Day 4 - 20th May - Bloomfield to Cooktown - 64 km

Another slow start but this time with reason. We wanted to have lunch at the "Lions Den Hotel" about 28 km from Bloomfield. Our legs were so tired any incline was an effort,  we were off the bike and walking on hills we would normally ride up without trouble. It was incredibly humid, sweat just pouring off us.Every now and then we would run onto some bitumen but mostly it clay and gravel. The clay was slightly damp which made it sticky.
At last after 3 hours we rode into Rossville and stopped at the "Lions Den", real country pub made of sheet-metal and timber with lots of interesting ornamentation.









We ordered the Seafood Basket and had a couple of beers. Not great choice as it remained with us all afternoon.









 Great pub, Dave H, Phil and Prashad you would have loved it!  Writing and memorabilia over every wall.











After lunch we rode on finally on bitumen and getting some good downhills and a tailwind. Stopped to view Black Mountain and then pushed on to Cooktown.









Checked into the YHA while Tony got some groceries for dinner. Interesting mix of clientele including young Chinese who are here picking bananas. They seem to be a happy bunch with some interesting culinary choices. Cocktail frankfurts being used in noodle soup and rolls.

Stayed up late updating this damn blog!! Have to get it up to date because we are going bush with no Internet for 4 days at least!

Day 3 - 19 May - Cape Tribulation to Bloomfield - 42 km

Started the day slowly again. A quick visit to the beach, magic place! 

Left Cape Tribulation around 9.00 am, started walking uphill almost straight away and it only got worse.

Encountered the Donovan Range after 15 km, very tough, lots of walking and pushing. 

 My pannier jumped off the rack twice because of the corrugations and I (Joe) took a tumble off the bike going down a steep hill. Fortunately I landed on my back and only grazed my elbow.

There were some very nice river crossings and then we hit the Cowrie Range. We knew there was a 30 degree hill but were not prepared for the how long it was. On one section we left one bike at the bottom while we pushed the other up the hill. Even pushing together we had to stop and takes a rest every 30 steps. Once near the top we had to go back to the bottom and start again.  There was no obvious summit just a serious of climbs and declines. We stopped and ate out boiled eggs beside the road.

It was also very dangerous going downhill.  The road was so steep we had to ride the brakes all the way down and hope there was no cars coming up.  As we ate were overtaken by a skinny Yank named Patrick who was touring on $300 a month. He was very chatty and stayed with us for the rest of the afternoon, often waiting for me to catch up.

Eventually we arrived at the Bloomfield River crossing at Wujal Wujal.  

Really enjoyed getting our feet wet. 

Patrick diverted to visit Bloomfield Falls and ended sleeping the night in the town library.  Tony and I were anxious to get the day over but wanted to visit the General Store. Tony knocked on the Police Station door and was assisted by an attractive Mrs Plod. She gave us directions to the store but it was closed. We had a breather for 10 minutes and pushed a further 8 km to Ayton. The store there was closed too but I could see someone inside so I knocked on the window. A nice Asian lady let us in to buy drinks.

1.5 km down the road we found Haley's Cabins and Camping Park. $20 cash, no registration, no receipt saw us set up in lovely camp ground.

They had a restaurant that was not open, so we dried any wet gear from the river crossings and organised our gear.

Just before dinner I spotted a huge spider in the camp kitchen. It's web was just above where Tony had been sitting earlier. It was about as big as my hand.  

Early night in very warm tents.

Had to put this one in for Melissa.

Day 2 - 18 May - Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation 93 km

Really tough day but good. Weather was kind to us by staying cool.
 Detoured to visit Mossman Gorge.

Very nice spot.  Saw this Cairns Hawkwing butterfly otherwise known as a FBB, a very large butterfly.  It was about 20 cm across.

 Spent about 45 minutes there walking around and looking at the gorge and the river.

 Saw this bush turkey and was reminded of work.

 Who says you can't see the wood for the trees???

Joe read on a sign about the Saw Shell Turtle that has evolved to breathe through its bottom.  We reckon we know quite a few people at work that are so evolved they can speak through their arse.

