Spent more time wandering around Cairns. It doesn’t take much doing, it’s a strange town mainly set up for the backpacker as there are hostels everywhere and at night you can hear them shouting through their drinking games which is nice.

Went to mcdonalds to get our free internet access so Neil could get some papers downloaded and I could check mails and post blog entries then stupidly managed to leave my camera there and didn’t notice for about an hour! Went back as you can in flip flops in a mild panic. It wasn’t where I left it. Asked at the counter and it had been handed in! Would that have happened in Manchester?

Also managed to book a hire car online so we can drive up to Port Douglas, Daintree and Cape Tribulation on fri and sat. Realised we’ll be bored stiff if we stay in Cairns.

Managed to get Neil in the pool – for 10 minutes until he broke a nail!

Went to the opening of Neils conference in the evening and met the organisers. There was a speech from the local indigenous people which is something you have to do every time you organise an event. White Australians seem a bit scared of the indigenous folks or is it so guilty? It was like being at a right on crusty event where everyone just licks ass all the time. The indigenous guy said he allowed us to be there and welcomed us to the area which they’d owned for 60,000 years and charged $250 for the privilege. They must be laughing at home!

Have booked bikes with Neils conference partner’s partner Luka tomorrow. The girls are going biking.