Chapter 9 - Port Douglas - Part 3

Day 53 - Wednesday 14^th July 2021 – Port Douglas

It was Fay's last full day in Port Douglas so we all started with a walk on "Four Mile" beach. It was mainly overcast but lovely strolling in the shallows.  

Great friends in a great location

A large mud crab seemed out of place and out of sorts. He was maybe 30 cm from claw to claw.

 

There was a small group of birds at the edge of the water. I think they were either “Ringed Plovers” or a “Lesser Sand Plovers”. Someone please tell me.

The 'Fabulous Five' enjoyed a four km walk, then headed to the Marina for coffee, an iced-coffee and chocolate milkshakes. The ladies enjoyed checking out the Wednesday market.

Next stop was Coles for a cooked chook - for lunch and dinner. The lunch was excellent.

Now it was time for a soak in the pool - to try and temporarily drop the humidity.

There was a quiet time before we had happy hour, prepared roast chicken and vegies for dinner, then listened to the live 'rock n roll' music from the camp kitchen 40 metres away. It was OK.

The music finished after 11pm, at a time that I was gently snoring in bed (according to Shirley).

Day 54 - Thursday 15^th July 2021 – Cairns

Today was all about Cairns for multiple reasons...........

1. The chief reason was to deliver Fay to Cairns airport for her flight home to (now in lockdown, again) Melbourne. She was not that happy to be leaving. To make it worse the sun had appeared with a vengeance. This activity was successfully fulfilled.
   
   
   
   
2. The second reason was to have our second COVID jab at a South Cairns health centre.  This activity was also successfully fulfilled, and we walked out of the clinic sucking a lollipop. Apparently this reward is also provided in Melbourne.
   After our jab we found a café and had a roast pork roll and a coffee.
   
   
3. The third reason was to visit an electrical and/or caravan accessories outlet and buy three different lights for the caravan - two were not working and one needed to be modernized. We scored two out of three after visiting three possible outlets, and phoning a fourth.
   
   
4. The fourth reason to visit Cairns was to visit a locksmith and get a new 'spare' key cut for the Prado. This was also successful. More below.

Important information: If you have a car spare tyre that is secured by the ignition key, and you car has reached 'middle age' I suggest that you test the ignition key on your spare tyre lock as soon as possible. Although our main key starts and locks/unlocks the car, its wear has rendered it useless to gain access to the spare tyre. The remedy cost me $6 and the new key lives in the glovebox.

On the way back to Port Douglas we took a few photos of the scenery and the rocky area that has been populated with rocky cairns - quite significant as we were a short distance from Cairns.

The middle 45 km of the road between Port Douglas and Cairns is a lovely drive, and is nearly in the same picturesque league as the Victorian 'Great Ocean Road'.

Above & Below: Rocky cairns, just north of Cairns

We returned to base around 4pm and relaxed. We had pasta for dinner and watched some TV.

Day 55 - Friday 16^th July 2021 – Port Douglas

After having our second COVID jab yesterday we were told to 'take it easy' for a day or two. So we did, staying in bed until after 9am - normally a sign that I am not well. Far from it - no effects to date from the jab.

We did a bit of shopping, and a lot of relaxation - then some more relaxation.

After a swim, and more relaxation it was time for happy hour with Kay and Darryl, then a spot of dinner via the BBQ.

Day 56 - Saturday 17^th July 2021 – Port Douglas

Sunrise was predicted for 6:47 am. At 6:30 am I checked for cloud and rain. All looked good so I quietly started the car and drove 5 km south to a place called 'Pebbly Beach' - our closest beach. The adjacent photo shows why it has that name.

I sat on the pebbles and waited for my first 'sunrise over water' for some time. 

Although I have seen many better sunrises, it was peaceful having the beach to myself.

Sunrise over Pebbly Beach

As I sit here at 8am updating the blog (waiting for Shirley to arise) it is around 22 degrees, heading for 28.

Shirley eventually appeared, we had breakfast and planned our day. Maybe a walk along the beach - so let's try 'Cooya Beach'. We took a wrong turn and ended up in Mossman, so we did some shopping and turned around.

This time we found the beach. It was not a great walking beach, but a pretty spot.

Cooya Beach

We chuckled at a couple of small girls who were having a picnic in the tree.

They seemed proficient at climbing and getting out of the tree. 

They even had a blanket to sit on.

A swim, some rest, and happy hour and dinner happened as usual. Some fresh corn was the feature on the BBQ.

Day 57 - Sunday 18^th July 2021 – Port Douglas

Being a responsible husband I cooked Shirley bacon and eggs for breakfast, and we dined in the usual place - outside. I then chauffeured Shirley to the Sunday market where she chose to roam the market and Port Douglas on her own for 90 minutes.

We then met at the Ice Creamery where Shirley had a mango smoothie waiting for me. It was nearly too cold to drink. I noticed that Shirley had successfully completed some 'self' shopping.

After a light lunch we headed to 'Four Mile Beach' for a 3 km walk. Again we watched the kite surfers (if that is the right word). Lousy photo (with the phone), but you get the idea.

Some relaxation lead into Happy Hour and discussion on the frustration of COVID restrictions (for our loved ones).

