2022 - The Knight Travels: 06/23/22

22-25 deg C, fine and sunny in the morning, wind and cloud increasing during the morning and into the afternoon, with some light rain becoming heavier as the night wore on

Greg and Bob went for a long early morning walk before breakfast. After breakfast, Greg and Wendy went out on the bikes to explore Cooktown and tried to follow the Historic Trail. We managed to tick off most of the listings, however, without an actual map, it was a tad difficult. No worries, we still have another two whole days here. After checking out the gradient up to the lookout on Grassy Hill, we decided to drive up there sometime. We had mornos at the Driftwood Café where the coffee was good and strong, the cakes a bit dry, but good "fuel". On our way home we called in on the local Historical Society which had an interesting and comprehensive display in one of the many old buildings in town.

Back to the van for lunch and a little rest, before Greg took the right rear wheel and brake drum off the van to see why the brake drum was getting really hot. It was quite obvious as soon as the hub came off that the magnet had been rubbing on the drum even when not activated, and rubbing on only one part of the drum. A number of people came over to offer opinions that ranged from being an incorrect sized magnet to a bent axle. Greg removed the offending magnet to prevent the heating. We will try and have it seen to when we get to Mareeba next week. There's always something to keep you on your toes while caravanning.

After putting the van back together, the boys went out for a ride to recce the path to Mt Cook that they intend walking tomorrow. Pre-dinner drinks were had not long after their return, then dinner in our separate vans, whilst listening to the rain on the van. Another interesting day in Cooktown.

The Cooktown Cannon was sent to Cooktown as a training aid for the Garrison Battery, was last used defensively in 1987 in Army Exercise Diamond Dollar. It is now only fired exclusively at special events including the re-enactment of Captain Cook's landing

The Milbi Wall - tells the Indigenous perspective of the first known contact with Europeans in 1770 and what is believed to be the first act of reconciliation

RSL Memorial Club originally served as the Daintree Divisional Hall. In 1949, the Shire Council gifted the building to the Cooktown Sub Branch of the RSSAILA, now the RSL

Built in 1889 after the amalgamation of the Post and Telegraph departments, it has remained the Cooktown Post Office ever since

Cooktown History Centre - initially built for the Post & Telegraph Department and converted in 1887 to a staff accommodation building.

Built in 1949 from the remains of the original railway station on Adelaide Street that was demolished by a cyclone in the same year

Cooktown Baptist Church

White Cockatoo/Black Cockatoo dual-feather form; and engaging, symbolic and unifying reference to Bama clan-land, kinship and country.

Early morning - Cooktown harbour

Cooktown waterfront precinct

Surf is up at Cooktown

Rail Motor - the remains of the last rail motor to use the Cooktown to Laura rail line, and the remains of a wood/coal tender for a B13 steam locomotive.