Surprise

  Lots of lawn mowing and general tidying ready for Phil and Julies going away party tomorrow night, then we took Barry out to Crystal Cascades. Quite busy there as it’s still summer holidays, but we found a fairly quiet water hole to swim in, Barry sitting it out. We are in the middle of a few days settled weather, beautiful sunshine and no cloud, we left hat behind in Cooktown.
 Jane is now an expert cyclist and may put her name down for the annual charity ride up to Cooktown later this year.( Only joking, too many hills, and she still doesn’t understand gears!)She goes out on her bike every morning increasing her distance every day, and No, I am not joining her club.

 07/01/2012
  A quite amazing day, full of mixed emotions I am quite willing to relate. It started with preparations around the BBQ, getting ready for the evening party prior to Phil and Julies departure. We spent the morning sorting out tables and chairs, the usual stuff before making ourselves scarce with Barry into Cairns. We wanted to show him the interpretive signs along the esplanade. They have loads of information about this part of the world, the reef, the indigenous history, and the preparations for war ( the 2cnd world war which fortunately didn’t affect this part of Australia, only Darwin was bombed)
We had a good look round before seeking refuge from the heat in the R S L Club and lunch.
 Making our way home we thought Barry might like to look at the marina at Yorkeys Knob, a very nice spot where you can get a beer and sit on the deck looking at the multi-million dollar yachts in the harbour and drool. Then the weirdest situation occurred, my brother whom I have not heard from or spoken to since our mothers funeral in 2007 suddenly appeared. He now lives at Yorkeys Knob, has done for the last 12 months. The atmosphere was O K if just a little strained, poor Barry hadn’t a clue who this stranger was. I am not going to go into the reasons we have not spoken for so long, but it’s probably time to let bygones be bygones and move on.
 Later we set about the leaving party here at Clifton Beach, about 25 of us in all, having a really good time. Phil and Julie leave on Monday, they will be a hard act to
follow.

08/01/2012
 Phil and Julies last full day here in our little bit of paradise and the start of it was very sluggish. We didn’t get to bed until 3am which explains a lot. There was plenty of cleaning up to be done after last night but once that was sorted then came the instant hangover cure……… an hour or two in the pool, works every time but doesn’t make up for tiredness. We are getting too old for late nights.
 We have done the handover and are now officially “ in charge”, a strange feeling as neither of us have had any responsibilities for some time. We also had our final Matilda’s on the beach with Phil and Jules though we have been charged with carrying on the tradition whilst they are away, shouldn’t be too much of a bother!
 Hoping for an early night but Barry just opened another bottle of vino collapso……..bugger!