The TIP...and no seagulls

Off to the very tip of Australia this morning, the road was fairly rough, despite having been worked on not so very long ago. We passed through rocky outcrops as well as very thick patches of rain forest.

The walk to the top was challenging, but Kath tells me it would be graded moderate in bush walking terms. Again, I am very thankful for the walking pole, as the terrain is quite steep in many places, and of course, going up means coming down again.










There are many man made cairns along the track, so we added a small rock to one of them.



After about a half hours climbing we made it!!!






Lots of photos were taken, as well as a nice group one. A professional photographer up there would make a fortune !

Back down again, equally as hazardous, and we enjoyed our "special" morning tea on Frangipanni Bay. We all thought "special" would mean champagne in celebration, but no, it meant lamingtons!
Here we are, all lined up like school kids, enjoying smoko!



This photo was taken after Peters chair gave way in the soft sand and he fell off. His was the third fall of the trip, me being the first, then Val. No harm done , just as well, Peter is in his mid 70's.

Getting to the very tip of Australia was quite a milestone on our trip, but there is still lots more to go. We enjoyed a BBQ lunch on another beach, this one called Somerset Beach.
Our tour director Arn is an absolute fountain of knowledge, and is constantly telling us the history of the area, of explorers, sheep drovers, and early pioneer families. One beautiful old home that had been in view of this beach had just been let go to rack and ruin, and finally pulled down, and the magnificent gardens that had surrounded it just returned to the forest.

A little shopping on the way back to our accommodation, and a stop to admire some bottlebrush orchids, and learn a little about ant plants, and the Ada-A bush, which has white leaves until they mature.








Back "home" , time for some relaxation, TRO had a swim, and I went for a walk to the shops with BIL. On the way we saw a most strange fruit growing, taking one back with us for identification.





It's called a cashew apple. Google it up if you'd like more information. Typically, I had not taken my camera on this walk, but I did manage to get this pic from the web.

Another yummy dinner was enjoyed, and another great day experienced.