Riding Down Under - Tropical Cairns Australia

[MacDoc]

Being teased by the rain. Still trying to get out today. ( the next day ). Busy online tho....it's a conspiracy.
Finally got out and enjoyed the ride up to Port Douglas. New tires and chain/sprockets seem to have added 5-7% better fuel mileage. Not surprised that chain was getting dodgy. 340 km and only a 10.4 L fill up.
Sitting under shade in my fav picnic table spot...even pulled the whole bike under this time.
Better internet than I get at home Good time to update the website. Nice breeze.

Pepsi Max is 1.25 Ltr so will be good for carrying additional water. This kind of heat I need to carry more if I go out on some of the lesser travelled roads....perhaps tomorrow.

Discovered something too...leaving around noon going north ... later than usual and returned around 3.30 pm. Puts the sun behind the range and with the breeze off the Pacific made for a really nice ride with very little traffic. That's normally the hottest time of day but that shade and ocean breeze combo was really sweet. The new front tire has settled nicely and the fresh chain and sprocket makes the bike smoother all around..figure I'll ride a bit more agressively with brakes, tires, and smooth power, tho today I was in serious mellow mood returning home.
Some high thunderheads in the distance made for a spectacular sky.

 

[MacDoc]

No riding today ..switching doctors so had a midday appointment and was raining off and on. Nice on the deck just now 27c with a breeze.
Finally got my mirror extenders so will put those on tomorrow...there is a really blind spot directly behind me. Might only put on one side as I do like to legally filter here.

 

[MacDoc]

Ah what a treat but didn't expect to be cold. Left early and located a road on the Tablelands just near Skybury and it followed the extensive irrigation network- just a nice ride on quiet secondary roads with wind turbines on the hill above and immense orchards. Was okay there but as I headed up to Ravenshoe where I'm now chowing down on a beef pie ( a bit too salty but filling ) it's the highest road in Queensland and combined with some light rain had to button down the air channels on the jacket. Its 24 now which is just about perfect and the sun has come out.
Fun day and only 10 am. √

Picked up some mangos and avocados at a roadside stall.

Farmer even picked out a ripe one that I might have for desert if I can figure out how to not make too much a mess. Think I need to carry a pocket knife for just such adventures. There were lichees there as well.

Hunh - 376 very enjoyable km and back home by 3 pm

 

[MacDoc]

Gorgeous day coming up but not sure can escape work early.

I know many worry about snakes in Aus as we do house a bunch of nasties
But this taipan ( not my photo ) was only the second one I've ever seen alive ( tho a few road kills )
It slithered across the secondary road ....I did NOT stop to try for a photo.

Coastal taipan - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The other was red bellied black snake with it's triangular body shape. Also just a glimpse as it crossed the road moving quickly.

Red-bellied black snake - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

We do have pythons in area ...gorgeous and most like to eat cats. Found a 2m shed skin in the the back yard and a big one tried to get in the screen in the bedroom waking partner. No risk unless you are a cat or small dog or a fat tree frog. Partner says the frog really aqueals as being chowed down.

'Yikes': Large snake catches suburb off guard

www.9news.com.au

And lots of green tree snakes. This is my photo - the above are not.

One plopped on the floor at night and scared our snake phobic house mate.

 

[MacDoc]

Looking at some birding info for Queensland and came across this gem from Attenborough. Made me laugh.

Aussie cheesecake in a good cause

More than a pretty picture: These calendar boys want to get their community talking

Meet some of the men from Kangaroo Valley who decided their best option to improve men's health was to take their clothes off.

www.abc.net.au

Most firefighters in the rural communities are unpaid and last year their effort and what they faced was epic.

The Australia Wildfires in Pictures (Published 2020)

Images of destruction, escape and the struggle to contain dozens of blazes as the country faces one of the worst wildfire seasons in its history.

www.nytimes.com

Fires are an issue even here in the wet tropics but nothing like last year in the south.

 

[MacDoc]

Going to head over to Hasties Swamp as early as possible. Well rested. Seems I need a day off between longer rides.

