The good night’s sleep was not to be, but ho hum. We got up early to try to hire a mini moke to drive around the island. (For the uninitiated, these are silly little open buggies that seem to be traditional here. Jamie’s family hired one last time they were on the island, 19 years ago.) Unfortunately, You cannot fit a baby seat in a moke, apparently, so plan B was a very silly topless car, which was, in fact, pink. What a ridiculous mode of transport! Jamie looked exceptionally cool driving it.
We took the daft car to the start of The Forts walk, whereupon we realised its other major flaw (the first one being the colour!) It has no boot space. At all. And babies do not travel light. So we had to carry rather too much stuff up the hill. Anyhoo, nice walk. Lots of signs detailing the history of the place, the trials of building in such a hilly location, and the lack of drinking water. We eventually made it to the top, with Toby asleep on daddy’s front. Excellent views of the island. Oh and we saw two wild koalas, just chilling in their trees.
With exercise completed for the day, we got back into the ridiculous car and headed for lunch in Horseshoe Bay. We settled ourselves into the terrace of the Marlin Bar and ordered two Great Northern beers, as has become our custom. (Jamie is trying to work out if you can get it in the UK.)
Back in the silly topless car, much to Toby’s delight (I think he liked the wind in his hair), we headed for the village store in Arcadia to buy some food for a bbq. We returned to the apartment, or unit as they are known here, and Toby needed a nap. So did daddy apparently. Mummy went for a swim in unbelievably cold infinity pool. Of all the places we’ve been swimming the last couple of weeks (the Norfolk coast, the Welsh coast, a creek in the mountains, the Rockpool in Townsville), its the only place that has been cold enough to make my entire body go numb! Ten lengths and I was out of there! Hot bath with a sea view to recover!
To make full use of the silly car, we drove to Picnic Bay for dinner. I had a go at driving the ridiculous vehicle, just because I could. Drives like a go cart, fortunately one with headlights! We did get accosted by a slightly odd, and quite drunk, Swedish man, who was very insistent that we drove carefully, because he has witnessed a serious accident involving some young tourists. He clearly didn’t realise the very sedate speed at which I would be driving!
We had a quick walk out on the jetty to see the lovely views of Townsville across the water at sunset. Then dinner in the Picnic Bay Hotel, which has a tropical fish tank in the middle.
On the way home, Toby was mesmerised by the stars above him, where the car roof ought to be! He smiled all the way back to the car hire place. We wandered back to the unit for bath and bedtime.
