FNQ & CQ (far north & central Qld), Part 1

We're back to the coastal area for much of this post.

First stop was The Boulders, a great spot just south of Cairns that we went to last year. And again our luck held out, with one spot in the free camp there. Spectacular river, would be truly scary to see it during a "wet" wet season.

We stopped and spotted a turtle sunning itself on a large boulder over the other side of the river. However it was a very inquisitive fella and came over to check us out. We were mesmerized as it checked us out, face on, with it's left eye, with it's right eye. Almost like it hadn't seen people before. Or maybe it was giving John "The Stare" ... more to follow on that topic in Part 2!








We took up the option for a free return-visit to Paronella Park (the Spanish castle etc which we loved so much last year). Just as good this time around!

This also meant we were close to Liverpool Creek free camp which we really enjoyed last year. Again it was a ripper. One couple brought along a jack fruit to share. The way they sliced it open, it looked like a rotten fish. It tasted better ..... somewhat.

As with most places, we met great characters. The couple who pulled in next to us were there to catch up with their best friend who also happened to be their "Best Man" when they were married 47 years ago. After 4 wives (imagine that guys, the good and the not so good), the Best Man is single again, at least at present. He kindly arranged for us to visit the only commercial pepper plantation in Aust.of any size (7 acres) and we came away impressed with the efforts folks go to in order to  accomplish their goals.
 John was in 7th heaven, (given herbs & spices has in part paid for this lifestyle). As with most of the trip, the much less that 6 degrees of separation came in to force ... one of their main customers is a former work colleague who John reckoned was "the best in the business".


We had a day trip to Mission Beach and Kurrumine Beach.

At Kurrumine, the locals save time hooking up their boat trailers by leaving them permanently hitched up to tractors. Funny sight!

A few days at Tully Heads was a true reward for several reasons. Great neighbours, discovery of just how good battery chainsaws actually are (yep, one will be on the birthday list for John from some wonderful son/s maybe - was that lacking subtlety?)

This was our view from our front  

 and the view "out the back behind the trees" 

and a couple of snaps on our walk                                                                                            

We also drove up Tully Gorge. Pretty nice part of the world, although renowned for huge rainfall.

Seeing the fun people were having white water rafting had us wishing we'd booked to go as well. We watched everyone bail out of their rafts and slide/swim/nearly drown going down the water/rock slide.

Back at Tully Heads, the only other person on the beach (2 hour walk) turned out to be a relatively close ex-neighbor and is also the mother of one of our boy's first "girlfriend" (primary school bus love affair).





A late decision to stop at Toomulla Park, which initially looked quite bland but turned out to be yet another gem, further rewarded with a couple of fresh fish for dinner.

Yep, the boy got coached in how to set up his tackle (fishing, not personal) and ended up being the only person on the beach to catch anything that arvo.

Two were legal, the rest (3) went back to grow a bit more. We now have a fishing tragic in the family.

Nice photo and shows where John's huge haul of fish took place. 

And that ends Part 1 of FNQ & CQ. Part 2 will follow before tooooooo long. 

Cheers,

John & Jane