I had decided that sausages in onion gravy, with mash and vegies was the preferred dinner. So I was the chef. It was excellent, but we had lots of pots to wash.

Day 58 - Monday 19^th July 2021 – Port Douglas

The feature of the morning was another walk on 'Four Mile Beach'. This time the tide was way out and allowed us to explore the shallows and the rocks. There were many critters moving about or just resting at home - in their shell.

The critter on the left had legs/tentacles that came out when it/him/her wanted to move. They were retracted when it was threatened. The shell was maybe 60 mm wide. The critter on the right was not in a hurry.

These big critters were enjoying the walk and looking for little critters

After lunch Shirley and I headed to the pool for our best dip yet - as we were the only people in the pool. That soon changed as mums, dads and ankle biters appeared. We departed before a recalcitrant tennis ball caused an issue.

Then guess what - we relaxed. Reading, sudoku, coffee. It was OK.

Happy hour came and went, so did lamb steaks on the BBQ for dinner.

Day 59 - Tuesday 20^th July 2021 – Port Douglas

We depart Port Douglas in two sleeps so today was washing day - and change bed day. Clean sheets, towels and clothes when we leave here. Interestingly there were no socks in the wash. Two loads were on the line by 8:30.

More importantly, today is Kay's birthday so the four of us headed to the Marina for a birthday coffee. I believe that the ladies also had a slice of chocolate cake.

Lunch was had, then a swim, then a period of 'down time'.

While Shirley and I relaxed Darryl went for a drive to the lookout at the northern end of 'Four Mile Beach' and took the following photo. We have walked most of the beach in the photo.

The beach has been the location for a couple of crocodiles in the last couple of weeks. Some 'lark' thought that they may have been Logodiles. I have not seen them so I cannot confirm either.

Four Mile Beach from the Lookout, looking south

(Courtesy of Darryl)

Around 6pm Darryl chauffeured Kay, Shirley and I into Port Douglas for Kay's birthday dinner at "Hi Tide Café Bar". We were joined by Kay & Darryl's daughter and her guy.

Everything about the dinner was superb. The following image shows a subset of the menu that most of us selected from. I had the excellent chowder.

It was not a late night.

Day 60 - Wednesday 21^st July 2021 – Port Douglas

After four weeks in Port Douglas is is time to get ready to depart. Coles was attacked for a big shop. Shell was visited for 108 litres of fuel. The car was reorganised, so was the caravan. Shirley did one I did the other.

I donned the bathers and gave the top of the awning a bit of a wash. The trouble with dirt on the top of an awning is that it is transferred to the underneath of the awning when you wind it up. So it is good practice to clean the top before putting it away.

When most of the work had been completed Shirley and I went for a swim and an ice-cream. Shirley enjoyed a rest on the pool-side lounge while I went home to relax. I soon became tired of relaxing so I decided to cook a casserole for tomorrow night at Chillagoe.

That was when the fun started.

Before I cut up the meat I decided to sharpen our (blunt) sharp knife - using the knife-sharpening scabbard. Two thrusts later I missed the scabbard but not my left wrist - creating a wound that was later measured around 36 mm deep.

Shirley's good management had left me with the knowledge of where the band-aids lived - about 900 mm to my right. Four band-aids later I walked down to the pool to tell Shirley what I had done. The lady in reception at the caravan suggested that a visit to Mossman emergency was a smart move - 17.8 km away. So we did. Shirley was more in shock than I was - so I drove.

The triage nurse was a lady from central NSW who could have made a living as a comedian. She was really good. Her bed side manner was superb.

The English-Scottish-Aussie doctor was called Tim. He was also excellent at his craft. He was tall enough to pull me off the ceiling when he cleaned out the wound ("sorry Chris, local anesthetics do not go that deep").

Just before I damaged the ceiling I mentioned to Shirley that I was not 100% sure that I had turned off the electric hot plate in the caravan. The resulting phone triggered action by Kay & Darryl, our site neighbours and the caravan park managers. All was OK as the hot plate WAS off.

The good news is I am am up to date with my tetanus shots. I was also very lucky to have missed the artery and appear to have not damaged any tendons.

Tim told me that I was banned from swimming in the ocean (due to nasty bacteria that comes from the barrier reef) and also fresh water streams (for similar reasons). I was even scared of putting water in my scotch.

Shirley drove home. 
The meat is still raw and un-cut.
I have lots of brownie points to make up - on multiple fronts.

At the last minute we (read Shirley) decided to stay for an extra day in Port Douglas - and we were able to retain the same site. It was probably a smart move.

Day 61 - Thursday 22^nd July 2021 – Port Douglas

The Panadol kicked in about 3am and I slept OK after that. We both rose about 8am, showered and had breakfast. Then we walked down to say "see ya soon" to Kay and Darryl who are heading south.

It was a quiet day as I was grounded. The meat is still raw, and the sharp knife is still blunt. However, we are fine to leave Port Douglas tomorrow. Shirley cooked a chicken stir-fry with rice for dinner. It was excellent.

After 61 days of the trip we have travelled around 6221 km (102 per day), averaged just over $24 per day for diesel and just over $39 per day for accommodation. There is no record of ongoing costs for food and drink.

Tomorrow Chillagoe.

*** This chapter is Complete - Last updated 8 pm 22 July ***

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