Health and safety not an issue in these caves

Woke to another dank and dismal day. Having left my coat in the car it was a rapid dash to the loo but even so saw me wet through. Didn't help matters when the site owner's little dog saw me running and thought I was playing a game so jumping up with a stick in its mouth seemed the thing to do! Now had muddy paws to contend with too! Having got back and changed into dry clothes it was in the car to do the 30 km to Buchan Caves. The first tour was at 10am, and we made it by the skin of our teeth. Not only did we do the Royal cave tour but also the Fairy cave tour. All in all, we were underground for over 90 minutes. I might add that health and safety was not an issue, thank goodness, no hard hats worn, 'cos the walls and ceiling were so narrow and low that at certain points we either had to crouch down or squeeze our bulks through very narrow channels. It was great fun though and not one person banged their heads, scraped their sides or damaged the stalactites and stalagmites.

After a bite to eat we decided to nip down the road to Raymond Island. Well.... after all....in Aussie terms what is a mere 90 km drive. Anyway, we had been told Koalas, as well as Kangaroos, inhabit the island so of course this we had to go see. A ferry ride across the short section of Lake Victoria, straight on through scrub, and then we were in lookout mode.

 Within minutes one was seen hugging a tree and no sooner had Ian stopped the car when I was out taking photos. Suddenly we were surrounded, not by Koalas but mosquitoes!!! Hoards of them all buzzing around our faces and any other exposed bit of our anatomy. As we rushed to get back into the car opening the door sent another load of those nasty insects inside. Grabbing the jungle strength repellent we let rip and before long the inside of the car smelt horrible. But it did the trick and those blighters scarpered pretty quick and any left were soon dispatched by a blow from Ian's hand.

Tomorrow we are going to 'free camp' In other words one can stop in certain places for free so long as one is self-sufficient i.e. a loo and water. No electric to charge laptops etc so probably no more post until back onto a powered site.