After a lot of farewells we started on our short journey of 80km to our next port of call. We had reserved our pitch and a Luxury Villa at the Glengarry Holiday Park a Big4 park 7km out of Port Douglas.
The journey took us through the Great Dividing Range towards Mossman the road steep and winding, we were going downhill!! and coming up towards us were the cane trucks (B doubles) the drivers would speak on their two way radios, informing anyone listening of their position up or down the Range. Once at sea level we were amazed again at how many Sugar Cane fields there were and in the distance we could see the sugar cane factory at Mossman belching out its smoke. We were held up on Captain Cook Highway for 10mins by some unbelievable road works at the entrance to Port Douglas (these road works would become a bit of a pain in the neck when travelling to the beach or into Port D).On arrival at the Big4 the lady on reception explained she had worked her magic and managed to give us a pitch very close to the Villa we had booked. For some of you who may not know, we had to hire accommodation for Jon, grandson Kyan, Jenni and Tom….All would be arriving on Friday Jon and Kyan at 4:15a.m. and Jen and Tom at 19:15ish…We could “maybe have the key on Thursday night, if no one had booked it” she told me. We had a very nice pitch for the van and set ourselves up in less than half and hour…
On inspection (from the outside) the Villa looked really good so we were very happy. A stroll around the park investigating all the amenities put our minds at rest as we had chosen well! Our Grandson would have adequate space to ride his bike and copious amounts of time practising on the jumping pillow!!
Whilst preparing our evening meal outside, our new neighbours arrived with the most amazing camping trailer. Rich and I guessed at the cost I thought the cost would be around $40,000 but the next day we found out it had cost $100,000… the couple had been up to the Cape with it and had spent all of today cleaning off the RED DUST!! at a Camping ground at Mount Carbine (where I am now, typing this up), they too had booked a Villa and were expecting a few family members flying in from Melbourne.
Thursday 17 July
We took a trip into Port Douglas (the locals just call it Port!) a very picturesque place and very touristy. We went into the little white Church which overlooks the waterfront, it really reminded us of the beautiful churches in New Zealand.
We found the restaurant, Salsa Grill that Jenni had booked for our Sunday afternoon wedding anniversary celebration, opposite the church. Looking around the little town it had a resemblance of Noosa (except no Hugo Boss store) Helen went into a beauty place and managed to get a pedicure (our poor feet!!). We then had to think about food shopping so a visit to Coles was called for. We couldn’t get the key for the Villa as someone had called in for the night.
Friday 18th we were up and out of the Park at 3:30a.m. to travel to Cairns airport to meet our boys… We parked up at 4:15a.m. flight delayed until 4:50a.m. we could have had another hour in bed! Jonathan came through the doors carrying our little fella who had been asleep when landing… No pushchair!! (Jon thought I was buying one). We arrived back at the caravan around 6:00a.m., where the four of us settled down for a few hours sleep.
After all of us showered and fed, Jonathan opened his large bag and pulled out parts of a small bicycle (Kyan’s balance bike) he immediately set to and put the pieces together enabling our little fella to get on his bike but, not before saying he wanted his “HAT” (helmet) once again Jonathan went into his bag and pulled out a child’s bicycle helmet.
This would set the theme for the next 5 days….riding bike around the Park and talking to nearly everyone the destination end would be at the Jumping Pillow and swimming pool.
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| He is here!!! |
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| Our boys back from showering |
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| The Bike |
That afternoon another sleep was in order to help us all be refreshed from our early start. We acquired the key for the Villa where Jonathan and Kyan climbed into their beds and had another 2 hours sleep.
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| Jumping Pillow |
That evening, Grandad and Kyan toured the campsite, trying to keep the young bloke awake for his Auntie and Uncle to see. There was an entertainer singing at the camp kitchen that night and Kyan biked through the audience and said “hello” to everyone. Grandad very proud and touched with his antics!Later on Jennifer and Thomas arrived in their hire car from Cairns, we were all together as a family again and both oldies were happy!
That evening was spent eating and drinking, an old Wood family trait that will never die out!
Saturday saw us at the beach, sunbathing and following Kyan up and down on his bike! By now, we were listening to his favourite words “on bike, truck, helicopter”!!!
Jonathan had a swim in the sea and Helen managed to get up to shoulder height in the water and let that be it!! Richard arrived back from his position up the beach with Kyan, he immediately spotted his Daddy in the water and ran into him.. a nice beach. Later, we regrouped at a pub for a good feed of seafood, salads and chips, yummy! The evening activities included lots of bike riding, jumping pillow and food, wonderful!
