Clifton Sands

Here dead lie we because we did not choose
To live and shame the land from which we sprung.
Life, to be sure, is nothing much to lose;
But young men think it is, and we were young.

AE Housman

Clifton Sands is looking Blooming Beautiful! Photos courtesy of Vitoria!

What a difference a week makes! To all the guests we have hosted this year, to all our friends and invaluable colleagues - thank you and Merry Christmas. Let's get the party started!

"Good morning Ma'am - one moment please, I will fetch your key". Our new Receptionist Alfie.

Farewell to a name & number
Recalled again
To darkness & silence & slumber
In blood & in pain.

AE Housman

Helen Gill, a vital part of our small community at Clifton Sands, passed very suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday. She was known to many Clifton Sands visitors as the larger-than-life, gregarious Greek lady. We called her Helen of Troy! She and her husband John welcomed one and all, she loved a long chat – whether it was in Greek, Italian, English or Arabic. She baked cakes, cookies, sausage rolls and moussaka for everyone at every opportunity, nothing made her happier than a party. Half Greek, half Italian, raised in Egypt and a polyglot, Helen was a tour de force. Her energy, strength, and her passion for family and for life was a lesson to many far younger. She will be acutely missed by our small community! Anubis may well need earplugs for those large ears when he accompanies our Helen on her way to the afterlife.

Time passes for everyone at Clifton Sands. A very young guest returns, a young lady now. She still loves Halley & Finn - even though they are older and grey!

Found this large nocturnal guest hungover by the pool this morning! 🌙

11/11/11 We will remember them.

Fantastic part-time work for super experienced cleaner. Approx. 8 to 10 hours per week. Great conditions/rate of pay for right person. Must be reliable and have attention to detail.

I'm so happy! We have been awarded the HotelsCombined Recognition of Excellence award.

Even the green tree frog has had enough of the cyclone fall out. He is hiding from the torrential downpour under a pool umbrella! 🐸🐸🐸

Our beautiful black & white Bat Lily doing what she does best!

'Here dead we lie because we did not choose
To live and shame the Land from which we sprung.
Life, to be sure, is nothing much to loose;
But young men think it is, and we were young. AE Housman

Last Christmas Julian and Joan gave me a rare, white bat lily (Tacca integrifolia). The first flower is finally open - with more to follow. She's a stunner!

Julian and friend...

Julian saved this beautiful little monster this morning - he's now back in his leafy abode!

Our return Guest's Harry & Maureen both celebrated their 90th birthdays while here at Clifton Sands. Such a milestone could not go by without a celebration! Afternoon Tea and Prosecco...

Our return Guest's Harry & Maureen both celebrated their 90th birthdays while here at Clifton Sands. Such a milestone could not go by without a celebration! Afternoon Tea and Prosecco...

Here dead we lie
Because we did not choose
To live and shame the land
From which we sprung.

Life, to be sure,
Is nothing much to lose,
But young men think it is,
And we were young. AE Housman

🐢🦈🐳🐠🦐🦞🐙

Midori the green sea turtle released on BBC Earth 's is moving north! 🐢 She just pinged 25 mins ago near Opal Reef.

Follow her progress (and lots of other marine animals!) at reeftracks.org 🦈 Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre