We are settled!

We are settled! By that I don't mean in Queensland, I am referring to our land purchase at Forster, which finalised today.  So the champagne was cracked tonight and we had a celebratory steak and cabernet merlot to follow. As I write, we are parked in a free camp near Archer's Creek not far from Ravenshoe in the Tablelands. It's inland, a little south of Innisfail.  This is the highest part of Queensland. If ever it would snow in Queensland, this would be the place. We will need our cotton blanket tonight for the first time in months. There is a gentle but constant rain pittering on the caravan roof. It's very pleasant.

Our adventures today began in Mount Molloy, a bit inland between Port Douglas to the north, and Cairns. We spent the night in complete comfort in a free rest area, thanks to the amazing self sufficiency of our little van. By the way, if you know anyone who would like to hire Clover over the Christmas holidays, just leave a message on the blog. It turns out Mt Molloy the tiny township, has one crazy Mexican cafe that is so good it made Mietta's Food Guide for its hamburgers.

And here are the hamburgers.  they were good, too. So was the Mexican coffee. What is Mexican coffee, I enquired? Well, said the owner, it proper coffee, or we have instant. What you choose?

A nice touch was the washroom attached to this establishment. Here it is, complete with towel. Use the orange tap for you wash your hands, said the maitre d'. So we did.

After lunch, feeling full, needing a walk, we wandered down the road to Mt Molloy's other pleasant surprise, a nice little gallery.  I mention this because the person caretaking that day owns a place called Sweetwater lodge, two luxury holiday lodges set in rainforest beside a creek, with helicopter access as well as the usual. It looks divine. http://www.sweetwaterlodge.com.au/

Off again, heading south, decided to go inland for this return trip. Visited the Mareeba wetlands (birds) and didn't see many birds because it was raining, but did see these really cute cows.

Then to Mareeba Coffee Works, bought coffee and chocolate. http://www.coffeeworks.com.au/ Roadside stall for some fruit and veg, and we're set for a few more days in the wild. We foolishly allowed Nigel the navigator to take us around Atherton via the back blocks. He's got some crazy ideas about what we might want to see, that Nigel.

Upwards via the Longlands State Forest, through Lumholz tree kangaroo territory. This part of the tablelands is volcanic with the richest red brown soil you can imagine.  But not a lot of cultivation, a few potatoes, a few cows doing their best to keep up with the massive grass growth.  Why was it all cleared if not to be used? The remnant bits of forest are spectacular. At one point there was a peat cutting farm, and a black hillside where they were taking it from. Peat! Everywhere Jacarandas in flower.  Imagine the colours: purple blossoms against lurid green grassy hillsides.

We will be back in Caloundra in a few days, to see Lindsey, Rob and of course enchanting granddaughter Sharloe.  Here she is, just learned to walk.