Day 32: A tuttle-dag (03/07/12)

Yes, the title does malign the Dutch language. But that is what Joke wanted to nurse her cold, so that is what it is to be called! No arguments.

Joke nursing her cold on her tuttle-dag!

Late up, very late breakfast, and then a mad rush to the amenities to beat the cleaners. Visions of broom-bearing ladies knocking down the shower door.....

Today was a windy day, and the awning took a bit of a beating from time to time. But we had our backs  to the wind and with the awning feet down on the ground and the guy ropes firmly set, the awning seems to cope better with the wind. I have put the anti-flap things on as well, so that the gusts don’t pick up the edge of the awning and flap it.

Very spacious, very relaxed, all at a very good price.

Beautiful blossom

The Shed, free mandarins, open fire on cold nights (cold, that is by Queensland standards!!), an ongoing crossword puzzle for everyone to do their bit on and a vintage car in one corner.

Bits of old farm machinery dot the grounds.

This old bloke parked here all the time during our stay.

Welcome it was, and highly recommended.

West Australians are sometimes larger than life. This bloke had an X-Trail as his tag-along car behind his enormous motorhome!

And this bloke kept his beady eye on me, so I could not get close to him.

Joke was really not feeling well, so I went off to Mareeba to look for a haircut. I had also found a tent maker in Mareeba who advertised side shades for caravan awnings. Worth a try. So I went there and was told that they could make one for me for $100. As far as I could see, it is identical to the one we saw in Cairns, and on many other caravans. We can pick it up on Thursday.

We have not yet reported on the Queenslander habit of putting “ay” at the end of every sentence. Some people do it all the time, and it sounds quite funny to the educated Tasmanian ear. However, we try not to be snobbish about it and are practicing on each other, trying to include it relevantly in every sentence. Important to be able to blend in with the locals, ay. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, ay. Not easy, though, ay. “Yes, mayte, we’re a long way from Tasmaynia, ay”. Don’t overdo it, ay.