Saturday, June 13, 2009
13th June 2009- LIONS DEN HOTEL
Another busy week with a HUGE long weekend and a few funnies to keep us laughing. The Cooktown Festival helped bring a few tourists to town and there was a great turn out for our bands over the weekend. Saturday was by far the biggest with a typical glorious day encouraging everyone to have a few bevvies and sit around on the deck and listen to some tunes. We had a couple of people set up some stalls with trinkets and also Jim from over the road did his snake show. He now boasts some of the deadliest snakes in the world, the inland tiapan, the coastal tiapan, the Mulga (or King Brown), and the death adder. He had them on display in tanks which was great for the visitors.
We've had a young croc out on the lawn, turkeys across the road and banded geckos under the piano. So great to be surrounded by so much wild life. This morning Jim bought in three pig legs, butchered from a wild pig he'd shot last night. Least someone is catching them, our trap seems to do nothing! Wild pig is not good eating but old Tom doesn't seem to mind...he smokes them on the fire out the back....mmmm tasty!
I had to save the rooster from Tom's cooking pot as well, as he was very keen to relieve us of it. I have however found him a new home (the rooster, not Tom) with our cook Kerry. At least until I can convince Max to build me a decent chook pen.
We performed a night ambush on the two remaining chickens on thursday night. Knocking them from their perch above the front door and chasing them down in the dark. After days of trying to catch them in daylight, this was a last resort. They love to wander the decks at lunch time, collecting tit bits from generous tourists. You see them at a quarter to twelve wandering up from the garden, ready for lunch.......it's quite comical.
Anyway all is starting to come together and we have settled in really well. Kids are loving their days at kinder/childcare and the staff are all doing what they're supposed to, what more can you ask for?
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We've had a young croc out on the lawn, turkeys across the road and banded geckos under the piano. So great to be surrounded by so much wild life. This morning Jim bought in three pig legs, butchered from a wild pig he'd shot last night. Least someone is catching them, our trap seems to do nothing! Wild pig is not good eating but old Tom doesn't seem to mind...he smokes them on the fire out the back....mmmm tasty!
I had to save the rooster from Tom's cooking pot as well, as he was very keen to relieve us of it. I have however found him a new home (the rooster, not Tom) with our cook Kerry. At least until I can convince Max to build me a decent chook pen.
We performed a night ambush on the two remaining chickens on thursday night. Knocking them from their perch above the front door and chasing them down in the dark. After days of trying to catch them in daylight, this was a last resort. They love to wander the decks at lunch time, collecting tit bits from generous tourists. You see them at a quarter to twelve wandering up from the garden, ready for lunch.......it's quite comical.
Anyway all is starting to come together and we have settled in really well. Kids are loving their days at kinder/childcare and the staff are all doing what they're supposed to, what more can you ask for?
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Saturday, May 30, 2009
Saturday 30th May 2009- LIONS DEN HOTEL
Not many days have gone by and already I can bring you my second celebrity story from the Lions Den. The very well travelled Englishman Charley Boorman from the famous motorbike series with Ewan McGregor "Long Way Around", and his film crew visited and stayed at the Den on thursday.
Last weekend we recieved an email and a phone call from London explaining about Charley travelling from Cairns to Cooktown this week and wanting to find a 'means' to do so. Given the name of his new series is "By Any Means" it was exciting news to hear that he planned to do this part of his trip by motorbike.
Asking desperately if there were people in the area willing to guide/ride with Charley from Mossman, through the Daintree to Cooktown (or in our case just shy of it to the Lions Den), Max was the first to put up his hand.
By some weird twist of fate, Max had just bought his new motorbike KTM 530 only days before.....mmmm freaky?? So Max, Charley Boorman and Dave (a local owner of a bike company we deal with) had a lovely all day ride through the Daintree to Helenvale. Dave gave a dink to one camera man while Matt (Max's brother in law....Bridgette's other half) drove our new ute and the other crew. It was a fun day for them and as you can imagine a great experience for all of us.
They had originally planned to go on to Cooktown and stay there the night, but after a bit of pushing and prodding it was decided they would stay with us. We set them up in a couple of our safari huts and they had a ball riding around on some electric bikes that had been shipped here from the states for Charley and his crew to try out. We all had a blast riding around on these ultra quiet bikes....a bit freaky really. A trail bike that's quiet?....I know strange.
The boys had dinner of course, so Max jumped straight off the bike had a bit of a relax and then we were back in the kitchen cooking up a storm. So very different from our old lives....but isn't it great?
Anyway we had a crew of local people who couldn't believe their luck and a very late night with plenty of fun had by all. At one stage there was a new "Zero" bike in the bar and Charley gave us his shirt to hang up in the pub to remember him.
It was a great experience to have these people visit and stay with us and hopefully Max, Dave and Matt will all star in the new television series and DVD. It was great to hear their stories and hear about all the wonderful places they've been. Hopefully they will remeber our pub during their travels.
What do they say? Just another day I guess........
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Last weekend we recieved an email and a phone call from London explaining about Charley travelling from Cairns to Cooktown this week and wanting to find a 'means' to do so. Given the name of his new series is "By Any Means" it was exciting news to hear that he planned to do this part of his trip by motorbike.
