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Scorcher
27-01-2009, 04:45 PM
For those after a good read, I've just finished a book "Paradise Found - A Cape York Adventure" by Linda Rowe.

Linda is from "The Croc Shop" fame, which was originally a small tent set up on the banks of the Wenlock River with her husband Ken, selling Cape York trinkets and a few other items.

Linda tells a few of her favourite yarns from the moment she fell in love with the Cape in the early 80's, and of the exploring that she & Ken did for the next decade or so.

I first met Linda in 1987 on the Wenlock, and bumped into her numerous times throughout the Cape, at different "Croc Shop" locations. It's good to relive some of the stories she told us over 20 years ago.

One part has got me thinking, which maybe somebody else on the forum might be able to shed some light on. In either 1989 or 1991, there was a tent set up on the southern bank of the Jardine River near where the old single vehicle punt used to operate (on the Telegraph track). They sold T-shirts & other Cape York trinkets. I thought that this was where the Croc Shop relocated to after the Wenlock, but Linda talks about being set up at Lockerbie by this time. Memories fade over time unfortunately.

Does anybody recall this tent, and who ran it? Maybe it was part of the set-up Keith Barnes had together with his vehicle punt?

Anyway, as I said, a good read, and a good insight into the life of somebody living & exploring in the Cape more than 20 years ago.

xina
27-01-2009, 05:22 PM
Thanks Scorcher, I'll have to try and get that one. The original Croc. Tent was set up just before we left, but I never got to see it.
Cheers,
xina.

Scorcher
27-01-2009, 05:40 PM
Xina,

Here's the link to this & a few other interesting books:

http://www.univenter.com/books_books.html

I bumped into Linda in 1987 at the Wenlock River, then again in 1989 & 1991 further up the track. A few years later, we caught up with her at the Cooktown shop. She was always good for a chat, and had many interesting stories.

Scorcher

xina
27-01-2009, 08:52 PM
Thanks for that Scorcher, I've got the first 2,and the last 2 on the list. I'll send for this one.
Cheers,
xina.

Brigalow
22-02-2009, 09:21 PM
G'Day Scorcher,yes,I picked up a signed copy from Linda in Cooktown last September,great read I recomend it...and yes she is still full of smiles...

I have visions of her tent on the track to Punsand bay and thats going back to 1989 ish too and not being familar with the properties up there it could have been Lockerbie...
Arrr yes lovely people her and Ken.

Nedly
23-02-2009, 04:05 PM
I like the new avatar Brigalow.

Brigalow
23-02-2009, 07:34 PM
Thanks Nedly,the Barra's were caught in the Jane River (Mapoon area)a couple off years back...
I went up there with a group out of Homehill and we caught a whole swag of fish...a top little spot but a little bit of care is needed as there is a bit of driving along a soft sand beach...well we were draging trailers so nothing like a good old sand anchor...

campdog
23-02-2009, 08:32 PM
Thanks Nedly,the Barra's were caught in the Jane River (Mapoon area)a couple off years back...
I went up there with a group out of Homehill and we caught a whole swag of fish...a top little spot but a little bit of care is needed as there is a bit of driving along a soft sand beach...well we were draging trailers so nothing like a good old sand anchor...

Hi Brigalow,Janie creek is a memorable spot for me.I broke my trailer in half coming off the beach there.
Not the most inviting spot for campers anymore,There is a Turtle rescue Camp there now and most of the place is fenced off.Still I love the spot.
John

geoffjy
23-02-2009, 08:49 PM
Hi Brigalow,Janie creek is a memorable spot for me.I broke my trailer in half coming off the beach there.
Not the most inviting spot for campers anymore,There is a Turtle rescue Camp there now and most of the place is fenced off.Still I love the spot.
John

I knew they did work in the area but i didnt realise they had a camp there. Is there still easy access to the creek campdog?

barney
23-02-2009, 10:50 PM
I knew they did work in the area but i didnt realise they had a camp there. Is there still easy access to the creek campdog?

Yes, you can still access the creek, although the turtle rescue camp has the prime position down on the bend of the creek in the shaded area. Understandable I suppose since it is Mapoon land. If you want to camp there you really have to camp back towards the beach, nearer the mouth of the creek - not as nice but still great fishing. Janie Creek, Cullen Point and of course Pennefather are our favourite spots for a weekend break from Weipa (apart from flying out to Cairns of course!)

geoffjy
24-02-2009, 09:03 AM
Last time i was at Mapoon was when they put all those new houses up. I think it was around the mid 90's. Nice area.

FKT08
24-12-2009, 12:32 AM
Bit late I know but I have had a copy of this book for about 5 years since I met Linda at the Croc Shop in Cooktown. Was lucky enough to speak to her for a while about her travels and get a signed copy of the book.
Great read and would recomend it to anyone looking for a good view of the Cape from someone that was there when it was still relatively unexplored.
Great lady and great book. If you're in Cooktown and get a chance to pop in go and see her, although I think she only works on weekends now.