Ellis Beach 2

Philip drove into Cairns today, leaving us here at ellis Beach. (Yes- a repair on the car.  This time one of the suspension air bags he'd had installed in Darwin had ruptured around the seam. As it was under warranty the job cost him nothing, fortunately!)  I'd promised the kids that we'd pack lunch in their rucksacks and go on an expedition, but they helped me put a load of washing on first.  While we were waiting for it to finish, Arthur and I went looking for mangoes.  We found a few amost-ripe ones, but we also found a carob tree with many pods lying on the ground underneath it.  They smell strongly of the "healthy" chocolate-substitute, but I haven't been game to see how they taste.  I never much liked carob, anyway!

Then Arthur got a phone call from his kinder friends!  He was so pleased to hear his teacher's voice, and smiled form ear to ear when they sang "happy birthday" for him. 

Finally the washing was clean, dried and folded and we set off on our walk.  Part of going on an expedition involves stopping frequently for a snack, which we did at almost every suitable spot (as determined by Esther!)  Along the way we discovered a "river" and had a look at how a gorge is formed by water erosion.  We hunted for crabs among the rocks, found a coconut and looked at how the fibres can be twisted into a rope, searched for pirate treasure (which eluded us, unfortunately), and simply enjoyed the sand, sun and water!

erosion in action

"Pirate Cove"

Esther was fascinated by the coconut fibres

A cornered crab on the defensive.

Amazing patterns on the rocks.  I'm not sure what forms them...

On the way back we saw Philip walking towards us, and Arthur ran to meet him.  He'd  bought new bathers for the children so we had to try them out in the pool as soon as we got back!
I thought it seemed like a good idea to sit in a deck chair by the poolside while the children swam, but the march flies are vicious in these parts!  Swatting at them every time they bite is not particularly relaxing.  And then, before long the children decided to share my deck chair . There are at least ten chairs arranged invitingly around the pool, and we were the only ones there.  Nonetheless, they insist on sharing with Mum!  As we sat there, a small lizard came right up next to us.  Arthur has tried to catch many of these, but they are off like a flash as soon as he moves!  This one seemed not to be at all afraid, however,  Esther slowly got down and sat on the ground near it, and instead of running away it came closer.  Seeing one of the dead march flies, she picked it up and dropped in in front of the skink.  It darted forward eagerly and gulped it down.  Arthur joined her, and they threw it a few more flies, which it accepted gratefully.  Then they started holding them out for the lizard to take from their fingers, and even got it to climb onto their hands.  When we ran out of flies, all we had to do was wait.  If the lizard had retreated a bit, he'd spin around and come back when he heard a slap!  It was amazing!

On the way back to the caravan we pass a particular bush where Arthur had spotted a "hummingbird" the other day. It was in fact a sunbird and we'd noticed it at the same place several times.  This time I had my camera with me, so I decided to capture it if I could.  It took a while but I eventually succeeded!

I've been sitting in front of the caravan with the laptop on my knees, enjoying the balmy evening temperature and listening to the waves crash onto the beach only metres away. When I started typing this entry, we received a visit from a bush stone-curlew.  As I write it has come back and I was able to take a photo of it!  They are nocturnal birds with a strange, loud call that echoes through the night.  It can be a bit disconcerting when it's immediately outside your bedroom window!  They are endangered in the southern parts of Australia, so it's a bit exciting to see them so close!

 Tomorrow is my birthday and Philip has organised a special outing...