Priscilla News - October 8th 2019

We have enjoyed six very happy days, based in a small caravan park 11kms out of Mareeba, situated at the end of a road, very quiet, with mostly permanent Baby-Boomer residents. As we arrived in the late afternoon we were greeted with a sing-song happening in the camp kitchen. We were able to sing along to familiar songs from our era whilst setting up. It soon became obvious that the ‘blow ins’ would not be welcomed into the tight knit group, but that was OK. We were able to mix with a few of the ‘outsiders.’

It was a perfect base to explore the many places of interest on offer. There is so much to see and do, from Papaya and Coffee at Skybury, to Chocolate and Cheese at Gallo Dairyland, to Coffee and Chocolate at Coffee Works, to Kuranda Markets, Barron Falls and best of all, beautiful Yungaburra where we are now camped beside Lake Tineroo.

I was thrilled this morning to speak with one of the people at the caravan park in Mareeba. He and his wife had been to Cooktown and stayed overnight in the hotel.

‘I was talking to this guy at the bar who was raving about a book he was reading. Said it was the best book he had ever read,’ he told me.

It was ‘Back of Beyond.’

“I’m next door to the author at Mareeba,’ he responded.

I love hearing feedback like this. He immediately pulled out his wallet and bought a book!

Two days ago I received a message and photo from Tasmania from a lady I had nursed with, at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, telling me she had just finished reading ‘Back of Beyond.’ It’s nice to know it’s still selling and all over Australia.

Thank you to my readers!

We are now heading south-west. I’m enjoying the last of the rainforest as we prepare to witness the heartbreaking drought again. Please may it rain soon for everyone.

Author Jenny Old

Author on Board #BackofBeyond #Western Queensland #Australian travels #gypsies #outback