30 July 2011 - Cairns Sunland Leisure Park, Queensland

We all have those days, don’t we? Sometimes it is a matter of having climbed out of bed on the wrong side and sometimes one negative leads to another, no doubt all self-induced. And today was one of those days. So if you don’t want to suffer grumpy old grumps, give this posting a miss.

It rained all night in keeping with Babinda’s Umbrella Town nickname, and it continued while we and our fellow campers rose and went about the morning’s business. Chris wasn’t feeling his normal self, which is a bit odd when we are leading such healthy lives. However several panadol tablets later, matters had improved.

We hitched up in the mud, Chris nudging back into the tow bar because I did not halt him in time, but then he hadn’t unlocked the tow bar, so it was one all. Fortunately we had no problem pulling away from the camp, unlike some may have had later trying to leave the lower sections.

Heading north we encountered about five of the ten parties of cyclists on the Bruce Highway, escorted by cars front and back, with flashing lights and who would not allow people to pass. The cyclists, all but one party, were riding two to three abreast. We had our CB on channel 40 which is the normal truckies channel. My! Were drivers irate about the cyclists! Now I do know that Australians swear an awful lot, but this morning’s broadcast took the prize! On several occasions, cars would just pull out and pass us all in the most dangerous places, driven to doing so from utter frustration. It was truly a miracle there was not total and utter carnage on the road. Needless to say, while he did curb his language, Chris was at one with the other irate drivers.

There was little actual rain on the trip north but the visibility was very poor, and it was not until we neared Cairns that the weather started to clear. Watching out for the “I” sign denoting the Information Centre, we kept on the direct route into the city. At last we saw a sign that told us it was just over five kilometres ahead and so after a while I suggested that Chris move over to the left hand lane so we were ready to pull into the car park when we arrived. Before we knew it, we were obliged to turn left, and then realising we were lost, we stopped. The Explore Australia in our library has all the addresses of each Information Centre location, along with the local radio station frequencies and a multitude of other valuable information. On entering the caravan, I found I had left the cutlery drawer unlocked. Fortunately no damage, but neither of us was happy about that.

We set the Tomtom with the correct address and were taken down through the city, buzzing like no other, and along the esplanade absolutely pumping. We spotted the Information Centre but there was absolutely no parallel parking available or even in sight, unavailable. We drove on, and on, almost ready to give the Centre a miss and set to making calls to book a camping ground. Finally we did find a suitable park in an area where many like minded people had done the same, and set off on foot all the way back along the water front. There was a special picnic gala day happening on the waterfront at the same time as the art and craft market which apparently takes place every Saturday. Families were gathered to listen to the music and enjoy the array of food and activities on offer. But we were on a mission, to obtain a decent map of the city and a list of all camping accommodation along with a list of tariffs. Information Centers all along our travels have been able to provide us with this and it does help us to make informed choices.

We did find the Centre but were offered a couple of brochures by an elderly gentleman who was probably spending his first day on the job. He was hopeless, just like the girl in Innisfail, which does go to prove that uselessness is not peculiar to age or gender. On the visitor comment sheet at the door, I wrote “Should have better signage to centre for travelers entering the city, should have better parking for caravans and motorhomes, and should have a comprehensive list of camps available.” Chris added his score: “1/10” Grumpy old travellers!

On the subject of parking for travelers, many centres have excellent parking facilities for travelers calling in to find out what is on offer. Certainly in some towns there is a time limit on that parking, but at least it exists.

On the way back to the caravan we paused at a block of public toilets, as one does. When I emerged, Chris had bailed up a couple of middle aged people, who were two of the drivers escorting the cyclists, and telling them how it was. Needless to say there was no meeting of the minds! I did manage to draw Chris away, before he was able to continue in his direct but polite manner.

So far, we were not very happy with Cairns! Back at the caravan, we pulled out our Camping in Queensland book, knowing only too well that the 2011 tariffs quoted would already be out of date. The first park called did have vacancies but we would have to shift our camp during our stay and they were charging $3 more than the 2011 tariff. The second also was quoting $3 more than the book and did not have any week stay discount, but could offer us the one spot for a week, and so we booked and paid, because they insisted that they have our credit card details then and there. (I can understand that because I guess there are some who change their minds and leave the parks hanging.)

We lunched and then set Tomtom for our destination, and made our way to the park. The Sunland Leisure Park is quite well situated, large and every square metre has been cunningly used to maximize commercial results. All amenities are clean, plentiful and cannot be faulted. There is also a swimming pool with a water slide that looks appealing to anyone under fifteen who fancies cooling off. This was an excellent positive note for the day.

We then headed in to town to the BCF Camping store found in the yellow pages made available by the camp office, and had the gas bottle filled at the lowest price we’ve paid so far. We also picked up some fasteners Chris had seen on another caravanner’s rig, so this was again all good.

The staff at BCF directed us to another camping store where we were able to pick up some flapper straps for the awning and from there we walked about a shopping centre adjacent, home to factory direct wares. Not able to miss a bargain, I picked up a two piece swim suit, the first I have owned since Kit was born thirty two years ago. I leave any further comment to your imagination!

Our camp at Cairns

Back to the camp, dinner and then blocked drains; first the sump and then our own system, courtesy of my carelessness. Chris pottered about in the dark, poking a screwdriver up the waste, and I pumped with the plunger, until the problem this end was fixed, however it leaves the sump to be dealt with in the morning. What a note to finish the day!!

Tomorrow is another day, the weather seems to be improving and we will review this coastal city with fresh eyes in the morning.