9/9/15 Ella Beach to Cowley Beach
We checked in here about 9.30 am! Drove into Flying Fish Point & had brekky there on the esplanade. Then into Innisfail to get a “tractor clip” – a pin to hold the ring over the clips holding the roof down. We lost it somewhere before Ella Beach. Also got gas. Only $25 for 9kg here, not $43 like WA…
There’s camping spots all along the coast, here. Little roads take off between the sugar cane fields & head to little settlements. We’re in a caravan park today – power, shower, but no suitable drinking water. Says Boil before drinking, so we won’t top up the tanks.
There’s a Naval Exercise happening off-shore. That’s where the Black Hawks came from yesterday. There’s a Military Training Area just down the beach.
Bazz is right, lots of blokes here, plenty to yarn with. It’s funny, we like the isolated beaches, but sometimes the caravan parks are real good: we get to the stage it’s good to talk to others.
They have been such a friendly crew, we both got invites today. I went along to the Craft & Natter day, Bazz went to the Blokes Shed (pub…). Nice chatty day.
After dark there was a commotion from next door. We go out to look, and it’s an 8 foot long snake! Pete was hoping it didn’t get in his van or vehicle! A couple of us went & got the park manager. He walked up in bare feet, said “Oh” and picked it up! Turns out it’s a harmless python; he took it down to the trees away from the park.
10/9/15 Cowley Beach to Hull Heads
Poured rain during the night. Came in waves, so we’re getting more into the Build-up, I suppose. Heavy clouds, and on & off heavy showers as we drove south. The sea is really rough, you wouldn’t be out fishing, today.
Our “tablet” is non-functioning today. It’s happened a couple of times before, it just seems to go into a deep sleep. Hope we can awaken it again…
We’ve wandered around through Sugar Cane fields today, not come far. The Sugar Crush is still happening, have to keep a look-out for cane trains. There are probably hundreds of level crossings in & around…
We had a late brekky/early lunch at Mission Beach. We were going to stay there, but decided against that. It’s a fair bit more commercialised than we remember. There’s a big shopping centre, too, further down the coastal road, that if you just come to the “beach” area, you wouldn’t see. Of course, the rain & overcast conditions downgrade the effect of the town. On a sunny day, you’d say how quaint & interesting it is. There’s a good range of eateries and gift shops.
There’s signs everywhere to watch out for Cassowaries. Reported sightings and such. The signs all seem to be near houses, so I’m wondering if it’s just a warning thing. The birds are on the endangered list… We certainly haven’t seen any.
In the Camps book, this is a free camp. However there’s a sign saying $16.50 a camp. The Coast Guard apparently comes round at 4pm to collect the “dosh”. We’ve run into the Curlew couple from Babinda Boulders, here. Those Curlews, they’ve been really vocal the last few nights. Wonder if they’re seeing Cassowaries?
travellinwithbarryandrobin 