August 14. Mission Beach August 14. Failure to launch.

We packed up in an ordered fashion, made sure that the battery was fully charged, the water tank completely full and all the battery operated things were also fully charged. We were heading back to the child free resort at Mission Beach for three nights, but we could only get an unpowered site this time. No worries, as long as Larry behaves himself. We even gave his solar panels a good bath to ensure he could make full use of the sun available. The drive was 3.5 hours, but as we knew where we were going, and even what site we were on, we took it easy and didn’t stress at the myriad of roadworks. There is a lot of work securing the cliff faces by the road. This is good, as the alternative of having a sign saying, “Beware, falling rocks” doesn’t do you much good when you are on a single lane road with cliffs on one side and a beach with crocs on the other. If a couple of rolling stones came down, all you could do is say hi to Mick and Keith and take the hit.

Rest stop for a sausage roll and coffee stop at a Yorkeys Knob baker, which is next to the supermarket called “The Knob”. We had a pleasant enough stroll down to another beach you can’t swim at to finish the coffee’s. We took our time to stretch the legs at Babinda, and plan possible tours for the next day before pushing on for the last leg into Mission beach. We had visions of a late lunch, a little venture into Mission Beach town and some nice long showers in the modern and spacious facilities at the resort. A relaxed travel day.

The van parked nicely onto an ample slab with only a little bit of levelling required. Roof up, stabilisers down and a spot of lunch. I notice some ants at the back and hope they will be OK and mention them casually to Linda. By the time we had finished eating they were taking an interest in the van and these large green bastards did look nasty. Discussion with the park managers suggested some spray from Mitre 10. We talk to Mitre 10 and then realise we are dealing with a bigger problem than some annoying ants. These fellas pack a painful sting and resist a lot of treatments, and need the nest fixed, not just stopping them coming into the van.

Back to the park to see what can about it. Their reply of “well you are in the bush” didn’t cut it with us as we are staying at something called a resort and paying handsomely for the privilege of doing so. By the time they had brought down some high powered spray termite spray, the ants were over the camp chairs and even getting into the car. I could picture those old cartoons of picnics and the ants would come along and pick up the whole picnic and take it away. These ones would be stinging us first for the audacity to invade their space.

That was it. Linda was on the phone desperately looking for another place to stay at 4:30pm, in a town that is highly booked up at this time of year, with offices that generally close at 5:00pm. Things have now escalated, I am packing up, the dude has sprayed highly toxic chemicals on the wheels and chocks that I have to pick up, and Linda is having a conversation with some camp owner about can he fit in a little van.

Thankfully he could, and only 10 minutes away so we seem to be out of the woods. I head to the office to let them know we are off and ensure they were going to process the refund that they offered. The manager politely said of course they would refund two nights and they were punching them into the system as we spoke.

“But we booked for three nights.”

“Yes, but you need 24 hours notice to cancel, so I have refunded the next two nights.”

We stare at each other.

“You have provided a site for tonight that is unfit for purpose and can’t move us. We have not cancelled.”

We stare at each other again. 5:05 and the office should have shut 5 minutes ago and she is thinking about her knock off G&T.

“Fine.”.

“Thank you”.

I head back into the car to drive to our next destination and ask Linda where are we going? “Not sure, but here it is in google maps.” Off we head to the unplanned and unknown at past closing time for most park offices.