A Surprise Visitor

On the weekend we had a sort of surprise visitor. I say sort of because she rang in advance to see if we were busy or home or had plans. We had none of the above happening so our visitor was quite welcome. We both helped put a band aid on our low that happens after a family visit. The good thing was is that we also worked out that there is only 3 more weekends (4 weeks) until she will be able to come back AND until more family visitors come to stay. Time is going to speed by. 

Have you guessed who my visitor was?

Why, it was Sis G from down in Brownsville ... oops, I mean Townsville.

By the way, Brownsville is a local, far north, thing/ joke. It is in the dry tropics and so often a bit brown looking where Cairns is wet tropics and more than often very green.

While she was here we did a brief spin around the lushness of the area.

We hit Crystal Cascades for an afternoon swim. This was after, of cause, she had to hunt us down at Master's and then follow us to Bunnings for some weekend plant looking. I then rescued her from having to wait around for the Sparky to go fix some sparky thing on a boat and we ran off together to the Esplanade to look at the markets and eat croissants under the shade of a tree before venturing home.

Did I mention our downstairs air con was on the blink? Oh, it was by the way. Died on Thursday, or maybe before. This was why we were off for a swim. Oh, that is right, in there somewhere we also hit DFO for Sis G's enjoyment. On returning the landlord for our place had come by to tend to our air con, which turned into a 'take all afternoon and evening' kind of job. Some not invited friends had made a home in the ducting outside and had worked out how to get inside the head of the air con so they could have a chewing good time. As Sis G said to me "why do rats seem to think anything is edible?" I was like 'maybe electrical wiring is tasty, a treat even? and they are all like oooo look ELECTRICAL WIRING!! Yum! Just like kids and lollies.'

Sorry, getting a little weird there.

Back to nice things, like waterfalls.

At Crystal Cascades, I swear half of Cairns had turned out for a swim. However by the time we had wandered up to the main falls for a look and back to a swimming spot closer to the car park, a lot of people had left. We enjoyed a cooling wallow and climbing a small set of falls before heading back to town.

On the way back I made a spur of the moment decision to take in the lookout on Copperlode Dam road, a place Sis G hadn't been.

Definitely worth the winding road.

We watched the soft colours changing and mucked around taking photos, and in Sis G's case, videos. She was making one of the weekend. It has far too much of me in it and none of her.

It was so clear, with Green Island in view.

A relaxing end to what had been a pretty long day, more for Sis G than me. I slept in til 8am (super unusual) where she was up at 4am.

I then took her home to a fixed air con and a yummy home cooked corned beef meal with pancakes and lemon juice for dessert.

Sunday we decided to head to the beach after a lazy morning that involved sitting around, chatting and much teasing from Mr Sparky.

Palm Cove ended up being chosen while on the road and we didn't even check to see if the beaches were open. They have been closed a lot for stinger reasons. Oh, and that pesky crocodile I heard someone saw.

The nets were in and so were people so we ended up being right to go.

I'm not sure if you would describe it as a cooling or refreshing dip but it was nice, in a bath temperature like fashion. I also think that maybe the water here is saltier than down south. I might have to go back to the beach again to confirm that. 

We had to do the Aussie beach run/ speed walk up and down the sand, it was already burning in the mid morning sun.

Walking back in the shade to the car while wet was refreshing though. Again there was much more photo taking and movie making.

Unfortunately, a bit after lunch we had to send Sis G packing, so she could get back home before it got too late. I loved the sister time. I am hoping this can be a fairly regular thing.

Oh, and after much debating within my head, here is Sis G's production from the weekend.

Ummm Sis G? I can use this can't I? Hehe.

Stinger = jelly fish, in particular box jellyfish.