Half way through the trip and our boy turns 11!

The week at Palm Cove finished up today and with that signifies the end of the trip up the East Coast.  We had a lovely week, and were very happy with our choice of Palm Cove as our base.  It was only about 20 mins drive from Cairns where we went a few times, mainly to swim in the Lagoon (it's man-made so no chance of crocs or stingers), but also close enough for an easy drive up to Mossman Gorge in the Daintree where we swim in the crystal clear water and walked through the rainforest and  had a look around Port Douglas on the way back.  The drive from Palm Cove to Port Douglas is actually very reminiscent of the Great Ocean Road, it was about the only stretch we have done where you could see the coast for any distance. 

Ben and Emma in the Lagoon on Cairns Esplanade

and at Mossman Gorge, Daintree NP

On the weekend we went up to the Kuranda markets, ate the most delicious crepes, took a look at the Barron Gorge then the kids and I came back to Cairns on the Kuranda Scenic Railway while Paul drove the car back.  It was a 2 hour train trip and we enjoyed the history and the views, particularly as we passed Stony Creek Falls (the one you see in all the brochures).  Then on Sunday we went on a 20 km bike ride to neighbouring Kewarra Beach. Once there we rode along the beach for a bit (fast so the crocs wouldn't get us) and then back along the road to Palm Cove.

No longer Ben 10

Yesterday was of course a very special day when Ben turned 11 and despite the miserable weather (yes it was raining again) we all had very enjoyable day.  Ben helped us pick out a skateboard from Cairns a few days earlier so he got to try that out at the Cairns Skate Park (supposedly the biggest in Australia), the kids then played on the rock climbing walls and in the playground before back to the ranch for lunch and birthday cake.  Ben was rapt to receive cards and presents from the family that he had not expected and has never had so many phone calls in his life.  We finished the day with a beautiful dinner at Portabello Italian Restaurant in Palm Cove where Emma finished her massive pizza and proceeded to finish off Ben's as well - now that was unexpected.  Our meals were all delicious and capped off a fantastic birthday and amazing journey that has seen us travel about 6000 km up the East Coast of Australia in 6 and a half weeks.  The next phase is a mere 3000 kms in about a week aaggh.

We have travelled the first leg to Charters Towers, (even travelled on Ray Jones drive for a little of the way) a place much larger than we expected and we are in a nice caravan park where they even have a campfire and a bit of a sing-a-long.  Ben and Emma were very keen to join in until they realised that the youngest person there would have been at least their grandparents age and decided against it.  A swim and a play on the jumping pillow was more fun.