The beach is beckoning today and so give Lucy a long run and have extra time there. She loves it so much and we don't think she will get this much exercise where we take her at El Arish the small village just near Mission Beach where Tropicats Kennels are. This is where she will be boarding for the next 6 days we pack up all her gear and bedding and drive the short distance through the country to her temporary home. It is a lovely place and we are res asurred as the owners, a husband and wife team are very friendly and their premises are immaculate. We are sure she will be happy here.
We spend the rest of the day cleaning out our 2 small fridges and stowing things away before packing our clothes . This will make it easier tomorrow.
There is a little restaurant at Mission Beach called Friends where I have been told by the hairdressers in Tully it is really worth going to so we head into town for an early dinner (which in our opinion was a little overated and expensive) before heading back to camp.
SUNDAY 9TH AUGUST 2009 – MISSION BEACH TO DUNK ISLAND QLD – 152
Our pack up is uneventful as we got most things done yesterday. It wasn't the same though without our beloved little mate Lucy. We were both feeling a little lost without her and although we didn't say too much her obvious absence was leaving a huge void in both our lives. We had to keep busy.
After doing the final stash away we hooked up and took the van to another spot in the park which the manager told us would be safe to leave it and the car while we were away. All locked up and we had to walk the 500 metres down the road to where we would meet the water taxi. There were about 24 other people using this very efficient service but there was only us and another 2 couples who were staying for an extended time everyone else were just going over for the day.
10 minutes is all it took and with a lovely calm ocean it was a very pleasant start to our 'holiday'!
After some confusion with rooms we were shown a lovely suite on the beachfront with lovely views out over the bay. This would be perfect as although many of you might think we have been on holidays and why would we need another holiday – caravanning whilst it is a lovely way of life I certainly don't find it completely relaxing. I still have to cook and do housework (even though it is smaller scale). Our holiday to Dunk is what I call a 'real holiday'!
We meet our friends from Sydney Ron and Bev Tait who we have previously arranged to meet here. Bev and I have a lot in common and enjoy each others company whilst Nick has known Ron since they started at Coogee Prep 66 years. Their friendship has lasted a very long time and they will also enjoy spending time together.
After lunch we arrange to meet at our room for 5 o'clock drinks which is very pleasant watching sunset over this lovely bay.
MONDAY 10TH AUGUST 2009 – DUNK ISLAND QLD 153
We can't believe how lovely the weather is here after the rain and cloudy day we had been experiencing in the weeks leading up to this week. I think we might just have picked the right week but will not get too excited.
Our day is spend just like yesterday lapping up the sun, and swimming in the, although a little fresh, lovely nevertheless, crystal clear pool.
We have brought over from the mainland with us a case of beer and my Tequilla so we arrange to have drinks on our balcony overlooking the bay at sunset. I introduce Bev to my famous Margarita and she encourages me to teach her how to make them. We enjoy this before heading to the restaurant for a lovely A'la carte dinner.
TUESDAY 11TH AUGUST 2009 – DUNK ISLAND QLD 154
On the beach today we meet a mother and daughter from Melbourne, Shirley and Rachael who are here on holidays. Shirley is a delightful lady, recently widowed and as her work stressed daughter was needing a holiday she was keen to be her companion. It was so interesting finding out about where they live and their life in Melbourne as I guess it was the same for them finding out about us.
Our days were spent reading and swimming in the pool despite the temperature being a little fresh it was enjoyable just the same. We have lunch with a delightful couple (again from Melbourne) Sue and Greg and as he is a car broker, and I am keen to buy a new car when we get home I he gives me some tips on the best cars to look at. Walking across the pool area I notice 2 familiar faces. It is Shane and Jason our caravan neighbours from Mission Beach. They have brought their little tinnie over here to see us. They are such a lovely couple we are really excited to see them.
They spend a couple of hours with us, sitting around the pool and fascinating us with their fishing stories. As they leave we arrange to see them in Cardwell where they will be visiting next after leaving Wongaling.. It is not very far from Mission Beach so we will head there on Saturday and probably spend a night there with them.