Sunday (Grandma and Grandad’s 40th Wedding Anniversary) 20th July.
Breakfast was taken at the villa. Morning around the Park more bike riding and then to the Salsa Grill, Port Douglas for our celebration late lunch. We highly recommend this place. After a little walk to the jetty, we went for a drink in the Tin Shed, entertainment and drinks were enjoyed by all, especially the little lad.
Such a lot has happened to the Wood family in the last 40 years, we keep marvelling at the places and the things we have seen and done, with a lot more to come (hopefully!). Our kids gave us a voucher for the Barbeques Galore shop, which will enable us to go out and buy a gas barbeque for the caravan. We went to the shop and have decided on what we want which is a Zeigler and Brown model, the shop don’t sell the Webber type anymore so we are going to buy this one.
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| Great "Bloody Mary" |
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| Great food |
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| Tin Shed bar |
We had a short walk to the little bar
further along the water and found
the "Tin Shed" where we all enjoyed the music.
Monday 21st July
A short trip to the Mossman Gorge saw us taking a bus trip up to the Gorge and then a little walk. We were not able to walk too far as one of our party was 34 weeks pregnant and another member only had little legs and no pushchair!
We then drove further north to the Daintree River and found a small business offering Croc sightseeing trips. Some of the crocs were quite small until we came across “Scarface”, a 4.5metre bloke who eyed us hungrily! Richard and Helen managed to secure seniors rates on this tour, a sign of getting old?
Late lunch was eaten at the Pub/Café at Daintree Village where Kyan again was a little star with two local ockers!
A visit to the Supermarket on the way home for provisions, mainly a nice joint of meat for the “COB” BBQ to be eaten this evening. The aroma, coming from Leg of Lamb, that was cooking on the deck of the Villa that evening was all over the Park. Helen made a cauliflower cheese. A lot of fun was had this evening.
Richard put the camera on a tripod and did numerous delayed shots of us all sat around the caravan… Kyan was in awe of the whole exercise.
Apparently our neighbours were highly amused once again by our little fella’s antics. We retired to the Villa for our evening meal.
Tuesday 22 July
As this was Jon and Kyan’s last day with us we decided to stay in the Park to chill out and use the pool and jumping pillow. There were lots of sad feelings going on at the anticipation of the boys leaving us. After lunch, Jenni took Kyan to the pool but Kyan wouldn’t go in the water. Helen did managed to get him in but it was quite cool. Jen and Helen then struggled to get Kyan out of the pool a little bit of a nightmare as Helen carried the little one half way to the Van until Jonathan arrived to take over.. Jenni and Tom said their goodbyes to Jon and Kyan and Helen and Richard drove them back to Cairns for their flight.
As this was Jon and Kyan’s last day with us we decided to stay in the Park to chill out and use the pool and jumping pillow. There were lots of sad feelings going on at the anticipation of the boys leaving us. After lunch, Jenni took Kyan to the pool but Kyan wouldn’t go in the water. Helen did managed to get him in but it was quite cool. Jen and Helen then struggled to get Kyan out of the pool a little bit of a nightmare as Helen carried the little one half way to the Van until Jonathan arrived to take over.. Jenni and Tom said their goodbyes to Jon and Kyan and Helen and Richard drove them back to Cairns for their flight.
The Captain Cook Highway we know by heart now and 27km of it is a designated World Heritage site. We stayed with our boys until boarding time, not an easy thing saying goodbye to the ones you love.
Back at base and we went out for dinner to Port Douglas Marina and ate a very nice meal.
Back at base and we went out for dinner to Port Douglas Marina and ate a very nice meal.
Wednesday 23 July
Jenni and Tom’s leaving day… we did manage to clear out the Villa before 10a.m. and have a lovely lunch out in Port Douglas. Again, its not easy saying goodbye to the people you love but, we did and they made their flight OK. We packed our stuff and rolled in the canopy ready for our departure in the morning. We are travelling to Cairns to another Big4.
Thursday 24 July
After a quick shower and breakfast we left Port Douglas and travelled to our next destination. The road was good and not many trucks but, once in Cairns our Sat. Nav couldn’t get us to the Holiday Park as the road we were on didn’t exist (new part of Bruce Highway). We had chosen this Park as it was the nearest to the Jayco dealer where we would take the van in the morning for its first service. After a few detours we did get on the right road (which ran alongside the Bruce Highway) and found our destination. We had a really good pitch (should be at $49.50 per night) where we could stay hooked up as we had to be at the dealership at 8:30 the next morning.
