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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Vectis Birder" data-source="post: 1475866" data-attributes="member: 43690">Let's hope so, Tony. Actually I think it is improving, it hasn't rained for at least 20 minutes now! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" />Seriously, though, the forecast is for an improved outlook from tomorrow. To be honest, while rain is annoying I'm not that bothered by it, because it's hard to get too frustrated in such nice tropical surroundings.My vertigo feels better, I was willing it to get better because a doctor's appointment would set me back 50 bucks, and that's before any prescriptions are added on. Spent the afternoon lazing around and reading a Clive Cussler (one of my favourite authors) novel which I bought this morning; re. Australia having become expensive, this paperback, whch would cost something like GBP 7.99 at home was a staggering $21.99 (GBP11) in a bookshop here but I really wanted something to read for this afternoon. Mentioning books, being a bit of a collector of field guides, I was sorely tempted by the Simpson & Day and Pizzey & Knight field guides on sale (I'm using Slater, which is an excellent guide, but the illustrations in the others are superb) but decided they'd be too much of an extravagance at $37 and $39 respectively and I'd have to ship them back to the UK, so I resisted. If I can afford to, and other expenses are taken care of, I'll get them off Amazon when I get home. Maybe.I have booked myself on a boat trip out to the Great Barrier Reef and Michaelmas Cay on Wednesday, but even if I don't see many birds, I want a squizz at the reef and I always enjoy a nice boat trip. I was concerned about the weather but I was told that, as the GBR is 40km away, it is not usually affected by the same weather affecting Cairns - Cairns is too close to the mountains, hence the rain.I probably won't see the reef itself because my ear problem precludes any diving although I'll probably be able to do some snorkeling - means more shopping because I forgot my cozzie, it's still in the United Kingdom! Not a lot of use. In any case, a nice day out on a boat is always a good thing.</blockquote>

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