Crocs, Snakes and Big Birds

Day 19 - Saturday 14th July - Crocodiles and Snakes


Today we took a trip down the Daintree River and got to see Crocs like the one below (4.2 mtrs)

and this one..

Then we saw a Python...

The more beautiful trees...

and kids deformed from having too much fun !

Day 18- Friday 13th July Happy birthday Mark - double digits 44. Awoken by a brief downpour, early, (again) so up to secure campsite and belongings - not the start Mark was hoping for! Kids went to pool so we actually took a walk along the beach alone! Into Port Douglas for a birthday lunch and a wander around. Nice feel to it - would be nice to have a few days without the kids. World famous 4 Mile Beach is nothing on our beaches. Lovely view from the lookout. Anzac Park is lovely - would be lovely to sit and watch the sun set if the sun ever came out! Humidity is in the 90s so kids swam while the teenager updated her amazing journal. Another walk along the beach to chase cane toads and crabs. Cane toad golf was popular (touch the cane toad with a stick & see how many jumps it does).

Day 17 - Thursday 12th July

Day 17 - Thursday 12th July - Mossman


Mossman Gorge > sun is shining

Day 13 - Sunday - Marathon 3

Day 13 - Sunday - Marathon 3

Up early at 5am to deliver Mark to Cedar Park Resort for the third marathon. Unfortunately his departure time was 9am so we had a wait until start, but spent time over a coffee talking to other competitors from South Australia & Townsville. 

Mark loved the run through scenic rainforest & the biggest fig tree he has ever seen. Tanya & the kids went to Lake Morris / Copperload Dam to meet Mark at checkpoint 1 but he was too fast & we met him descending as we ascended the scenic mountain overlooking Cairns. Such a pretty spot. Arrived at endpoint of marathon just ahead of Mark. Kids ran last 1km with him. Finished on SOS Lookout - a spectacular 360 degree view of Cairns, time of 4:30. What an amazing race to run from Kuranda to Cairns (the long route). Tanya insisted that we make the most of the remaining 2 hours so we went to the Botanical Gardens for a walk through the mangrove boardwalks. Such a pretty place and.......the finale to the uke festival was on at the TANKS (outdoor theatre) but we didn’t stay, just looked at the Uke Art entries & home for an early night. All locals are saying this is the coldest weather that they can remember in Cairns - wouldn’t say 24 is cold but it has threatened rain for 3 days and been windy. Hoping for  sunny skies for tomorrow.

Day 12 - Saturday - Cairns Ukelele festival


 Spent the day in Cairns at the Ukelele festival and markets. Girls got hair wraps and Mark bought a pottery latte cup. Everyone loved the vibe & the fact that we were there for the World Record attempt. James met a Melbourne ukelele icon - Michael Jackson! We officially registered & borrowed ukes from the Council so all of us could be involved. James was so excited just to play one note (red dot - one string - down, down, up, up down). But in usual James style, by the time the attempt and filming took place at 5:30 he was yawning and wiping his eyes, barely awake. He did manage to stay awake, play & make it onto ABC news. Oh & there had to be a mad dash to the toilet with just a few minutes until filming.... and we were in the front row of our green section! Then there was the old bloke next to James, on his deaths bed, who reduced James to tears in the final minutes by telling him not to fiddle with the tuning pegs. Mark’s GoPro filming had to be interrupted for a frantic tuning - not easy with 1400 ukeleles playing around you. Oh & the old guy, didn’t even have his uke the right way round for filming! The GoPro proved worthwhile to get footage above the crowd but Mark was outdone by another GoPro on a much longer handle! We didn’t make the GBR - fell short by 300 ukes but what an unexpected,  fun day.

Day 11 - July 6th - Kuranda Marathon 1

Day 11 - July 6th - Kuranda Marathon 1

All up early to get Mark up to Kuranda for his first marathon. A tough run through dense rainforest and he met the dreaded ‘Wait a While’ bush. GoPro let him down for the first time as it went flat half way through. James got his first buster off his scooter attempting to ride down the hill in the park (caught on film of course by Maddy). Most people in their vans witnessed it so he then had to relive the experience and the injuries as everyone asked how he was doing over the course of the day. He says he’s never riding his scooter again! Girls drove to Barron Gorge Hydro Power station and Crystal Cascades. Such a pretty park. Collected Mark from Cedar Park Resort at 2:15 but he was already in - a 5:30 marathon. James & Emily had a swim at the park pool but they had it to themselves as the weather is overcast & coolish. Emily finished her 3rd book - looks like we have to get to a book store!

Marathon 1 - 42.2 KLM Trail

What a great race! Tough single trails through the rainforest, pristine river crossings and beautiful scenery.
Had a really good race - right knee started to pack it in around the 37klm mark but was able to limp home. I think I'll have a rest tomorrow and run the last marathon on Sunday. (MB)

Day 10 - July 5th - Kuranda

Day 10 - July 5th - Kuranda

Mark up relatively early to ride up Kuranda Mountain (with the GoPro attached of course).  A thrilling ride down. Drove to Kuranda - great jewellery for the girls. OUt to Barron Falls. Ukulele festival is on for the next 3 days so we went in to The Hilton to check out hundreds of people learning a song on the uke for Sundays attempt at World Record for the largest number of people playing a song. Surprised to see Niki Bomba (John Butler’s drummer) is a uke artist who has written the song to be performed. Lost parking ticket at Casino .....but assertive Mark said he wasn’t  paying the $20 fine....so got away with just paying the standard $6 - go Mark!