Back to Airlie - QLd

Travelling with Jude back to Airlie Beach and her business "Bush Cabins" was like going home. Great to see how a Palm Leaf hat was made, having seen them at Cape Tribulation

Having been here in August, it was nice to come back, but the increase in temperature was noticeable! But so were the spring flowers, like these Frangipani

This time I shared a cabin with Alina, a lovely, smiley Finish girl

who pulled off crazy sunglasses better than I did!

Having spent a week grafting I insisted on taking Jude out with me to find some live music, so the three of us set off for a 40min walk to Airlie (from Cannonvale)

sometimes Jude gets a little distracted, even with a camera in her face!

We had a great night involving several bars and live music from Sun Salute

and Kevin McCarthy among others

before ending up in Magnums for some techno!

and being accompanied home by two rather drunk Sweedish lads

where I should point out that jude doesn't drink alcohol

honest!

Arriving back one evening to Bush Village, I was attacked by a rather protective Curlew mother, with one chicks

the father arrived shortly after and chased me up the path!
But the next day, it was great to see the family in daylight, with two chicks ... can you spot them?

and a protective mother

and over-protective father

They are beautiful birds, and freeze like statues at night if you spot them... and they're not being protective!

Another very good reason to come back was to collect my Opal ring.

Having bought the stone in March 8 months ago, and carried it with me looking for the perfect jeweller to make something special, I was so excited to see it

and just as unique as I hoped when I designed it

adding a special Black Opal from Lightening Ridge

It symbolises my travels, and is broken as I won't be returning to where I started this journey.

However, Jude got her jewellery out, and showed me some very unique gold nugget pieces

Maybe in the next couple of weeks I'll go gem hunting for my own...

...one afternoon I met up with a good friend I'd made last time I was in Airlie and my main reason for returning - to go touring on 'my' new bike

Honda Shadow VT750

A beautiful blue bike to tour an amazing country

with Barry on his Nomad

...watch this space for more Biking with Barry...