We arrived at Gordonvale with a familar sight of the Killmore's- Wendy, Brad, Sharnie and Bridie sittng outside their house having a quiet ale. After being neighbours in Tom Price for a few years it was great to see them and we had many things to take about and catch up on.

Monday we had a guided tour to Cairns Esplanade with Brad, and the girls while Wendy went to work. The esplanade is another great set up in a large built up area with swimming pool and kids play areas. it was not warm enough for Tim and Melrose to swim but a relaxing spot also very popular with the backpackers.

Tuesday was a day to get the school work done and generator out of the bus. At the end a bike ride to the local park where there was a dirt track for bike -kids loved it.

Wednesday was a great fun day doing the Scenic Rail, Skyrail and Butterfly Sanctry.

The scenic rail has 15 tunnels, has over 2km of bridges and over 2km of tunnels. 34 people died on the constrution which didn't include death due to sickness only accidents. We had amazing views of the lush green rain forest and the very steep embarkments.

The butterfly sanctury was very imformative learing many facts about these amazing creatures of all different shapes, sizes and colours. They have scales on their wings just like fish, they taste with their feet, butterflies build crystals and moths build cocoons.

The Skyrail is an amazing feet in itself with 7.5km of cableway with 114 gondola cabins. The towers were put in place by helicopters and we think it would be aextreamly scary job maitining the towers and trimming the trees as they grow.

Friday we went to Cairns agian with Wendy and the girls. We went to the Dome Cairns Wildlife Zone on top of the Casino where there was an obstical rope cousre suspended high up in the air. Lotte was very brave and mastered the first level, unfortunatly Archie was not tall enough but was very graceful in acceptng he was unable to do it and went and looked at all the animals. Tim managed the next level and swag on a flying fox over a large crocodile. !!!

Then onto the esplanade again where we found Bumper soccer. The kids stand in a huge air ball and run around an area bumping into peopple and playing soccer. Archie loved this and was strong enough to take on all the big kids.

Saturday was Sharnie's 10th Birthday so pancakes for breakfast and some present opening was a great start to the day before we headed of for our long awaited begining of the trip up to Cape York.