Asking desperately if there were people in the area willing to guide/ride with Charley from Mossman, through the Daintree to Cooktown (or in our case just shy of it to the Lions Den), Max was the first to put up his hand.
By some weird twist of fate, Max had just bought his new motorbike KTM 530 only days before.....mmmm freaky?? So Max, Charley Boorman and Dave (a local owner of a bike company we deal with) had a lovely all day ride through the Daintree to Helenvale. Dave gave a dink to one camera man while Matt (Max's brother in law....Bridgette's other half) drove our new ute and the other crew. It was a fun day for them and as you can imagine a great experience for all of us.
They had originally planned to go on to Cooktown and stay there the night, but after a bit of pushing and prodding it was decided they would stay with us. We set them up in a couple of our safari huts and they had a ball riding around on some electric bikes that had been shipped here from the states for Charley and his crew to try out. We all had a blast riding around on these ultra quiet bikes....a bit freaky really. A trail bike that's quiet?....I know strange.
The boys had dinner of course, so Max jumped straight off the bike had a bit of a relax and then we were back in the kitchen cooking up a storm. So very different from our old lives....but isn't it great?
Anyway we had a crew of local people who couldn't believe their luck and a very late night with plenty of fun had by all. At one stage there was a new "Zero" bike in the bar and Charley gave us his shirt to hang up in the pub to remember him.
It was a great experience to have these people visit and stay with us and hopefully Max, Dave and Matt will all star in the new television series and DVD. It was great to hear their stories and hear about all the wonderful places they've been. Hopefully they will remeber our pub during their travels.
What do they say? Just another day I guess........
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Saturday, May 23, 2009
Saturday 23rd May - LIONS DEN HOTEL, QLD
Just finished hosting Roothie and the crew from 4WD Action Magazine who turned up out of the blue last night. A new and improved 'Milo' arrived on our doorstep around 6pm last night, with half a dozen camera people in tow. We were over the moon of course and wasted no time in giving them a good night out.
After a good steak dinner and a few VB's the famous Roothie was right at home in the bar of the Den and we had a blast sharing stories and creating a few laughs. Turns out Roothie's talents extend further than 4WDing, with him revealing that for 17 years he was the writer of the horoscopes for People and Picture magazine........WHAT?......Absolute crack up and in a scary way I really wasn't that surprised. The man is full of hidden talents.
With great local company and even a black and white dog to boot we blew the froth of a few last night and I think we may even have succeeded in giving the great man a hangover..........gasp!
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After a good steak dinner and a few VB's the famous Roothie was right at home in the bar of the Den and we had a blast sharing stories and creating a few laughs. Turns out Roothie's talents extend further than 4WDing, with him revealing that for 17 years he was the writer of the horoscopes for People and Picture magazine........WHAT?......Absolute crack up and in a scary way I really wasn't that surprised. The man is full of hidden talents.
With great local company and even a black and white dog to boot we blew the froth of a few last night and I think we may even have succeeded in giving the great man a hangover..........gasp!
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Friday, May 22, 2009
Friday 22nd May 2009 - LIONS DEN HOTEL, QLD
PLEASE NOTE I HAVE UPDATED PHOTOS....so check it out!!!
As I sat here this arvo nibbling at my tender Nannigai wing flesh with salad and crispy potatoe wedges, caught only YESTERDAY out on the Great Barrier Reef, I was again struck by the thought that there are certainly worse things to be doing. Max grabbed a couple of hard workers and went out with our new mate Col, a local bloke who's been at us to go fishing since we arrived. It was a great success and they managed to catch, not only Nannigai but also beautiful Coral Trout. Just gorgeous!
Matt cooked batches of it up this arvo on the bbq and the whole staff enjoyed a huge fish cook-up...yummy.
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As I sat here this arvo nibbling at my tender Nannigai wing flesh with salad and crispy potatoe wedges, caught only YESTERDAY out on the Great Barrier Reef, I was again struck by the thought that there are certainly worse things to be doing. Max grabbed a couple of hard workers and went out with our new mate Col, a local bloke who's been at us to go fishing since we arrived. It was a great success and they managed to catch, not only Nannigai but also beautiful Coral Trout. Just gorgeous!
Matt cooked batches of it up this arvo on the bbq and the whole staff enjoyed a huge fish cook-up...yummy.
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Monday, May 11, 2009
May 11th 2009 - Lions Den Hotel, Qld
Well I have had more relaxing Mother's Days I must admit, but there is something about adding more toilet paper rolls to a hungry dispenser that is rewarding non the less. Despite my best efforts and many moments pondering, I can still not work out why it is so difficult for people to retrieve toilet paper from the dispenser in pieces any larger than a twenty cent piece. I repeatedly return to the cubicle to find tiny pieces of toilet paper strewn around the room. Ahh... part of me understands the sheer frustration of not being able to entice enough of that white gold out of its dispenser, but the other half of me loathes the fact that as punishment they drop those microscopic toilet tissues on the floor! Surely there is a happy medium. I think I must either down size my toilet paper or upgrade their jailer....mmmm? See what marvelous problems I must overcome.
