Is there anybody out there?

Hi Lynda here. We're hoping we still have an audience - is there anybody out there?

You'll be very pleased to know, well I hope so, that we made it first to Cairns and then onward to Port Douglas, thanks Susie and Mark for pointing us in this direction, it's gorgeous. Don't think we'll be doing Greyhounds (other than Crayford Dogs) for a very long time!

We've been here for 6 days (the longest stopover we've had I think) but such a lovely place, so glad we chose here to stop awhile. Not that it's been that much of a rest, there's still loads to see and do. We hired an apartment here so we've got a sofa (such extravagence) and a hotplate (home cooked meals). You don't know what comfort that brings after living in hotel rooms for 2 months!

Visited the Daintree Rainforest (which is the oldest rainforest) and Cape Tribulation which is the only place on earth where two heritage sites meet - the Great Barrier Reef meets the Daintree Rainforest - its amazing the forest goes into the sea. Loved every bit of this trip, learned loads about eco-systems but the best part of the visit was to Mossman Gorge - I've never been anywhere so serene and beautiful in my life. Although there were loads of tourists around you felt that you were alone with nature!! A bit weird I know - but can't describe it any other way.

Next day went aboard the Poseidon which took me out the Great Barrier Reef where I had three dives. I was so excited and nervous but couldn't wait for the experience - I don't know anybody else whose dived in the Great Barrier Reef!! I had three dives, the first one was OK, and I was thinking that the Red Sea was just as good, but by the time the last dive came along it was just the best. Saw so much including a white tip shark (a bit scary - but I'm told thery're OK) a cuttlefish (absolutely gorgeous) and a really friendly 6ft grouper called Daisy who posed to have our photos taken. Also I have a special message for Louis, Mia and Natalie from Nemo who I met (he was scratching his back on his bed of anemone) and he wanted to say Hello and that he's glad you like his film. He sends his love to you all.

Loving Australia more the more I see it, everyone is so friendly and polite and nice - I like Nice!! I've made a vow I will come back one day.

(Tina)Whilst we have been here we have also done another sunset cruise, suckers for those cruises, maybe cos they always mention alcohol, but whatever it was great. This time we were on the hunt for Crocodiles in the wild, amongst the mangroves, managed to spot three which according to our skipper was a good sighting as the tide and weather conditions were against us. The mangroves are weird, there are different variaties and really quite eerie, you would just hate to get stranded around there, thankfully our boat got us safely back to shore, but another great experience.

On our second night here we decided to go to the Iron Bar for Cane Toad Racing, well how funny is that. A big Australian man brings along his "pet" cane toads, and after selling you all a raffle ticket then proceeds to call out six numbers where you get allocated a toad which then races against the others, you are not allowed to touch your toad but you are given party blower with which you can try to coax your toad off the table, once it is off the table you then have to catch the slippery little sucker and pop him in the finishing bucket, obviously first in the bucket wins. Some of the contenders were Skippy's love child, Aussie Aussie Aussie, Fat Bastard, Gay Freddo, Jerry Springer and Camel Toad. This happens twice then the last two in the races are replaced with new toads and all six are then auctioned off for the final race. Well we did our duty and bought one, purely you understand to get a photo for the blog. We bid and won Skippy's love child but unfortunately, despite lots of blowing with my prop, we finished fifth out of six, pretty disappointing but good fun none the less!!

Yesterday was St Patricks Day, thanks to the few that remembered our wedding anniversary, and a big thank you to Lynda who gave me a card and flowers, bit sad though spending the day without your husband there. We went to the Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary for a champagne breakfast with the birds, though heaven knows why cos neither of us are keen (on the birds not the champagne), but directly after that it was time to fuss the koalas, how absolutely gorgeous are those creatures. Their coats are just so soft and thick and just like my Baileys used to be, they are definitely my favorite animals by far. Next we went through another (manmade) rainforest and then went to feed the Kangaroos. Think we saw a couple just about to, or just finished, copulating, didn't hang about cos the male seemed quite frisky!!

After that it was off to hold the crocodile, Lynda wouldn't hold it but did tickle its tummy, she didn't like the fact that its mouth was taped up, I quite liked that as I did hold it. Their skin is amazing and so soft, not at all like you would imagine.

We had a couple of hours by the pool in the afternoon and then after a quick phone call to Paul we headed for the local Irish Pub, Paddy's. After each pint of the black stuff we acquired another prop, starting with a shamrock badge, next a t-shirt, then wigs, hats, etc., typical paddy's day, they had live music and a good time was had by all, just wish you had a been there Paul. Home in bed by 11.30 but I think we had a bloody good time!!

Today we went to the local shopping centre, bought Daddy his birthday present. Its his birthday today so have a great day, Dad, we love and miss you very much, however we know you are not missing us too much cos you have all three great-granchildren with you to celebrate, how lucky are you, enjoy!!

Tonight we went to the Combined Club, which is down on the Estuary, it sells really cheap drinks and food and the positioning is perfect to while away a few hours while the sun sets. How lucky have we been, this country is such a joy, every bit of this leg has been truly amazing. Tomorrow we head for Cairns for our last four days here and then, for this trip anyway, our Aussie dream is over, but we take with us wonderful memories of this beautiful place.

Time to go now, one final blog in a few days and then onto New Zealand, can't wait to see all those rellies and have a lovely lamb roast, hope you're reading this Auntie Jan.

Our love to you all, and can you please start sending those messages again, its all gone quiet over there. Happy Easter one and all, lots of love and kisses, L&T xxxx

---

---