AUGUST! Yep August, all done and dusted. "BELIEVE IT OR NOT" I believe it though.
Now the month started out much the same as July ended weather wise. Low to high teens over night and high 20's during the day, in fact a few days nearly reached 30c. The month continued with great weather with temps I actually felt the middle of the month the weather was warmer than the weather gods said. Humidity? Yep, it's creeping up, at night too. Time to think about heading south me thinks.
The month also started with a Sculpture Festival down at the Strand here in Townsville, some very interesting sculptures for sure, ranging from ceramic through to beautiful sand sculptures. There are some very talented people around and I tell you that for free.
I took myself off to the movies on the 12th to see 'Last Cab To Darwin', one word describes this all Aussie actors, Aussie movie....EXCELLENT. Michael Caton was as usual great and his character was very believable as were the other two main characters, two Aboriginal actors.
This month I have been busy with specialist and various medical appointments to find out why my blood pressure was so high, buggered if I know and as it turned out, buggered if the medical people know either. At least I know nothing major is wrong with a few vital organs in the innards. I don't think a gizzard or bone was left unturned. It was discovered I have a slight problem with the ticker so need to keep an eye on that from now on. The joys of getting older I spose. At least I can still drive.
While I was sort of grounded with all the medical stuff I didn't get to Cairns and beyond as it would have been rushed so have put that on the back burner until next in the Tropics. Instead I used to time to fit curtains inside the van and thanks to my daughter who did all the sewing and me the measuring and fitting the van now looks real 'spiffy' (scientific name for great). It now looks more, well, homely, I spose. Well it is my home now. The only thing left is to get a 'spiffy' mattress for my bed. I did try while here in Townsville but was let down by the supplier, bugga.
So apart from medical stuff not a lot done this month really but I have decided to leave Townsville and the Itinerary has been set in place with my arrival down on the VIC south coast mid September so I can be firmly anchored for school holidays and not on the roads. Next time you hear from me I will be in Mexico somewhere.
Due to a slight error in judgment I need to go down the coast as I sold something and not thinking at the time, someone from the Sunshine Coast area bought and paid in full. The error in judgment or more like a slip in concentration was, I said I will deliver it instead of around $100 to post it. Silly me. Oh well, I will just have to stay in Byron Bay for a few days on the way down, what a shame :) Sort of a punishment.
Monday just gone I put the Collie in for it's 30,000km service and get a rear lock on the Canopy looked at yet again, you might remember I had all Canopy locks replaced a few days after my arrival here in the Tropics.
Well, I can't get the key in one and the other one next to it is difficult to unlock. So off I trotted thursday to speak with Holden. Now it wasn't a pretty sight there for a while as the girl on Service reception wasn't all that interested and actually said no, no way can we do it that day, well, that was the red rag at the bull and I tell you that for free.
Moving right along and after speaking with the service manager in a calm manner I was car less again for the day so a plan was needed.
I got a lift back to my van by their courtesy bus that also returned for me later in the day so decided to wash the van and for the last time, cut the front and back grass for my daughter. I had to keep an eye on the time due to the GN working hours. Started washing van 10.00am and 27c temp already (yep, I am crazy) and with a few short breaks to allow for the 1 hour break, job done. Next to get the grass cut by knock off time of 12.00pm. Phew! Just in time, 11.50am the lawn mower was back in the shed.
There where a couple of moments I didn't think it was all going to get finished due to me not being 100% still but things don't do themselves. I am still learning to slow down sometimes. One buggered and very wet (perspiration) GN and I also tell you that for free. Van looks good and lawns as always after a cut look good too. Cold shower time.
Back to the weather for a bit. Well it continued dry and getting hot, well for me anyway and the humidity started to really get up there to what I have trouble with. During this week just gone the temps nudged 30c with around 80%+ humidity and low 20's over night. Yep, time to leave for sure.
I have had another good stay here in Townsville, enjoying the tropical winter weather. I have met great people yet again, some new some I already know. I have had many chats with my eldest daughter and baby sat the grandkids at times for whatever reason and told my 7 year old I love baby sitting her, POPPY, I AM NOT A BABY!!!!!! I love stirring her. I better stop as next year she might be bigger than me and she will smack me for sure. I have managed to get a few things done to the van, Collie serviced and had a major service myself.
Thankyou Townsville!
Enough for now so until the next update, hoo roo.
DOUG
Some pics below as usual.
All down the left and bottom right.......The Sculpture Festival.
Top right...............................................Oops, one of those trees (thong)
-- Edited by Dougwe on Friday 28th of August 2015 08:27:47 AM
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Doug what a great read you should put you hand to travel guides for aus i enjoyed the article keep up the good work dont hurry south to bloody cold at present rain 24 hrs s..t stay warm all the best
great read Doug. We left the area (Glendon Station near the Burdekin Dam) last Monday after 3 mths and it was warming up so we too are headed south. Currently at OMA water hole Isisford for a few more days. Unfortunately have to be near Warnambool by the end of Sept. We hear from our Lakes Entrance family that its been a very cold wet winter that's not over yet. Brrrrrrrrr
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Jenny and Barry
2009 Roma Elegance / 2013 Colorado. Permanent travellers 2011-2015 now just travel for 4-6 mths
Doug, re your mattress , Yeoeleven got one from Makin' Mattresses, on the Gold Coast, reasonably priced he said and quick. Get in touch with him, he is still in Qld, travelling with Miss Patty.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
Jules....I will sort mattress out down in VIC as I will have more time.
BigB.....I have run out of warranty now, they reckon it's well of the 30. Bugga. I just got back from being out and as I came up the the daughters house I thought, gee, those lawns look good
KFC......I will give the twins a cuddle for sure mate, but for me
Krusty...It is slow for me mate
Dishlicker....Thankyou for the kind words, I spose you want to cuddle the twins too
Villatran......Mmmm, better not shorten that quilla, I sent you a PM.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Great read again. Hope BP is behaving better. Dishlicker is right, in the Riverina we are normally a lot warmer by now but feels like middle of winter some days. Lots of rain and had hail last night.
You forgot my 65th Birthday on August the 1st ( and all the horses too) Doug. Sounds like you're having fun, which is what life's all about! Happy, safe travels.
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Cheers Desert Dweller.
Our land abounds in Natures gifts. Of beauty rich and rare.
Dougwe , we purchased a Db mattress with cut corners from Camec at Acacia Ridge this week.
With bolster it wad only $279. Senior discount brought it down to $261.
Very comfy it is too
Loved reading your tale. Two weeks to head off in our camper. Cannot wait to get out of vict, so sick of the rain and cold weather. Would you know, we bought a colarado with factory fitted nudge bar, one have bought a winch and wondered if we have to buy a new bull bar or is it strong enough to fit the winch under neath. Thought we might take to Holden to see their opinion
