UPDATE June 24, 2013

billeeeeeee · Guru

UPDATE June 24, 2013

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Bugger he's still around I just heard someone up in the Dress Circle say. You can't help bad luck can you.

Well, this last week has been very hectic indeed, this retirement and grey nomad thing is really hard work and I tell you that for free.

I decided to take myself off to the moving pictures last Tuesday and saw 'After Earth', you know the one with Will Smith and his Son Jaden, not bad, one of those science fiction type movies with lots of action and special effects but I don't mind those as they keep you on your toes and awake. I think my hero flies down from Planet Krypton later this week so that will be another visit to the cinema.

Now after the movie and getting a PM from a GN the night before I rang 'Bowlerbear' Chris and ended up picking her up from her hiding place as it was literally just around the corner from where I was at the time and gave her the guided tour of Townsville, well some anyway, then we ended up at the 'Strand' chatting for a couple hours, gee I just don't know where time goes sometimes. Good afternoon in good company, thanks Chris.

You might remember in my last update I was heading overseas well, I did and left Thursday, destination, Magnetic Island. Gee an Island, I never thought that would happen. 'Bill 12' Bill, now come on what did you think his name was, Harry :) lives on Maggi as the locals call it so I spent some of the day getting, not giving, a guided tour and it was good too, thanks Bill.

The weather gods were kind to us and the boat trip was good, a bit choppy but nothing to be a bother, sea sickness pills were not required on the day so that was good. The thing I noticed was 'Maggi' is extremely hilly and rocky, heaps of Backpackers and most people seem to stay over for however long takes their fancy. I was talking to a couple around the same age as myself and they reckon day trips are a waist of money and time, you must stay at least two full days to get the full feel for the Island. I think I agree after the time I spent there.If you are into hilly walks and in some places I mean hilly, then this place if for you.

I got a surprise when paying though, expecting $32.00 return but when I asked about Seniors discount it only cost $16.00 return, no complaints about that. The vehicle ferry is a different matter, to put the Prado on would have been $170.00 return, phew, not worth it, well maybe it would if staying for a couple of days.

The weather gods have been giving us all here in down town Townsville a mixed bag of goodies, sun, warmth, clouds, coolish or warmish at night but not much if any rain. That's my report on the weather anyway, now if you speak to the local natives here they say its cold and they are already getting and in for a long cold winter, mmmmmm.

Remember that tea I was waiting on to be delivered, well it arrived mid week so I am now enjoying a real good brew, for anyone interested it is 'White Tea with Ginger and Pear', yummo.

I have included some pic's of Townsville for those that may have not been here yet. I will include pic's of 'Maggie' next time.

Ok then, that's it for this week,

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Tour master extraordinaire!!!!!! That's our Dougwe!! And as a tour operator, you get to go on what we call "famils" (familiarisations) to places nearby where you are operating - good fun!!!!

Where's the photos of Magii????????

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I thought that was enough pics for this post Jules and I need to take Maggi pics of camera and into Laptop yet, I did mention they would be in the next update, sorry. Besides, I can't do too much at a time Jules, have to keep something for tomorrow.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

I know what you mean - we are so busy (doing not much) we run out of time in a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happywanderer · The Master

Great report once again Doug.
Beats cold and wet Forbes anyday.

bowlerbear · Senior Member

I thoroughly the tour of Townsville that Doug gave me. I am still here but will probably move on this week to areas north.

GaryKelly · Guru

Thanks for the update and the pics, Doug. Townsville is a great spot - I was there 24 years ago and it seems like yesterday. I didn't get to Maggi but I met a bloke who lives there. Bill knows him - used to take him fishing as a kid. I did it the easy way back then - flew up and back (to Sydney). Next time I'll take the rig and spend more time there.

dazren · Guru

smile Thanks Dougie boy, enjoyed the read , Townsville looks fantastic, i have never been there before, but it is on my list for sure ?

