Sun, 29th July, 2018 Mum & Dad’s home, Cairns, Qld

Margaret, Kerry and I headed off to get our groceries for the trip. Boys finishing the packing and made sure everything was good with the vehicles.

Steve and I popped down to visit Val and show her our treasures.

I cooked up a feast and had the others as well as Dan, Fran, Jon and Jess over for dinner. Poor Jon was still suffering though he is on good antibiotics now since he went to the doctor. We had a great night chatting.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Sat, 28th July, 2018 Mum & Dad’s home, Cairns, Qld

Clear crisp morning. Saw the blood moon eclipse on TV that occurred last night. The moon is in the Earth’s shadow from the sun.

Cuppa with the gang.

I saw on Facebook my cousin, Chris was in town. We decided to catch up for lunch in town with Mum and Dad. Had a nice time chatting.

Mal got his hire 4WD. The one they had booked had been smashed so he took the replacement one now otherwise he would have to wait another week. It hadn’t been cleaned etc but between him and Steve they got it sorted out ready for the trip north. They pulled out his big awning so we all sat out under it for our afternoon drinks.

Blue Mountain butterflies are flittering everywhere at the moment.

Fri, 27th July, 2018 Mum & Dad’s home, Cairns, Qld (Wendy and Matthew’s birthdays) (Cairns Esplanade)

Worked on my blog for the morning. Sent message via Greg for Matthew’s birthday. Will have to get his phone number. Sent Wendy a happy birthday text.

Cuppa with Bob and Margaret at their van.

Up the path comes Malcolm and Kerry – they were supposed to text to let us know where they were. They had parked the bus at the end of the street and walked up.

After a cuppa Mal backed the bus up the street and Steve got them parked up beside Mum and Dad’s where we had been parked before we headed off on our Trip.

They had a map of Australia done for this trip and have been putting on stickers of places they have been.

Margaret, Kerry and I went shopping while Steve and Mal tried sorting out their hire 4WD.

Had a cuppa in the bus chatting about the trip to make sure everyone was happy with the plans.

We all went into the Esplanade for a walk. Started at the new brewery which had a P&O ship docked beside it.

Steve went up into the Slippery Blue Fig and found info about the Harbour Board.

Looking over the inlet towards Walsh’s Pyramid.

We walked along around the Pier to the lagoon. Nice mural.

As usual in the middle of the tourist season for Cairns our wise council decides to clean out the lagoon – really!!

Nice new bit of art work at the other end of the lagoon area. I must say it is very impressive.

Tide out tonight – not so picturesque.

Full moon rising over the mountains of Yarrabah.

Lovely twilight colours.

Very pretty when all the lights come on in the trees.

Louis was there with a big marquee he had set up for the Harvey Norman Awards Night. Lots of well-dressed ladies and gents were arriving.

We went back to the Pier and had dinner at Suprimo.

Fireworks started so we told the others we had arranged it especially for them. Actually it was the awards night. It went for ages – I wonder how much that all cost.

Walked through the Pier. Lovely mural.

Checked out the miniature buildings of old Cairns.

The trees looking so pretty with the lights.

Into the Casino – fabulous display of Millaa Millaa Falls. Steve decided to have a wash under the falls.

A lovely evening and the temperature was just lovely. Home for a cuppa.

Thurs, 26th July, 2018 Mum & Dad’s home, Cairns, Qld

Watched the Supercar race in Ipswich that I taped over the weekend.

Mum and I picked up Val for another day at the pokies. Our machine was back and working well. We had a nice win straight up.

I did 2 Kenos for our lunch entertainment, 4 numbers, 10 cents per game. We got 4 out of 4 twice so ended up with $24 for our $1. Not bad.

Bob and Margaret arrived and Steve got them set up beside Arthur’s little cottage across the road. Had a nice arvo chatting. Then Arthur and Cheryl called in so they all came over for drinks and we had a great afternoon.

Malcolm and Kerry are at Babinda so they will be here tomorrow too.

I went into town to meet Wendy and Sarah for Wendy’s early birthday dinner at the new brewery in the old wharf. Andrea, Kaylene, Sandra and Rebecca were there too so we had a great time.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Wed, 25th July, 2018 Jon & Jess’ home to Mum & Dad’s home, Cairns, Qld

Jon and Jess’ flight was cancelled. They are on one tomorrow. Poor things.

I packed my stuff and went back to Mum and Dad’s. Margit and Isabell called in for a chat. So lovely to catch up with her again.

Had lunch then went shopping. Played with the dogs and had a cuppa there.

I realised I hadn't taken any photos of the dogs so here is one Jon took of Lily and Bandit with their life jackets on in the boat up at Tinaroo Dam. So cute.

Bob and Margaret texted that they had arrived in Babinda.

Back home and Steve has just arrived back. He had put on his washing – good boy. He even brought me back some gold which was nice.

We rang Erica and she said she didn’t get any of my messages. She thought it was strange that I would miss her birthday. I am back in the good books when I explained that I had rung and messaged.

Got a message from Jon that they are on a flight tonight. Apparently the hostess got sick and Jetstar don’t have relief staff so they just cancel the flight – really!! I remember a flight was cancelled because the hostess was sick the last time I flew back to Cairns – luckily it wasn’t my flight.

We drove into the International Airport at 10pm and Jon was sitting in a wheelchair. He came down with the flu and had a high temp so they rushed them through Customs. Damon and Lara were going to bring their bags through for them. Jess had had Bali belly the night before and then when the flight was cancelled they were put up in a bad hotel so Jon didn’t get any sleep and sitting around in the airport waiting didn’t help matters. We dosed him up on cold & flu and water and after a luke warm shower he got into bed. Not the best end to a wonderful holiday.

Tues, 24th July, 2018 Jon & Jess’ home, Cairns, Qld (Erica’s birthday)

Tried ringing Erica but didn’t get an answer so sent her a text and a message on Facebook.

Few clouds around still, warmer morning.

Went to a couple of Op Shops with Mum looking for a bag, shirts for Dad and bedspread. Got 2 out of 3 and I got a nice blouse too.

While we were having a cuppa I saw Lee Munroe, one of our neighbours from Cicero Close. Chatted with her for ages.

After lunch I visited Rebecca.

Daniel and Fran came over and collected some more dishes etc out of my collection.

Packed up some of my stuff and took it back home. Cooked Mum and Dad dinner then back to Bandit and Lily for the night. Jon and Jess will be home tomorrow – they have posted some lovely photos on Facebook and are having a wonderful time.

Didn’t hear from Erica and couldn’t get through so I rang David and Amanda to make sure nothing had happened. He had rung her during the day so she was fine. Amanda and I had a lovely chat – it will be great to see them in September. Will try Erica again tomorrow when Steve gets back.

Got a message from Jon that they flight arrives 7.40am tomorrow morning.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Mon, 23rd July, 2018 Jon & Jess’ home, Cairns, Qld

6am raining again. 

Cloudy when I dropped Jon’s work car down to Fozzie’s for its service. Foz then dropped me to Tuckshop where I had another fun day with the girls.

Went shopping once I got the car back again. I had chosen 3 nuggets of Palmer River gold to be made into a pendant and two earrings for me so I took them into my jeweller, Robert Price. I will pick them up when we return from Cape York.

Spotted a Kombi on a trailer with a number plate, Kombi Keg. There were beer taps out the side of it. It is probably for hire for parties – what a great party idea.

Picked up Mum, Dad and Val for dinner at Brothers with Ray and Marian. We had a great night out.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.