Saturday 5 December We awoke at 8.30 am after our late night and had a slow start. During the morning a massive convoy off motorcycles went by, with teddy bears and xmas decorations and of course Santa - on a motorcycle, looking it up later it appears to be The Salvation Army Toy Run. We took a walk across the road to the restaurant in the windmill and had some breakfast. Pat ordered poached eggs on toast and I had the big breakfast. With an English Breakfast pot of tea and an iced frappe came to AUS$38.50. My breakfast had eggs, bacon, sausage, sourdough, with red onion, mushroom and spinach relish. Lovely. Then down to the seafront after browsing through some shops on the way at which Pat bought an ankle bracelet. We had discussed visting ... read more

Wednesday 2 December We had a lovely cooked breakfast at the motel this morning. Because we woke early, we were packed and ready to move by 8 am. I had paid for the room and dinner, while we were at breakfast AUS$133. So, I dropped the key at reception and we were off. We had a few things we needed and almost as soon as we joined the A1 Bruce Highway spotted a big Woolworths on a retail park, so a quick lane change and we were at the car park. We found all of the things we wanted, including some in the attached chemist, so all was good. Then back off again at 8.40 am. Yesterday, when we looked at the map for our journey, Pat had spotted a slightly inland route. The Bruce highway ... read more

Sunday 29 November Both of us slept like logs last night after a busy couple of days. Although we did wake early and Pat was making coffee about 7.30 am. We hadn't brought much stuff in from the car, as we had readied overnight stuff only to bring in. So we prepared for the day and took stuff to the car. I spoke with the owner for a short while, about various things. At 8.00 am it was 32℃. We departed at just before 9.30 am and were heading for Townsville which is not far away, so an easy drive. Nothing in particular to stop for along the way unless we choose to do so. We saw a sign for a lookout which appealed and pulled off the road into a layby. Hinchinbrook island was the ... read more

Wednesday 25 November continued After our walk last night we had a quiet evening. I don't think I mentioned we have had a further time zone change when we arrived in Cairns so the clocks have gone back an hour for us. We drove 13 kilometres today! Sunset was therefore 6 something. It was also a full moon last night. Thursday 26 November We woke early and after getting ready eventually moved off at 9.50 am. Our initial objective today is Mossman gorge, North of Cairns and about 75 kilometres. The drive is along a beautiful coastal road, winding along next to the seashore a lot of the time, with the blue sea to your right all the way. One of the major crops here is sugar cane and there is field after field of the ... read more

Friday 20 November It has rained overnight and is overcast. We chatted for quite a while last night and catching up. A slow start to the day and Paul had very kindly taken the day off, so we took a trip in Melbourne city. We took the local train service and then ambled around, until meeting Fran for lunch. Whilst on the train we were standing and two young ladies who were sitting offered Paul and I their seats. That's a first for me and I must be getting old. Then back to Northcote arriving at 3.15 pm. In the evening we drove to visit Paul's cycle shop and the across the road to Chu Manchu for some Vietnamese food for our dinner. A stop for ice cream on the way home and watched houses in ... read more