Vaccines, Doctors and Lockdowns…………..

 We had only been going to stay in Mareeba for a week but with all that had happened we had three more weeks to fill in.  Trevor was happy for us to stay where we were and both he and Linda were very kind to us.  I had to return to the hospital in Mareeba to get the staples removed in two weeks and then a visit to Cairns to see the surgeon for a post op visit in three weeks.  But first we had to get our Covid vaccines.

When we left Euroa our clinic was only doing the over 70’s so we figured we’d get ours along the way.  The next day we drove down to Cairns to get done at the hub but found out once there we needed an appointment.  We were given a phone number to call and 20 mins later had appointments organised at Mareeba hospital the next day.  It was a big day out for me but it was nice to get out again.

The next day we presented to the clinic and received our first vaccine.  Neither of us had any side effects so we were very pleased about that.  I did love the artwork in the hospital corridor, must be near the childrens wing.  

The next few days saw us staying close to home, just popping out for a coffee before relaxing in the garden.  Before we knew it the time had come to return to the hospital to get my staples out.  It was a long wait in the outpatients as dressings etc are no longer an emergency.  Once I was called in the nurse got all but one of the staples out.  The last one proved a bit stubborn and she had to call the Dr in to get it out.  It certainly feels more comfortable with them removed and I only have to wait another week to see the surgeon and we can be on our way.

The next day we had a bit of an adventure as we drove down to Cairns for Bill to checkout a new radio for the car.  Ours is pretty terrible and it’s time to upgrade.  From there we drove home via the Gillies Range.  A very long and winding road and once up we drove across to Milla Milla where we had lunch at Mungalli Creek Dairy.  Very delicious and stunning scenery as we ate.  We brought a picnic bag home for dinner that night.  Back at home I was well and truly exhausted after such a big day out.  A little over 200 km round trip. 

The next few days saw us play tourist as I felt a little better.  We had a trip to Port Douglas to visit a mid week market held at the marina.  It was very disappointing with hardly any stalls there and what was there was really only the retailers putting stuff out the front of their shop.  The shopping precinct was very quiet compared to the weekend a while ago.  They are definitely missing the tourists.

While in Mareeba we took advantage of the coffee plantations and visited Jacques, Skybury Coffee, Gallo Dairyland and Coffee Works in town.  I think Jacques was our favorite with Coffee Works a close second though I loved the wall art at Gallo Dairyland.

Another day saw us visit Lake Barrine and enjoy a delicious Devonshire Tea at the historic Teahouse there.  The weather had turned and it was freezing both inside and outside there.  The view was lovely though and it was well worth the visit.  On the way home we stopped at Yungaburra to check out the platypus again and Bill took many photos as the cute little guy was not the least bit perturbed by him or the camera.

A trip to Atherton the next day to check out an indoor market was yet another disappointment with mainly trash and treasure type stalls and I really don’t know why people even bother attending.  There really was nothing appealing about it at all.  We are definitely spoiled with all our local markets here in North East Victoria.  

On the way back home we heard on the news that there had been a Covid case breach the borders and Cairns was going into a three day lockdown.  My appointment with the surgeon was on day two of the lockdown.  We decided to drive down anyway as it was a necessary medical service and with masks on I visited the hospital and saw the Dr one last time.  He was very happy with my progress and gave me the all clear to set off towards home at last.   We had to stay in Cairns for a few hours as Bill had booked the car in for the new radio to be fitted and they were still working despite the lockdown.  While he walked back to get it I sat on a street corner and read.  It was a very eerie feeling, as just like I imagine Melbourne was, Cairns was like a ghost town with no one around.  As the time wore on a few people were having their hour of exercise, all doing the right thing with masks etc.  No one questioned what I was doing but I was glad when Bill arrived to pick me up and head back up the range.

And so now all that is left is to do is prepare to leave.  A day spent washing and another day spent shopping and a final coffee at Coffee Works.  We had a farewell dinner with Linda and Trevor at the Gateway Hotel and then it was just one more sleep and we were to be on our way.

until next time…….