Cape York.

Well where do I start.it has been a while since my last entry. I am sitting in the café, bar, open area looking out to the ocean at Punsand Bay which is about 10 kms from the tip of Cape York. Absolutely beautiful. The breeze is blowing, music playing, in my bathers after being in the above ground pool. The only dampener is the horrible news about the Malaysian airline being shot down. Tragic. Ghastly. Rozza and Bill very glad it wasn't your flight from Paris!!!

Today is Friday and I must say it is a little tricky to keep up with dates and days as often we have no news or radio or phone on this leg of the journey. it has been fun travelling with Kay and Paul Foster. we take turns in cooking each evening. Kay a superb chef just like her sister Chris Hurley!!!! sometimes we go out as we did last night and had yummy Pizza at the bar here. this is a gorgeous spot… the best on the Cape. the road in very rough but beach has soft sand and beautiful blue ocean. but no swimming as the crocodiles are about. I would like them to build a cage in the water so you could swim, but I guess not practical!!

We had a good drive from Cooktown. We found the road to be pretty good and had no problems with either the car or the van. Paul had a couple of probs … kay drove under a tree and nearly wiped out the air conditioner on the caravan roof, lucky paul had a chain saw to saw off the offending bough. He backed into  tree stump and bent the rear but nothing serous. We will have 4 nights here before we turn around and head off to Weipa. we will then go back to Cooktown to pick up the kayak that we left at Caleb then across to Normanton.

While in Seisia we had a tour over to Hope Island and Thursday Island. A very good War Museum on Hope Island, saw crocodiles basking in the sun as we came into the jetty. Thursday Island everyone very friendly. 50 government agencies there. More than 150 islands make up the group, over 3500 live on Thursday. There are 700 Japanese pearl divers buried on Thursday!!!

Coen was an interesting stop. We had a really nice spot just beside the Coen River. We had called into the Indigenous Art Centre but unfortunately is was closed. a young man was jumping around excitedly and said there was a taipan in the lades loo!!!! Great excitement as the snake catcher got it. The locals were freaking out wanting it killed but the catcher took it out bush. later that afternoon Kay, Paul and I went back into town to see some dancing. they were celebrating the end of NAIDOC week. we were the only whities there except the school teachers. It was a treat to see them. The little kids were all involved too. Unfortunately my pics aren't very good as the light was all wrong.

The road up here is very busy. Not many caravans but heaps of cars with tents on the top. Some yahoos trying to travel at silly speeds. A lot do the "Old Telegraph track" but not for us with the vans etc. we are happy to stay on the road!!!! some get into all sorts of trouble. We have met some waiting for new engine and parts after trying to get across very deep river crossing without the right equipment. it pays to be cautious.

Will send some pics

Mum sorry I keep missing you on the phone.

Anth I see you are into scarves or head things… every day for me a bad hair day…. cap, hat,, scarf, pony tail!!!

Rozza can you send dome pics of ypur holiday. mjst be great to have Conrad home

Madgie great you got y see the little ones in Sydney

Shirl.. having a great time with your sister. you are so alike sometimes I think it is you!!!!

Vivi keep up the golf but don't get too smart with the bridge

Trish send love to all. Could you show Joy some pics from the blog

Keith Chris hope you are enjoying Dunsborough and enjoyed Singapore

Lizzie. have fun with Rory.

Jo missing Emily and Lucas

Lots of Love Pen