10th to 17th August 2010

Rained quite a lot during the night, which made us pleased we were taking the 'easy' track out of this camp. Pack away wet awnings, down for last refreshing swim (quite muggy now) and left the Jeannie River Falls at 10.10am. Although easier driving to get out to the main road it was completely different terrain of very slow driving through and over trees, stumps few creek beds etc to the first 'main' track. That took 30 mins to travel 4 kms, another 30 mins to cover the next 3 kms before coming to grass the height of the bonnet which was not rough, but had to weave our way (guessing most of the time) over hidden logs etc to find our way to the next 'main' track. It was 11.30am by now and we had covered a full 10kms. Slow going, VERY tight through some of the trees for the caravan, but quite enjoyable as was dotted with beautiful ghost gums,  palms and black boys everywhere.

Stopped for a cupper at a huge abandoned shed with windmill, yards, Telstra dish, rusted vehicles and machinery before arriving back at our previous camp spot on the Starcke River for quick lunch. We were tempted to stay the night, but with threatening rain coming, decided to continue on before we ran the risk of being stuck on the forthcoming dirt roads.

The next 3 hours were spent slipping and sliding over muddy spots, deep ruts, creek crossings. Rained most of the way and had to go into low range few times to get through some very tricky, slippery areas, but eventually arrived back at the Isabellla Falls at 6pm. Kids parked van and car in middle of river crossing and quickly washed all the mud off their vehicles before making camp (almost dark now) on edge of river for the night. Tons of other caravans, campers etc. on other side of crossing - very popular and pretty spot indeed.

11th August 2010

After pack up gear ready to leave, all went down to below the falls for a swim and shower under the falls. Lots of laughs as the force of the water coming over the falls was almost taking our swimmers from our bodies - not a pretty sight! Quite muggy after all that rain, so that feshened us up enormously! Don decided to wash our 4x4 as well before leaving for Cooktown about 10am. Ross shouted dad a pastie for morning tea as he has been asking for a 'home made pastie' since leaving home! Filled up with water and had lunch waiting for 2pm when we could go to Courthouse to vote. Did any phoning needed, then headed for Steves place where Don started work on spring shackles on the small van we pulled up here. Now convinced it may be a risk trying to pull it over any more rough or corrugated roads, so decided we'd go home via the bitumen - Don will be much happier and less worried that way. The kids will continue on with their trip west over some pretty rough roads as we all decided not to go up to the tip, as all reports are coming back to us that it is still very bad weather and some rain up to the top - and seeing we all have done it before - agreed that what we have done in the last 6 days is quite enough to satisfy our 4x4 driving experiences. Really, thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Watched a movie after tea and bed - can relax a bit more now.

12th August 2010

Lisa started working again and Ross started sorting gear out again - getting gear out of little van and re-packing their caravan ready for their big trip. Sending some gear home with us, amazing what you can really do without! After lunch, Don and I took another trip into town to do more sightseeing and put up couple of posters of 'fridge for sale' for Ross & Lisa - don't need 2 fridges and they will pick up their new one in Cairns in few days time. We sat and watched and talked to few people trying their luck at fishing from the wharfs and then drove up to Grassy Hill Lookout where there is a beautiful old red and while lighthouse and great views over the Endeavour River and bay. Home for tea and another movie before bed. Very uneventful day.

13th August 2010

Now that we know we are parting from the kids, we have to change over boxes from our 4x4 and replace with the back seats from Lisa & Ross 4x4 so they can get more gear in. We can no longer sleep in the back of the 4x4 with the seats in, so have to resort to sleeping in the tent. Will be another experience for us after used to the motorhome or just climb into the back of the 4x4, but I'm sure we'll manage till we get home.
Luckily, it is a sunny, breezy day today, much more comfortable.
Lisa started work early today, so most of today was concentrated on sorting out tinned and packets of food ready for departure. Ross cut away enough wood from his boxes in back of his 4x4 to fit the outboard motor in while Don start to change the seats over etc. I boiled the fruit ready to make a boiled fruit cake for Ross birthday tomorrow, then at 3pm all down to town - kids try their luck at fishing from wharf - no luck. "Need live bait here mate" - that's after the local chap sold them all the frozen bait! Don & I sat under a tree nearby (babysitting Boris) ready like all the oldies do. Home for hot showers, tea & movie before Don & I made our bed up on the floor Steves huge shed - Boris kept us company for the night!

