2macstracks

Although we hope to drive south along the Bloomfield Track when we leave here we decided to check it out today because we wouldn’t have the Camper attached. When we were on the track 20 years ago it was all dirt with many rough creek crossings, now it’s bitumen until Wujal Wujal and after that gravel with concrete on the steep sections. Some concrete sections have ridges in them for better grip.

Some of the road signs are very confusing, there are trailers and caravans using the track all the time yet the signs say it’s not suitable. I think one might have referred to the old dirt track. It doesn’t seem to be policed at all so it’s possibly simply a way for councils to avoid any responsibility in case of an accident.

We pulled into the Carpark at Cowie Beach but because it’s within the Daintree National Park we couldn’t go to the beach with Fergus. I had a quick look at the shore, the tide was way out but you could hear breakers crashing over the reef.

Cape Tribulation was as far as we went, it’s also within the Daintree National Park.

Emmagen Creek is a lovely spot, we stopped there for a while, had snacks and watched vehicles making the crossing. I walked across the stones to the far side so I could get snaps of the Prado Pilot doing his thing.

Not long after leaving Emmagen Creek a Cassowary moved off the road in front of us, unfortunately it scrutinized us from the cover of vegetation so I couldn’t get a decent photo.

The Bloomfield Falls were next on our agenda and there was no restriction on us going there with Fergus. Unfortunately the rain spoilt our plans, we did get to see the falls but had to retreat without getting anywhere near close.

Back at camp the rain came down relentlessly so we spent the afternoon reading.

Quip of the day when asked if his feet were wet the Bright Spark responded: “I’ll soon be getting webbed feet!”

Wendy, our host, came to give us some bananas before we left the eco-farm maybe we’ll need to get composting toilets at home, we already have the rainwater tanks and solar panels. 🙂

The campsite we were booked into was only about 90 kms from Cooktown but first we had to call into the Library so I could upload the blog post. When I left there was a man sitting on the porch eating a bowl of rice, I think it was the poor old fellow who seems to have made the porch his home.

Coming from Cooktown meant we had to cross a range of hills so there were plenty of twists and turns in the road. Heading up to Cooktown were quite a lot of “Hooray Henry’s” on their way to the tip of Cape York. They usually come back with a vehicle covered in mud and a Scouts’ Badge/bumper sticker like , “I Made it to the Tip – Cape York”.

There were a few such vehicles at The Lion’s Den when we stopped there.

No matter how much of it we see the vegetation still has us enthralled.

Our campground is Bloomfield Cabin and Camping and it’s great.

Someone has set up little scenes in tree hollows.

There are also painted boulders.

After setting up we went to see Weary Bay, I haven’t found out yet who named it but I can certainly imagine plenty of people arriving here without the benefit of modern vehicles feeling, very, very weary. It is on Aboriginal land and they have a different name for it.

The community of Ayton is nearby and we checked out the General Store. I can’t comprehend that bananas cost more in some places here than they do in Adelaide at this time of year.

The scenery from the wharf was gorgeous, we could look back to where we’d been standing when we drove along to the Bay.

We were still at the wharf when a couple came to check their Crab Pot, they caught two Mud Crabs but had to put one back because it was a female and would have been carrying eggs.

Tonight we ate at the campground cafe called, “The Shack” and the meal was superb. Everything on the menu was Gluten Free and presented absolutely beautifully, it was without doubt the best GF meal I’ve ever had. Calamari and Greek Salad followed by a Chocolate Brownie served with Raspberry Coulis and a scoop of Icecream on a bed of chocolate crumb. Cookie has decided we’re going again on Thursday and the chef has recommended steak…..he uses secret techniques.

This morning we went to the Library again to try and post on the Blog, a man I think might be dossing down somewhere nearby told me they don’t open until 10:00. The Botanic Gardens seemed a good place to go and fill in the time. Persephone was there to meet us.

We weren’t scared off, but walked around for a while.

I returned to the library while Alex & Fergus shared a Bacon and Egg roll at Rosie’s cafe. After finding it impossible to maintain the Internet connection I gave up but noticed that people using the Library computers weren’t having any problems at all and one had a USB stick plugged in. On the way out I asked the Librarian if I would be able to plug one in she said it was absolutely fine, they had good security to stop hacking etc. I phoned Alex who came and picked me up then we went down to a picnic spot on the foreshore so I could load the files I needed onto a USB.

After the nice break I went back to the Library while Alex and Fergus topped up the car with fuel then sat outside the Library and entertained passersby. Fergus enchanted the Librarian who came out to see an old lady to her car then told Fergus his mother wouldn’t be long because she was shutting up soon for lunch.

As I left she told me she’d met Fergus, he was outside on the bench waiting for me.

We called in at the Boat Ramp on the way home.

Back at camp Alex pottered with things picked up at the Hardware store while I walked around the farm taking photos.

The Sunbirds were still about and also another quite vocal bird i didn’t know.

Penny came to visit.

We chatted with a couple staying here in the cabin, today they were hoping to catch a Red Emperor fish, something the man saw his father do and it’s been a dream of his. They had no luck, whatever they got on their lines was so strong it broke the line every time. Maybe next year off Exmouth in WA, the waters are calmer there.

Later we drove to near the Airport so we could get a phone signal and organize our campsite for the next two nights. We’re not sure if we’ll have Internet at Ayton on Weary Bay which is SOUTH of here, that means we’re heading back towards home!