Hasties Swamp, Atherton, Tropical North Queensland

Hasties Swamp is a large seasonal wetland renowned for its diverse range of resident and migratory birds. Over 220 species have been identified and a large bird hide, with informative identification signs, offers excellent waterbird viewing opportunities. Aquatic environments of open water...

www.athertontablelands.com.au

The green tree snake photo above was taken there. Not far from The Falls Teahouse where another steak pie would go down well.

 

[MacDoc]

Only 168 Km round trip but the Gillies twice so tiring but fun. Got out early and it was nice an cool - no rain this time.
Got waved over at 8 am just before The Gillies for a DUI...2 min and gone - not my photo

The park was gorgeous with lots of birds and

Trying to identify these waders...should be easy ...yeah Black WIng Stilt
Black-winged Stilt | Queensland Wader Study Group new for me.

the fattest roo evah showed up Not the sharpest pic but at 400 meters I'll take it.
Green winged teal flashing its badge.

Egret looking iconic on one leg




a real treat ...roseate spoonbill. My camera is not great at birds in flight but this shot worked out nicely


Some pelicans decided to use the sunning log along with a diver.

Bin chicken ...aka ibis... Australians got no respect....

Snake-necked Australian Darter posed nicely

What a treat lots of species including roseate spoonbill. Much fun, mid 20s and mostly sunny plus a steak pie for brunch. Easy run -
Pie was yummy - home at 1.30.

 

[MacDoc]

A green fix for your drear November - Cairns from part way up the Kuranda Range Road.

Easy ride up the coast and managed 364km on 11.3 litres...best so far. I put most of it down to the chain.
A few more of the region.

 

[MacDoc]

Too hot today ..was 31 at 10am going to 33 real...full sun. Barely avoiding AC but our Hailku fan is doing its job.

Residential Fans

Shop modern ceiling fans, smart ceiling fans, bedroom fans, living room ceiling fans or patio ceiling fans in Australia.

www.bigassfans.com

something to be said for AC - down to 29 inside at 5 pm and drier. I did get a lot done and if I get my flyer out tonight will take a decent ride tomorrow ...hell don't even mind if I get wet.
Always fun playing in the puddles


Yay got the flyer out, nice temps now at 4 am but that was a hot day. Should get in a ride. Not a breath of wind..0 knots....and some rain lurking offshore. If it didn't mess up my glasses/visor I'd welcome light showers. I'm sure I will get my fill of those in the next four months.

There is a causeway under there

figure the water was 3m higher the day before. Normally I can ride across the causeway

a couple of KM downriver.

 

[MacDoc]

Ugh 32 feels like 37....did not go anywhere . Worked ...successfully and going out for dinner with relatives. Hopefully will be cooler along the Cairns Esplanade.

 

[MacDoc]

Ah damn ...partner wimped out ...with good reason she'd been out all day so we ate curry and watched the last of Season 5 of The Expanse...now patiently waiting for Season 6 plus the 9th book.
Nice breeze on the deck at 4 am and was looking for a longer ride but we'll see if this goes away first..bit heavier than showers.


Not looking good ...this rain not showers. Cooler tho.

 

[MacDoc]

Rained last night but got for a 200 km loop alternating light rain showers but felt nice.
Hotter now down by the ocean but still very nice breeze and a fan ...no problem. Tempted by a swim but maybe tomorrow and come earlier inside the stinger net.

Early marine stinger incidents prompt Cairns beach drags

Two people have this week been treated for box jellyfish stings at Cairns Hospital.

www.tropicnow.com.au

Stinger Nets: Are They Really Safe to Swim in? - Travel NQ

Stinger nets are a feature of North Queensland beaches in the summer months but how safe are they to swim in? Travel NQ finds out.

travelnq.com

More remote beaches like Daintree have bottles of vinegar easily available for stinger incidents

And yes Dorothy they CAN kill you.