The rain has returned. Although with good humour we laugh that it is not wet season rain, but winter rain...ha! Such science. We have had a busy few weeks since the roads to Cape York have opened, but I suspect there are a few hairy spots on most of the newly opened tracks. Despite the rain we hosted an older group of 26 from a church group last night, and they had no hesitation in getting into the spirit with a piano singalong last night and a bit of a blow on the harp this morning.....gotta love their enthusiasm. Rock ON!!
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The rain has returned. Although with good humour we laugh that it is not wet season rain, but winter rain...ha! Such science. We have had a busy few weeks since the roads to Cape York have opened, but I suspect there are a few hairy spots on most of the newly opened tracks. Despite the rain we hosted an older group of 26 from a church group last night, and they had no hesitation in getting into the spirit with a piano singalong last night and a bit of a blow on the harp this morning.....gotta love their enthusiasm. Rock ON!!
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Friday, April 24, 2009
24th April 2009 - LIONS DEN HOTEL, Cooktown Qld
Hello, I must apologise for my lack of communication. After taking over the hotel four weeks ago we are now enjoying the feeling of the place becoming our own, and have already inherited an "Old Man" (who has been living here in his old caravan for thirty years), a brood of teenage chickens, various varieties of cockroaches and bugs, a python and at least six goannas. It is an odd mix but we are happy to call them our own.
The pub is 134 years old, so all things considered it is not in bad condition. But as with any new place there are still things to sort out, junk to throw out and new plans to be made. We have had a mass chuck out of old shed junk and of course foodstuffs that were long past their 'best before' date....(mmmmm see what I mean about the benefits of even tempramental chickens?)
Our new neighbour Jim is a "Snake Man" at least that is how he is known around the district. He has a zoo of venomous snakes and works as a pest controller, a job that he revels in. We now gather our food scaps for the chickens and his pigs! Our first week an 8 foot Water Python was our new resident after escaping from Jim's truck. (Don't worry people they are not venomous and don't like humans).
Easter was a busy weekend and was our first real test of dealing with large numbers of people. It was a great success, with a band and an easter saturday BBQ a real hit with the locals and tourists.
The kids have adapted very quickly and having their grandma here over the past three weeks has been a great help. We could never have managed without our full time nanny over these early weeks....I think grandma will be glad to go home! HA
The weather is perfect and except for some rain over easter it has been magnificent for weeks. The wet season is definately over and I expect the Cape York roads to be open over the next few weeks.
Jake has started Kinder in Cooktown two days a week and Ella is 'hanging' to start at day care next week. She will go the same two days Jake is at Kinder and the other days Max and I will look after them with the assistance of a nanny, for those busy moments!
We have already had to lock them out of the kitchen as they love to slam open the door and sing songs or ask for biscuits right when we are busiest. There are currently three bar staff, a kitchen hand and cleaner that help us out here.
Jake and Ella are in love with the giant Rhinocerous Beetles that are everywhere up here. They find dead ones in boxes and create little bettle cities, lining them up and driving them around like matchbox cars...very funny. They also have become quite cosmopolitan, drinking babychinos every morning curtesy of our adoring staff and our "fancy" coffee machine.
What will they expect next?
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The pub is 134 years old, so all things considered it is not in bad condition. But as with any new place there are still things to sort out, junk to throw out and new plans to be made. We have had a mass chuck out of old shed junk and of course foodstuffs that were long past their 'best before' date....(mmmmm see what I mean about the benefits of even tempramental chickens?)
Our new neighbour Jim is a "Snake Man" at least that is how he is known around the district. He has a zoo of venomous snakes and works as a pest controller, a job that he revels in. We now gather our food scaps for the chickens and his pigs! Our first week an 8 foot Water Python was our new resident after escaping from Jim's truck. (Don't worry people they are not venomous and don't like humans).
Easter was a busy weekend and was our first real test of dealing with large numbers of people. It was a great success, with a band and an easter saturday BBQ a real hit with the locals and tourists.
The kids have adapted very quickly and having their grandma here over the past three weeks has been a great help. We could never have managed without our full time nanny over these early weeks....I think grandma will be glad to go home! HA
The weather is perfect and except for some rain over easter it has been magnificent for weeks. The wet season is definately over and I expect the Cape York roads to be open over the next few weeks.
Jake has started Kinder in Cooktown two days a week and Ella is 'hanging' to start at day care next week. She will go the same two days Jake is at Kinder and the other days Max and I will look after them with the assistance of a nanny, for those busy moments!
We have already had to lock them out of the kitchen as they love to slam open the door and sing songs or ask for biscuits right when we are busiest. There are currently three bar staff, a kitchen hand and cleaner that help us out here.
Jake and Ella are in love with the giant Rhinocerous Beetles that are everywhere up here. They find dead ones in boxes and create little bettle cities, lining them up and driving them around like matchbox cars...very funny. They also have become quite cosmopolitan, drinking babychinos every morning curtesy of our adoring staff and our "fancy" coffee machine.
What will they expect next?
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Wednesday, April 1, 2009
APRIL 1st 2009 - LIONS DEN HOTEL, Cooktown, QLD
I can now, after nearly 5 months in the process, announce that Max and I have purchased the Lions Den Hotel in Queensland, 28 km south of Cooktown.
