OZ Blog #16 Criusin Inn,

Kia Ora and G’day from Australia, This is Oz Blog #16.

The Atherton Mens Shed runs about 4 times a year a car and bikes viewing event called “Cruisin Inn” out on their carpark facing the Shed.

Each entry pays $20, and they also run a pretty flash barbeque, but more of that later.

This time they had 50 vehicles, they came from as far away as Cairns.

It’s a great venue and opportunity for ‘havin a yarn’.

This old Chev 1930 is in pristine condition.



Some classic old Holdens.

The barbie team from the left Jim, Merv & Tom.

These guys really cranked it out...best tip I’ve not seen before, fry the onions with ice cubes, it steams them and cooks them beautifully!

Back at the caravan I have an open fire every night...what a great Aussie way to end the day.

Robyn from Greymouth (NZ) was visiting her daughter, we met up at the Mad Hatter cafe in Yungaburra

What a sweet little cup.

I was told to visit Etty Beach south of Innisfail to check out the Cassowary on the beach, so at the first opportunity I headed there.

Before I could even park the car I spotted a Cassowary. It was lunch time and this impressive big bird was on the prowl for food. 

This guy was eating a “sammie” and had to head for the water to get away, but it followed.

What an incredible stunning bird. It actually came heading straight for me thinking my red covered camera cover was food!

I was sitting on a log talking to an old Irish Gold fossicker, when this huge Goanna walked through.

Well over 1 metre in length, he was heading to check out the rubbish bin.

Back in Innisfail I spotted this wonderful old building, noticing a fellow amble in to the Church, so in I went too.

This is the Mother of God Council Church circa 1928.

In 2006 Cyclone Larry cause a lot of damage, they even imported marble from Italy. 

They also installed new stained glass windows using a mix of the old and new mouth blown glass in keeping with the original Art Deco style.

Innisfail is the Aussie equivalent of NZ’s Napier and has many Art Deco buildings.







Here I am back at the Mens Shed putting on a full sheet of 17mm boxing ply onto the roof as preparation to heading north to Cape York.

I had originally thought to camp on the ground but advice from sheddie Cape York travellers said for safety, sleep on the roof (due to crocodiles, snakes, scorpions, ants etc, etc).

I also then had to make a ladder so I could get up onto the roof and then store the ladder, more brackets to make etc.

I’ve also had the Ranger serviced and rotated the tyres.

So the Mens Shed sub is being well used!

Here is the finished job.

I have a trip planned to the Chillagoe area, inland and remote, only about 2 hours away to test out all my camping gear and check out the Caves and the Tom Prior Car Museum, before the epic trip 1000km north to the tip of Cape York.

So this is OZ Blog #16...exciting times up ahead.

Cheers from OZ

Stay safe, have fun and be creative. 

Jimu & Christine.

OZ Blog #15 Mareeba Multicultural Festival.

I visited this festival some years ago and it has really grown since then.

Many of  these multi cultural groups live up here on the Tablelands.

It’s a celebration of cultural diversity in Dance, Song, Food.

I forgot to note down exactly where these various groups were from, but

I think these ones are from South America.

And these probably from Germany or Austria.



Samoa had a totally different energy and sound





I love the Latino flair and passion which comes out in their dance and attitude.

This is a banana plantation on the road between Atherton and Mareeba, pretty exotic for us Kiwis.

Back at home base I park the Ranger under this Bunja Pine tree,

and am told the cones are so huge if one of them hits you ... it will be painful.





I’m not sure what this fruit is called or even if it’s edible ... but someone will know?

It’s very sticky and gooey.

I went out to Nerada Tea Plantation near Malanda.



Not much to look at in this form.

But after all this massive machinery has its way it does look like the tea we know.

While a butterfly trapped on the factory window..flutters by!

This Kookaburra is looking at his Aussie mate way way up the tree.

It’s the Lumholtz Tree-kangaroo...
Ohhh..I’m stretching to get that nice green juicy one...over there.

He’s (or She’s) a limber, ‘lumber” tree Kangaroo... “wood” you believe?

These Rainbow Lorikeets stopped me juggling in the park in Malanda.

I just had to photograph them, such energy, colour and noise, I couldn’t compete.

That’s all for OZ Blog #15

I hope you are well and safe, and make sure you stay that way.

Preparation for my Cape York adventure is progressing well, amongst the stories I’ve heard about the Cape.

Today I heard on the news a woman was attacked by a dingo up that way, so that’s another reason not to be sleeping on the ground.

Interesting times up ahead!

Cheers

Jimu