Oh no, he hasn't got lost. Nope, still around, sorry.
I'm here! Finally arrived in Townsville and set up staying in my van parked in the driveway at my Daughter's place. But first let's do a bit of a U Turn and go back a bit. After all, it has been a month.
Phew! The weather god's really let us have all their fury yet again while I was in Byron Bay. Water, Water everywhere, not only that but as well even, trees down and branches everywhere. I survived ok with no problems.
Luckily where I was camped was very sandy soil so water drained away quickly and only caused a minor problem. I played it smart and made sure the water tap was connected etc to the van incase I couldn't get to the shower block. Good idea as first thing in the morning was not the best to go to the showers so used my own. I emptied the grey water tank when things dried up.
I went down to the main beach later in the day as the water had dried up enough as to not cause damage to the grass with the car. Shut the front gate! "Surfs Up". I'm not the best at judging wave heights but I heard on the local radio Byron got 6 mtr waves rolling in. WOW, spectacular sight so close. It was raining at the time so between that, wind and the salt coming in with the waves I didn't get the camera out and had parked a little too far away for the iPhone camera to do any good.
I haven't mentioned it but while I was house sitting in Milton and the Doctor there showing no interest in the growth on my little finger of a few months, I was making sure to keep it dry and changed the dressing every day.
One morning I noticed the growth was just attached by a small piece of skin and appeared to be healing well under. So, made a decision to cut it off and see what happens.
Mmmm, pain, grit teeth and be strong I told myself . SNIP goes the scissors. Blood not stopping, ooops, apply pressure was the next step. 30 mins later all good. It has taken until now but healed it has.
Back on subject. A week into my stay at Byron I went to a little town up in the hills known to many as the capital of, wait for it, you won't believe I went there, yep Nimbin, the Hemp capitol.
Boy was that interesting, well not sure if interesting is the right word but will do for now. Very old Village and buildings with many brightly coloured dressed people wandering the streets. I must say it though, some very dirty looking as well. Looks like heaps of un employment around and was approached once to see if I was interested in some "goodies". I would prefer to call them "baddies".
After only a short wander around I noticed no one had actual cameras with them just there mobile phone to take pics so before I took any I asked a passer by about it and she suggested not to have my camera as some people are a bit touchy about having their pics taken even if they are just passing something you are taking a pic of. I decided to take the big beast (no not me) the camera, back to the Collie and just "sneak" the odd pic with the iPhone. I did get a couple with the beast first.
Overall an interesting day including the back way I chose to go, very mountainous with extremely windy and narrow roads. One section for about 6km was partly destroyed by the shocking storms that I mentioned earlier so put the Collie in 4x4 and continued on my way. I went back to Byron a much easier way and via a coast road, much betterer.
I also went for a little drive up the coast slightly and visited Brunswick Heads and Hastings Point and not much has changed since I last visited that area.
Sunday 10/5 arrived and I had decided to leave Byron after a weeks extension and head further north. Why did I stay an extra week I hear you ask, well just cos I could I spose :) So I spent Saturday packing etc and was on my way at 6.00 Sunday. I got to Gin Gin, sort of inland slightly from Bunbaberg QLD. Called in at the show grounds and stayed there for the night.
Heading of at 6.00 the next morning aiming for St Lawrence, about 160km north of Rockhampton QLD. Decided instead of the usual hang out at the rec reserve I would check out Waverley Creek Rest Area next to the Bruce Hwy and about 11km south of the St Lawrence turn off. Yep that hit the spot nicey, covered tables and chairs, tap water but not for drinking, clean toots but no showers. Didn't bother me as I have my own.
I had arrived around 1.30 and was sitting outside having a drink later in the afternoon and met some very nice people so chatted for a while until time to head indoors for something to eat and settle in for the night.