I am sure many of you have pondered over the past months, why we have spent so long around the Cairns district and far north Queensland. Other than being a gorgeous area we have been engaged in negotiations for the purchase of the historic Lions Den Hotel, three hours north of Cairns. Our return to the Far north after being in W.A late last year was triggered by the need to be back here and ensure the deal progressed. FINALLY last wednesday all our work paid off and we have now moved in and are calling Far North Queensland our new home.
Our time on the road was a vital part of our decision to take a chance and change our lives again, and dive into this brand new adventure. We are so excited about this new venture and are convinced that our travels have taught us and prepared us for the challenges that lie ahead. Our choice of a hotel was not an easy one, but it was an old idea that took flight once we visited the Lions Den Hotel last September after our trip to Cape York. It is a 125 year old pub made out of tin and timber set on seven beautiful acres of lawn and bushland, bordered by the gorgeous Little Annan River that is conveniently, this far north, croc free. So there is lovely swimming etc. It is a camp ground also that has 5 african style safari huts, camping and donga accomodation (rooms for workers etc).
I will have plenty of opportunity to fill you in more soon enough, but at the moment our settling in and planning continues. The kids are as excited and adaptable as always and the past 10 months have meant they have taken it all in their stride. Our sadness at leaving the road is dampened by the sheer fun and adventure that still lies ahead.....
Onwards and Upwards!
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I am sure many of you have pondered over the past months, why we have spent so long around the Cairns district and far north Queensland. Other than being a gorgeous area we have been engaged in negotiations for the purchase of the historic Lions Den Hotel, three hours north of Cairns. Our return to the Far north after being in W.A late last year was triggered by the need to be back here and ensure the deal progressed. FINALLY last wednesday all our work paid off and we have now moved in and are calling Far North Queensland our new home.
Our time on the road was a vital part of our decision to take a chance and change our lives again, and dive into this brand new adventure. We are so excited about this new venture and are convinced that our travels have taught us and prepared us for the challenges that lie ahead. Our choice of a hotel was not an easy one, but it was an old idea that took flight once we visited the Lions Den Hotel last September after our trip to Cape York. It is a 125 year old pub made out of tin and timber set on seven beautiful acres of lawn and bushland, bordered by the gorgeous Little Annan River that is conveniently, this far north, croc free. So there is lovely swimming etc. It is a camp ground also that has 5 african style safari huts, camping and donga accomodation (rooms for workers etc).
I will have plenty of opportunity to fill you in more soon enough, but at the moment our settling in and planning continues. The kids are as excited and adaptable as always and the past 10 months have meant they have taken it all in their stride. Our sadness at leaving the road is dampened by the sheer fun and adventure that still lies ahead.....
Onwards and Upwards!
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Thursday, March 5, 2009
5th March 2009 - Mission Beach
Decided to head south about two hours to the lovely Mission Beach last weekend. We had been there before but not stayed for any length of time, so we decided to pack up the camper and head down for a few days. A change certainly is as good as a holiday and we revelled in the beach front camping and the soothing sea breeze. After making ourselves known to the 'caretaker' in his office (a mini van, a few chairs, a television, and a 1960's dune buggy strewn together under a giant ancient tarp) we chose a camp site under a huge fig tree whos' canopy protected us from the afternoon sun.
Hippys and rickety old caravans dotted the foreshore. Ageing men with equally ageing waistlines wandered around in their barefeet. The atmosphere was sheer relaxation and we certainly felt it rub off on us. Sunday morning saw the arrival of stalls for the sunday market, a vibrant affair considering it is still considered the down season for tourists. We wandered around aimlessly, cruising the aisles of leather bracelets, sun hats and fresh produce. When we finally returned to camp we'd purchased enough fresh fruit for two days, books for the kids and some fishing tackle for our not so well used tackle box.
The kids and I collected coral from the beach, seed pods and the odd cuttle fish to make a seaside mobile. Max played guitar and later in the arvo we wandered down the street to a great little cafe/bar that sat nestled on the foreshore. The kids as usual traumatised us for a portion of the meal but with friendly staff and a couple of wines the universe was restored to something resembling happiness.
Monday saw us getting adventurous again and heading into the rainforest. There are plenty of great walks around the little national parks in the area, so we took the kids south past south mission beach to Licuala NP, where cassawories and fan palms are in abundance. Much to Jake's disappointment, the cassowaries weren't as abundant as the fan palms, however they still had fun.
We returned to camp for lunch and a sleep for Ella, before heading north to Bingil Bay and Clump Jetty where we chucked the lines in for a bit of fishing. Jake is convinced that fishing means you put a line in and then pull the fish straight out. Within ten minutes he was asking where the fish were...." where are the fish?"..."I want to catch fish" (yeah right, that's what we all want isn't it?). If only it was that easy!.....sigh
Anyway after an hour of chasing Ella around trying to prevent her launching off the side of the jetty, telling her to SIT DOWN ON YOUR BOTTOM!!!!!!! We finally gave up and returned to camp for a dinner of chicken....much to Jake's disgust and tears. Oh well you can't win them all.