We used the lagoon swimming area in the afternoon it was very pleasant. After a nice swim and reading session we got back to the van where one of our neighbours quizzed Richard about the van, her husband never acknowledged us…. She had a Jayco Sterling too, but “it is longer than your van and I don’t like the leather or the club lounge layout” (she was desperate to see inside but we didn’t let her in). This Park seems to be all about who has the best and biggest caravan… Next morning we left the Park early and found (once again with trouble) the Jayco dealer. Caravan was left and we visited the local shopping Mall and then into Cairns to the Library. The Library was used to update the Blog which was well worth the $5. We met a wonderful lady and her son whilst using the computer he had Asperger’s he was 21 years old and quite a handful… We received a call (in the Library) to say the Van was ready. Richard spoke to the guy about what had been done for about 10mins… we went off to pick up our home. $290 later we were back on site. It seemed like it was “All go”.
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| $49.50 per night for a pitch |
We used the lagoon swimming area in the afternoon it was very pleasant. After a nice swim and reading session we got back to the van where one of our neighbours quizzed Richard about the van, her husband never acknowledged us…. She had a Jayco Sterling too, but “it is longer than your van and I don’t like the leather or the club lounge layout” (she was desperate to see inside but we didn’t let her in). This Park seems to be all about who has the best and biggest caravan… Next morning we left the Park early and found (once again with trouble) the Jayco dealer. Caravan was left and we visited the local shopping Mall and then into Cairns to the Library. The Library was used to update the Blog which was well worth the $5. We met a wonderful lady and her son whilst using the computer he had Asperger’s he was 21 years old and quite a handful… We received a call (in the Library) to say the Van was ready. Richard spoke to the guy about what had been done for about 10mins… we went off to pick up our home. $290 later we were back on site. It seemed like it was “All go”.
Update: Richard had tried to contact our person at Ford Australia re:
our compensation but had no luck! He was really peeved off, so put a post on
their Facebook page and named the person!! Bet we get a call!
Saturday we drove into Cairns for another look around and came upon the Indigenous Art Festival where we had a look round and didn’t buy a painting as some were as much as $40,000. The weather in Cairns was quite poor for the 4 days we were there but it was warm.
Sunday we had a trip out to Yorkeys Knob to revisit after 15 years and guess what? we didn’t recognise it, so sad.
Monday morning, Richard had a Facebook message promising they will look into our complaint again….Meanwhile Richard organised our next camp site. He also ordered and paid for a cover for the Ute. Richard wanted to visit Bunnings to look at tubing (this project will be put on the blog in a few weeks time).
Then lo and behold dead on time (as she always calls around 12:30/13:00 usually while driving) call from Ford Australia… This woman is mad.. now wanted us to accept a voucher enabling us to have free services etc. Oh no! we are sticking out for our $758 thanks. After a very fraught conversation she said she will sort it and will touch base with us again in 2 weeks’ time. Richard says “:PIGS MIGHT FLY”!!
We stocked up for our next trip as we know there are not any decent grog shops etc. We bought from Dan Murphys plenty of beer and wine to keep us going. Helen had her hair cut (she wasn’t happy with it) not as good as the last haircut.
Sunday we had a trip out to Yorkeys Knob to revisit after 15 years and guess what? we didn’t recognise it, so sad.
Monday morning, Richard had a Facebook message promising they will look into our complaint again….Meanwhile Richard organised our next camp site. He also ordered and paid for a cover for the Ute. Richard wanted to visit Bunnings to look at tubing (this project will be put on the blog in a few weeks time).
Then lo and behold dead on time (as she always calls around 12:30/13:00 usually while driving) call from Ford Australia… This woman is mad.. now wanted us to accept a voucher enabling us to have free services etc. Oh no! we are sticking out for our $758 thanks. After a very fraught conversation she said she will sort it and will touch base with us again in 2 weeks’ time. Richard says “:PIGS MIGHT FLY”!!
We stocked up for our next trip as we know there are not any decent grog shops etc. We bought from Dan Murphys plenty of beer and wine to keep us going. Helen had her hair cut (she wasn’t happy with it) not as good as the last haircut.
Tuesday 29 July
Left the Big4 in the rain and travelled once again back north on the Captain Cook Highway and this time upwards through the Range. We arrived at Mount Carbine caravan site which is in the middle of nowhere, but, it’s wonderful compared to the last Big4 parks and this is only $100 per week. We can have a fire yipppeee!!
Hopefully, will get this on the blog this afternoon.. Happy travelling xx