We have 5 o'clock drinks at Ron and Bev's room tonight and again the scene is idyllic, overlooking the bay at sunset. A Seafood Buffet is on the menu tonight and it was so fresh and so plentiful. I had been successful in losing a few kilos over the last few weeks but after this holiday I am not so sure the result will be the same. I will be very very good next week I promise!!!
WEDNESDAY 12TH AUGUST 2009 – DUNK ISLAND QLD 155
Nick and Ron decide to go on a snorkelling trip out to the reef today and as Bev is not keen on this activity I decide I will keep her company and let the boys have a 'day out'.
They come home with many stories of the lovely coral and huge fish they saw and as we meet Sue and Greg again we join them for an Italian meal at the adjoining Restaurant. The food on this resort is excellent and as we are told Voyagers have sold it and new American owners will take over in September we can only hope they don't change the dining options.
THURSDAY 13TH AUGUST 2009 – DUNK ISLAND QLD 156
We continue the ritual of sitting on the beach during the morning while watching the huge boats come and go. Nick and Ron have organised sailing and the wind is up so they should enjoy it. Just hope they don't get disoriented and end up in New Zealand (which is quite on the cards as Ron slight deafness and Nick's slight confusion should make interesting sailing. We will keep an eye on them from the beach.
They have a great day of sailing and describe it all in fine detail over dinner at the Reef and Beef Restaurant at the jetty that night.
Our new friends Sue and Greg were leaving this morning so after seeing them at breakfast and exchanging contacts with the promise we would see them in Melbourne or they would see us in Sydney, we bid our farewells and after breakfast Bev and I take up our usual spot in our lounge chairs on the beach. Nick and Ron decide to take a swim in the ocean. When they emerge from the water Nick has been frantic as somehow they became separated and when Nick had completed his swim he headed for the beach. He looked around and saw Ron swimming further and further out to sea and in his wake was a shadow in the water. He frantically screamed to Ron to stop swimming and come out of the water. Ron is a little deaf however, he must have seen the distress in Nick's actions so before long he was at the beach (wondering what all the fuss was about). Nick thinks it might have been a manta ray but not sure. It certainly made good conversation over dinner that evening.
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For dinner that night we walked along an unlit track to the jetty about 3/4km from the main resort. Nick and I are used to walking in the bush at night but it was quite amusing listening to Bev and her fear of snakes, spiders and anything else that might go 'bump' in the night. We arrived at the cafe which was just near the water and the walk was worth it as the meal of seafood was delicious. We were able to call for the resort shuttle bus take us back to our rooms afterwards which delighted Bev.
FRIDAY 14TH AUGUST 2009 – DUNK ISLAND TO WONGALING BEACH QLD – 157
We wake up to another glorious morning and are a bit sad we are leaving here today although we are excited at the prospect of seeing our little dog Lucy again. We have had a lovely 5 days but all good things must come to an end and we have really missed her. Our friends Ron and Bev are also leaving today, but on an early flight so we are not sure if we will see them. Breakfast is the usual delicious buffet I just hope Nick hasn't got too used to this and will want a big brekkie every morning.
After breakfast we go to Reception to settle our account and run into Ron and Bev. We bid our farewells and as we are quite early decide to catch the earlier water taxi back to Mission Beach at 9am.
It doesn't take long for us to get the van and settle back into a spot just for overnight. Lucy is next to pick up and as we expected she is so excited to see us. We take a detour on the way back to the caravan park and stop off at the beach. She is beside herself and plunges straight into the surf. We meet other dog owners on the beach and spend time chatting while all the dogs have a ball frolicking together. She is exhausted so we take her back to the caravan where she finds a nice spot in the sun. Nick gets his book out and I have to go to town to get some supplies for the next few days.
Our van is very comfortable but when I think of our room on Dunk Island the van could fit into it 3 times and the bed was so big I couldn't even hear Nick snoring!!!!! (He won't be happy I said that)!
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