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Hippys and rickety old caravans dotted the foreshore. Ageing men with equally ageing waistlines wandered around in their barefeet. The atmosphere was sheer relaxation and we certainly felt it rub off on us. Sunday morning saw the arrival of stalls for the sunday market, a vibrant affair considering it is still considered the down season for tourists. We wandered around aimlessly, cruising the aisles of leather bracelets, sun hats and fresh produce. When we finally returned to camp we'd purchased enough fresh fruit for two days, books for the kids and some fishing tackle for our not so well used tackle box.
The kids and I collected coral from the beach, seed pods and the odd cuttle fish to make a seaside mobile. Max played guitar and later in the arvo we wandered down the street to a great little cafe/bar that sat nestled on the foreshore. The kids as usual traumatised us for a portion of the meal but with friendly staff and a couple of wines the universe was restored to something resembling happiness.
Monday saw us getting adventurous again and heading into the rainforest. There are plenty of great walks around the little national parks in the area, so we took the kids south past south mission beach to Licuala NP, where cassawories and fan palms are in abundance. Much to Jake's disappointment, the cassowaries weren't as abundant as the fan palms, however they still had fun.
We returned to camp for lunch and a sleep for Ella, before heading north to Bingil Bay and Clump Jetty where we chucked the lines in for a bit of fishing. Jake is convinced that fishing means you put a line in and then pull the fish straight out. Within ten minutes he was asking where the fish were...." where are the fish?"..."I want to catch fish" (yeah right, that's what we all want isn't it?). If only it was that easy!.....sigh
Anyway after an hour of chasing Ella around trying to prevent her launching off the side of the jetty, telling her to SIT DOWN ON YOUR BOTTOM!!!!!!! We finally gave up and returned to camp for a dinner of chicken....much to Jake's disgust and tears. Oh well you can't win them all.
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Monday, February 9, 2009
Monday 9th Feb 2009 - Daintree Rainforest, Qld
Well this is certainly a land of contrasts and never has it been more obvious in Australia than right now. Devastating bushfires in our home state of Victoria and outrageous floods across Qld and the top end. I have been scanning the news service websites, constantly scrambling for new footage and information in regards to both.
The floods it seem have a less tragic air about them, stories of local characters joining together to chuck little morsels of chicken from the pub verandah into a flooded street, shotgun in hand, waiting for pot-shots at marauding crocs in their waterlogged community. You can't help but smirk at their ingenious. People flying beer into stranded communities.... god forbid we go dry!
The fires however are tainted in horror. We dread the headline that will greet us as we fire up the computer in the morning - 35 Dead, 45 Dead, 95 Dead, 108 DEAD!!!! It's climbing higher and higher. As a photojournalist the places, the flames, the stories are all too familiar but magnified in severity by a hundred. It is not something any of us want to see again......
Unfortunately tragedy today finds us closer to home...not our family directly, but the family across the road.
We are staying at a friend's property just over the Daintree River, where they have kindly let us shack-sit their half built dwelling while they are away working. It's nothing fancy but it is fancier than a camper trailer so how can we refuse. The forest is glorious! Lusciously thick, green, and inundated with epiphytic ferns and vines of all kinds. The frogs are a frantic soundtrack for the forest and the volume is unimaginable. We are often kept awake at night....listening
However all this was no consolation to the family on the property across the road not 200m away. Yesterday at about 9.15am their youngest son Jeremy was taken by a crocodile off their family jetty, he was only five. It is almost unbelievable. As we drove off the property yesterday we knew straight away something was wrong, there were cars around, two police vehicles had come over on the ferry and everyone looked worried. As we sat waiting for the ferry to return to our side on the northern bank of the Daintree river, a local woman stated to the guy behind us that Jeremy had been taken by a croc. It is tragic.
As the morning went on the local community here did everything they could and everybody with a boat had it in the water searching for the boy, the croc or both. I can't imagine that Croc will get off with a warning.....I wouldn't like to be him right now. Unfortunately the boy's seven year old brother witnessed the whole attack so that can't be good.
Anyway we hugged our kids tighter and thanked our lucky stars, what else can you do?
Get what you want at ebay. Get rid of those unwanted christmas presents!
The floods it seem have a less tragic air about them, stories of local characters joining together to chuck little morsels of chicken from the pub verandah into a flooded street, shotgun in hand, waiting for pot-shots at marauding crocs in their waterlogged community. You can't help but smirk at their ingenious. People flying beer into stranded communities.... god forbid we go dry!
The fires however are tainted in horror. We dread the headline that will greet us as we fire up the computer in the morning - 35 Dead, 45 Dead, 95 Dead, 108 DEAD!!!! It's climbing higher and higher. As a photojournalist the places, the flames, the stories are all too familiar but magnified in severity by a hundred. It is not something any of us want to see again......
Unfortunately tragedy today finds us closer to home...not our family directly, but the family across the road.
We are staying at a friend's property just over the Daintree River, where they have kindly let us shack-sit their half built dwelling while they are away working. It's nothing fancy but it is fancier than a camper trailer so how can we refuse. The forest is glorious! Lusciously thick, green, and inundated with epiphytic ferns and vines of all kinds. The frogs are a frantic soundtrack for the forest and the volume is unimaginable. We are often kept awake at night....listening
However all this was no consolation to the family on the property across the road not 200m away. Yesterday at about 9.15am their youngest son Jeremy was taken by a crocodile off their family jetty, he was only five. It is almost unbelievable. As we drove off the property yesterday we knew straight away something was wrong, there were cars around, two police vehicles had come over on the ferry and everyone looked worried. As we sat waiting for the ferry to return to our side on the northern bank of the Daintree river, a local woman stated to the guy behind us that Jeremy had been taken by a croc. It is tragic.
