Cairns to Kuranda on the Scenic Railway

This trip has brought back memories of Indian railways - Our trip from Shimla down to the valley is  memorable and comparable too. The amazing engineering feats of these railways, the countless lives lost in their construction. On this occasion the most staggering of all to me was the fact that men had to supply their own tools, picks axes and shovels to get a job. Digging through those mountains was done by hand. No machines! 

The abuse perpetrated on these workers was immense. I suspect it still goes on but thank goodness for trade unions and workmen protection and compensation and crazy Aussie health and safety. 

So we saluted those tunnels - 15 of them, 55 bridges over the gorges, 98 curves, a distance of 33 kms from Cairns rising 327 metres above sea level, the years it took to complete the short journey, starting in 1887, linking the rich mining belt to the sea. It is so memorable an experience from sitting in the restored carriages of silky oak timber, to the breathtaking views of some of the falls and the Barron Gorge. 

When we got there we happily discovered the town of Kuranda, found an Indian Aussie who invited us in for a chai and visited the butterfly sanctuary to see those butterflies which are so ephemeral and stunning. 

The day could not have been more rewarding, scenic and historically revealing. 

Cairns Centenary Lakes - part 2.

To the south of Collins Avenue are the Centenary Lakes. A broad area of various types of forest which now have a freshwater as well as a saltwater lake, an interactive kids playground and a Chinese friendship garden. There are boardwalks around the lakes and creeks which are peaceful and pretty. 

Look at the symmetrical platting of this plant. 

The lakes are homes to many ducks and cormorants, Pelicans, fig-birds, brush turkeys and many types of colourful butterflies. 

Walking back into  the Flecker Botanical Gardens we toured the Tanks Art Gallery. Old fuel tanks which are now used to house art. A great repurposing of the tanks. Dr Flecker identified the source of swimmers dying as box jellyfish stings - named Chironex Fleckeri just before his death in 1957. 

Off on the train tomorrow - up to scenic Kuranda. Hubby super excited. 

Cairns Botanic Gardens - Part 1

I forgot what it feels like, going out fresh as a Daisy and ending up a sweaty Sweet Pea. 

Being in the tropics in Northern Queensland is hot, humid and enriching. Visiting the Botanical Gardens in Cairns was an unexpected delight. What we saw was nothing short of exceptional as the photos will show. The gardens were founded in 1886 and work continued through to the 1960s driven by some dedicated citizens. Parts of the gardens have been named after them. It is home to some 4000 species of flora with an emphasis on tropical plants. We walked through the Flecker Gardens and the Watkins Munro- Martin Conservatory. 

Pitcher plant with a butterfly perching. 

This fabulous example from the Aroid Family. 

The Tassel Ferns 

Medinilla Tayabansis 

The Panama Flame Tree 

An exquisite orchid - there were so many.

A common garden plant but loved the way the red berries decorated the leaves. 

The Sandbox tree from the West Indies 

Helliconia longiflora 

Apart from the stunning plants we saw and admired a pair of Papuan Frogmouths. One was sunning itself on the ground and as we approached in disbelief, it flew up into a tree. We realised two were there. Bigger then the ones in Brisbane, they have bright and intense red eyes. 

More soon - till then stay cool and dry. 

Teetering on the edge of youth

Yesterday three things happened. I got a friend request from a dead friend. A friend who is alive sent a note to say WHO has declared 65 as still young, and I took my husband to a concert wearing my new Birkenstocks. 

 

You might wonder and rightly so, how all these things are connected- the request from the dead friend was jolting in a week of medical check ups. A painful reminder she was no longer there except in the hands of a bot. A gentle reminiscence of what a wonderful person she was. How dare FB do this? Do hackers have no respect ? 

The thought that I was still marginally on the young side - 64 when middle age, is now set to 66 was  somewhat heartening and dressing hastily to get to the venue I realised that my Birkenstocks were by far the most comfortable shoes to wear and best for my heel pain. So ballerinas and patents dismissed. 

And suddenly I was looking down at the floor and noticing all the footwear. Older - (read youngish women)  in sensible shoes that grip the leg in every direction, some youths in thongs and a vast majority of very young things teetering on the abyss of a heel. It made me feel distinctly old and for the moment the elation of the WHO configuration was lost in the fug of sensible and supportive. 

But the concert was all about a mum Katie Noonan and a teenage boy, her son Dexter, and it celebrated youth, hers and his, and how when she gave birth to him 16 years ago, not in a million years could she ever have imagined herself playing on a stage with him. She beamed with delight and had composed music that elevated his drumming to new levels. It was such a bonding, heartening show. They both gave it their all and are so talented it swept me away as I tapped my Birkenstock toes to the upbeat rhythm.

Perhaps 64 is the new young after all.  

Big Bird

Walking back from the radio station today I came across Big Bird on a busy major intersection. Now look closely - yup, perfectly disguised in amongst the leaves is a Bush Stone Curlew - this one was particularly handsome and also not a happy birdie as it issued a loud grrrr sound to me as I approached to admire it. You can hear it even over the passing traffic. Perhaps there are babies nesting nearby. 

Noticing what blends in as well as what stands out at any given moment keeps me keen every day. 

Ballet on the deck - Pas de deux

Today I am sharing with you how amusing it is to sit on my deck and watch my menagerie. The show features a couple of cockatoos doing their ballet moves. 

PLIER

ETENDRE 

TOURNER 

SAUTER

ELANCER

RELEVER 

And finally the FINALE - having a nibble of my IPhone and deciding it wasn't as tasty as Sunflower Seeds. 

MOVEMBER

The 1st of Movember is here - my Cockatoo is already sporting a great one. He might win this challenge.

This day is remarkable for a number of reasons. Today after 600 days of imprisonment, Aussies are FREE to travel overseas without requiring an exemption to leave the Country. Hurray for the Double vaccinated in our lives and here is to organising those trips away to see family and friends.  A cat's claw waterfall to keep us in awe in the meantime. 

Sharing our little tomatoes with our possum who enjoyed them thoroughly last night as we were having dinner on the deck. Sharing is caring as my little boy taught me.

Our Health Minister Jeanette Young becomes our New Governor on this day. Cop26 takes off in Glasgow.What an auspicious start to this month.