How strange our last post from Palm Cove didnt get published, so just published it!!! we left Cairns in pouring rain - experienced the 4th March twice on our return because of time changes so took 36 hours to get home, and the weather is beautiful, albeit cold. The garden is looking wonderful loads of bulbs out, and Dave the grass isnt too high!!!
We've had a fantastic time in Oz but both really glad to be home!!!
Perhaps our next Blog should be about our visitors during the Summer?
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
One More Sleep to Go!!!
AS they say all good things must come to an end, and the end of our Aussie adventure is tomorrow morning bright and early when we get the flight back to Paris.
We've had a good time at Palm Cove despite the weather being very wet, and done as much exploring as we could, but we are constantly being told this is the wet season and the best time to come is in the winter.
We're both now looking forward to getting back to France and getting on with our plans there, plenty of painting and gardening to do before our first guests arrive in April.
Thank you all for reading our Blog and all your comments - we've thought of continuing it but life in France is a lot less exciting than touring Oz.
Look out for our next adventure, not sure where yet but we've definitely got the bug!!
We've had a good time at Palm Cove despite the weather being very wet, and done as much exploring as we could, but we are constantly being told this is the wet season and the best time to come is in the winter.
We're both now looking forward to getting back to France and getting on with our plans there, plenty of painting and gardening to do before our first guests arrive in April.
Thank you all for reading our Blog and all your comments - we've thought of continuing it but life in France is a lot less exciting than touring Oz.
Look out for our next adventure, not sure where yet but we've definitely got the bug!!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
More Tablelands
On Tuesday we had a scenic drive from Palm Cove up to the mountainous Tablelands of North
Queensland - a fertile plateau of farming meadows and hills.
Driving west we drove through Karunda and we went to the Barron Gorge Falls (we saw this from the viewing platform on the train journey) the platform access was above the train platform and gave even more spectacular views of the Falls - as there had been more rain there is naturally more water coming over the Falls.
We then had our picnic around Lake Tinaroo a picturesque and very quiet are in the centre of the region - as it is away from main any main roads the volume of traffic and people is minimal.
On Wednesday we headed towards the Waterfall Route near Millaa Millaa. En route we happened upon a privately owned tropical garden which had running streams, small waterfalls and lillyponds, small pagodas and ornamental bridges connected by pristine gardens full of exotic plantys and shrubs. It was very noticable that many of the plants on show are only what we can grow indors in the northern Hemisphere, beautiful impatiens which were huge!! There was also a sizable photoalbum showing the construction and landscaping of the garden to its present splendour - we did offer a holiday at La Confiance if they would like to visit and landscape our garden!!
On the spectacular Waterfall Drive 3 amazing yet diverse was spectcles which were all easily accessible - it was bizarre one minute you're driving down a country land rather like in France the next you turn off to these incredible falls.
A quicky diversion to Ravenshoe- the highest town in Queensland - and with showers becoming more persistant, we decided to head back to Palm Cover, down the twisting tortuous winding road from Yangabura to Gordanvlae on the Gillies Highway. A wise decisio9n as a "sever weather warning" was announ ced for North Queensland from Innisfail to Cooktown, and as we drove north from Cairns the deuge ensued - potential flash floods and flooded roads meant we were relieved to pull into the car park at our resort.
Queensland - a fertile plateau of farming meadows and hills.
Driving west we drove through Karunda and we went to the Barron Gorge Falls (we saw this from the viewing platform on the train journey) the platform access was above the train platform and gave even more spectacular views of the Falls - as there had been more rain there is naturally more water coming over the Falls.
We then had our picnic around Lake Tinaroo a picturesque and very quiet are in the centre of the region - as it is away from main any main roads the volume of traffic and people is minimal.
On Wednesday we headed towards the Waterfall Route near Millaa Millaa. En route we happened upon a privately owned tropical garden which had running streams, small waterfalls and lillyponds, small pagodas and ornamental bridges connected by pristine gardens full of exotic plantys and shrubs. It was very noticable that many of the plants on show are only what we can grow indors in the northern Hemisphere, beautiful impatiens which were huge!! There was also a sizable photoalbum showing the construction and landscaping of the garden to its present splendour - we did offer a holiday at La Confiance if they would like to visit and landscape our garden!!