Now being along side one of the busiest highways in OZ you would expect heaps of noise, well this little black duck crashed and never heard a thing all night and woke about 5.00 Tuesday morning, washed and was on my way to my next destination, Home Hill, about 1.5 hours south of Townsville. I stopped a couple of hours later in a way side stop and had breakfast. Gee it's good to have your own kitchen behind you. Now every now and then things change out here in the playground and change it did. Why did it change? Like I said before, cos it can :)
I got to Home Hill around 12.30 so said to myself, self, keep going, way too early to stop. I arrived in Townsville, my final destination for some months a day early at 2.00, didn't tell anyone just backed the van in, quite comfortably I might say seeing I am on my own and it was a narrow street with a car right on the corner of Mellissa's drive. Well I do have 13mt behind me, 8mt is just sitting on a 2" steel ball. All set up by 3.00. Well done to me
You might remember the back pain just below the left shoulder I have been having trouble with and no luck in finding out the cause, well, it has been getting better, to the point I will say very soon, it hopefully will be gone. Just the usual back problem, but that I have to live with and nowhere near the pain as the shoulder so things are finally on the mend after 8 months for the back and nearly 12 months for the ankle. That also is on the mend at this stage, still with me but on the mend and I cope thanks to the Physio stretches I do each day. I have to be careful what I do on the ankle though as the doctor still wants me to keep off it a fare bit and not aggravate it, so still limited in my walking. If I don't behave or it doesn't improve soon I have been told I will be put in a Moon Boot, that will ground me for sure, so trying very hard to behave. I tend to pace myself these days. Ahhhhh, the joys of getting older.
After all the problems I have had since I got my van I have been very happy with the way it has travelled and towed, very happy in fact. I am now sitting back in comfort enjoying my new home. Even set up here in Townsville in my daughters driveway I love being in it and spend very little time in the house when Mellissa and the kids are not home, when they are home it's different. I even use my own shower as having the bigger one fitted has made it all worth while. Because I don't use a chemical as such in my own toilet I even use that, it's great to have my own bathroom (Ensuite). I loved my Avan but I love my new home even better.
So, here I am all set up in Townsville for nearly 3 weeks now and I must say the weather gods have really turned the good weather knob up. Temps are 26-31c during the day and 18-22c over night. Humidity is reasonable. No rain apart from a sprinkle a few days back, in fact it's extremely dry. I say the weather is warm to hot but the local natives call it cold at night, silly buggers. Maybe they need to visit Canberra in winter.
I will be here until about September all going well and have already met up with grey nomads, some I have known for a while and some for the first time. The neighbours here are nice people as well and good to speak with them again, they reckon I am getting close to being eligible for a casual job only, bending bananas as I am not here all year round.
It is that time of year here in Nth QLD that things are not only warming up Temp wise but the Rugby State Of Origin (QLQ V NSW) warmed up and being a fan of said game I really enjoy being here at this time of year as the locals really get into this game. The shops etc go all out with colours etc and the promotion of the game is amazing. The first of 3 games was played Wednesday just gone and QLD won.
Even the local team the Townsville Cowboys who play in the NRL are great, now I don't mean, as in the greatest team cos I follow the Melbourne Storm but the Cowboys get involved with schools and you can often see them training down at the Strand. Townsville worship them. Their Captain seems to be a God, they just love him. Don't tell anyone but I am starting to get a soft spot for these Cowboys but only as a second team. After all, Chiefs and Cowboys don't like one another.
Like everything, this update has come to the end (I heard that down the back), so until next month take it easy and keep safe. I will take care of the Tropics for you all.
" Don't you worry about that! "
A few pics below as usual.
Can I smell pumpkin scones??
DOUG
OK, I will chill out
Byron Bay Lighthouse
Nimbin NSW
Nimbin NSW........Locals seem to like this spot
Castle Hill Lookout......Townsville
ken thomas said
03:03 PM May 29, 2015
Good report Doug and enjoy your stay
One of the locals at Ninbin seemed to be taking notes when you took his photo, watch out they may have followed you
Ken
Friar Park said
04:07 PM May 29, 2015
Gee dougwe I'd almost forgotten how good a journo you really are! But careful mate theres a few Blues supporters out here remember. You could end up with a rep. like that Brisbane bloke. Eh What?
