leaving Cairns…

It is with mixed feelings that we left Cairns this morning. I know we need to move on as we only have so much time before it is October and we need to be back in Bunbury, and also we have the exciting Savannah Way journey ahead of us, but we all have enjoyed staying with Robyn so very much. 


She has spent lots of time teaching the boys how to make jewellery (which they loved) and has introduced us to her lovely friends and family. She has made endless cups of tea and enjoyed chatting to us all about everything and nothing – she is brilliant company. And we will miss Bandit the dog!


This photo shows us with Robyn (left) and her lovely friend Barbara (right) with Max, Harry and Trevor. Robyn’s dog Bandit is in the middle and Barb’s dogs Clancy and Pepe are either side of him.

Harry with Pepe. We keep getting dog-fixes as we miss Molly and Bella.

The photos are taken on Robyn’s back deck where she understandably spends most of her time. The garden is full of beautiful tropical plants, some with lush coloured foliage like the plant behind Harry with pink leaves. Her passionfruit vines have abundant fruit and Max in particular took great delight in “accidentally” bumping his head on passionfruit as he walked past.


Today Robyn found a sick green tree frog in her garden which was expertly taken by Barb back to her house down the road where she has a mini frog hospital set up. Barb took Max and Harry with her, and they came back enthusiastically telling us “you should see how many frogs are there!!”.


We’re going to miss Robyn and Bandit lots!!


Last night we went for dinner to Rob and Tania Rutten’s place. I was in year 11 and 12 with Rob, and we hadn’t seen each other since first year uni. My last memory of Rob was borrowing army clothes from him for me to dress up for U.W.A.’s annual PROSH fundraiser in 1992. We had been in contact on Facebook and so made the most of this opportunity to catch up as it has been a long time since then.


Rob and Tania have been in Cairns for around 10 years and Rob now operates ‘Rutten Tech’ where he and his team design and manage websites.  It was just great to see Rob and his family – especially the gorgeous 12 month old Chad! Over a few beers we talked of the past, present and future and solved a few of the world’s problems to boot. Rob and Tania’s home is a ridgy-didge Queenslander and it felt just like home with wooden steps up to a large deck with tin verandahs …


Thank you Rob, Tania and Chad for such a relaxed and wonderful evening! I’m only sorry I left my camera in the car!