QLD Trip 2011: We have made it to Cairns!

Howdy everyone!

Yes, we have made it to Cairns - yesterday! We have made it to the Big4 Crystal Cascades Holiday Park. This park is owned by Poppy Gaz's brother Russell Drayton and his wife Jenine. Their son Phil is who we met at the counter when we arrived, he has much to do with running the park also. When we were booking in he asked how we heard about the park and I told him I was an 'honorary Drayton' having worked for his Uncle and Aunty and also Super great friends with his Cousin Lissa and her family! He was really surprised, but greatful that we decided to use their park and not go somewhere else. I don't think we really had any intentions of going anywhere else and so glad that we didn't. Even though there isn't a playground or jumping pillow for the kids, there is a pool, a fantastically clean amenities block, great camp kitchen (we had roast pork, roast veggies, crackle and gravy there last night, soooooooo yummy!). The people are all very friendly and up for a chat, they all seem to like the kids, Pheobe loves going up to everyone to have a conversation. It's a little way from the CBD of Cairns, but maybe only 15minutes. Anyway, it's a place we would recommend to anyone coming this way.

So, yesterday we basically unpacked and got ourselves organised. Had a bit of a clean up in the van and cooked our roast, yum! Trent even helped dry the dishes last night - wish it was every night, he must have enjoyed the meal! We didn't get time to make Mrs Guye's pancakes, but we are going to do that very soon!!! I think we might be missing some of Nannie Rose's cooking, especially our Sunday roasts and pancakes!
Today we took Pheobe into the Dr's (Thanks Dr. Johanne for your help with that. Dr. Russell Pheobe's ENT even phoned me directly to let us know what drops he wanted Pheobe to have prescribed by the Dr up here when we saw him. Nice to have so many people to help when we are so far away!) Pheobe's ear has been smelly with an infection, but not a painful infection, just itchy. We are putting it all down to the Swimming and her ear not draining properly causing the problem. Dr. Russell wants to see her when we get back to Geelong, but for now the drops will do the job and when we finish those we have a repeat if we want (the Dr got an authority script with a repeat for us so it would be cheaper, it's good to name drop some times and tell people who you work for!) We are also going to use some stuff called Aqua Clear to help dry her ear out after she swims. Can't have her here in QLD and not let her swim!
After the Dr's trip we went to the Lagoon on the Cairns esplanade. Sooooo great! Kids all had a fun time swimming and enjoying the warm weather. They have a clock and temp. gage near by and at 10.30am it was 26 degrees, so it was warm enough for the water! After swimming we went to the Pier shops and I purchased myself some new bathers. We then had lunch at a little restaurant, sat outside looking at all the boats and yachts in the marina.
This afternoon we just did some more cleaning up, investigating our next days activities, Flick had a sleep, Maurice and Pheobe tried but couldn't. Had some dinner and cleaned up, Trent showered Pheobe and Maurice, I bathed Flick and they have been in bed for a little bit now fast asleep, very tired.

Here are some pic's from what we have been up to today at the lagoon and one of our site here at Crystal Cascades.