As the Canberra winter goes on, Paul and I enjoy going to Queensland. While our weather is windy and icy cold, Cairns, Palm Cove, and Port Douglas are warm and sunny.
It is a joy to visit this part of the world in September.
This year The Gran Fondo has arrived for Port Douglas. The term ”Gran Fondo” is Italian for “Big Ride” recreational cyclists of all abilities can participate in this long distance race. The rides are timed, so that the riders can challenge themselves to get the best time in a new environment. The route takes them past the Great Barrier Reef.
There were volunteer marshals and policemen and women to help re direct the traffic and keep the ride safe and calm.
We were staying in Palm Cove, so we could almost see some of the cyclists arriving, having ridden from Port Douglas to Palm Cove.
The weather was cool with a slight breeze… perfect conditions for a great ride.
Here are the last of the cyclists, ending their ride in a very tropical setting.
We walked back along the beach and I took a few photos of the soft morning light.
This couple have been fishing along the jetty for as long as I can remember. Perhaps they have enough for a weekend of fish dinners.
These two beautiful little swallows are having a rest after ducking and darting in between the fencing of the jetty.
Port Douglas is very close to Palm Cove and we spent some early morning walks, and coffee mornings, in Port Douglas…
This apartment building attract my attention. It is called The White House. Oh the stories it could tell!
The town of Port Douglas has some photos and descriptions of its history. A pioneer town indeed.
Palm Cove and Port Douglas suffered from a very destructive cyclone last summer and yet the towns have been repaired and are thriving. A big congratulations to Queenslanders, they are incredibly resilient, always cheerful and full of fun.
Many thanks for reading my blog today, and may you have some sunshine in your day..
Copyright Geraldine Mackey All Rights Reserved.
How lovely to get some warmth and sun! A friend has just returned from Port Douglas and highly recommended it.
I’m sure you would love Port Douglas, lots of fresh food and restaurants and sun and the beach!
We are enjoying some South African sunshine after a few days of welcome spring rain. Some parts of the country are snowed under though! This is a strange time of the year. I enjoy seeing your photographs.
Yes, everything is upside down weather wise. I recently saw a photo of Vic Falls, hardly a drop of rain! You are lucky to get some sunshine and then some rain, but not the snow!
Glad you liked the photos it was hard to track the cyclists.
It’s nice that you have the option of enjoying warmer temps when you want to. Beautiful beach and handsome feathered friends you found. Applause to those hearty bikers. Hope you had a great time.
Thanks Judy, we did have a great time. Only relatively recently have we been able to afford the flights to Queensland, and we really look forward to our time here.