Lions Den
Friday 10th
Time to move out of the room - I spent a busy morning shifting my gear back out near the
horses, tending to them and snatching the occasional beer at the bar. Grabbing myself some
peanut butter sandwiches, I thought of going down to the river for a bit of a fish - taking my smallest handreel and a PB sandwich for bait. Success straight away - just small ones I could see swimming in the crystal clear water under the trees - about 1 5-20 cm long, shaped and coloured like a very large tiger barb. I built a small fishpond in the sand on the water's edge and put the ones I caught in that.
But this crystal clear water was fascinating me - the light coming through the canopy sending shafts down to the bottom. I had to get out into the sun. So I stripped and swam out - chest-deep water on clean flat sand. And it went on for ever (well, 100 metres, say) through the rainforest. It was beautiful. Swimming under water with my eyes open, drinking the sweet water as I went. PARADISE! On my return I broke the walls of the pond and freed the colourful fish which, somewhat dazed, let me gently push them around with my hands before flitting off into the clear water.
Then the chopper came! I'd just spent ages carting water in the one remaining bowl (Nugget stepped in the other!) - I couldn't believe how much they drink. .a bowl with each breath! Finally sat down to make myself a drink (cold chocolate milk) and this glittering black red and yellow monster comes roaring out of the sky and lands next to their new home. My God! They panicked all right - nearly bolted straight through the fence - they would have tried if they weren't hobbled.
Pilot comes over "Is this the Lions Den mate?" A few rich Yanks had arranged for it to take them to Port Douglas. Take-off was much more controlled - at least I know they can handle helicopters in case I come across any!! I had a great time in the pub trying to win the Hahn Ice t-shirt - but only ended up with a cap. Not too bad I guess - Greg totally dipped out, Terry and Sharon came in for lots of laughs once their kids were asleep.
Saturday 11th
Woke up this morning with a bit of a hangover - I crashed out next to the horse paddock, using the saddle blankets for myself. I don't know why I brought a sleeping bag really!
I was offered a lift into town by Rob and his family in his flash new 4x4. They had closed off Cooktown's main street, there were street merchants/craft type people on their stalls - and the pubs were doing a roaring trade (at 9am!)
I sorted out a few things first - got some money out (choice between servos and two food shops) and tried to arrange someone to get me a couple of horse shoes, nails and a hammer. And went to the post office. The parade at midday was a bit of a small town joke really... the water bombs aimed at the police cars was probably the one event that saved everyone from yawning. I went for a walk and a bushbash(!) up to grassy hill overlooking Cooktown. Very hot and sweaty (me in long sleeves, jeans and boots) climb up -the words from Capt. Cook's journal quite vivid about grassy hill. Oh yes, the museum. I also went to the James Cook museum earlier this morning - very worthwhile but I left a comment in the visitors' book about the appalling spelling throughout the exhibits!
I found myself thinking about what life would be like back then, both in the museum and then on grassy hill.
Tuesday 14th
It took me a long time to work out the date then. It's been a very big day, but I've got a bit of catching up on this journal. I ended up getting a lift with Terry and Sharon back to the den -am glad I did too because it was a very interesting and entertaining night - the pub was full -and I got a lot of advice from Andy; he ended up lending me a book on packing and 1:50,000 topographic maps of the next leg. And he brought molasses for the horses which they loved.
