Gee time flys, I have been here in down town Townsville now for over a month, yep, true.
During the couple of weeks since the last update I took the tug for a run over to Charters Towers, just down the road really, approximately 130km, so 260 km return trip without turning engine off to test the tug. When I got back I reversed the tug up onto the front lawn then turned off engine, went inside then out again about 15 mins later and tried to start tug, yep, started first time so fingers crossed all sorted.
The weather was still hot and humid but on Saturday 3/5 the wind turned around and was blowing around 30kmh from the south east so cooled things down a bit, the humidity came down with it, thankyou weather gods.
Townsville has a new attraction since I was here last year and turned the old army barracks at the northern end of the lovely strand into a family park, Jezzine Barracks, Kissing Point was opened late April and has walking tracks, BBQ's, tables and seating and after a slow stroll up to the top of a hill, great views. Give it time and there will be heaps of shade. Oh there are some much smaller hills and grassed areas for kids to roll down and safely run a muck. The only complaint would be, no toilets but they are planned. Nearest toots are at the rock pool. Heaps of FREE parking too.
I took the daughter and two grandchildren there last Sunday and joined friends of theirs for a late afternoon picnic, very nice too. The weather gods were extremely kind as well, just perfect really.
Speaking of the weather gods, they blessed us with perfect weather this last week warm but not hot during the days, 25-30c with much lower humidity and 16-20c nights, although the local natives reckon very cold and are all rugged up at night. They are strange natives here in the tropics, says he ducking for cover.
The week was spent just pottering really and a couple of things done to the Avan I have been wanting to do for a while now. I also took myself back to Jezzine Barracks for a walk and armed with camera, first time the camera has seen the light of day since arriving, well you can't over do things you know. There is some really amazing history throughout this area and some great modern sculptures.
This place is a real credit to the combined efforts of the Townsville Council, Queensland and Federal Government's and of course the very hard working and dedicated workers, the quality of their work shows and everything is outstanding. Just as an example, I noticed while walking around the board walk things were solid and screwed or bolted, not nailed. I highly recommend you visit the area if in Townsville and allow some time to take it all in.
There is now the marina precinct at the south end of the Strand and the barracks at the north end and the three compliment each other beautifully. The new Army Museum is also located at the barracks area. More on that next update.
The only thing, if you struggle with hilly climbs and steps maybe the walk is not for you. I struggled toward the end but I can honestly say I covered all areas albeit slowly but was buggered and knees and legs very sore by the time I got back to the car 3 hours later but it was all worth it though. The next day I had aches and pains everywhere, mmmmm must be getting older, bugga and I tell you that for free.
Now as you may know Townsville has a Army base and Airforce base and during the week just gone it was like being in Vietnam, planes and helicopters flying around everywhere all day and yep, even during the night until around 2200 hrs (10.00pm). Army trucks and vehicles on the move also. Thank goodness there was no bombing and bullets flying around as well.
I also got to catch up with GST (Greg), we had a lovely lunch at a Irish Pub, to be sure to be sure, the pint of Guinness was very nice too. It was great to see Greg again and have a good old chat. I'm sure we will catch up again before I eventually leave here.
Well, that's enough for this update. I have included some pics below this time.
sherbert said
09:43 AM May 10, 2014
Glad you having fun Dougwe , looks a lovely walk and you have a beautiful blue sky . Very nice photos . Hoping to get to see Charters Towers this year sometime . In the Latrobe Valley today we have grey skies and its raining and 12 c outside . Next week though they forecasting couple sunny 20 c days . Kind Regards Sherbert .
bill12 said
10:53 AM May 10, 2014
Yes , they have done a great job around Kissing Point, haven,t they.Its nice to look out at a blue sea , not a mudflat as in Cairns.The walk from one end of the Strand to the other is brilliant if you are fit. If not get a bike.Magnetic island is beaut at this time of year.Might catch up with you sometimes, Doug. Bill
Vic41 said
11:24 AM May 10, 2014
Thanks for the interesting info and photo's Doug, we were in Townsville around 2000, stayed at the Rowes Bay cp for about two weeks.
Went to the old gun emplacements and museum they had there then, volunteer guided tour, it was very interesting.
The kids water playground on the plaza (water buckets etc) hadn't been finished all that long but we were very impressed with it. The playground had unisex toilets in little huts in a row but some were out of order. Big line up to use them, nice young army bloke in civvies we got talking to in front of us insisted we go in before him.
