This is the second entry for today. Read down for "There was No Net"

The Brisbane to Cairns run through the length of Queensland was gorgeous. We paralleled the Great Dividing Range most of the way, which somehow I expected to be higher, but is high enough to divide the runoff for the continent. It runs from Melbourne north to Cairns. Down south it is alpine type country, but here in the tropical north it is verdant rain forest. The gum trees of the south gave way to sugar cane fields and banana groves as we moved north. The brush got thicker in general too, and more like a jungle with vines and broad leaves.

My bed and breakfast is nestled at the foot of the mountain just as it starts to ascend. A mountain stream runs by the pool. It is the Cairns Reef and Rainforest B&B, and they are great. You get your own ensuite room (which in the commonwealth means you have your own bathroom - same terminology as Scotland) and my room has its own covered patio. It rains every night (hence the name) and most afternoons, but even so it is pleasant to lounge by the pool or on the veranda and relax.

The weather is warm (it is tropical here, after all) but not unbearably humid. I am glad, though, that I didn't some during the height of the summer when it is worse. Early fall is about right. I did drink a whole bottle of water just walking down the hill to the corner store and back, though. Definitely the type of weather for lounging.

I think that is what I will do tomorrow. Lounge about, relax, write some postcards. Some of the other guests my age are going to order a real Australia pizza for lunch. Have it delivered. Ah, this is the life. Don't forget the bug spray though. I did and now have a few nasty welts, though if I remember not to itch them they aren't so bad. People who are really allergic (Hi Laura!) might really need that bug spray.

Oh, and if you see a pie shop in Australia, they are not selling lemon meringue pies or even pizza pies. They are selling meat pies, like pasties, brighties or pot pies. Why haven't they caught on more in America? In Ireland, Scotland, and now Australia you can get them everywhere. Easy to carry, easy to eat, not too many calories or too much money and it is warm and filling. Scrumptious.

Well as it is 11:30 pm here I think I will head off to bed. Oh, perhaps I will sneak a peak at Prince Charles wedding to Camilla ParkerBowles first. They have already been wedded, actually, and are about to be blessed. Good luck to them.

PS There are these great lizards here, little ones like four inches long, that come in through the unscreened windows in the living room and climb the walls. Don't you love the rainforest?