17/11/2011
When we were in Queensland in 2009, we had a day exploring the Tully river, a constantly flowing river. This due to water regularly being released, from the Koombooloomba Dam ( honestly!) to the power station Kareeya and then to the Tully River. The river is used for white water rafting amongst other things and is quite spectacular. Based where we are we can get to the dam and the Tully Falls from the opposite direction to which we explored it before, which is where we have been today. It’s all there on the map, but what a disappointment. The Tully Falls are at the end of a 30K single track, bumpy road where there is a small lookout and a 1K walking track to the river. There is no information to say that there hasn’t been any water over the Tully Falls since the 1950s (until you get there), when they dammed the river at Koombooloomba to feed the power station, a bit of a let down really. We did d the 2K round trip walkway, but couldn’t get near the river as it was too dangerous after Cyclone Yasi destroyed the river bank in February. We then drove another 17Ks of dirt and pot holes to the K---- Dam, to find that the water level was very low and too far out to go for a swim, so we drove all the way back again then to discover the inside of the front tyre on the van was scrubbed out. This needs replacing and the wheels realigning, we know what we are doing tomorrow.
18/11/2011
After a lovely week back on the road it’s time to return to base at Clifton and give our livers another bashing! On the way down from the tablelands we stopped at a couple of garages to see if we could get a new tyre and the wheels aligned. We managed to get both jobs organised once back in Cairns, though the tyre had to be ordered and is being fitted in the morning.
Phil is still celebrating his 60th down in Wollongong but Julie is back here in Clifton, so we three BBQ ed some lamb and made some plans for Guys visit next week and Barrys’ Christmas visit, both of which we are looking forward to.
19/11/2011
Up early to drive into Cairns for 8 o’clock, when the tyre depot opens. $320 tyre and $180 wheel alignment later and we were back in Clifton for a late breakfast! The van is now road worthy and we have peace of mind, it just needs service before we go back on the road and continue our travels, sometime in January.
Julie drove us to Trinity Beach just down the road, to another huge Australian pub for dinner. Although Trinity Beach isn’t too far away, neither of us can recall visiting there before. We will have to look at it in daylight sometime.
20/11/2011
I spent the morning cleaning the swimming pool, giving it a good going over getting rid of the sand that accumulates on the bottom. Now that’s a job I could do here. Mooching about with a high pressure hose and an underwater vac, in shorts, getting a tan, is my idea of work!! When it gets too hot or tiring, you just fall into the pool for a minute.
Phil has returned from his super, elongated birthday celebrations, so in true Aussie tradition, we all got pissed round the BBQ. Phil, Julie, Glyn, Alana and us, plus the only 2 guests left in the units. We set about some steak, salad and snags until nuffed.
21/11/2011
More pool and BBQ cleaning duties this morning after a chat, via Skype with Vanessa and John, marvellous technology!!
A bit of shopping for essential supplies from the Bottle-o ----- well we have got Guy arriving tomorrow.
Jane went off with Jules to the Turtle rehab centre, while I kept a check on the temperature of the beer. Not too tiring a day really.
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