Day 62 - Mission Beach - Rollingstone

Good morning Mission Beach!

It's probably just as well I was the only silly one to crawl out of bed at 6.00am this morning as the sunrise was less than inspiring and I ended up getting a little damp from the drizzle. 

However I did manage to snap a few photos of this guy having a tussle with his breakfast - a crab - which put up a good fight but was no match for the beak of this hungry kookaburra.

We got ourselves packed up and ready to go and it was really sad to say goodbye to Judi & Daryl whose company we have enjoyed immensely over the past few days.  Back over the mountains we headed stopping at Brearley's Bakery in Cardwell mid morning to pick up another round of pies and cakes to take with us for lunch later on.

It was 175km to our stopover for tonight - given we have enjoyed our last few nights beachside - this little spot really impressed us.  While we couldn't get a site right on the beach front - we loved sitting outside listening to the ocean as the tide came in over the rocks.  Both Shane and I have always loved the ocean.

And while the sunset wasn't that spectacular - it was still very pretty to watch.

179km

Total - 9,490 km

Top today 24°c - expecting overnight 19°c

Day 61 - Mission Beach

Good morning Mission Beach!

Alarm set for this morning for an early wake up at 5.45am - there was no need as Miss Kitty decided she needed to go out about 5 minutes earlier so we were well and truly ready for this morning's sunrise which unfortunately turned out to be not quite as rewarding at yesterday.  But still some nice shots on offer.

Pancakes for breakfast this morning and a little time to run through our schedule for the last few weeks of our trip just to make sure we get back home in good time without having a massive amount of kilometres to make up.  Thankfully when I originally did a rough schedule I had left about 2 weeks at the end completely unplanned - which between the extra days we have stayed at Alice Springs, Darwin, Townsville and our unscheduled diversion north to Paronella Park and Mission Beach - it's a good thing we had those days up our sleeve.  But it's a holiday and why wouldn't you spend extra time in the places you enjoy.

We had a very relaxing day at the van and took the opportunity to reciprocate dinner with our friends Judi & Daryl with lasagne, salad and ice-creams for dessert.  We had a fantastic evening yet again chatting about all sorts of things and we both agreed as we were heading for bed that we'll actually miss their company as we part ways tomorrow.

0km

Total - 9,311 km

Top today 26°c - expecting overnight 17°c

Day 60 - Mission Beach

Good morning Mission Beach!

Well after a big discussion about going out to watch the sunrise - I was the only one to brave the early morning call.  The birds literally woke me - there was a bird who's call sounded just like "Wake Up Wake Up".  So wake up I did and saw that first light had already made its presence known - so quickly dressed and out the van I went to be rewarded with these gems.

Shane and I headed off late morning for a drive around the area.  There are some absolutely gorgeous beaches although parking can often be a challenge and must be difficult in the busy season to park within walking distance to anywhere.  And there is just something about palm trees and the beach that speak to me!  I could live like this without any effort at all.

So now we have "car eating" Cassowaries - and a person with a can of red paint and a small sense of humour.

Back at camp we decided to extend our stay by another day because who doesn't love being by the beach and relaxing in the warmth.  

Earlier this morning Judi had kindly offered to cook a lamb roast for dinner so I had made chocolate mousse with mixed berries and freshly whipped cream for dessert.  It made for a grand meal that we all thoroughly enjoyed along with a few drinks sitting out under the awning.  That was until at 6 minutes past 10 a man who stood in the shadows told us "lights out at 10" before skulking back to his caravan.  After a visit from the Fun Police it's time to break up the party and go home.  I have to say we really were just talking quietly and not laughing loudly at all and there are ways to approach a situation like that.  We envisaged him sitting in his van until 10.00 and checking his watch.  It's a holiday people - lighten up a little.

Just before dinner I snapped a few sunset pics.

106km

Total - 9,311 km

Top today 26°c - expecting overnight 16°c