I think wombat also enjoyed reading ''SOME'' of your report, he would have enjoyed it ALL, but he does not understand any words that are more than 3 letters long ?? biggrin biggrin

buffy61 · Senior Member

Great pics...thanks Doug!!
Cant wait to get up that way....5 weeks and counting!!! :)

Duh · Guru

Glad you are having a ball Doug, you are certainly meeting a lot of GN's in your travels smile

I saw "After Earth" too but was a little disappointed, won't say too much, everyone sees movies differently.

Saw the shorts of World War Z too, I think they stole the robot idea from Avatar, not sure I want to see that either....

Beth54 · Guru

Thanks for the great report Doug. I've been through Townsville a couple of times but haven't spent enough time there to really look around. I'll have to rectify that next time I drive through.

The Strand looks very similar to the one in Cairns,,can't remember what it's called.

bill12 · Guru

We have Sand on our beach at The Strand,Townsville, and Cairns esplanade has picturesque mudflats. I must admit I am a bit Biased. Bill

Beth54 · Guru

bill12 wrote:
We have Sand on our beach at The Strand,Townsville, and Cairns esplanade has picturesque mudflats. I must admit I am a bit Biased. Bill

That's true. It's only picturesque at high tide. wink

gypsy rover · Senior Member

Glad to hear you eventually made it over to Maggi Doug and caught up with Bill. That is something I plan to do when I get back. I would love to move back over there, but the ferry fares to the mainland are a killer when some members of the family still have to go to work. Sounds like there are a lot of GN's in the area at the moment and you seem to be managing to organise lots of meet ups. I am meeting up with Anton (Loki) here in Perth on Wednesday. Looking forward to being able to put a face to the name.

Cheers!

Chris

valnrob · Guru

Photos are great Dougwe, Rob and I have gone down to Lake Elphinstone. Enjoying it very much. Days warm nights cooler. Lovely place.

Cheers Val.

Duh · Guru

bill12 wrote:
We have Sand on our beach at The Strand,Townsville, and Cairns esplanade has picturesque mudflats. I must admit I am a bit Biased. Bill

Hmmmm......I seem to remember them draining the swimming pool on the beachfront at Townsville to dig the mud out when I was over there.....or am I getting that mixed up with Cairns? It was at the northern end of the Esplanade. Do they still have the tip water buckets for the kids there to get under????

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Back in the early 70's I remember a bloke stood on a stone-fish in that pool! don't remember any water-buckets though Duh. I'll bet its a lot nicer nowadays.

Duh · Guru

Gerty Dancer wrote:
Back in the early 70's I remember a bloke stood on a stone-fish in that pool! don't remember any water-buckets though Duh. I'll bet its a lot nicer nowadays.

Mrs just told me it was Townsville Gerty, apparently they have to dig the mud out every so often off the bottom. Stone fish is not good. I think at low tide you could see the mud banks as well off the beach.

This was in 2000, the Esplanade had been done up (very nicely too) with unisex toilets and a tiled area level with the ground with buckets suspended overhead with water fill into them, when they reached a certain point they tipped over spilling water on the kids below, they absolutely loved it.

There was a line up for the toilets and I remember a young army bloke in front of us in the line insisting we go before him, must have thought we needed to go urgently, or perhaps the grey hair, but a gentleman all the same....

Dougwe · Chief one feather

That's the kids water park Duh and yes it's still there. Gigantic big bucket fills with water and when full tilts over to wet anyone under it, little kids and big kids, it doesn't seem to mind how little or big you are. Looks good fun though. I would love to get a pic of it in action but I don't think it will happen as a grown man on his own taking a pic of a water bucket with kids around and under it. My grandkids are frightened of it so I can't even get my daughter to take the pic.

All of the 'Strand' is a credit to the Townsville Council, it's a great place. I love walking the length of it and back to the car. I think it's about 3km long so you get a 6km walk or run. There is even two security people riding bikes up and down all day as well, so safe too. There is also a small police station about midway.