On the spectacular Waterfall Drive 3 amazing yet diverse was spectcles which were all easily accessible - it was bizarre one minute you're driving down a country land rather like in France the next you turn off to these incredible falls.
A quicky diversion to Ravenshoe- the highest town in Queensland - and with showers becoming more persistant, we decided to head back to Palm Cover, down the twisting tortuous winding road from Yangabura to Gordanvlae on the Gillies Highway. A wise decisio9n as a "sever weather warning" was announ ced for North Queensland from Innisfail to Cooktown, and as we drove north from Cairns the deuge ensued - potential flash floods and flooded roads meant we were relieved to pull into the car park at our resort.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tablelands
After a few relaxing days on the beach, beautiful weather we set off for the Tablelands which is a beautiful area inland from Cairns, this is day 2 we stayed last night, Tuesday in a beautiful village called Yatumba loads to see and do, weather wet but we are in the wet tropics in the Monsoon season! Day 2 today visiting more waterfalls, lakes and coffee plantations.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Karunda
On Saturday we took the senic train journey from the valley near Palm Cove which took us up a winding beautiful and ever climbing ascent up through steep gorges, preciputous ledges, several tunnels, up to Karunda Town, the views en-route affording spectacular views on a clear sunny day of the valley, coastline, distant Cairns and the Pacific Ocean. Some of the views were simply breathtaking, cascading waterfalls, green lush hills and mountains covered in rainforest. Temps around 28-30 degrees with approx 80% humidity so lots of iced water.
We had to share the train journey however with a P&O Worldwide Cruise group - probably around 250 in total!!! tyhey are cruising for 4 months have just looked at the cost nearly GBP10,00 per person, phew something we won't be doing, so lots of diamonds and glitz!!!
Karunda itself was a pleasant little town, but as expected was full of souvenir shops - very touristy.
We had a couple of rainforest walks which actually took you away from he crowds, and brought us some piece and tranquility without venturing onto any long tracks.
The return journey was by Sky Rail which was an Alpine style gondala cabin which ascended the hills and mountains close to the train asent route, and again provided spectacular views, apparently the longest gondala ride in the World took 45mins to ascend.
On our evening stroll we were rewarded with a beautiful moonlit view of the sea, with the waves gently lapping on to palm-fringed beaches - yes we have been transported to paradise!!!
We had to share the train journey however with a P&O Worldwide Cruise group - probably around 250 in total!!! tyhey are cruising for 4 months have just looked at the cost nearly GBP10,00 per person, phew something we won't be doing, so lots of diamonds and glitz!!!
Karunda itself was a pleasant little town, but as expected was full of souvenir shops - very touristy.
We had a couple of rainforest walks which actually took you away from he crowds, and brought us some piece and tranquility without venturing onto any long tracks.
The return journey was by Sky Rail which was an Alpine style gondala cabin which ascended the hills and mountains close to the train asent route, and again provided spectacular views, apparently the longest gondala ride in the World took 45mins to ascend.
On our evening stroll we were rewarded with a beautiful moonlit view of the sea, with the waves gently lapping on to palm-fringed beaches - yes we have been transported to paradise!!!
Friday in Cairns
We had a chilled out day having a look round Cairns - v v hot, but of course we are in the Tropics - we discovered one of the best fruit & veg markets yet around 50-60 stalls piled high with locally produced fuit and veg, the sights sounds and smells of the market were a very pleasant experience.
Also in Cairns we found the seafront lagoon - very popular with the locals, a large water feature and various pool depths with a small sandy beach area.
BNack to Palm Cover and a bbq with our "new friends" from Croydon - later on a heavy tropical storm produced a cooling refreshing evening close.
Also in Cairns we found the seafront lagoon - very popular with the locals, a large water feature and various pool depths with a small sandy beach area.
BNack to Palm Cover and a bbq with our "new friends" from Croydon - later on a heavy tropical storm produced a cooling refreshing evening close.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Photographs
Follow the link and you can have a look at some of our photographs, sorry not titled yet, but hopefully self explanatory and Mescal and Rod I'm sure you'll recognise your house!!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/suemooney00
http://picasaweb.google.com/suemooney00
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