The swimming pool at the northern end had just been drained for cleaning and to get the mud out.
We jogged up that big hill (in our car ha ha) but plenty of locals actually doing it, whew!
Great shopping in Townsville too. One of the major teams had their club opening while we were there, it was open free to the public for the day so we went and had a drink inside, probably changed now but they allowed smoking there then and it was very smoky inside, so we didn't stay long.
copper1 said
12:35 PM May 10, 2014
Mate you are the master photographer sounds like all is well.
Kisha said
02:17 PM May 10, 2014
I enjoyed reading your post and the photos are fabulous, I would like to see it one day, thanks to you I have been given a lovely introduction to it, better than a brochure could ever do....Kisha.
yeoeleven said
02:50 PM May 10, 2014
Well done again as usual Doug, I remember you showing Steve and I around Townsville on our last visit.
Thanks again, expect to be back withing the next month and hope to catch up again.
CYA John
mongrel said
06:57 PM May 10, 2014
Hi Doug, Delilah here..... I am a bit worried about those nymphs of yours. It looks like they might have been posing for the sculptor!!!!! Perhaps you should check out if they have been paid!!!!!! If so, you should think about charging them for the trip home!!!!
Gerty Dancer said
09:24 PM May 10, 2014
Glad all is going well for you Doug, and you are getting fit too!
_wombat_ said
08:59 AM May 11, 2014
good to hear you are enjoying yourself mate.
Dougwe said
09:36 AM May 11, 2014
Thanks for the replies all, nice to know someone reads these updates
Sherbert, Charters Towers is not that exciting IMO and I have been keeping an eye on the weather down home way, cooooold.
Bill, Just yell out mate and keep an eye out for that cannon.
Vic, Yep the Strand area is a credit to all involved and I spend heaps of time down there, great walking area.
Garry (C1), heaps of great pics from great people on this forum mate.
John, Looking forward to your arrival mate.
Mrs...um Delilah, the only sculptor the Nymph Twins pose for is me. Did you see their cousin in "I Digress" ?
Rosey, I could be a lot fitter and I tell you that for free.
bigW, I'm trying to mate but sometimes it's trying.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 11th of May 2014 09:37:09 AM
Happywanderer said
06:51 PM May 11, 2014
Great report and great photos Dougwe. I love that park. Will go have a look next winter.
Howdy all,
Thanks for the interesting info and photo's Doug, we were in Townsville around 2000, stayed at the Rowes Bay cp for about two weeks.
Went to the old gun emplacements and museum they had there then, volunteer guided tour, it was very interesting.
The kids water playground on the plaza (water buckets etc) hadn't been finished all that long but we were very impressed with it. The playground had unisex toilets in little huts in a row but some were out of order. Big line up to use them, nice young army bloke in civvies we got talking to in front of us insisted we go in before him.
The swimming pool at the northern end had just been drained for cleaning and to get the mud out.
We jogged up that big hill (in our car ha ha) but plenty of locals actually doing it, whew!
Great shopping in Townsville too. One of the major teams had their club opening while we were there, it was open free to the public for the day so we went and had a drink inside, probably changed now but they allowed smoking there then and it was very smoky inside, so we didn't stay long.
Mate you are the master photographer sounds like all is well.
I enjoyed reading your post and the photos are fabulous, I would like to see it one day, thanks to you I have been given a lovely introduction to it, better than a brochure could ever do....Kisha.
Well done again as usual Doug, I remember you showing Steve and I around Townsville on our last visit.
Thanks again, expect to be back withing the next month and hope to catch up again.
CYA John
good to hear you are enjoying yourself mate.
Thanks for the replies all, nice to know someone reads these updates
Sherbert, Charters Towers is not that exciting IMO and I have been keeping an eye on the weather down home way, cooooold.
Bill, Just yell out mate and keep an eye out for that cannon.
Vic, Yep the Strand area is a credit to all involved and I spend heaps of time down there, great walking area.
Garry (C1), heaps of great pics from great people on this forum mate.
John, Looking forward to your arrival mate.
Mrs...um
Delilah, the only sculptor the Nymph Twins pose for is me. Did you see their cousin in "I Digress" ?
Rosey, I could be a lot fitter and I tell you that for free.
bigW, I'm trying to mate but sometimes it's trying.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Sunday 11th of May 2014 09:37:09 AM