Homeward bound

4/7/16

Better day, weather wise, today. 
Ray rang Cairns Land Rover and got someone who worked on Mercedes but would get the Land Rover person to ring us back, after waiting a few hours Ray rang again and only got an answering machine, leaving a message to say we were still waiting for the phone call and left his number again. 

Went for a drive to see a woodworking shop and one of the lakes here. The woodwork was fantastic with prices to match but so much work in them and beautifully made, some craft, jewellery and pottery by local artists for sale as well, so much talent. I had said that the couple we had met and played cards with, at Tomato Island, should see the display as she had just taken up woodturning in the last 12 months and he was getting into blacksmithing, combining their talents on some pieces. When we got back to Atherton we ran into them at the shops and told them about the shop, so were meant to see them again. They'd done a tyre and had to stay while one was ordered in.

We heard from Forster friends that they were driving around the Atherton loop from Cairns so met up with them for a coffee in town. Was lovely to catch up as we thought we might miss them with us moving along so fast.

We thought we'd try and get the van hot water service fixed in Cairns as well but seeing we are still waiting to hear from the Land Rover service dept. we decided to skip Cairns and start heading out to the coast and on to Sawtell. Our daughter in law is having quite a bit of medical trouble after the birth so we thought we'd get down there for early next week. Ray rang the Land Rover dealer in Coffs Harbour and they couldn't be more helpful, got all the details, looked up what it could be but no luck so booked it in for next Wednesday and have a gas fitter/plumber coming to the van at Sawtell next Wednesday. We thought, being the school holidays, we may not be able to get into the caravan park at Sawtell but had no trouble and have one of our usual sites from Tuesday so it's all working out and hopefully the problems can be fixed as we head on our homeward leg.

5/7/16

The drive through the mountains was beautiful this morning but sadly I couldn't get many photos. I think Ray found it a bit stressful, with warning coming on every 60 secs and the steepness of the drive but we got through to a van park north of Townsville. Went in search of water for Ray to throw a line in but they had high banks and muddy shores and looked like good spots for crocodile attacks. Went on into the city and a look at the 'ocean' then back to the van park for a rest and to work out our stops on the way down the coast.

Leaving the mountains in the clouds

Sugar cane as we get down onto the plains again.
I never knew there were flowers on sugar cane