As far as the rock pool goes, yes it's the northern end but looks like it's lined now and if I remember correctly it was done up only a couple of years ago. I have been flying to Townsville 4 times a year for 10 years now but this time I have driven up, much better idea.

Duh · Guru

Duh wrote:
Glad you are having a ball Doug, you are certainly meeting a lot of GN's in your travels
I saw "After Earth" too but was a little disappointed, won't say too much, everyone sees movies differently.
Saw the shorts of World War Z too, I think they stole the robot idea from Avatar, not sure I want to see that either....

Oooppps.......That wasn't World War Z I was thinking of it was Pacific Rim, looked at bit over the top.

Funny how you related movies to places you visit during your travels, we saw Moulin Rouge in Palmerston, NT, and Pearl Harbour in Cairns, and when we see re-runs of these on TV reminds us of where we first saw them. There are others too. In the very hot weather a couple of hours in airconditioned comfort give some welcome relief.... smile .

-- Edited by Duh on Tuesday 25th of June 2013 09:06:12 PM

Beth54 · Guru

There's a solution to not getting that photo Doug. Get your daughter to take a photo of you under the bucket!

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I'm loosing my mind enough without it being water logged as well Beth. I would also be a bit wet under the ears too.

Duh · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
That's the kids water park Duh and yes it's still there. Gigantic big bucket fills with water and when full tilts over to wet anyone under it, little kids and big kids, it doesn't seem to mind how little or big you are. Looks good fun though. I would love to get a pic of it in action but I don't think it will happen as a grown man on his own taking a pic of a water bucket with kids around and under it. My grandkids are frightened of it so I can't even get my daughter to take the pic.

All of the 'Strand' is a credit to the Townsville Council, it's a great place. I love walking the length of it and back to the car. I think it's about 3km long so you get a 6km walk or run. There is even two security people riding bikes up and down all day as well, so safe too. There is also a small police station about midway.

As far as the rock pool goes, yes it's the northern end but looks like it's lined now and if I remember correctly it was done up only a couple of years ago. I have been flying to Townsville 4 times a year for 10 years now but this time I have driven up, much better idea.

Thanks for the clarification Doug, and yes it is a real credit to Townsville and very people friendly place. They have a similar bucket water playground in Hyde Park, North Perth in WA, but it has only been there in recent years. That esplanade was great to say the least smile

Beth54 · Guru

Duh wrote:

Funny how you related movies to places you visit during your travels, we saw Moulin Rouge in Palmerston, NT, and Pearl Harbour in Cairns, and when we see re-runs of these on TV reminds us of where we first saw them. There are others too. In the very hot weather a couple of hours in airconditioned comfort give some welcome relief.....

-- Edited by Duh on Tuesday 25th of June 2013 09:06:12 PM

The Man from Snowy River is one of those to me Vic. We saw it at the small drive-in at Warrego NT when we lived there in the early 80's. The horse in the paddock next door kept 'answering' the horses on screen.

Duh · Guru

That would have been funny with the horses Beth, I often wonder what inside dogs and cats make of others they see on the TV screen.

Esperance in WA has a nice cinema in the main street (west end) saw Zero Dark Thirty (hunt for Osama Bin Laden) there, good movie.

BohemianGypsy · Guru

Hey Doug,

It looks like lovely weather up there for you by your pics! I'm glad you are getting out and having a wonderful time as well, you need that. The weather down here in Inverell is in the minuses and it is so damn cold lol but I love it.

My sister and her partner are coming down this weekend and we will both take our vans out to the dam for a few days and it will be even colder out there on the water but the sites are powered so we can have our air cons going, also there are huge fire pits all over that we can pull our chairs up to during the day if we want to. Will do a spot of fishing out there even though I hate fresh water fish.

I will respond to your email later on tonight, sorry for the delay Doug we only got back from Sydney last weekend after two weeks down there.

Michelle