Elim Beach

We have had a lovely few days at Elim Beach. Water front site, light breeze, very few neighbours, great walks on the beach and a fire each night to cook dinner. What a way to relax. Did I mention that we had some rain. Was glad that we had a caravan and not the roof top tents or camper trailers that others had, because we had a few heavy downpours. We had a couple of families camped either side of us who had just been to Cape York. Philip talked to our first neighbour, who is a regular at this site and told him to grab his crab pots from his boat and try to catch some crab. Philip didn’t need to be told twice, so he found the pots and raided the freezer for some bait and set the pots just off shore near the mangroves and waited till morning. Well “blow me down” he managed to catch 4 crabs, all undersize so he had to throw them back, but at least he caught some. More than others were doing. (P- that’s because I waded out in knee deep slimey black Mud to select what I thought was the correct location! All the other crabbers wanted the crabs to walk to their pots all but on the beach- didn’t matter they were undersize it was a fun exercise regardless).

The highlight of our stay at Elim was our walk along the beach to the coloured sands. The guys that run the campsite told us it was pretty impressive and kept asking if we had been yet, so we thought we best make the effort. It’s about a 3 k walk. We chose to walk the first part along the road (easier than the sand for Philip) and then the last kilometre along the beach. As we came off the track onto the beach there is a vehicle on its roof and quite rusted, no doubt serves as a warning for those that try to take their vehicles along the sand. It is quite a pleasant walk along to the coloured sand cliffs and very impressive once we get to the main area. You can take a Track off the beach right up into the gorge where the coloured sands tower over you. The sand colour varies from white to gold to deep red. Unfortunately it teemed while we were there so the drone photos weren’t the best. It would be wonderful on a sunny day.

While we were camped at Elim and it was raining Philip decided to wash the van. Why does he do it when it’s raining and we still have dirt roads to travel.? It looked clean for about 36 hours. Then we drove from Elim towards Cooktown. They have been doing roadworks. Gravel roads, red dirt/clay/sand equals a very dirty car and caravan again. Oh well it gave him something to do for a while.

This morning while I was still in bed, Philip tried to put the front window shade down, (we have been having a bit of trouble with it for a while), it wouldn’t go at all and he decided to fix it. Well within about 15 minutes he had the whole frame and screens and everything out and apart, oiled cleaned spring tightened and ready to fit back in again. Now it works great, thank goodness.

We are now in Cairns at the Cairns Coconut Caravan Resort for a few nights. Looking forward to Mark and Amanda, Emily and Kaley arriving tomorrow.