Got a lift to the train station this morning ok and had a nice chat with Steve who gave me a lift. He and his wife have only been running the guest house for about 3 months and have given their notice already! They really like people, but I think running that place isn't quite what they imagined. I think they'd prefer a different calibre of guest, seeing as that place is for people on a budget. They probably really want to run a B&B and have actually been looking at running one in Tasmania!
Steve thought he was holding me back from getting on with my journey, but we could have talked longer, much longer, as the train was about 2 hours late!! I got to the ticket window and she said it would be late and would be arriving at 10:40am instead. Oh, great. She also had no idea why the train was late, she'd only been told it would be. Sigh. More waiting!! The train station is quite far from the centre of town too, and I couldn't be bothered to find somewhere to put my luggage! Thought I'd make a few phonecalls instead.
Tried phoning the opticians about my glasses, but the lady who answered the phone had said that they hadn't received anything yet, but probably would do at some point soon. I half wish that I had bought an Australian mobile now, as making phone calls would be so much easier, and people would also be able to get a hold of me easily! Alas, I didn't, and so I've got to cope with payphones!!
Also tried calling the Fraser Island tour company about my possible refund, but couldn't get through to the manager. I left a message with her office though, and left a message on her mobile, so I hope that does something!
Called the hostel to let them know I'd be later than I thought as well, and also found out that I'm booked on the Uncle Brian tour tomorrow! Was hoping to have an easy day tomorrow, just in case my glasses turned up, but I guess they might not get there tomorrow and so the tour is probably a good thing. It goes to the Atherton Tablelands, and when I first asked about booking it, the girl I spoke to said it's a really good tour and a lot of fun. So I'm really looking forward to that now! It's not too an early start either, as they pick up at about 8am.
Then I called the train people, but even they couldn't tell me why the train was late. They don't get told any details, and have been told that it's none of their business in any case. Ok. The guy I spoke to also said that even if they were told, they wouldn't be able to pass the information on to the customer, as it was Queensland Rail policy (and worldwide policy apparently, but I think that's rubbish) not to inform customers. What difference would it make to me if I knew why it was delayed anyway, as I still would have to wait and wouldn't be able to do anything about it? I know I wouldn't be able to do anything about it, but at least I would know why it was late and so could actually put my mind at rest. Rather than just twiddling my thumbs aimlessly.

In any case, an hour and 40 minutes late, turned into 2 hours late!! When I finally got on the train, I overheard some other passengers talking about the delay and apparently the train had broken down just outside Rockhampton and they had to be towed into Rocky!! Crumbs. 3 hours later, and they got on their way, so they cut off an hour somewhere. I'm glad they weren't 3 hours late as well!
Train ride to Cairns was pretty uneventful, and the scenery outside was nice but not exactly exciting! Just a lot of sugar cane fields, and lots of greenery. I did also have a single seat to myself as the train was quite narrow and only had two seats on one side, and one seat on the other. Cool. The person sitting in the seat beside me had also probably left quickly as they'd left their book and their bottle of water behind in the seat pocket. I told the train conductors about the book, and they just took it! It was some romance novel set in Scotland I think, and one of the guys said he had a Scottish girl working for him and she'd probably like it! Oh well - no lost and found office then?

8 hours later and we arrive in Cairns. Unfortunately, the exit that I could have taken to shorten my journey to the hostel, is closed! So I have to go around the whole station to get out!! Also, I walked the wrong way down the street, as I couldn't see any street names!! Gees. The staff in the hostel are really welcoming though, which is really nice after a long train journey and getting lost!
There's John at reception, who is very cute and apparently from Wales though his accent is from somewhere else, and then Helen who's a northerner and shows me around the place. I'm in room 6 with a Swedish girl called Jenny who seems really nice. The hostel is an orangey colour, so really easy to spot! The rooms are really nice and clean too, and there's only three to a room, and no bunk beds!! YAY!! There's a couple of nice little shelves by the bed too, as well as a little table. Ahhh, feels like a home from home really, so am glad I chose to stay here.
Also going to book a tour on the Great Barrier Reef for Wednesday or Thursday. I want to go snorkelling as well as take a flight over the reef as I'll be able to see it from both angles then, which I thought would be really cool. John showed me a good brochure and combining the two is about $300 which I don't think is too bad for a whole day tour - two sites on the Reef where we can snorkel (and other people can dive) and a helicopter ride back to Cairns which gets in an hour earlier than the boat. I should be able to go and pick up my glasses afterwards if I book the trip for Wednesday, and then I've got all of Thursday to chill out and see what else Cairns has to offer!

Looking forward to the trip tomorrow, and another English girl I met at reception (she'd only just arrived when I did too) called Laura, is booked on the trip too.