Wed, 18th Dec, 2019 Gilbert River Rest Area, east of Croydon to Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

5am 29.6 degrees, the birds are starting their pre-dawn song. The cicadas started up again too.

Across the one lane bridge over the wide sandy Gilbert River though there is a stream running just as we started onto the bridge.

The sun is just rising.

A farmer is pumping water from below the creek bed – we could hear an engine running during the night.

A pig was dead and smelly by the road as we left the bridge. The farmer is using the water to grow mango trees. Steve said we came out here nearly 40 years ago with Julie and Lindsay to go pig shooting – I didn’t enjoy that. We camped at a lagoon near here that had a heap of mango trees around it.

Continued east with the sun ahead.

Back to the single lane bitumen strips again. As we near Georgetown you can smell smoke. Through Georgetown and across a wide sandy Ethridge River. No fires visible but there is a heavy smoke haze – might be coming up from the NSW fires.

Across the wide sandy Einasleigh River which is full of trees leaning over.

Through Mt Surprise and stopped at a park. I spotted an emu and two chicks wandering along the other side of the park, then realised that there was a wire fence between dad and chicks. Obviously the little ones had ducked through and were now running back and forth trying to work out how to get out. Dad was pacing back and forth too. We can’t do much about it so hopefully they will work it out.

Clouds are coming over and the smoke haze has lessened.

Stopped at the turn off near 40 Mile Scrub – there are cattle roaming everywhere. Had an early cuppa at 9am after our early start. Lovely to get out of the truck and actually feel a coolish breeze. Only 28 degrees in the van – what a change.

The sky has cleared. Further along we passed smouldering trees and a smoke hazard sign.

Near Mt Garnet all the station gates are decorated with Christmas tinsel – lovely. Mt Garnet township and houses were decorated too.

Poor Pat doing the climb up to Ravenshoe – windy with clouds building.

Another long climb to the wind farm area, 1100m elevation – nearly there Pat. Down through the green pastures.

Through the curvy Herberton Range – Nova is following Pat dutifully.

Ah the Tablelands – nearly home.

Past the Christmas Tree farm as we near Atherton.

Through Atherton – lots of traffic, most cars we have seen in a while. Rang Mum to say we will be home about 12.30. Lovely Poincianas in bloom.

Turned off before Mareeba. The farmer has his Christmas decoration done.

Down the Kuranda Range – quick photo as we pass the Lookout.

Made it through the traffic at the roundabout at Smithfield then across the Barron River and into Cairns. Turned off and up to Mum and Dad’s place. Steve backed the van up to the flat area beside the house where Nova can rest for the next 12 months. This is where we started nearly 6 years ago when we sold our home and came to stay with Mum and Dad before our planned departure in August. Amazing how things work out. At that stage it was good to be here with them as Mum had her hip replaced and Dad was just starting to deteriorate with Dementia. Now we are back to replace the truck and van and Mum and Dad are in need of more care so we are here to help.

Lots of hugs and kisses then joined Mum, Dad and Julie for lunch as a shower of rain fell.

Set up the van on concrete blocks and opened her up. Only 29 degrees in the van – ah says the fridge.

I checked Pat’s odometer – 301,163km. When we left it was 165,420 so Pat has covered 135,743km in the last 5 years and 4 months.

We have had a wonderful time so far exploring Australia and there is still so much to do. Pat needs an upgrade and Steve wants to build the camper on the back rather than tow the van so we are here for a year at least to get this done and it will be wonderful to be on hand to help Mum and Dad.