Guys Visit

 22/11/2011
  Guy arrived smack on time   8.05am    and into the humidity, that is the tropics. We have mapped out an action packed day for him starting with introductions to Phil and Julie at Clifton Beach then a trip into Cairns for a quick look around the city. It’ too hot to go hiking so we just showed Guy the esplanade and lagoon, a very nice coffee shop we know then up over the range to Kuranda. We would have liked to have gone over the range on the Skyrail but it takes too long and is expensive. We  also wanted to show him the Barron Falls lookout but the walkway was closed for repairs, but we found another lookout over the valley, then we spent a little time in Kuranda buying odds and sods.
  To cool off we drove back down the hill and out to Crystal Cascades for a dip in the swimming hole we have been to before. Guy just loved it. My turn to BBQ the evening meal for us three, Phil, Julie and Glyn. We sat around as it was a lovely warm evening, drinking, chatting until the ridiculous hour of 2am, before collapsing into bed!

 23/11/2011
  Another busy day as Glyn has offered to drive us and Guy up to Daintree and Cape Tribulation, along the amazing panoramic coastal road.  Unfortunately the weather let us down, it was raining and low cloud all the way.  At Cape Trib the road ends and becomes the Bloomfield track which runs for 100Ks to Cooktown, not possible in our van. In Glyn’s 4X4 we ventured about 10Ks to a beautiful creek and sandy bay, but croc country!  We had a picnic lunch at Cape Tribulation Bay where the weather improved enough for us to drive around to Daintree and a trip along the river, croc watching.
  We sat watching, fascinated as a croc stalked a small goose, a rare one as it happened. The goose managed to dive just before the croc could attack, but we reckon the goose is as good as cooked. We were pleased Guy  managed o get a couple of photos of the croc. He was a big one and our guide treated him with plenty of respect and didn’t get too close.
 The drive back along the coast road was marginally better than the drive up as the skies had cleared but the sun was going down. We finished the day with pizzas from Capers, the restaurant across the road, a few beers and an early night.

  24/11/2011
  Once again Glyn has volunteered to chauffer us around as we had intended to take Guy up over the range and into the Tablelands in our van. It’s really good of him as our van only has 2 front seats so someone, Jane ,has to sit in the back which is illegal as there aren’t any seatbelts.
 Again the weather has let us down a bit as the range is shrouded in low cloud and we are getting the night time showers throughout the day! Over the top of the mountain it becomes much clearer, the cloud tending to stick to the mountain tops, so we drove off road to Davies creek for a swim and a look at the falls. There is a lot more water than when we were here before and we had great fun doing our method of canyoning in the rapids over the smooth granite into a deep pool. We did this in the rain which made it more fun except for trying to keep our cameras dry.
 In between showers we had lunch, watched by a brightly coloured lizard, who posed beautifully for guy and he got a super photo. On then to Yungaburra , having a look at the Curtain Fig tree on the way, A beer in the pub (old and interesting) before heading back down the hill to Palm Cove for a beer and then the Surf Club. Just 1 more rain storm , but luckily we were sheltering in the pub.
 Back at Clifton for a BBQ, the weather having improved. We think we paid Glyn back for his kindness by feeding him some super steak and shed loads of beer. A lovely evening, finally in bed for 2 30!

  25/11/2011
  Guy finally flew back down to Sidney and we miss him already. We have had a fabulous few days. Most of the morning taken up by getting to and hanging around with Guy til his flight at midday. Wouldn’t you just know it   ---   already the weather is getting back to normal, though there are still clouds on the mountains. Humid and 32C  pool weather which is what we did all afternoon followed by a nice quiet night with Phil and Julie, though still not really getting an early night!