This was an interesting drive! Starting through the rain forests
around Atherton then getting drier and hilly. Very good road with viewpoints at
intervals where there was something to view. I stopped in one of them to have a
snack lunch then pushed on to Cooktown. I had a quick look round town and paid
homage to the statue of Captain Cook (who was actually only a Lieutenant) then
went on to my reserved cabin. This is a budget cabin – in deference to my children’s
inheritance – but was well appointed with everything except an ensuite
bathroom. The amenities block is all of 10m away so that should not be too much
of a hardship!
Then I explored Cooktown. Went up the top of the hill overlooking
the sea and tried to imagine what Captain Cook must have thought when he was
marooned here 247 years ago. He had discovered the Great Barrier Reef by
running into it and badly damaging the Endeavour. My stranding 3 days ago was quite worrying
because I did not know if there was anyone around to help me and I didn’t know
exactly where I was. In contrast Cook knew there was nobody within thousands of
miles to help him and had no idea how he was going to get home even if he could
repair his ship.
The fact that he did fix his ship and did find a way home is
greatly to his credit – and I’m sure to the relief of his crew! I had half thought that after Cooktown I might go North up Cape
York to visit Coen where Geri started her teaching career. After my recent
experiences of gravel roads, I was a little cautious and I enquired of the
locals in the camp site. They were quite clear – don’t do it! I was easily
convinced. So I’ll just have to take Geri’s word for the wonders of Coen!
Great scenery!
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