Friday 31st December 2022

So, today is New Years Eve and we wish you all wherever you are a Happy, Peaceful, Prosperous and most importantly a Healthy New Year.

We all went off to Port Douglas for Christmas together with another family - friends of Jan & Graham's. We stayed in a small resort on the outskirts of the town - it was just the right size and had a lovely (and warm) pool.

Christmas Day as 'different' to say the least. We all met up in Jan & Graham's unit and had a nice glass or two of 'bubbly' followed by 'Eggs Benedict' - in different styles. Present time  - the family gave Merle and I a sunset 'Sailaway' voyage on a Hugh catamaran which leaves Port Douglas harbour late in the afternoon. This we did on Boxing Day (more later). We had arranged to all have 'Christmas lunch' together. Merle and I had bought a nice piece of beef and a turkey crown which we were going to cook in our oven.  However, it was decided that they would both be cooked on the portable BBQ's - BIG BIG mistake, both ended up being massively over cooked - however, it did not stop them getting eaten.

View from our bedroom balcony overlooking the pool

Over the next couple of days we basically 'chilled out' around the pool and went for a lovely walk on 4 Mile Beach. It is absolutely amazing (Aud - you will remember this)

Grand-daughter Hannah

On Boxing Day when Merle and I went on our cruise. It was really lovely - we got dropped off at the harbour around 4.00 wish and eventually got on board and set off from Port Douglas at around 5.00pm. We were so lucky, the weather had not been brilliant that day, so the numbers were down a bit and there were probably only about 40 of us on board which was perfect. We were greeted with 'bubbly' and canapés and set off - Pete having taken the appropriate precautions as he is not too good a sailor.  Basically, we sailed out of they for about 3/4 hour under power, and then the captain stopped all the engines, up went the sails and we very leisurely sailed back into the harbour, In total, about a 2 hour cruise and very very enjoyable. We met some lovely people and had a lot of laughs. Perfect!

Some of the party left a day or so later, and on the morning that we were leaving to make our way back to the farm we head news that the family cat had been found having just been bitten by a snake and unfortunately there was nothing that could be done, so Jordan had to put it down - not a nice thing to have to do. 

We decided to have 'fish and chips' for lunch, so we drove up to Mossman (about 15 kms) to a 'take-way Fish and Chip Shop. we then drove to Coyaa Beach and sat there eating fish, calamari, breaded prawns, chips and potato scallops sat by the ocean watching the tide coming in. It really is such a shame that you cannot safely go in the sea.

We headed off from Port Douglas and drove down the 'ocean road' to Cairns - it is a fabulous ride - following then coastline all the way down. On the way, we did stop for a mandatory coffee at Ellis Beach before heading into Cairns.

It is the season of the 'box jelly fish' so swimming is only allowed within the stinger nets.

We spent the rest of the day in Cairns an d also visited Hannah's flat - very nice before heading back to the farm.

Hannah has been given a special 21st Birthday present - a flight in a Hot Air Balloon, and she can take a passenger with her - so Merle is going as well (it will be here 80th Birthday present) and luckily I am also going (my early 80th Birthday present. We are doing this early on Monday next - so watch out for the photos.

In the meantime please all have a Happy New Year.