Enjoy your time with your family mate.
Will be with my own kids, grandkids, and even GREAT grandkids in a few more weeks. REALLY looking forward to that. Missed last year due to major surgery.
Keep a smile on your dial mate and enjoy.
Friar.
Netco said
04:54 PM May 29, 2015
Excellent report Doug. We pick up our van in about 5 weeks and hope to be in Townsville early to mid September, Annette and I have family up there as well, would love to catch up if your still there, will msg you when it gets close if that's ok?
Stay safe
Col
Felicia said
06:47 PM May 29, 2015
Thank you, really enjoy reading your posts.
Lynda
Travel Bug said
07:31 PM May 29, 2015
G'day Doug...and thanks for another great report.
I'll be sending you up a smoke signal when I get to Townsville early next week.
Cheers.
Plendo said
10:10 PM May 29, 2015
Good report Doug, always great to hear how you are going.
Always close to the top of the pile (soory folks its an in joke).
oz_in_nz said
10:33 PM May 29, 2015
That's OK Dougwe, you can still support the Storm! They are my second team, behind the mighty Cowboys, mainly because of the number of Queenslanders in the team!
Dougwe said
07:35 PM May 30, 2015
Thanks all, I will keep an eye out for any smoke signals.
Phil C said
10:37 AM May 31, 2015
Great report Doug. I noticed you stayed a while a Nimbin, hmmmm perhaps I'll go and repair my hose.
Note to self, must get up to Townsville.
Safe travels mate.
Happywanderer said
02:08 PM May 31, 2015
Great write up Dougwe. Always very interesting following your travels, especially loved the Nimbin bit, nearly enough to want to visit it myself.
May see you in a couple of weeks, heading that way as we speak.
KFT said
09:12 PM May 31, 2015
Good onya Doug
great report mate, enjoyed the read
you enjoy your stay in the cowboys town.
Have you been to the club for a meal yet? If we get to Townsville this year we must have a meet up and that seems like a good spot.
stay safe
Frank
Dougwe said
08:04 PM Jun 1, 2015
Gee fanks mate.
No I haven't been to that club as yet. I think the club is in the city and a bugga for parking to my knowledge. Yeh I know, I am not very knowledgable Beat ya mate
I do have a couple of favourite hang outs though if you get here.
One of the locals at Ninbin seemed to be taking notes when you took his photo, watch out they may have followed you
Ken
Gee dougwe I'd almost forgotten how good a journo you really are! But careful mate theres a few Blues supporters out here remember. You could end up with a rep. like that Brisbane bloke. Eh What?
Enjoy your time with your family mate.
Will be with my own kids, grandkids, and even GREAT grandkids in a few more weeks. REALLY looking forward to that. Missed last year due to major surgery.
Keep a smile on your dial mate and enjoy.
Friar.
Stay safe
Col
Lynda
G'day Doug...and thanks for another great report.
I'll be sending you up a smoke signal when I get to Townsville early next week.
Cheers.
Good report Doug, always great to hear how you are going.
Always close to the top of the pile (soory folks its an in joke).
That's OK Dougwe, you can still support the Storm! They are my second team, behind the mighty Cowboys, mainly because of the number of Queenslanders in the team!
Note to self, must get up to Townsville.
Safe travels mate.
May see you in a couple of weeks, heading that way as we speak.
great report mate, enjoyed the read
you enjoy your stay in the cowboys town.
Have you been to the club for a meal yet? If we get to Townsville this year we must have a meet up and that seems like a good spot.
stay safe
Frank
Gee fanks mate.
Beat ya mate 
No I haven't been to that club as yet. I think the club is in the city and a bugga for parking to my knowledge. Yeh I know, I am not very knowledgable
I do have a couple of favourite hang outs though if you get here.