Day 24: Lazing away in Cairns (and a confession) (25/06/12)

Today was supposed to be the day we were to get up and go off west towards Darwin. Instead we got up at leisure, had breakfast at leisure, and generally faffed around for all the world as if we were on holiday and had not one single important thing to rush off and do!

The reason for this is the substance of a confession this blog has to make to you, dear valued and patient reader. Because, while you were ardently and/or yawningly waiting for the bits that would be really interesting, such as our trek across the north of Australia (and/or the first bite of the oft-mentioned crocodiles), we had been secretly hatching other plans altogether.

It came about because Mr Branson’s airline had callously cancelled Renske, Miriam and Adam’s flights to Darwin. Instead they could take extra time and fly there in a roundabout way. Sadly, the upshot was that Miriam and Adam pulled out altogether. Renske re-routed her arrangements to come to visit us in Cairns.

So, we said smugly, we can’t be in Darwin while our senior daughter visits us in Cairns. So, what to do? Force majeure dictates that we bow gracefully to the inevitable and stay in northern Queensland. What noble sacrifice a parent can thus display in foregoing a treasured objective for the sake of his/her offspring! We patted each other on the back. This self-congratulary mood was of course not quite in keeping with the facts. We had noticed, as we entered a slower phase of our journey, that it was actually more enjoyable to take our trip at leisure, to stop and smell the roses (or frangipani, or ylang-ylang, or helleconias) on the way.

The start of our walk just behind the caravan park

Cassowary fruit - toxic to humans, loved by cassowaries

Freshwater Creek, flowing from the aptly-named Crystal Cascades

Joke on a bridge over Freshwater Creek

Joke with unknown tropical flower

So having our offspring-visitations re-arranged on us was no burden, because we have decided that Darwin (is/might be/may well be[choose one]) no longer on the itinerary. Instead, after Renske’s visit, a week later than originally scheduled, we go to the Gulf, and then swing south instead of west.

Perhaps that Sydney Opera House concert Joke is still dreaming about may come about.........

After a day of doing very little, a good meal is always appreciated

All praise to the cook!