As the morning went on the local community here did everything they could and everybody with a boat had it in the water searching for the boy, the croc or both. I can't imagine that Croc will get off with a warning.....I wouldn't like to be him right now. Unfortunately the boy's seven year old brother witnessed the whole attack so that can't be good.
Anyway we hugged our kids tighter and thanked our lucky stars, what else can you do?
Get what you want at ebay. Get rid of those unwanted christmas presents!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
31st January 2009 - Cairns, Qld
Well I have to admit that last night was one of the stranger nights I have had on the road. Max has flown to Brisbane to attend the funeral of his grandmother, so we have returned from the Daintree to camp again in a Cairns caravan park. Sleeping soundly at 11pm, the caravan park in a hush around me, the night was broken by the piercing sound of our Landcruiser's horn...... What???? strange indeed.
Shocked awake, confused, I'm thinking to myself what the hell is that?
At first I thought it was our battery system, somehow gone into some sort of electrical meltdown, but after a dash to the side of the tent I realised the sound was coming from the car. The rain must have short circuited the horn's wiring or some such bizarre mystery.
The rain is hammering down and all the neighbourhood can hear is our car horn blasting through the night. I'm crapping myself trying not to wake up absolutely everyone. I dash back inside to grab the keys and open the car door. I'm slamming on the steering wheel, trying to unjam the horn.....all this in my underwear. The horn blasts on and I'm thumping the steering wheel......anything just to make it shutup!
Eventually I'm thinking I'll have to pop the bonnet and try to disconnect the horn manually. I slam the door and half a second later the noise magically stops!
My heart is beating so hard and part of me just stands there in the rain waiting for it to start up again. I wait but nothing happens....ahhhhhh the relief.
The kids slept through the whole thing......like I said very, very bizarre!!
( We have updated the photo album with some new pics for those who are interested )
Get what you want at ebay. Get rid of those unwanted christmas presents!
Shocked awake, confused, I'm thinking to myself what the hell is that?
At first I thought it was our battery system, somehow gone into some sort of electrical meltdown, but after a dash to the side of the tent I realised the sound was coming from the car. The rain must have short circuited the horn's wiring or some such bizarre mystery.
The rain is hammering down and all the neighbourhood can hear is our car horn blasting through the night. I'm crapping myself trying not to wake up absolutely everyone. I dash back inside to grab the keys and open the car door. I'm slamming on the steering wheel, trying to unjam the horn.....all this in my underwear. The horn blasts on and I'm thumping the steering wheel......anything just to make it shutup!
Eventually I'm thinking I'll have to pop the bonnet and try to disconnect the horn manually. I slam the door and half a second later the noise magically stops!
My heart is beating so hard and part of me just stands there in the rain waiting for it to start up again. I wait but nothing happens....ahhhhhh the relief.
The kids slept through the whole thing......like I said very, very bizarre!!
( We have updated the photo album with some new pics for those who are interested )
Get what you want at ebay. Get rid of those unwanted christmas presents!
Friday, January 23, 2009
23rd January 2009 - Cairns, Qld
As I pattered my way precariously through ankle deep water on the way to the toilet block, I noticed a woman stumbling around in the downpour, restling with a tarp, some ropes and steel poles. A comical sight I must admit, but my heart did go out to her especially since I'd seen her doing the same thing two hours before. I had my umbrella in hand of course and although we had had gallons of rain, it was still pelting down.
My first thought was 'gee, what if she'd been camped here last week' the rain coming from the sky would have been the least of her problems. Her rock show was right where the swollen river had risen to and could possibly rise to again. Anyway to foreign tourists who speak little english it is always harder to explain these things. After all she was wearing her middle aged, floral bathers around in the rain so I guess she was prepared. Yes, I helped her of course and within no time we had a dodgey little silver shelter erected for her bits and pieces. Ahhhh the fun and games of caravan parks.
The other thing we have been restling with is the concept of afternoon sleeps. The heat of the day does a good job of making the camper trailer a virtual no-go zone during the hours of 8am and 4pm. Little baby brains don't cope so well with going without sleep but trying to convince them that the hothouse is a good place to lay down their heads is even harder. We have overcome this problem with a couple of cheap fans which blow their invisible magic over them and Ella at least can snatch an hour or two sleep.
We just celebrated Jake and Ella's 4th and 2nd birthdays.... yes, they are a week apart. The Landcruiser is virtually over flowing with new toys and things. I see an eradication program is on the cards.
Find great deals on eBay Net yourself a bargain
My first thought was 'gee, what if she'd been camped here last week' the rain coming from the sky would have been the least of her problems. Her rock show was right where the swollen river had risen to and could possibly rise to again. Anyway to foreign tourists who speak little english it is always harder to explain these things. After all she was wearing her middle aged, floral bathers around in the rain so I guess she was prepared. Yes, I helped her of course and within no time we had a dodgey little silver shelter erected for her bits and pieces. Ahhhh the fun and games of caravan parks.