14th August 2010

Happy Birthday Ross. Lisa started work before 7am so we start to pack up ready to depart a fter Lisa finishes work. Luckily for Lisa & Ross, a young couple had seen their ad and came in and bought their old fridge, so it was a tricky job to transfer all the frozen & fredge gear into the smaller fridge we used in the small trailer, but we managed without too much waste.

Don & I drove town & bought pies, sausage rolls and pasties for late morning tea/early lunch at 11.30 just before leaving. Put birthday candles in Ross pastie as his 'cake' - how cute! After fuelling up and filling water tanks again, finally left Cooktown at l.15pm and headed south looking for Mt.Amos Falls (locals told us about). Beautiful, very long drop falls - BUT the trip in turned into quite a huge challenge for our little 'not off-road' trailer. Very slow going - took us 30 mins to do 3 kms, arriving at 2.30pm.

We did enjoy the falls, all having a swim in the rather cold water. Really beautiful falls.We left at 3.30pm and made camp for the night at a rest area just over the causeway at Little Anna River. Got fire going and after bbq tea, I put the fruit cake into camp oven to cook. When Ross cut it at about 8.30pm, it wasn't cooked properly in the middle, so put it back into camp oven (after being out for over an hour) over very low heat of just coals and ash and went to bed.  WRONG!!!!!!!!!

15th August 2010

When we got out of bed (first night in our tent) kids had checked the cake and it was quite severely burnt, but they reckon they can salvage some of it. While we had breadfast, they went for a walk to look at waterfall and gorge of the Little Anna River. Quite spectacular photoes they had to show us. Left camp 9.30 and arrived at Mount Molloy (Rifle Creek) R/Area 12.15pm, just in time to go up to our favourite cafe and buy a HUGE Mexican Burger (one between two people is all you can eat!) then back to camp, Don sleep, I update my blog, Ross remove the solar panel and the snow plough from our little trailer to put onto their van, then Lisa, Ross and I lay down for a rest also. (now 3.45pm)

Decided to use the other pumpkin we found and Lisa and I made a pumpkin pie and small jam tart to use up all the pastry. Both very well received by everyone and tasted fantastic! Bit of a change from my fruit cake, but having said that, once the burnt bits had been cut away, the rest was very nice really and none was wasted. Lisa took a sleeping tablet and they both went to bed early, so Don & I sat out in the dark on our own and watched a movie on my computer till quite late. Hope Lisa feels better by tomorrow.

16th August 2010

Lisa was up bright and early and had started work before Don & I were up. Boys did some running repairs to both their 4x4's and more work on the suspension of the little trailer - now best it has ever been. Not much happened today, except talk to neighbouring motorhomers etc, all have a cold shower before cooking Dons favourite meal - Satay Chicken and Rice for tea. Game of cards before bed.

17th August 2010

Kids were up extra early and left by 7.30 headed for Cairns to p/u their new fridge and computer which was being repaired under warranty. We are to book into the Mareeba Rodeo Grounds, do the washing of sheets, towels etc. and they will meet us there later. At about 1.30 we drove to town and had lunch, before going to Travel Agent to book into a Resort or Island somewhere to spend a week - our gift to each other for our 45th Wedding Anniversary. Islands didn't work out, so booked ourselves into some Apartments ('Amaroo At Trinity') at Trinity beach, just north of Cairns for 7 nights. Got 'stand-by' rates, so quite reasonable really. Looking forward to the change from sleeping in the back of the 4x4 or a tent! Kids back at Rodeo Grounds by about 4.30pm and Ross modified the new fridge to fit into their van. Very happy with it. Over to $2 p/h sausage sizzle for tea, before quick game of cards and bed. The idea now is that we part company -  the kids leave tomorrow for rest of their trip west and we spend few nights at Mount Molloy Rest Area till we can get into our room next Saturday.
   .