7.30am
24 degrees, clear sky.
Mum
and Dad wanted to visit their friend Doreen in Tully so I went with them as
driver. Doreen’s husband, Tommy, lived with Dad as a young lad when the local
Mamu elder came to Grandma and asked if she would give him an education. He
went on to be a very good footballer and worked hard and raised lots of kids
and grandkids. Sadly he has passed on but it was great to catch up with Doreen
and listen to all the stories over lunch.
On
the way back we called into Cowley Beach. The view from the boat ramp across to
the Barnard Group of Islands. I think they look like the Lock Ness Monster.
We
had a shack for 9 years in the caravan park. It was shared with Mum, Dad and
Brian and we all had a fabulous time there. It was an old caravan that had been
built in and over time we modified it too. Steve extended the roof out the
front and we were just back from the beach. We all painted it blue and Mum
painted a lovely scene on it.
The
kids were free to have a ball on the beach and had a 4wheeler and 3wheeler to
whiz up and down with, towing each other along on boards.
Great
fishing from down there too. Here’s Steve with a 29lb Spanish Mackerel.
The
Army have a base at the other end of the beach and once we were there when the
Americans were over for the Coral Sea re-enactment so we had big ships,
helicopters and all kinds of water craft whizzing around us while we were
fishing. Our shack even survived Cyclone Larry then the Council got a new
leasee and he kicked all the semi-permanents out. We had to pull down the shack
and remove everything or he would charge us to remove it. It was a very sad day
but we kept some bits and pieces. Dad has the water tank and Jon has the shower
cubicle as his ensuite in his house.
As
we headed back out we stopped to check out what was growing on the wires. It is
passionfruit.
Back
to the main road then on to Mourilyan. Turned off to head to Etty Bay. Dad, his
siblings and parents would come down here for holidays from Millaa Millaa. We
were just talking about cassowaries and one appeared in front of us. I stopped,
put on my hazard lights and waited for him (it is always the Dad who looks
after the chicks) and his two chicks to wander past us. Luckily no one else
came along.
Continued
on up the hill then down to Etty Bay. A lovely small bay with a life saving
club, shop/café and a caravan park. Took some photos then ordered some coffees
and sat and enjoyed the view. Chatted with the café lady, who was Maltese,
about the area, history and cassowaries.
Back
up the hill and back to Mourilyan. Around the bend we saw lots of cars lined up
where the road works were. None of the cars were moving then eventually some
turned around and headed back. More and more cars turned around so we did too.
I stopped to ask one chap at the servo what has happened and apparently there
was a 3 car pile-up at the road works. Might be a couple of hours before it is
cleared. He suggested we got back to Boogan Road and head around through South
Johnstone to get back to Innisfail.
We
did that and enjoyed seeing another road and scenery. Crossed the South
Johnstone River then turned off and headed back to the Bruce Highway. Had to
stop at the rail crossing as a very long line of empty sugar cane bins rumbled
by.
Followed
the line of traffic and got back on the highway and headed home. Great day out.
Luckily it was Chinese for dinner tonight so I didn’t have to cook.
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