The other thing we have been restling with is the concept of afternoon sleeps. The heat of the day does a good job of making the camper trailer a virtual no-go zone during the hours of 8am and 4pm. Little baby brains don't cope so well with going without sleep but trying to convince them that the hothouse is a good place to lay down their heads is even harder. We have overcome this problem with a couple of cheap fans which blow their invisible magic over them and Ella at least can snatch an hour or two sleep.
We just celebrated Jake and Ella's 4th and 2nd birthdays.... yes, they are a week apart. The Landcruiser is virtually over flowing with new toys and things. I see an eradication program is on the cards.
Find great deals on eBay Net yourself a bargain
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
13th January 2009 - Cairns, Qld
Toady we seem to have arrived out the other side of a monsoonal trough (in other words a cyclone that is not really a cyclone) that has kindly dropped 520mm of rain on us over 4 days. 320mm in one 24hr period.......mmmmmm wet you say. Our trusty campertrailer has stood up to the test and even after having 4-5 inches of water running under the tent and unmentionable amounts falling on top, the canvas has not failed us.
Our thongs and rubber matting tried to escape on us numerous times, swept along by the river forming under and around our camp as the rain fell. Nearby Freshwater creek that borders the caravan park put on a spectacular show swelling to three times its' height and width to engulf all the low lying areas. The camp kitchen did not fare very well as it became part of the river, the barbecue's silver heads barely visible above the flood waters.
In addition to the record rainfall, yesterdays king tide of 3.8 metres created an added worry for anybody close to the river. With a huddle of other residents we watched anxiously as the time of high tide came and went, pushing the flood waters back up the river. The highest tide of the year could not have come at a worse time.
However as quickly as the river rose it receeded, taking with it most of the water threatening camps and caravans. A comfy 30 degress made the whole episode very pleasant. Quite funny to think we recieved the equivalent of Lethbridge's annual rainfall in less than 24hrs. Ha....the irony.
Today the sun has returned and we are all drying out. The plants and trees are happy and the local kookaburras are again up to no good. Too smart for their own good those birds.
Max is our washer woman and has whacked all the damp bedding through the washing machine (wet from humidity not rain). I now have Jake's birthday to think about this weekend, he turns 4....... pool party anyone?
Download free Holiday emoticons today! Messenger's gift to you!
Our thongs and rubber matting tried to escape on us numerous times, swept along by the river forming under and around our camp as the rain fell. Nearby Freshwater creek that borders the caravan park put on a spectacular show swelling to three times its' height and width to engulf all the low lying areas. The camp kitchen did not fare very well as it became part of the river, the barbecue's silver heads barely visible above the flood waters.
In addition to the record rainfall, yesterdays king tide of 3.8 metres created an added worry for anybody close to the river. With a huddle of other residents we watched anxiously as the time of high tide came and went, pushing the flood waters back up the river. The highest tide of the year could not have come at a worse time.
However as quickly as the river rose it receeded, taking with it most of the water threatening camps and caravans. A comfy 30 degress made the whole episode very pleasant. Quite funny to think we recieved the equivalent of Lethbridge's annual rainfall in less than 24hrs. Ha....the irony.
Today the sun has returned and we are all drying out. The plants and trees are happy and the local kookaburras are again up to no good. Too smart for their own good those birds.
Max is our washer woman and has whacked all the damp bedding through the washing machine (wet from humidity not rain). I now have Jake's birthday to think about this weekend, he turns 4....... pool party anyone?
Download free Holiday emoticons today! Messenger's gift to you!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
13th December 2008 - Cairns, Qld
Apologies for our absence..... In the course of our travels over the past two months we have found ourselves back amongst the tropical palms of Cairns. We are well and truely in the 'build up' to the wet season. The time of year that is most humid and hot and includes glorious days and many afternoons of grey, angry skies that usually don't deliver much. The true wet will not officially start till next month, it is then that we may wish we had something more to protect us from the rain than our camper trailer. Ha! Oh well we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
The kids are excited about the lead up to Christmas, and I have dazzled them with my nine dollar christmas tree and two dollar lights from 'Clarks Craaazzy Bargains'. We have decorated it to resemble something of the chrissy trees of old, and they seem happy enough. We have attempted to see 'Santa' a couple of times, but both children get to the front of the line and eye him off suspiciously. I guess that polyester beard just doesn't cut it with todays generation!
A visit recently from Grandma kept the kids out of our hair, and Max and I were able to escape for a couple of nights on the town with some new friends. Jake and Ella's week of opening and closing Grandma's airconditioned cabin door, looking in cupboards, opening the little fridge and watching her TV, reminded me that living in a house to these kids now really would be a novelty.
Download free Holiday emoticons today! Messenger's gift to you!
The kids are excited about the lead up to Christmas, and I have dazzled them with my nine dollar christmas tree and two dollar lights from 'Clarks Craaazzy Bargains'. We have decorated it to resemble something of the chrissy trees of old, and they seem happy enough. We have attempted to see 'Santa' a couple of times, but both children get to the front of the line and eye him off suspiciously. I guess that polyester beard just doesn't cut it with todays generation!
