Monday 29 February 2016

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.

I Must Confess


Grab button for one mother hen

14 comments:

  1. I adore your photos. I was in Cairns last year and loved it.
    I've been to Townsville a long time ago.
    I misheard about the crocs before our 13km x 2 (2 days) paddle around Admiralty island ...
    It's really brown where I live and red dirt.

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    1. Thanks Trish. I'm glad you enjoyed Cairns, there is so much to see and so much natural beauty. Townsville used to be my 'city' when living in western QLD and I have a soft spot for it. Crocs are on the move up here at the beginning of the year so we often here of sightings in 'human' used areas. They caught a big one in Townsville, swimming on the Strand. They are just part and parcel of being in the far north. As strange as it sounds, Cairns and surrounds are fairly dry at the moment because the wet season has been a bit slow coming. I grew up in a pretty dry area, most of my childhood was in drought, so I love seeing all the water up here.

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  2. Yay for the visit. Boo to the broken air con. Thank goodness that got fixed for you! Beautiful pictures as usual. I really want to head up your way one day - I've never been further north than Brisbane!

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    1. Yes Kirsty, we are glad it was fixed. Our landlord came to do it after he had only gotten home at 1am that morning. We were so thankful! Although Mr Sparky had already fixed the wiring so we could use it (it was too hot to wait), it is so nice to know it has been cleaned up and that there shouldn't be any more unwelcome visitors.
      You should head up here some day, there is plenty to see (much saving is needed to do all the tourist stuff).

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  3. Far North Queensland is such a gorgeous area. I'm super jealous of your beach trip too. We haven't been able to go to the beach for a while because of the sea lice who have moved in.

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    1. Yes Tegan, so much of it is pretty with many hidden gems. The beaches here have been closed a fair bit for stingers, with them being inside the nets. I don't do the beach that much up here, even though I am a beach lover. I should go more often. Hopefully you can head to the beach soon.

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  4. What a beautiful part of the world you live in! Would love to holiday up there one of these days - I've never been further north than Airlie Beach. The hubster grew up in Mackay so he thinks travelling north Qld is "boring" ...

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    1. There are many beautiful things to see around here, Janet. My other half who grew up in the far north has the same opinion of my little sight seeing trips around here. The Airlie Beach area is gorgoeus, I haven't really spent much time there though. I think there are amazing things to see everywhere!

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  5. Haha you look super impressed about being on camera.
    It's just gorgeous up there! I could do a week holidaying up that way!
    It sounds like you had a great time hanging out with your sister. Rats and goats, cast iron bellies, they'll eat anything! Glad your air cons fixed.

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    1. Oh Alicia, I was so impressed, not. But then who does love looking at pics of themselves. I love hanging out with family, being 4hrs apart will hopefully help us both with missing family. I know, goats can seriously eat anything! And rats, really! It is good to know the air con is all spick and span now as well as working.

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  6. Gorgeous photos as always! I had never heard Townsville referred to as Brownsville but totally makes sense! lol... Love the Cairns area and really must get back up there sometime soon!

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    1. Thanks Zita! It is a pretty area and even though I struggled with being here to start with, it certainly has grown on me.

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  7. warm fuzzies 'seeing' you both enjoying each others company. Sisters are great for keeping you company!

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    1. It is nice and so good to be getting to know my sister as an adult rather than child. I'm so lucky to have awesome sisters.

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