2 Geckos Travelling Australia: 15th to 21st Aug, 2023 Jon & Annalise’s place, Cairns, Qld (Steve's bday)

Tues, 15^th

Not as cool this morning, 16 degrees.

Jon flew back to work for two week shift at Moura, near Rockhampton.

Annalise and I went shopping and I bought them a digital photo frame for the wedding photos. Much better than an album as you can see the photos all the time.

Warmer day with clear blue sky - perfect. Fuel prices have risen by 30 cents at least - crazy, $2.10/L for diesel and even unleaded is $1.95.

After dinner Valerie picked me up in her electric engine Tesla and we ‘quietly’ drove to Cazalys for a cuppa and made our donations to the pokie machines!! At least Valerie doesn’t have to worry about the price of fuel any more - just the climbing electricity prices!

Wed, 16^th

9 years ago we said farewell to our family and friends on the Esplanade (though it was a Saturday) and headed off to explore Australia. We had no idea how long we would wander for but here we are still having places that need exploring. Once Steve gets the new engine sorted we will be good for another 10 years at least.

I headed up the Tablelands - perfect day for a drive. The Pyramid looks so clean and crisp.

Up the Gillies Range - not much traffic which was good. Passed the Big Frog painted on a rock. Memories flood back of all the trips up and down this range throughout my life. Always looking out for the bikini girl - a shapely tree that people have painted or hung bikinis on over the years until it got burnt in a bush fire.

Stopped at Heales Lookout - bit bright but still a fabulous view.

Through Yungaburra then turned off towards Tinaroo Dam. Looking calm and beautiful this morning.

Went down to the wall for a closer look. Not sure what the big frame was for - water tank or part of the framework for when they built the dam wall.

No water over the spillway but plenty coming out for the irrigation channels.

Into Tolga to visit Grace and Fred. Had a wonderful 3 hours chatting.

Headed back to Yungaburra to check out the platypus viewing platform. I timed it well as one was having a swim around and even came out into the sun for some photos.

Home again - not much traffic again down the range which was good.

Met Steve and Dan to check out a house with a big shed behind it. Has lots of potential but the house still needs a bit of work.

Thurs, 17^th

Early walk with Kaylene & Wendy along the Esplanade. Another perfect morning. We finished off sitting under one of the big figs near the some people doing Tai Chi so it was very relaxing listening to their music and looking out across the inlet. A few mullet were leaping out of the water too.

Kaylene left for an appointment so Wendy and I had a cuppa then headed up to Edge Hill for line dancing. Lots of people today and it was great fun. We are getting better.

Did some shopping and had lunch out then home again. Needed to put my feet up after all that walking and dancing.

Warm day again, 29 degrees. I did some baking then played with the dogs as Annalise is on evening shift.

Fran had her scan today and sent me a photo of their little baby. 9 weeks so due 20 March. Exciting times ahead.

Steve started the engine up and it went though there is still a lot of wiring and things to sort before we are good to go again.

Fri, 18^th

Stephen is 64 today - we need to slow time down!! It is also Amanda’s birthday so sent off a message to her.

Stephen went back to his ‘present’ - an engine. I found a shop that sold Karage Chicken and took him some down for lunch as a treat as he hadn’t been able to get it at Ochre as it was just a special thing for the wedding. Pete was there fixing up Steve’s ‘bush welding’ and reinforcing the chassis etc.

Dan was busy fabricating the exhaust pipes. He has a lot on his plate at the moment (another tradesman has just resigned so they are down 2 now) so it is so good of him to give up his day off to help his Dad.

I made his favourite honey-soy chicken wings and fried rice for dinner. Kaylene & Rick came over to join us and Annalise was home too. David rang to wish Steve a happy birthday so we were able to wish Amanda one too - they had been out to lunch to celebrate. Terry rang too so he got to have a good chat with Steve about the van rally and our truck. Jon rang too so he had a good chat with Steve.

Malcolm and Kerry texted saying they were held up at Sydney airport so won’t be getting into Cairns till 11pm - was supposed to be 6.30pm - poor things. Will catch up with them tomorrow once they have rested.

Lovely night on the patio with the temperature just perfect.

Sat, 19^th

Steve back down to the truck early as Fozzie was giving him a hand with the wiring.

I washed the sheets and was putting back on the bed when a voice called out. It was Malcolm and Kerry surprising me. They had rung Steve and have been around to see him and the truck. We chatted up on the patio for a while and made plans for dinner tonight.

Met Kerry & Mal at their hotel on the Esplanade for a drink. Great view. Wandered along the Esplanade looking for a place for dinner. Very busy! Lots of tourists and locals out and about. Tried a couple of places but they were booked out. Ended up at Copper where a lovely hostess made us up a table and our waitress was very attentive and quietly gave us new knives after our garlic bread and then checked on our meal as it was taking a while. We weren’t worried as we were having a great time chatting. Dinner was lovely and we commented to the manager on the wonderful service we had. Will be recommending it to everybody.

Sun, 20^th

Steve went down to work on the engine again as Daniel was coming in to weld up the muffler. Rick called in to check on the progress.

I went with Malcolm and Kerry to Port Douglas using their hire car which is a Hybrid - must say if I had to change this is the way to go rather than just electric. Best of both worlds.

Wandered around the Markets then had lunch at one of the pubs which was nice. Lovely day in paradise though it is quite windy today. Drove around to 4 Mile Beach but there were so many cars with mountain bikes hanging off them we didn’t stop. Looked it up and found out it was the last day of a 4 day mountain bike thing.

Back home to cook spag bol for dinner for us and Annalise.

Mon, 21^st

Warmer morning, 18 degrees as it is cloudier.

I joined the girls at Tuckshop for a cuppa - took them Anzac biscuits and Wendy had brought in muffins so we had a double treat. Helped out for a while then headed off to do some shopping.

Quiet afternoon working on the wedding cross stitch for Daniel and Fran. They haven’t set the date yet but I thought I had better get started.

Steve happy with the progress so far. Here’s some pictures he had taken on his phone.

When Pete came down to weld the crack up in the chassis they found more rust in the bottom of the chassis rail (from its days at Bribie Island with the Dept of Fisheries!) Dan made up some plates for Pete to weld onto both sides of the chassis for support so should be all good now.

Daniel welded up the engine (exhaust) pipe and made up some triple bolt clamps so they could put it in in sections as it goes over the tappet cover and down the side of the engine.

Once it was completed and they were happy with the fit then Steve wrapped the exhaust in high temp coating sadly covering up Dan’s nice shiny, very neat welding.