Mareeba gets rehabilitated

Our first dealings with Mareeba (a couple of weeks ago, trying to find somewhere to park the camper) were ungood.  However, today as we drove the Pajero there to get things fixed (and subsequently) our views were revised in a positive direction.

Before heading off we noticed that it was rather cool this morning.  (Apparently only 10^oC while frosts are not unknown at this time.)  It was also a tad humid, which in combination seems to have stirred some fungi into fruiting.

As we drove towards Mareeba it was clear that Queensland Sparks and Wildfires Service were emulating their Southern colleagues in lighting up anything that stood still,

Getting to the Mitsubishi dealer in Mareeba everything seemed well under control.  They were offering us a loaner car which I expected to be an old trade in.  Instead, a Barina with about 4500km on clock.  Apart from me failing to understand how to open the back doors - even after Frances had told me how the Reddings staffer did it - it seems a most excellent little car.

After leaving the Pajero in hospital we went to the Skybury Coffee Estate.  The trees in this image are mangoes, across the road from the coffee estate, and fires are a (hopefully) controlled burn.

This is the entrance to the Skybury sales and cafe area.

Some beans were acquired. Small dogs were welcome so we entered and had an excellent long black each and a reasonable pie.  Here is the dining deck.

It looked down on a small pond, where Double-barred Finches were taking a drink.

Having taken a drink, a trip to the khazi was indicated.  Here is the nice garden which introduces person of both sexes to the facilities.

I don't know how the females fared but the males were obviously given some hints about draining the dragonfly.

Our next stop was the West Barron Storage Dam were water from Lake Tinarroo is stored befor being distributed around this very fertile area.

There were a lot of waterbirds on the water, especially this raft of Coots.

Here is the Barina with some sugar cane - including flowers - in the background.

Here is a sluice on the channel taking water to the storage.  A sign nearby banned all sorts of activities, but surprisingly not dogs.  We didn't test this!

As we headed back we passed the Lotus Glen Correctional Facility.  Shortly thereafter I noticed a Police Transit coming along rapidly behind us.  Even though they didn't have their dome lights on I thought it wise to take a dive to the left.

Just before getting to Tolga we hooked in to the peanut place and got some further supplies (of a chili-augmented nature).

Just after Tolga we swung back towards Owl-heaven (ie Forsyte Rd)  to see what was happening in daylight.  Quite a few raptors were around, undoubtedly attracted by the highly photogenic cane cutting going on.

Frances thought this cutter looked like the final evolution of Daleks whereas to me it was more like something out of Mad Max!

Here is a Black Kite watching proceedings.

On getting home we scurried round to a neighbours house for tea.  A more relaxed approach than how we have met them while on dog walks.  Their place was a lovely 6 acres running down to bush with an excellent house including out door deck.  They run Tableland Adventure Guides and if you are into long hikes.MTB Rides/canoe trips I suggest give them an email.  They are also very good on birds and other natural history!

• Bird of the day: Pale-headed Rosella at Skybury for the individual award and the 119 Black Swans at west Barron for the flock.
• Vegetation of the day:   Sugar cane getting harvested at Forsyte Rd.
• Memorable moment: The excellent taste of the Skybury coffee.
• Comment of the day: "Of course dogs are allowed."  Staffer at Skybury
• Pie of the day:.  The pie at Skybury was not up to the standard of the coffee.  It was as expected peppery but I felt it had been nuked after removal from Mr Cellophane!  Still a lot better than the Chillagoe effort so 5 rather than 3.
• Troppo moment of the day. The modern approach to cane cutting!

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