her over! (The motor I mean!), plus for the 1st time I had to refill the gas bottle, which has lasted 6 months, cost A$20 (£10) not bad methinks, but I have no idea how much a Gas bottle should last, or what it cost to refill!! (Idiot!)

For those looking down from Space (Google-Earth) you will be able to see what I mean about the Coastline, very long, white sanded beaches & beautiful Blue Sea’s, I trust I am tempting you to join me? If you look I have left a message written in the Sand, hope you can decipher it?

The presentations to both the Mission Beach Lions, Lioness’s and Rotary Clubs went well and I have for the 18th September the Cairns Rotary Club booked, plus I have to look for other Prides of Lioness’s! As well as The Lions.

I have decided to give Port Douglas, which is about 50 klicks North of Cairns a miss (remember the 1200 Deck chairs?) I have been informed that Port Douglas is the most expensive place in Australia, and with Hotel Accommodation at A$1500 (£900) per night; I cannot see deckchairs being the order of the day there, Can you?

Wildlife: Whilst walking the beach I came across the “Bluebottle Stinger” that will give you a nasty sting, decided to give swimming in the Sea a miss, I shall use the Camp Pool!

Saw the first drowned Wallaby, which was quite shock, but learned that both Kangaroo’s and Wallabies come down to the Sea to drink Sea Water, something about protein!

Spotted my first “Cassowary” (yes I have the photographs?) They have Red Heads, with a hard horn like growth (Crown) on their foreheads, and will attack you if threatened in any way! It is fact that the Male Cassowary is responsible for raising the chicks, so a little confusion reigns about who is in charge!

Again live Kangaroo’s and Wallabies are everywhere and seem very friendly, that is they do not scarper when we (Mankind) is about!

Passed 1,000’s of Egrets following tractors that were tilling the fields, just like we would back home see Seagulls, Parakeets are rife and also Oyster Catchers in abundance.

Miscellaneous: I have formed, here in Cairns, “The 1st Gentlemen’s Detective Agency” cos’ I have to set about finding an ex-colleague that worked for me here in Cairns 20+ years ago.

I had noted in an earlier Blog that my Diaries from working in Australia in the 80’s had been sent ahead of me, which contained all the information on all the people, Companies, telephone numbers et al so that I could touch-base with them during my sojourn!

It was that parcel that the Post Office Lost and with it all the information! That is a Bugger Folks! and believe it or not, I have just come from the PO where a parcel of Sightsavers Literature had been sent ahead for me, they have the PO that is, sent it back to the UK!!!

It has been and will continue to be, a guessing game, if I find him, then the knock on to that will be that he can point me in the direction of everyone else, I hope!

Just a thought, did you know that in 2007, 85 million campsite’s throughout Australia were occupied during that year?, bearing in mind that the population is only 21.5 million, that is a lot of people on the move and bears out my earlier impression that 50% or if the figures are right, all Australians seem to be on the move!

Funnies: Came across a Police Road-Block where they were breathalysing every single motorist, going North or South, I passed Thank God, but the Copper told me that he himself had been done 3 times in a week, I told him “He is obviously a Suspicious type”! What a giggle!

Transportation: Nothing to report, as I have been static for two weeks but Mike for you, Gas/Petrol is at £0.63p per litre.

Telecommunications: As proven many times now, there are huge holes in the coverage of Australia by Vodafone, they are useless, at Mission Beach as in many parts that I have found myself, the need to have access to a mobile signal, can be and has been in some instances absolutely vital.

I have just heard from my Mate “Tim Thomas” that his wife tobe “Jing” has got her immigration Visa, he is flying next week to the Philippines to pick her up and marry her asap. Good Lad that!

For those of you who have reacted to my mentioning “Loneliness” I thank you for your kind thoughts, what I meant was for this kind of trek you need company, it is long and arduous and in some instances lonely, to have someone to debate, argue, discuss those things that you see, would have been fun!

Love to you All.

Nigel J Gauder
Monday 14th September 2009.