Rewards for Improving our Fitness

In between spending time with family we have been trying to keep on top of our fitness, which we have neglected since returning to Qld. We have made excuses, some very valid too such as the wet weather, the flu and Derek’s sore foot, but really we also have not felt motivated.

All that has now changed. We feel well enough to start building up our muscles and strength, and with the goal of climbing Glacier Rock, we set about getting back into shape. (HOWEVER, Derek considers all of this a necessary evil 😅)

As well as our usual 4-6km per day walks around the Barron River, we are lifting weights and have had fun ticking off a few more local hikes

BEHANA GORGE -  Wooroonooran NP 7 km return hike, to Clamshell Falls, each kilometre got steeper, one hill is a killer known locally as Heartbreak Hill

Lots of swimming opportunities as we followed Behana Creek uphill

MACHANS BEACH  to Holloways Beach via new walk bridge

Looking back towards Cairns


EARL HILL and Half Moon Bay at Trinity Park

We had completed the much higher hill last visit so had unfinished business here.  4.5km circuit, with a few caches to collect on the way. We turned them all into 😃 faces, 

We started from the beach side, and it reminded us of Mt Coolum, lots of steps up the side of the cliff

Within minutes we had gorgeous views

It levelled out to some great views north over Trinity Beach and back over Trinity Pk to Yorkeys

GLACIER ROCK……the Ultimate Reward

It sits high up above our caravan park, and I can watch the Kuranda Scenic train pass along the top of the Barron Gorge twice a day at least. It is a 7.5km return hike (3 1/2 hours) from Stony Creek carpark, through rain forest and open melaleuca forest to fabulous views over Cairns

We followed the old Douglas Track from the 1860s which traversed the Aboriginal trade routes between the Coast and the Tablelands, before the Railway was completed in 1891 after taking 5 years to complete the Cairns to Kuranda section with 15 tunnels and 33 bridges and 83 curves, reaching an altitude from 5m to 327 m above sea level

I was so excited to finally meet the challenge

Rain forest from start to the mighty foot bridge, every step was uphill all the way to the top of the range

Over the railway line the stairs went up the cliff face

Killer stairs after a huge uphill climb, legs were shaking

We left the rainforest behind and had our first glimpse of the view, and our caravan.

After many much easier switch backs following under the power lines the view was even more fabulous. Time for a well deserved rest. Cairns city in the distance.

We went over the mountain range following the lines and then continued along the Douglas Track again

Straight ahead was Kuranda via the MacDonald Track

I Love the feeling of looking down over the landscape, the effort is so rewarding


We had timed it beautifully with the returning train from Kuranda 4.10pm and after chit-chatting too long at the top we made it to the foot bridge over the railway with just 2 minutes to spare

I was so excited, the engine driver waved back too.

I am back doing the Birding walking tours on a Tuesday through the Botanic Gardens, 2 1/2 hours, 5 km

Birds of the week, from my Birding Walks, Forest Kingfisher

And 2 Double Eyed Fig Parrots nesting

Cairns Winter 😎

We have forgotten how warm it is in Cairns during the winter, and a bonus of no humidity! Average 26° during the day with sunny skies, overnight a little cooler …about 16-18°.

The pool is still lovely most days, and had a swim last Friday

Derek’s foot has been well rested, not perfect yet still a little swollen, but we have tried a few 4km walks over the last week and it seems to be handling it.  

A family outing to the foreshore Esplanade, and collected a few shells, Derek was on croc spotting duty, not that one has been seen along here for awhile

Croc was spotted nearer the marina in May 2022, and also the far end of the Esplanade just 50m from the kids playground in 2017.

Shells for our next project, finger nails too

Another trip to the movies …. This time Thor, really enjoyed it

Always enjoy a trip to Copperlode Dam, Lake Morris in the mountain range directly behind Cairns

Water over the Spillway into Freshwater Creek, haven’t seen that for years

Bird of the week, is the tiny and sweet chirping Olive Backed Sunbird, found in Queensland and Southern Asia,  they visit us at our Caravan, also at Lake Morris and also in Craig’s garden

Here’s hoping to get out and about a bit further as Derek’s foot improves

Taking it Easy

We had a lovely time at our niece Natasha’s wedding, it was a warm winter’s day and she was beaming with joy, which was contagious. We were blessed to spend this wonderful time of her life with her.

It was strange to be on a flight again…exciting.. only 2 hours to get to Brisbane instead of 20 hours, but we are just so used to planning road trips. Yes, double masked, not taking any chances with Covid on the rise again.

A few hours before leaving for the wedding Jacey knelt on Derek’s foot hidden under the puffy doona whilst he was still in bed..ouch!

It came up the size of an orange when he stood up


There was no way we were going to miss the wedding, no time for an xray! Just happened to have a spare moon boot laying around.

I was treated to an early surprise birthday dinner at Sanctuary Cove Marina, yum seafood. I so enjoyed our night out with Jessima, Jonny and kids, it was very special.

Dessert with sparkles and staff singing me Happy Birthday..WOW

Overall a fabulous short break, even had time for a a trip out to Cosco.

One week later after getting back into our morning walks, we found ourselves at the Emergency Dept Cairns Hospital, more bruising and swelling and tremendous pain……but after xray and CT scan there was no fracture.

Derek is now Taking it Easy…. This time no walking, or hiking, or sightseeing until all bruising has gone, only Rest, Iced, Strapped, Elevated.

This coincided now with my birthday followed by a week of bad weather

We finished the Shell Mobile for Ayla’s Bedroom


Had a birthday party

She even made me a lovely card


After a morning session at the Movies 

we had a birthday lunch at Strait on the Beach at Holloways Beach

My new favourite spot for lunch, even came back again after the rain to celebrate with Craig and Sara, and overall really enjoyed my extended week of birthday celebrations

This was last years birthday…Norman River bush camp..on our way to WA….just Derek and I, (steak, chips and beans..by the way it is non alcoholic beer, and pepsi)

A walk along the beach and found some awesome street art

I have tried to keep busy by spending a lot of time helping out Craig and Sara during the school holidays. Cairns is crowded as it is high tourist season and school holidays, but got a break in the weather and visited Barron Gorge just a few kilometres behind our caravan park at Lake Placid