Tania arrived today at midday for 10 days holiday up at the farm. She sure did feel the heat when we got out of Cairns airport , her comment was this white chick is going to melt here lol.
We took Tania to the crystal caves , this is a place to visit when in Atherton. The crystal colours are amazing.
Christmas Day we went to Kuranda to Anne and Pauls farm ( John's sisters ) and spent a lovely day with the Drury and McCorry family.
Drury and McCorry family's Christmas Day at Kuranda
Boxing Day was a shopping day in Cairns , great day for Tania to buy some work clothes on special. Anne and I were lucky enough to get some cheap Christmas decorations to add to our collections. The temperature was 35 and yes it was hot .
The Kuranda Butterfly house Tania loved . Sadly there were no Ulysses butterflies there, they seem to
be on the decline, and they are unsure why .
The fig tree in Yungaburra Tania thought was amazing .It is the largest one in northern Australia I believe.
Malanda Falls have a fabulous area for visitors to see the turtles in there natural home and bush turkeys and Wallabies roaming in a walking bush area. Tania also saw her first snake going across the walking path much to her surprise . A small brown snake .
Malanda falls has a very popular swimming hole there also. When John was at primary school many moons ago this is where the swimming sports day was held for primary and secondary school.
John had a couple of days off from the farm and we went out to Millstream Falls for lunch then onto the Millaa Millaa falls . There was not a lot of water in them but still very nice to see.
Dad and Tania at Millstream Falls
Mount Hypipamee National Park crater Tania found interesting especially when you threw a few stones into it . It sure is a long way down and the noise it makes once rocks hit the water sure is loud.
Tania looking down into the Crater
The Chinese gardens we were lucky to see the bearded water dragons sun bathing on a few logs .
Another day we went to Palm cove for lunch then drove up the coast to Port Douglas then onto Mossman. A beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the mid 30s
Granite Gorge was a good excerise day . Here Tania saw Rock Wallabies and babies.
As most days were very hot, Tania and I decided to go to Lake Eachcam for a swim one day . It was very refreshing.
John milked cows on Friday pm at his mate Ross Chapmans farm . It was a good opportunity for Tania to have a go at milking and feeding calves, as she lives in the city. It was wonderful to see the smile on her face when she milked with her Dad and Ross introduced her to the calves. All city children should experience this .
Tania feeding calves on Ross's farm
Ross has some rainforest trees down the back of his farm and took Tania down there to see a Tree Kangaroo which lives there . Not many Australians are lucky enough to even see one of these kangaroos, so Tania was very fortunate to see one.
Saturday morning Tania, John, Glen, Anne , Kathryn and Marg went out to Lake Barrine for breakfast and met Ross and Wendy there . A great way to pass a few hours away with friends away from the farm.
New Year's Eve we had a quiet day at home so Tania could pack up her bag and chill out on the farm .
New Year's Day 2017
We left at 7.30am for Cairns so we weren't rushing to get to the airport by 11.30 . Had another walk around Cairns central shopping mall and a relaxing coffee opposite the esplanade and watched people enjoying a swim in the local pool on the foreshore where it was safe . Yes no crocodiles or blue bottle .
We waited until Sunday morning and put a larger tarp over the caravan again with more stays this time, until we get a chance to fix the leak when it is sunny for a few days. This time of the year is now the storm and wet season.
The boys are busy also on the farm with calving in full swing and getting paddocks resowed with food for the cows etc.
Here are a few odd photos that we have taken recently.
Waterfall on the Gillies Range after the rain
Waterfall on the side of the Gillies range going down
Time to make some silage whilst it's fine 44 bales
John bringing bales down getting ready for wrapping
Cloud formation at dusk while doing silage
Glen and John bailing silage at dusk last run
Trying to remove toilet without breaking it . John and Glen . Yes there was asbestos in the walls hence the face marks .
Margaret's been painting to fill in time whilst looking for a job. I am doing voluntary work at the Salavation Army store in Atherton once a week and loving it.
This stick picture Anne Drury painted . I used this as a guide for my painting .
Just a few more photos of Marg's folk art paintings she has done over the last 8 months .
