Daniel and Marysia around Australia: Cape York 1, Queensland

Hann Roadhouse stop for coffee

An early rise for both couples saw us through breakfast, packing up the tent sites before hitting the Peninsula Developmental Road for the next trek up through to Iron Range National Park where we would camp at Chilli Beach for a couple of nights depending on it's placement and what it had to offer. We weren't disappointed having stopped by the Ranger's Station to ask about permit required for the area. Just a self-registration at the stop and payment for the nights we were to stay which in our case amounted to $11.00 per night, a whopping total of $22.00 ouch! However it must be remembered that there were no showers here, and we were required to bring our own water for washing, cooking, drinking etc.

The Peninsula Development Road

Chilli Beach was in fact a bit smelly, it actually smelled of fish but once you got over it you became used to it. Camp sites pitched for the night the fellas decided a spot of fishing was on the menu. From beach's edge Daniel and Stew threw in their lines. Stew decided to try his luck at a couple of other spots while Daniel perservered in his chosen spot. Les and I brought our chairs down to the sand, sitting in the sun reading, as I had brought a book, and Les with crossword, because she forgot to bring her reading! It has to be pointed out that the area was warned that it was a known habitat for crocodiles, so all four of us kept looking out for a wandering croc at all times!

The Great Dividing Range

The only living beasts that came inches to within our tents were the bush turkeys who just strolled around checking out what we left edible for them around the campsite. Luckily for me that at this point I'd returned to lock up the solar panel to the car having noticed that Daniel had left the night's meat defrosting on the table which the bush turkeys would have gladly helped themselves to . Les came up with this idea that everyone had to contribute to this trek by writing a bush poem or some kind of rap. Les had already started on her rap but hers was to be about the entire trip so we only got to hear her first verse. Apparently she said by the end of the trip we were all meant to be singing it! so watch out Youtube! I, of course, decided to also make a contribution so I took up the challenge and completed a piece for the day! This is my piece:

'As we travel the dusty roads of Cape York,
We think our dinner tonight will be Cajun Pork.
With tyres pounding the roads,
Both cars carrying heavy loads.
Vans left behind safely in stow,
Up through the Great Divide we go!
Red dust that trails behind,
Leaves our vision for ditches blind.
The clanging of our gear in the back,
Makes us worry to avoid a stack!
With tents pitched for our stop for the night,
A beer, the pork and guitar music,
I think will make it alright!'

And this was created by me! Ha ha!! I also have to add that for this trip I'd decided to take the video camera so that we could have a 'moving memory' of the trip in addition to the photos and blog, what a job and half!