Not again! Yep! Another month done and dusted. Time for my June 2017 update so sit back, relax and read on, before 2018 is here. Not a big month this one so won't take long at all. Read on or file it under B.

It all started 1/6/17 with the attack of the Hornets, noooo not the Hornets, the Hornets, you know RAAF, fighter planes. Heaps of em in fact, like 21, including F/A 18-A Hornets and 6 F/A 18-F Super Hornets. They were just passing through so thought they might drop in and say hi to Townsville, refuel then head to Darwin for 'Exercise Diamond Storm.' It was pretty exciting for us civilians and I tell you that for free. The noise of these beasts flying around was deafening but very, very exciting. The local news reported that a domestic jet was forced to circle Magnetic Island while the RAAF Jets landed, they then took off again a few hours later. The reason is that the RAAF and Domestic planes share the runway at the Townsville airport.

Not long after all that excitement I found the middle of June with me very quickly and the weather gods had decided in their wisdom to make some changes so the day temps dropped to 24-28c but still sunny and the nights down to 10-20c and much cooler than on my arrival early May. Not much rain, only a drizzle here and there throughout the month. Overall, a good month yet again in the tropics, weather wise.

Meet ups had dropped off slightly but looking back at my notes at this time last year, the same thing. I did catch up with a couple of fellow GN's though but only quick catch ups as they travelled through Townsville moving closer to their destinations. Another couple I had met at Greens Lake, Nth VIC a couple of years ago, then again, the summer just gone, they also went flying past in their rig while I was propped at Gin Gin, QLD rest area on my way up here a couple of months back but when I rang they had gone too far and were staying at another spot further north. I got a call from them later in June saying they were just south of Townsville so I went for a drive to say hi. Nice to see both Ned and Jenny again.

My daughter and two grandchildren went away for a weekend mid-month so on the Saturday night I decided to head to the Strand In Townsville. That is one of my favourite places when in Townsville. I had something to eat then walked along the Strand taking photos, I hadn't done any night stuff for some time so enjoyed that. I noticed few others doing similar including a family of Mum, older Daughter and 3 young kids. Mum was taking a pic of the family as I heard one of the kids say "why don't you get in the pic nan?"   "someone has to take the pic" so I offered to be the photographer for them. They were shocked that someone offered to do that for them on a Saturday night. Not sure why shocked really? They were so happy and excited with the finished pics (4) I took for them they offered to pay me. "NO WAY KNOWN TO MAN KIND" was my reply. I did get a hug from mum though. Bugga, opportunity for a chat another time let slip through the lens of a camera. Must be getting too old for the Saturday night pick up line.

Just a week later I was sitting in my car down at the Strand enjoying some nice lunch and noticed a couple of teenage boys walking past when one dropped to the ground. I rushed over and he was in a lot of pain so asked if I could help in some way, I rang an Ambulance then his mum, his dad turned up just as the Ambos arrived as he was just around the corner. Off the boy went in the Ambulance with dad following with the other boy.

A couple of days later I got a phone call from the dad thanking me for my help and he informed me his son had a burst Appendix and was now ok in Hospital. It was a case of the young bloke didn't want his mate to know he was in pain cos "its not cool dad". Yep, it must be good these days to be tuff. Oh well! He's ok now and that's what matters.

Now you might remember I have been doing the sums etc regarding the weights of the Caravan and Colorado, well, I have now finished going through all the cupboards, drawers and outside storage areas on the van and have now got the van UNDER the plated ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass) which is the max legal weight of the van fully loaded. Not under a lot but under enough, 25kg. The Collie was already under in all areas but will look at that even further, soon. I decided to go that way and not increase the ATM as the van would still be the same van, same chassis etc. Not only that but as well even, the Manufacturer is out of business now.  It was a lot cheaper, in fact $0 to just clear things out that were not needed instead of finding an Engineer etc to get the ATM changed. It's surprising what you don't actually need, what you thought you did. I am still living the same and doing things the same way, not missing anything I got rid of.

The reason I have been doing this exercise is the authorities are starting to clamp down on weights and measures regarding caravans and tow vehicles etc, real hard now, with heavy fines and people finding themselves stranded on the side of the road or being forced to get their rigs towed away at their expense and thats not cheap. It's surprising how easy it is to end up with an overweight van or tug, very easy. Some even know they are way over weight and don't care but then others like I was are surprised, as they are, as I, very conscious of the weights allowed and their actuals.  

Its all not as bad as it might sound with the authorities as we speak as they have been setting up in roadside stops etc allowing you to stop and get things checked out for free without getting fined but that will change very soon and reports of people getting caught out are starting to be heard about already as mentioned above. I wasn't lucky enough to come across any free checks but was able to use the Townsville Council Weigh Bridge for free at the local dump point so a big thankyou to Townsville Council. These days it's not just a case of hooking up your van or similar to the family car and heading of on the trip of a life time, nope, heaps to make sure are safe and legal now. Grey and black water is another big issue but I won't go there, nope no way, not me.

You might remember I mentioned the Hornets above arriving early in the month, well, a few called in again heading south to Sydney to exercise 'Talisman Sabre' this time. They left as quick as they arrived too. No not only those exciting beasts but two strange looking aircraft with helicopter like props above ends of the wings, yep, it was a plane but I had never seen anything like them. Due to not walking around all the time with a camera around my neck looking like an overseas tourist I missed a pic opportunity. I decided to do some research and found that they are American Military Planes, MV-22 Ospreys in fact. Very interesting aircraft indeed. Also attending 'Talisman Sabre'. I have included a borrowed pic I found on the internet, thankyou Mr Google.

That's enough for now so I will bring this June update of my Townsville visit to a halt....................... I heard that!

So, until next time, keep safe out there everyone.

Some night pics of the Strand for something a little different this month.

As usual I enjoyed reading your travel blog, the photos are great, a bit hard to beat for when your memories fade.

Just the other day I put a photo up on PTP, I had changed the file name so could use it and you can guess, I really had know idea where it was, kept thinging it was Nth Qld somewhere as that worked in the dates on the file. Nope it was Dangar Falls Dorrigo NSW, I had walked down to the bottom of the falls by myself and Marilyn my other memory bank and younger didn't have clue because she had only seen it from the top.

A big prize for the person who reminded me.

Just much sure to keep them in date order, the rest comes easy. OK.

Once again thank you for sharing.

another good read Doug,thanks.if ya get the time maybe you could tell us what you threw out to reduce weight,in "i digress"page, rather than clog up travel blog ,just a thought....cheers ray

Oh gee!

Another quiet month for you Doug. Great read and photos again.