Hehe built in cooling ...2 packets of frozen gyoza tucked in my jacket ...hey half price. The pizza take away box and camera bag were occupying the top case. Camera bag over shoulder, one gyoza in top case along with laptop and sundry other items...and a 10 min ride to home. Hey half price so one bag of prawn gyoza makes 2 tasty meals each for $8.50.

 

[MacDoc]

Dodged the rain yesterday more by luck than anything else...nice light rain at 4.30 am - frogs in chorus ...stupid annoying chirping bird just started
Have to switch to headphones ....damn thing is so disrupting....Stones will keep me awake

Like Bailey's with my coffee and looked for a substitute ....this is half the price and very tasty. $15 for 750ml tax in.
They make it easy to buy liquor here ...ordered online - ready for pickup in store. Need a few other bits from Coles as well....enough for a short jaunt. Might be out for lunch with relatives. Never turn down a free lunch.

 

[MacDoc]

Serious sun at 2 pm ...you'd think that would turn into a rollicking great T-storm ...nah just a tease

and a bin chicken aka ibis scouting the neighborhood

Ugh 28 feels like 32 at 8.30 pm.
Going to try for ride in morning.

 

[MacDoc]

Will wonders never cease .......got that midnight Tstorm after all...nothing epic but air much drier and temps down.

Up and down the Gillies in a 4 hour window was tiring in a good way ..a few boy racers coming down while I was heading up looked very good - one nearly knee down on tight sweeper. For once was not overtaken on the way down - brakes and rubber very reassuring.

Nother Tstorm in progress tho very mild so far ....rain welcome. Getting a good drenching by Ontario standards tho not by tropical Aus reference where 5" or more in an evening will arrive on occasion later in monsoon season with little todo about it. The city is well prepared for it tho some people need to be airlifted off major highways getting caught out by flooding every year. Was fun on the KLR splashing through flooded roads. Not so sure about the CB300 tho the ABS is a welcome addition.
Cairns rain 24 hours

Inches	Date	Millimetres
8.57	March 26, 2018	217.7
5.32	October 19, 2017	135.1
–	2016	–
9.73	February 08, 2015	247.1

 

[MacDoc]

Hmmmm - power is out at the house. No tstorms lurking

 

[GreyGhost]

View attachment 52395View attachment 52394
Will wonders never cease .......got that midnight Tstorm after all...nothing epic but air much drier and temps down.

Up and down the Gillies in a 4 hour window was tiring in a good way ..a few boy racers coming down while I was heading up looked very good - one nearly knee down on tight sweeper. For once was not overtaken on the way down - brakes and rubber very reassuring.

Nother Tstorm in progress tho very mild so far ....rain welcome. Getting a good drenching by Ontario standards tho not by tropical Aus reference where 5" or more in an evening will arrive on occasion later in monsoon season with little todo about it. The city is well prepared for it tho some people need to be airlifted off major highways getting caught out by flooding every year. Was fun on the KLR splashing through flooded roads. Not so sure about the CB300 tho the ABS is a welcome addition.
Cairns rain 24 hours

Inches	Date	Millimetres
8.57	March 26, 2018	217.7
5.32	October 19, 2017	135.1
–	2016	–
9.73	February 08, 2015	247.1

9 or 10" in 24 hours? Holy crap. Glad we visited in a drought.

 

[MacDoc]

Where were you?
We rarely have a drought in Cairns it's simply the dry season. Other parts of Aus for sure have intense droughts.
A monsoonal rainfall is insane.

 

[GreyGhost]

Where were you?
We rarely have a drought in Cairns it's simply the dry season. Other parts of Aus for sure have intense droughts.
A monsoonal rainfall is insane.

We were a little south. Roughly Eungella to Sydney. Eungella was the driest it had been in decades apparently during the rainy season that we were there.

 

[MacDoc]

It happens .....PDO and El Nino or La Nina ( this year ) can show big swings in rainfall in various areas.

Got a nice soak tonight and air much cooler now at 10 am.

Being on the ocean keeps the climate a bit more stable.