At Connie's Beach

Monday morning and the first job seems to be to go and get some bait. Brandt and John walked the bait net around and got a good supply of bait






Then was breakfast on the beach









Brandt decided that we needed a fire, and a billy set-up so we can have continuous hot water without having to use our gas supply












This is the last time we will see the billy this clean!
We now have continuous hot water and a good supply of fire wood




Tuesday was spent, by the men, trying to catch fish. Would you believe they came back empty handed. Then the folk from the launch anchored in the bay told them how to prepare and cook what we in NZ call piper. Out came the bait net again to catch a supply of piper for tea. On the second haul, John stood on something underfoot and that must have chased it into the net. Look at how proud they are to have a flathead!



Next came the task of preparing the catch for dinner.



And our entree was put on the BBQ plate over the fire




Our water is collected from the fresh water bubbling up through the sand. WednesdayJohn decided to set up a dam to collect very clear water.



He then put a pipe across the sand and dug another hole. As the pipe took water from the top of the dam, very clear water was channeled to our collection point.



So Brandt went back to camp, got an ice cream container and storage, and proceeded to fill it.









Brandt and John like to dig a hole in the sand, wait for it to clear, then sit in the hole and wash, whereas I like to have my shower behind the screen at camp. My water is heated in a solar shower.

As mentioned earlier, our shiny billy wouldn't stay silver for long. Take note of it in the background of the photo of our "gourmet" breakfast being cooked



After a week of being the only ones on this beach, we broke camp and headed back to Cooktown, as John heard some funny noises in our car when in low ratio. Best get it checked before heading further north.

Location:Cape Flattery

A beach to Connie's Beach, Cape Flattery

As soon as the tide was out far enough we set off on our way again, stopping every so often to take in some points of interest. One such stop was to look at a soak hole - where fresh water bubbles up out of the sand



At the end on the beach is the Cape Flattery mine. They mine the silicone sand and it it pumped by conveyor belt to a waiting ship to transport it away.





We got to the gate,



made the appropriate phone call and were told that the person who could open the gate for us was not available today (Sunday). However, depending on our height, there was a tunnel that we may be able to use.



So of course we checked to see that the sign was right



Then they walked through to check that the bottom was smooth



Took some things off the top of our vehicle



Folded in the rear view mirrors on our car and with John walking backwards in front checking that nothing touched the walls, Brandt drove slowly through









Then it was John's turn



Will he make it?



No! The strap holding in the gas bottle is just a little to high. That needed an adjustment or two...



and through he went. His vehicle is slightly lower than ours so nothing had to be taken off the roof. Brandt and I carried our excess through the tunnel, put them back on top and we were ready to continue.



Eventually found Connie's Beach, found a nice sheltered clearing in which to set up camp. And here we are.

Cooktown to a beach

The REAL adventure has begun. Have now had my first experience of off road driving.



Crossed a couple of fairly deep river crossings. Kathy didn't want to be in the first car to cross so Brandt and John went first, then they talked me through. At the second crossing we made Brandt walk the crossing, and take a camera, and that meant that once again I got to drive the river crossing. Now Brandt is peeved that I got to do the driving through both of the deeper crossings. So here I am just entering the water.





The next photo shows how deep the water was at the deepest part - look at the wet line on Brandt's undies.



As we got further on, we started driving over sand dunes and I said to Brandt, "aren't you going to let your tyres down?" he said the base was firm enough. But then, on the next hill (which happened to be the last hill) John got a little stuck.








So we both let air out of tyres.



Luckily John is very experienced and after several methods of attack we were on our way again.

Got to the beach. The tide was coming in and as we now had to drive along the beach, the decision was made to find a suitable spot and set up camp for the night.



This was the first time we had put out the awning on the side of the vehicle. We inflated the bed and dossed down for the night.

Location:?

Mareeba to Cooktown

Brandt writes:
"Did not get far. Meant to get the radiator looked at in Cairns, the brackets on the sides of had come loose. The solder had let go, and I thought it would be a simple job of fixing it in place. Clean forgot about it until the morning we were leaving. Called into radiator repairer in Mareeba, and he said the radiator would have to be taken out to do the job properly, he had time to do the repair but not to take it out himself and reinstall it. So my friend John and I went down to the local park under the trees and took it out ourselves.






Spent the whole day in Mareeba. Did not leave until just after 5pm. Travelled 45 minutes to free camp at Mt Molloy. Just had enough daylight to put our tents up. Had tea in the dark.
Hope all our troubles are behind us now and we have a nice clear run. We did manage to get the radiator out without too many hassles so maybe somebody above was looking after us after all. Feel pleased that radiator is all fixed up now, was giving me some concern. "

Wednesday 13th June went through the Daintree and camped at The Lions Den Hotel.
The Daintree was a lovely scenic drive, windy (as in twisting and turning) in places.



Had lunch at the following lookout.



The poultry were obviously used to being fed by travelers and we were not one to disappoint them - handy rubbish bin



We also had a couple of river crossings and some steep terrain to pass through.


This was a dry river bed, unfortunately the only photo I got does not show the boulders that we had to negotiate.
Eventually we came to The Lions Den Hotel



And Thursday saw us arriving in Cooktown. We have a lovely camp spot here under the trees. This is probably our last taste of any luxuries for about six weeks.




Problems still not over!! Car fridge was not going when arrived at Lions Den Hotel. 2nd battery down to 9.5volts. Redarc isolator had died and not charging 2nd bat. Got replaced in Cooktown. Hope this is the end of problems as are about to go bush!!! -says Brandt, and I totally endorse it.

Today went to the lookout here and saw some spectacular views:






Tomorrow we head up the coast. If and when we have cell phone coverage, I will add to the blog.