Back from the Tropical North

I have spent the last couple of weeks travelling along the Queensland coast from Cairns to Rockhampton. Despite having visited Cairns many times I have never seen the coast down to Rocky. It was an interesting drive but the part of the drive that had the most impact on us was the approximately 200km from Townsville to Tully that got hit by cyclone Yasi in February this year.

We wanted to see to what extent the area had recovered. The majority to houses and businesses seemed to have been repaired but the rainforest was looking very sad. The canopy has disappeared because all the large trees have either fallen over, had their tops broken out or had all leaves stripped and now only have epicormic growth. To me it looked like the Kinglake and Marysville areas that were hit by the bushfires in 2009.

Here are a few photos of the depleted rainforest.

And here is the contrast of the rainforest in the Daintree that escaped the eye of the storm.

And to end on a feathered note, some of the birds I saw on this trip.

 A Pied Heron.

 A very cheeky Rainbow Lorikeet.

A serene Wonga Pigeon.


Some knitting will appear soon!

Finally, a moment

We had a great holiday in Cairns and environs but since getting home on the weekend life has been a bit hectic. (Hopefully more about it all some time soon). This afternoon I finally have a little head space to be able to blog again. I wanted to share a few holiday snaps with you.

We had perfect weather the entire time we were there. Unfortunately I started the holiday with a nasty cold but managed to shake it off in time to really enjoy the second week of the holiday.

We got up close and personal with a few of the locals.


An Eclectus Parrot peering from her hidey hole.



A Silver-crowned Friarbird getting to know Bruce.



A Yellow Honeyeater took a fancy to Bruce's watch.



And a Major Mitchell Cockatoo thought his glasses were cool.



We had a room with a view.


And we had this swimming hole all to ourselves - it was fabulous.

No knitting content because I haven't had a chance to take any progress photos. Soon though because I have finished a couple of things.