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Published: September 13th 2011
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Saturday 3rd September – this morning we got busy doing something we had been meaning to do for months but either the site we were on wasn’t suitable or we were off enjoying ourselves! Anyway, today was the day that we completely emptied out the car then brushed the floors and washed everything that looked a mite grubby (which was everywhere then!). We emptied and washed all the plastic boxes – to make sure we weren’t carrying any ‘nasties’ with us. We also managed to find a few items that were not worth keeping and so they got dumped. Graham somehow even managed to fit everything back in! Having completed that task we felt very pleased with ourselves.
At various times through the morning we chatted to our neighbour, Clint. He is travelling with his wife and three children but they have been staying at Glengarry for nearly two years and the children all go to a local school. He owns a successful business back in Perth and that is financing their travels without him having to get involved much – what a fantastic way of life!
We had some lunch and then drove into Port Douglas and
strolled along the main shopping area. As we wandered, a horse and carriage complete with bride and groom passed us heading towards Anzac Park. Later as we walked that way we could see them just completing their photo session in the park. Nearby is a delightful little, fully restored, historic church called ‘St Mary’s by the Sea’ that Sarah and Darryl had mentioned in their blog. Somehow on our last stay here we had missed it so we put that right and had a look inside – it was lovely with beautiful stain glass windows and one plain large window through which was a fabulous view out to sea. The window reminded us of one of the episodes of ‘The Vicar of Dibley’! Obviously the newly married couple had not exchanged their vows there – what a shame! The wedding photo session was still going on but now it had moved to the jetty as the sun set over the distant hills. We wandered back into town and enjoyed a fish and chip supper.
Sunday 4th – we had decided to stay another day so after a lazy start we went off to the market that takes place every
Sunday. By the time we got there it was 10 o’clock but there were still plenty of parking spaces by the marina. We had forgotten how big the market was – it was huge and full of lovely touristy things. We thoroughly enjoyed our wander round but I limited my purchases to some very green bananas, local honey for Graham and just a few other bits and pieces. As we strolled back to the car we remembered a sign we had seen telling us that the local steam train would be running today, setting off from adjacent to the marina. So we hurried back just in time to see the engine being rotated on a turn-table before being connected again to the carriages. There were quite a few people of all ages anxiously waiting to get on board. A few minutes later we gave the passengers a cheery wave as they headed off on their trip.
Back at the caravan we had lunch and did a few preparations for our departure in the morning. Graham went for a swim in the pool while I tried to catch up with the blogs – we’re about a week behind and finding
it difficult to keep up with it all. We’ve been quite busy lately but at some time we’ll have to find a day or two when we concentrate on computer work and nothing else – almost impossible when there’s so much to see. Tomorrow will be a short trip back to Cairns but we both agree that Port Douglas has been a great place to be.
On Monday 5th we could afford to pack up very casually knowing that we didn’t have a huge journey ahead of us. We were sad to be leaving both the caravan park, Port Douglas and this very special area. We left at about 9.30 and although dry, it was very cloudy and blustery. To while-away some time we stopped at the Rex Lookout again and also at the same lay-by we had used on the journey up to Port Douglas. We got the seats out and relaxed while watching a lone surfer. It seemed an unlikely place to be surfing because it was a very rocky stretch of coastline but the lad certainly knew what he was doing. He entertained us for half an hour or so but when he came out of
the water he must have cut his foot on a jagged rock as he was hopping about with blood pouring from the wound. We helped him out with some gauze and sticky tape to at least protect it until he got home. It just shows what can happen when you’re wandering about without shoes! After that bit of excitement we set off again and before long arrived back at Lake Placid Caravan Park where we booked in for our second stay. Having learned our lesson from our previous stay we picked a site slightly further into the park and away from the hustle and bustle of the entrance and the office. Meanwhile, as we started to set up, the heavens opened and we endured a heavy storm. We crossed our fingers and hoped that the sealant that Graham put on at Innisfail would work – and it did! We drove to the nearby Smithfield Shopping Centre, topped up with provisions and I booked a hair appointment! Later on the weather brightened up so we drove off to Trinity Beach where we walked along the front and up to a lookout on a footpath which went alongside some very fancy looking
apartments. At the end of the row was one old and rickety house – we decided this would no doubt be owned by elderly people who were defying the developers and were determined to see out the remainder of their days in this glorious spot (but we’ll never know!). By now it was getting dark so off we went back to the caravan for some welcome supper.
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Darryl and Sarah
Wallaby Wanderers
Home to the Elliotts
I can see why the Elliotts fell in love with Port Douglas, it is gorgeous even if it is being invaded by the jet set!!! Beautiful photos and glad you found the church. Funny that it reminded you of Dibley!! :0) x x x