Day 15 – Cairns

I woke up, showered, dressed, had breakfast and then headed off around 7:40 to get ARTIE serviced. I arrived there in plenty of time and the place was open before 8:30. I explained everything, then sat down to read. By 10:30 I had read most things, but then was told that the rear shocks were leaking slightly but the front ones were bad. They were going to fit heavy-duty shocks, but couldn’t get them, so settled for a substitute for the Toyota ones. By 12:30 they were still working on them, so I walked around to the local shopping centre, found a Hungry Jacks and had lunch. Over the road was a Ray’s, which is apparently closing down, so I got the alternative tent pegs there with a discount. By the time I walked back, ARTIE was ready. The bill was higher than I had estimated, but still within reason. Talking to the owner about the RFDS picture on the rear windows, he expressed sympathy and gave me an SVS Auto Services cap. On the way back to the YHA I posted letters and postcards. The spot I had taken was now nabbed by someone else so I had to park further down. In one way it was better because I could fully open all doors for packing in the morning. I did some shopping, forgot milk and biscuits, so went back. I had been looking for the magazines but could only get one. Generally the afternoon was spent chatting and relaxing. We had sizzle steak with salad for tea (I cooked) and I met up with the Georgian (US) lad who I had been dorming with in Airlie Beach. We swapped notes about our adventures since then. Now it was only Toby (German) who was in the same dorm. It was a quiet night.