Cairns - Take 2

Mick & Susie

We arrived in Cairns again for a quick stay over so we could finally get on boarded the HMAS Endeavour.  We also had Shaun, Hayley, Shannon, Mitchell and Connor with us again because they also got into Crystal Cascades again so they could organise the hospital, see Donna and get flights organised for her and one of the boys to go home.  That night we organised enough tea for Shaun and the kids and ourselves.  Susie and Mick had leftovers so they ate with us.  That night it poured in Cairns.  87mls in 5 hrs in our part of Redlynch.  I woke up at 4am to find I had a wet head and that my pillow and the mattress was slowly getting wetter.  There was the finest of crack where the water was constantly dripping.  Not really a very enjoyable way to wake up.  Swapped ends, new pillow and towel over wet mattress so we could finish our sleep.  It will be a drying day for the caravan stuff.  What a pain.

Shannon, Connor, Shaun, Mitchell and Hayley

We left for town to visit the Endeavour and to also go to the movies to see Cars 2.  We decide to go to the movies first.  When we arrive the queue was a mile long.  We got part way down to finally see that the movie was sold out.  We decided to stay in the queue and buy the next session and go to the Endeavour first.  It took us 30 minutes to reach the front of the line.  What a joke.  I told them that also and offered no apology.  Rude and terrible service annoys me.

Anyway of to the Endeavour we did trot.  It was really cool.  Climbing on board to see the replica ship.  The lower deck was crapped and made for very short people.  Nigel had to crawl on his knees to get through to the offices quarters.  As we climbed the steps to Joseph Banks and Captain Cooks quarters we sat in and area for the botanist, medical staff, and artists.  All six men passed away before the journey was completed.  What a hard life they must have had.  The cots that JB and CC slept in were that tiny that at their 6ft height there was no possible way for them to fit in.  JB let his two grey hounds sleep in his cot while he slept on the floor.  What a long journey it must have been.

Aye Aye Captain!

The square block(pig iron) next to light is the only  original
 piece from the Endevour.This piece of ballast was recovered in
1970 with the cannon.

Midshipmen / mates' mess and officers' cabins. 
Not a lot of head room

Marines' bunks

Joseph Banks sleeping quarters



The Great Cabin

The quarter deck!

Back to the movies after a quick bite.  This time I went up to get lollies and popcorn only to be told I have to line up in the queue again.  It didn’t matter that I already been in the queue for ½ an hour I was not allowed to get the popcorn.  Didn’t she get a mouthful.  What atrocious service.  She gave it back to me and I promptly informed her that I would be speaking to her manager.  Nasty witch... that’s the last time I ever go to the movies in Cairns.......hhhaaa jokes on them....  Came back to camp to enjoy a hearty meal of red claw, prawns, Spanish mackerel and scallops.  Yum Yum.  Company was great also.

Said our good Shaun and the family and wished them the best for the remain trip home and parted company with Susie and Mick.  Hoping to catch them further down the track.