Day 116 / 2016 - In and Around Walkamin

We have settled into our new digs in Walkamin which we shall call home for 3 months.

Walkamin is a small town on the Kennedy Hwy nestled between Atherton 20Km to the South, Mareeba 15 Km to the north and the bustling coastal town of Cairns 75 Km to the East. There is one small shop here and is the Post Office, Service Station, Deli and Groceries. Walkamin is a good location to base yourself to explore the tablelands, the Cape towns as well as the coastal Daintree area.

We caught up with Frank and Alice of friday night where we met at the custom car display organised by the locals of Atherton's Men Shed. There were quite a few customised Australian built cars old and new as well as direct imports from the USA. Frank and Alice put there Beamer on display and was the shiniest car there. From here we ventured onto Malanda to enjoy a nice pub meal at the local hotel. Coming out from the pub we realised we had parked in a bad spot as there were 100's of birds sitting on the power linesabove and the car looked like it had been strafed with poo.

Anne had been wanting a front cover for the van. There is an upholsterer based in Mareeba recomended by Greg. We asked him to give us a quote and said it would cost about $600.00 to make and install. We decided to go ahead and have it done hopefully this will stop the peppering of the front from vehicles coming the other way and try to stop the water ingressing the front window especially when travelling. We have chosen a light grey as the black at the front absorbs heat when the sun shines on it creating a hot box in the boot where all the electronics are located.

Mick and Carly's baby is expected to be born around the 22nd of November so we have booked a flight from Cairns to Perth and will be back in Bunbury from the 7th to 24th of July. Jetstar is the only airline that flys nonstop from Cairns to Perth but the hours are not the best. We leave here at 8pm arriving in Perth at 11pm not sure how we will get to Bunbury as yet and may have to wait in Perth untill the next day to catch the train. We manage to secure a cheap flight and will only cost us $800.00 return.

Annes uncle is visiting around the first week in June. She is looking forward to spend some time with him and show him what the tablelands have to offer. Leila and John are also venturing over for a visit the last week of June for a pow pow (excuse to drink wine) at Frank and Alice's place. Oh and talk about the October trip to NZ.