 Stopped at the Crossroads Cafe near the Daintree River Ferry for a well earned lunch.  Deep fried veggie burger, yuck.

The ferry was not far from the cafe so after a short ride we crossed the river on the cable ferry, $1.00 each (we almost rode it a few times just because it was so cheap) and rode until we hit the Alexandra Range. Here is a picture of Joe on the ferry, girding his loins for the hills coming up.







 Big, big hills.  Had to walk about 2 km uphill pushing the bikes. Stopped many times to recover, absolutely stuffed!!

 Saw this sign and wasn't sure what it meant, so resorted to international sign conventions - I think it means Cassowaries humping.

Sorry, saw this a bit later that explained the sign to me.

We were buggered after the hills and saw an ice cream place.  we have sweet Potato and Ginger ice cream.  Yum.  We thought the old lady running the place was a bit of a fuss pot, but our view of her was much kinder when she offered to make us a cup of Daintree Tea.  It was served on saucers with lace doilies so Joe drank with small finger extended.  Good brew.











Just as we were heading out of Cape Trib heading to the youth hostel we saw this sign.  I've seen the signs that say no petrol for 30 kms, but toilets???









Stopped at the Beach House YHA for the night, a few kms out of Cape Trib.  Rooms are in cabins almost like tree huts surrounded by trees.

 Had a hearty dinner at the on site restaurant by the beach.  Couldn't finish updating the blog becasue the internet ran out.

 BTW, Dave S., Joe's feet got a strange tan from his sandals.  Knew you would be interested.

Day 1 - Cairns Airport to Port Douglas - 66 km

Early start.  Left home at 3:30 am, picked Joe up and drove to the airport.  Sarah, my perfect daughter drove the car back home again.

We expected to have some hassles at the airport because of the bike boxes, but checkin was smooth.

We went and sat in the food court, to wait for the plane and while we were waiting saw what we thought was the Slovenian dance troupe.  Joe quickly went over to them and showed them a few moves.

Turned out they were heading off to Newcastle and then doing a 6 hour drive to see a Daft Punk concert and thought they would dress up for the occasion.  Too good an opportunity to miss so got a few photos.  Joe wants a shiny outfit now.

 Got to Cairns about 9:15 am and set up the bikes just outside the terminal.

 My bike all ready to go.

Headed off and after about 5 km saw a pie van.  Mmmmm  Pepper steak pie for breakfast.

 Stopped at Harltey's Crocodile Farm about 1:00 pm because Joe wanted to do some croc rasslin.  Paid the money and had a really good time.  Here he is pinning down a big one, at least that's what he told me he was doing.

 Check the size of the magpies they have up here!!!  Could take your head off at breeding season.

 Had a look at the breeding farm and listened to an interesting talk about breeding crocs.  These are about 1.5 - 1.8 m long and are soon to become bags, belts, burgers and boots.

 This is one of those savage koalas.

Also went to an interesting presentation on snakes.

 Did a boat ride and saw a few more crocodiles jumping up out of the water.

This one is just waiting for the right time to grab a tourist.

Headed off about 3:30 pm to do the last 30 km into Port Douglas.  A few hills, but nothing too bad.  Roads were pretty good overall, although a few non existent shoulders.  Slight tail  wind most of the way too.

We got to the YHA at Port Douglas about 4:30, unpacked and headed into town to stock up on food.

Last year Joe was good enough to organise for us to be in Townsville when Sexpo was on, this year he organised Carnivale in Port Douglas.  Streets closed off, tons of rides and stalls and a parade (altho' we didn't hang around for it).

Had dinner at the YHA bistro and heading to bed for an early night.  The barmaid told us there is quite a few hills on the way to Cape Tribulation tomorrow.

All packed and ready to go.  Just spoke with Joe.  Picking him up at 4:00 am tomorrow.  Reckon I'll be spending most of the flight asleep.  2 most important pieces of equipment - iPod and Kindle.

We aim to get to Cairns about 9:30 am, put bikes together and ride to Port Douglas.