Cairns is the gateway to far north Queensland – we came just as school holidays were about to start – It’s been great to be in one place for 3 weeks after being on the road for just over 6 and a half weeks. We have covered so much ground and seen so much, it’s really been amazing. We are staying at NRMA Carins Holiday Park, its fairly centrally located. We will use this as a base to see Far North Queensland.

Travelling can be tiring, however the adrenaline keeps you going, the excitement of the next new place to explore. There has been a period of adjustment for me, always on the go with our home, garden, Kookie our dog, work colleagues, friends, family, hobbies and of course the grandchildren. To have all these things gone all at once certainly needs a period of adjustment.

It goes without saying that I am devoted and love Mr C, however spending 24/7 together in a confined space such as a caravan also requires an adjustment. If I have one regret is that we did not embark on this trip 5 years ago, when Mr C was in better physical health. Surprisingly we have had very few arguments, Mr C calls them disagreements, for me they are an argument, and as always it is over the silliest things: here is a classic example:

We had stopped at a rest bay, for the usual toilet stop and for me to have my 15-30min walk around (which also was a discussion point as Mr C likes to keep the pace up with the driving). I had just returned into the car, it’s an Everest (I like to call it the tank) I climb up into the car, (as I’m short) put my seatbelt on and Mr C then says, ‘darling, can you pass me a tissue’, I look down at me feet and can’t see the tissues, ‘no tissues honey’, Mr C, ‘yes they are down there by your feet’, now I scramble and look again, ‘no honey no tissues’, Mr C, ‘yes they are just down there!’, now we are both getting annoyed – I undo my seatbelt, open the car door, slide out the car, and look on the floor of the car by my seat, “no f—king tissues, do you mean these wet wipes!!!! holding them up” Mr C, ‘yes, told you the tissues was by your feet’ – ‘for F–Ks sake Mr C, these are called wet wipes, not F—king tissues’!!!!! – see how simple communication goes wrong, I climb back into the car and we have a heated argument / discussion about the difference between tissues and wet wipes – at some point you have to let it go…… otherwise it ruins, the day – we are both still learning how to do this, and getting better at it. The ‘ego’ has a lot to answer for. Another self-realisation is the role of being a wife as the caregiver. I don’t think It’s Mr C’s expectation but my own that I do the traditional role of keeping house as in the ‘van’ cooking, cleaning planning etc- the danger of this, is doing too much – when we are home and I have competing roles, I have made a rod for my back……. it’s a fine line.

Housekeeping is so easy in a caravan; it takes me no time at all to clean up, however, we both realise we have bought too many clothes with us, I packed too many plastic containers, and you never seem to stop buying something for the van (like the slow cooker) – even the cooking seems easier with just the two of us….. no guests. I’ve mastered the washing machine, and even done a few repairs of course under the supervision of Mr C, as I can reach places he can’t. Finding the water leak was one of our funniest experiences. We would come into the van after being out and the floor would be wet, we both had our different theories of how the water got in. However, eventually I found the leak, which was under my seat, together with finding the seat was also broken… out came the toolbox and hey presto it was fixed.

One of my biggest learning curves has been to go with the flow and trying not to control every situation…. and believe me that’s not been easy. My two favourite mantas are “Lord give me patience” & “let it go through to the wicket keeper.”

Putting up the annex gives us more space and allows for outside sitting without the elements or insects – closer to nature and room from each other. I love to sit and write outside, read or mark papers. There is such a variety of birds, the sounds are constant, day and night – I wish I knew what sort of birds they were – sometimes it’s like an uncoordinated orchestra playing. We’ve noted the bats are huge here, Mr C recons they are as big as a Maggie, I’ve yet to get a picture. Most days we are out, I usually do plan a few rest days particularly if we have been out a few days in a row. Our evenings are spent playing games, surfing the net, listening to music, chatting on the phone, reading or me doing my crafts. I particularly love it when we play games – so far, it’s been a 50 / 50-win rate. To date we’ve never been bored.

Cairns is really a beautiful little city surrounded by mountains and ocean, the weather is tropical, and I forgot how humid Qld can be, that’s something I don’t like. The cost of living seems higher here, everything costs a little more than home in Perth. The streets are wider, and they have parallel and centre street parking. When we arrived, I couldn’t wait to go the Cairns Central Shopping Centre – it’s the biggest shopping centre we have seen in weeks – it’s almost like I had withdrawal symptoms. Cairns also has a Spotlight and Officeworks, two of my favourite stores.

Some of the houses are just beautiful, most of the old houses are built off the ground – I went for a bike ride around the suburb where we are, and it reminded me very much of New Zealand – everything is so green, sometimes I think I could live here – then I remember the humidity, stingers, and beaches with crocodile warnings and think, NO – home is Perth. I am missing family, friends and Kookie – thank goodness for Facetime and Messenger.

Next blog adventures of Far North Queensland