With Rocky broken down and there being absolutely nothing I could do about it, I felt as if a great weight had been lifted and slept soundly for the first time in ages. Keeping the show on the road, trying to stay a day or three ahead was obviously more stressful than I realised. It was time to take a holiday from our holiday!
We treated ourselves to dinner at the Bamaga Resort - and were pleasantly surprised with a delicious meal and great service. The following day we caught up on some school-work and kicked around the pool before taking an evening flight to Cairns. We had been hoping to catch the full moon from the some outback camping area, but as it was we saw a magnificent sunset and moon rise from 21 000 feet! As glorious as it was, even the iPhone couldn't capture an image through the pexi-glass windows!
We had planned on taking two weeks to rattle our way back to Cairns. It felt like we were cheating a bit by taking a two hour flight - but there really wasn't anything we could do about it - and so we sat back and relaxed.
Volkswagen continued to look after us with a hire car waiting for us at the airport. The rows of dazzling cars in the car park reminded us we have been 'out bush' for a long time indeed. In no time at all we dumped our bags at he hotel and headed to the Night Markets for a leg stretch and bit of supper. The city was busy - which was great to see - and seems to be shaking off its downturn of the last few years.
The following morning we found ourselves in the unusual position of having nothing planned - so we walked around town like real tourists. Both Jo and I have lived in Cairns previously, and it was wonderful to introduce our boys to some of our fond memories of the city.
We went for a drive past Jo's old house, and even went as far as Barron Gorge, before we were drawn back to the Esplanade. Whilst the tourist strip is largely unchanged from my time living here, the Lagoon and Pool area would have to be one of the best pieces of town planning I have ever seen. The free pool and grassy area has been here for I guess 10 years or so now, and it still amazes me its transformation from what it was - a muddy mangrove. It is now full of beautiful young people worshipping the sun - making taking a photo something best avoided!
As we were staying only a couple of blocks from the action we often found ourselves walking through the city or along the Esplanade. There was even time for a special treat at a cafe!
Some special treats on The Esplanade
Cairns at this time of year is truly a wonderful place - a young vibrant atmosphere permeates the city - reminding me of my youth, and making me painfully realise each time I visit, that the only one changing is me. I am older.
The calamities continued, when we went for more of an explore of the 'ship', a hatch stated leaking - badly. Even the weight of two boys couldn't stop the water from pouring into the compartment. At least being in the tropics, the water was warm - for I fear our leak stopping was nothing on our fire fighting abilities!
The next thing I knew, Neil had taken the boys off to get dressed.. They reappeared dressed in the full firefighting gear, with The Little Fisherman carrying an Axe, and The Little Helper carrying the well named 'Hooligan Tool'. The boys revelled in the damage control, but then it was time to check out another part of the 'ship'
After a brief visit to the 'Engine Room', we made our way to the 'Bridge'. This full A Class bridge simulator is incredibly realistic, and the modern computing graphics make this simulation so real it will make you sea sick. Helena started a simulation in the Port of Cairns, and suddenly the boys were driving the ship. There was a fair bit of consternation as the ship took a while to respond to the throttle and helm commands (they don't call ships a 'she' without reason). Before long we were heading to sea at a cracking pace - until a helicopter landed in the water in front of us and we ended up grounding in the mud. Thankfully a quick reset and everything was back at the start, highlighting how cost effective simulation can be, allowing not just the routine but the extraordinary to be tested without any risk to people, machinery or the environment.
In fact the International Maritime College impressed us (me) a great deal. From a working engine room, full damage control facilities, bridge and even a pool (to practice abandoning ship), the facility can link all the various components, ultimately allowing it to be used to exercise a full ship's crew. Traditionally this type of exercising was done at sea - which is expensive and generally breaks things on the ship. We were extremely fortunate to be shown the 'behind the scenes' tour, a huge thank you to Neil for putting it all on for us!
Next up it was a visit just down the road to a real wharf. Rocky and Matilda had just arrived in Cairns, so we made our way down to the Toll Depot to arrange a tow for Matilda and transfer some stuff out of Rocky. The guys at the depot were extremely helpful and in no time at all Matilda was ready for towing to my brother's place, and we had grabbed some more essentials from Rocky.
We had been struck on arrival at how clean all the cars in Cairns were - particularly the row upon rows of spotless hire cars at the airport. Jo was surprised at how filthy Rocky looked in comparison... At least we were in better shape than the other two cars that were awaiting pick-up!
With Matilda back in Cairns, we checked out of our accommodation and moved to my brother's place. Pete and Sonia were out of town, and we had planned on catching up with them in a week when they returned. When our call for help was put out, Pete dropped a set of keys in the mail, and we were able to move into their place - a week early.
Suddenly we were in a house - and we loved the simplicity of hot running water, not having to go outside for a walk to the loo, having a full kitchen (complete with Thermomix!). The first thing though was for the boys to do a spot of cooking - it was Mum's birthday and we had to bake a cake. Unfortunately we will win no awards for our cake - but you know - sometimes it doesn't matter. Happy Birthday Jo!
With boundless energy to burn it was time to put the boys to good use, and give Matilda a good old fashioned wash. Like an archaeological dig, there were layers upon layers of dirt - and I fear you could wash it a hundred times and still find more dirt. It was also time to check for any damage or maintenance items - and not for the first time I thanked goodness we had bought a top quality camper for our travels.
Settled into Pete and Sonia's, it was time to take stock of where we were at:
- We were staying at Pete and Sonia's place. Their beautiful pooch had been piked up from kennels and was enjoying being at home, with new friends to throw the ball for him. Pete and Sonia's washing machine had been running hot - and slowly our clothes were returning to their original colours.
- Rocky had been taken to the Volkswagen Dealer in Cairns. I had met the team there the previous day, sent them photos of the broken parts under the belief that forewarned is forearmed. We hope to hear from them early next week with a confirmed diagnosis and estimated time of repair.
- Matilda was with us at Uncle Pete's place - and would be undergoing a thorough wash and check over the next few days.
For now though it was nice just to take a pause and relax for a few days and do things normal people do. We are just lucky to be in a wonderful city with friends and family to lean on, plenty of things to see and do and a car company that is serious about honouring their warranty and looking after their customers.
- Our transportation was still a hire car courtesy of Volkswagen. Again I cannot speak highly enough of Volkswagen and their support to get us to Cairns and look after us until Rocky is repaired. It goes to show that there are warranties and there are warranties.
Thoroughly impressed by the support you've been given to date by both VW and NRMA Premium!
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