We had flown back to New Zealand to say goodbye to dad who had the cheek to hang around till he was 90, we got to spend some quality visits with him before sending him to the garden in the sky.
He was a tough old bloke fightiing off one or two health issues but generally in very good health so we were blessed and lucky.
Dad passed at his home in his bed peacefully which was his wish, below is the day we took him out for lunch for his 90th, seeya mate.
Ok, back to the unusual programme, Urals, Mosqitos and warmer weather.
Back to Cairns we picked up Skippy and took her back to Patrick and Belindas, here we did a tyre change etc and got her almost ship shape ready for Cape York.
Our mission should we accept it was to breach to grips of the top of Cape York and return with all three of us intact.
Full credit to Skippy handing the (in places) very ugly road conditions.
Arriving at the top via the Ferry that keeps breaking down it was pissing down, not entirely warm and altogether a lees that mint welcome to the top.
We did however make it there and it was worth the ride, Skippy has now been to the furthest southern and the furthest northern points of AU.
Given the wet (Steady rain) and humid conditions we thought we would get a cabin for the night, they wanted $300.00 quid for a basic cabin, Ellen suggested a hotel then ...$440.00 quid, this did not fit well with our train of thought so we decided on a plan C.
The weather looked better lower down the cape so we decided to bail and head back to the Jardine Ferry that keeps breaking down and was FOOKIN exy ($80 quid for 80 meters), we had concluded our mission but the idea of being raped at the top for night didn't appeal.
Ellen made a vid here if you are keen
The return trip...next report