Mareeba

14 – 30 September 2024

Finally leaving the comfort of the cabin in Atherton we hitched up and drove to Mareeba. The trailer really needed a clean so we called in to the carwash before checking in to the caravan park. While cleaning underneath Mick discovered that we had a broken shock absorber. I must have done it on the trip back down the Cape from Lockhart River but I hadn’t noticed any change in handling. We went straight from the carwash to ARB, who set about determining what was needed. It was late on Saturday morning so we left it to them to try and source the part needed and checked in to the caravan park.

Although I was a little concerned about how we would go setting up with Mick physically limited, we managed just fine and didn’t need any help from friends. The caravan park wasn’t the sort we would normally have chosen but it was well maintained and had a very friendly atmosphere. We weren’t the only ones there waiting for post-Cape trip repairs.

We ended up having to spend longer than planned as the part we needed had to come from Cub in Sydney and there were some delays. Again we made the most of the time in Mareeba including returning to Cairns to talk to builders – again – and visiting local attractions. A walk to Emerald Creek Falls, followed by ice cream at the Emerald Creek Ice Creamery was a highlight, both places we had never visited before, but definitely on the return visit list. We also visited Davies Creek Falls in Dinden National Park.

There is a nice walk at Emerald Creek Falls

We had been experiencing ongoing issues with the 12v system in the camper trailer so we found an auto electrician who would come to us. Fran was fantastic and identified a number of issues. She presented a couple of options and fixed the main problem at a very reasonable price. We may need to replace one of the battery chargers down the track, but on Fran’s suggestion we will see how it goes with the new fuses and a new solar panel, and then decide.

After one final visit to builders we were able to make our choice and were ready to sign initial agreements. The trailer part arrived late on a Friday afternoon and was booked in for Monday morning. We decided that we would head off from Mareeba as soon as the trailer was ready, and where we would go would be determined by what time we could pick it up.

We packed up and dropped the trailer off fairly early and went for a wander around town before settling in to the library to get some admin work done. We returned to town for lunch and had just finished when ARB called to say that the trailer was ready to pick up. We wanted to go to Etty Bay but the only site available was not suitable so we decided to go back to Atherton for one night, then on to Etty Bay after that.

 

Atherton

27 August – 14 September 2024

Leaving Hahn River Roadhouse I was relieved to see last of the dirt road only about 20km south – it would be an easy drive the rest of the way. Once again I took a break at each opportunity – Laura and Rifle Creek – and arrived at the caravan park in Atherton before lunch time. The staff were fantastic and helped me with the trailer, as well as providing the cabin key so that I wouldn’t have to go back to the office once I returned with the patient.

I was just driving through Atherton on my way back to Cairns, when Mick called to say he would be discharged shortly. I headed back towards Mareeba, and “down the hill” through Kuranda on the way to Cairns. Mick did not want to wait at the hospital so made his way very slowly and carefully to our meeting point on the Esplanade.

Neither of us had eaten so we settled on lunch at his favourite bar which does a great pizza. Although he was still in some pain from the surgery, he enjoyed lunch and then we set off to return to Atherton.

We settled in to the cabin and took it easy for the next few days while we considered what to do. Mick has been advised that he could undertake some gentle exercise (walking) but was not to lift anything over 5kg for the next 6 weeks. That would make life in the camper trailer almost impossible so we extended our stay in Atherton after which we planned to move on, and back to the camper trailer.

Mick’s recovery progressed well and we were able to get out for visits to some of our favourite local spots including Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine and Hasties Swamp. Photography was limited to using the smaller lens, except when I could carry and set up the “big” lens in the bird hide at the swamp.

We even managed a walk around Lake Eacham

We continued to work through the decisions needed for building our new home, including a couple of trips to Cairns to talk to builders again. We also visited new friends Cheryl and Rob at their home in Ravenshoe. Despite the circumstances, we made the most of our time in one spot while preparing for the next leg of the journey.

When we were ready to move on we felt we needed to remain close to Cairns so planned for the first few nights back in the trailer to be at a caravan park in Mareeba close to friends Bill and Kerry. We weren’t sure if we could manage with me doing all the heavy lifting and wanted to be close to friends in case we needed help.