A visit recently from Grandma kept the kids out of our hair, and Max and I were able to escape for a couple of nights on the town with some new friends. Jake and Ella's week of opening and closing Grandma's airconditioned cabin door, looking in cupboards, opening the little fridge and watching her TV, reminded me that living in a house to these kids now really would be a novelty.
Download free Holiday emoticons today! Messenger's gift to you!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
13th November - UPDATE
Hey all, just a note to let you know that our photos have just been updated and there are a few pictures to keep you entertained and up to date with our goings on. More soon....
Find your ideal job with SEEK Time for change?
Find your ideal job with SEEK Time for change?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
28th October - Broome, WA
I forget.....that like adults, children have things they love to shop for. Today it was made clear that the DVD section in Target country holds the same appeal as christmas morning. After a scary movie scene last night and a few tears, the desperate father made promises of a visit to the shops today for more suitable movies. Hence with a bag full of 'Iggle Piggle', 'Bottle Top Bill and his best friend Corky' and of course 'New Macdonald's Farm' (of course it can't be classed as old anymore) we set off back to camp. When I really think about it I'm not quite sure why I thought two playschool DVD's and a handful of others would stimulate hungry minds forever. Oh well...my mistake.
Today we are absorbing the fine environment of Broome and in between discovering 12,000 year old dinosaur footprints and learning about the pearling history, we enjoyed a drive along the pristine beach of Cable beach. With the tide moving 10 metres in less than 6 hours, this place is really something unique. We are blessed again by very few people and have been able to enjoy Broome at its relaxed and laid back best.
With lunch yesterday at the local Roebuck Bay Hotel and again a swim in the cool waters, what more could you need..?
Today we are absorbing the fine environment of Broome and in between discovering 12,000 year old dinosaur footprints and learning about the pearling history, we enjoyed a drive along the pristine beach of Cable beach. With the tide moving 10 metres in less than 6 hours, this place is really something unique. We are blessed again by very few people and have been able to enjoy Broome at its relaxed and laid back best.
With lunch yesterday at the local Roebuck Bay Hotel and again a swim in the cool waters, what more could you need..?
Friday, October 24, 2008
24th October - Fitzroy Crossing WA
We are back in civilisation after an eventful few weeks travelling the beautiful
The animals we have been coming across have supplied us with so many laughs including the small Northern Quoll that climbed onto our kitchen and into our (empty) pots and pans looking for goodies at Mitchell Falls. The comical Frilled Neck lizards that run on two legs across the
This morning I had a tiny yellow honey eater bird eating a baked bean out of my fingers….????
Bizarre….It must be a Fitzroy Crossing thing.
Anyway tomorrow we head to Broome where we will be quite an embarrassment with our dusty, dirty, filthy car and trailer. Oh well…. all in the name of fun!
12th October - Bungle Bungles – Purnululu National Park WA
"You picked a fine time to leave me loose wheel………" Kenny Roger's crooning words from the song 'Lucille' run through my head, albeit slightly varied lyrics due to our circumstances.
After a fleeting visit to the mostly undiscovered Bungle Bungle range, 300 km south of Kununurra, we had left the park and headed north to the
Minutes into this, Max (looking over the car) exclaimed that we had lost our spare tyre from its cable mount under the car! Given that it was a brand new unused Mickey Thompson tyre and new rim, it is quite an expensive bit of equipment to just lose.
Thanks to the patience of my parents who were happy to take another day out of their time dependant travel schedule and look after the grandkids, the next day we were able to head back to the very rough Bungle Bungle track in search of our 'loose wheel.'
It was always going to be a gamble…$200 in fuel alone to drive there and back, despite whether we found the tyre or not. We left at 6.30am. The road back included 50km on the dusty
Anyway moral of the story is we did not find the spare wheel. A replacement wheel and tyre ended up costing us $598 from the dude at Bridgestone in Kununurra at ten minutes to 5pm. Nice going!
Our arrival in Kununurra was delayed slightly by stopping to help a
All was good that night as we pulled into El Questro at 7pm, in time to kiss the kids good night. We were relieved to get out of the car and did not want to let that new spare tyre too far out of our sight.
10th October - Lake Argyle, WA
After being 'granted' permission to enter the great state of
Ten years ago, I flew over this magnificent
Once we'd set up camp and done our historic duty in visiting the re-located Durack Homestead (moved from the valley when the dam was built). We stood looking over the mighty stretch of water and were nothing but impressed. It was a vivid blue reflecting the cloudless
The
Monday, October 13, 2008
9th October – Road from Katherine NT to Kununurra WA
Who ever thought that tearing up old magazines and letting the little pieces fly out the window could be so much fun? It seems that our children have found a new way to amuse themselves as the kilometres tick by. Unbeknown to us the affair has been going on for quite sometime, hence nearly half of 4WD ACTION has disappeared across the barren land before it we noticed. The unfortunate hazards of leaving windows open.
Illegal littering aside, the road across to Kununurra is a beautiful mixture of coloured escarpments and rolling grasslands, all edged by the mighty
We of course are enjoying the reasonably cooler conditions of the inland after a hot and humid week on the coast at
Tonight we will camp on the shores of
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