Salutations and G'day yet again and welcome to WINTER. So, another month is done and dusted, grab a coffee or something stronger, sit back, relax and read my May 2017 Update.

It all started leaving the house sit in the Glasshouse Mountains and making my way north with Townsville in my sights, well GPS unit really. I do know the way but I just like to use it in case Uncle Al gets up first and causes his usual disruptions.

I spent the first three days of the month driving to get there and the first night, Sunday was spent at the Gin Gin rest area, just north of the township on the southbound side of the Bruce Hwy. A lovely free camp with a 24hour limit so plenty of time to rest up for the afternoon and night.  It pays to get to these places on highways early as they quickly fill. It has clean toilets but no showers and clean water that I filter if needed for drinking and alls good.

The second day Monday and QLD Labour Day Holiday was spent travelling along the Bruce Hwy through Rockhampton and onto Waverley Creek rest area, 160km north of Rocky and 11km south of the St Lawrence turn off. Again, this spot is on the southbound side of the Bruce Hwy and has room for vans etc to the left and trucks to the right of the entrance, another free camp, nice clean toilets but no showers and again nice clean water but again, I filter if needed for drinking. Now I thought I might see some evidence of Cyclone Debbie as I moved further north but very little, if there was any it has all been cleaned up. That said, There was some evidence at Waverley Creek, the fence along the creek was covered in grass etc and you could see how high the water actually came up and over the rest area, no noticeable damage though so that was good.

The third day, Tuesday was spent still travelling the Bruce Hwy to arrive at Home Hill Comport Stop, about 1.5 hours south of Townsville. This spot is behind the shops alongside the railway line, extremely clean toilets and a shower. It is listed as a free camp but there is actually a donation box at the amenities block, outside wall of ladies toilets. A few trains wiz past day and early night but no problem really as the camping area is between two crossings so trains slow down. There are also three pubs in town on other side of shops but I prefer the middle pub and they have a great reasonably priced meal and cold soft drinks, oh ok then, and stronger stuff. What do I have when there? A couple of lovely cold beers is what. Once again, the only sign of Debbie was just after the Bowen turn off, I noticed a house with a tarp still over the roof area.

Now I heard someone down the back row ask, why did I stop 1.5 hours from my destination of Townsville? Well, I like to arrive in Townsville mid-morning as it is usually quieter in my daughters street and makes it a little easier to reverse van into her driveway. We have to ask the neighbour next door and across the road to keep cars clear of the driveway otherwise there would be no way of getting van in. You know you are in North QLD cos it was HOT. No problems though cos that means its not COLD :)

Wednesday morning arrived and I headed to Townsville, arriving as planned, mid-morning via the local tip to use their Weighbridge and check overall weight of tug and den, I did tug only after lunch. Surprisingly a couple of very minor adjustments in the van and all will be good. Remember that car across the road that needs to be moved well unfortunately it was still slightly in the way but with a wriggle here and a wriggle there I got the van in. Apparently, the older daughter owns that car and is not all that cooperative and she was not home or couldnt be bothered coming out to move it, if she was home and saw me struggling you would think she would come out, oh well, I got in. All set up by lunchtime and ready to enjoy winter in the tropics. I had a great run each day as I leave at first light and at my destination for the day by lunchtime so I don't miss out on a spot. Other happy campers start arriving soon after though and usually heaps by dark.

The first time I went out in the car after my arrival in Townsville felt like I had never left, yet it was 8 months I had actually been away. Really? Yep.

Mid-month saw a change in the weather as the weather gods decided in their wisdom to let us have it. Rain, rain go away. No not really as Townsville really needs water and plenty of it, their dam is down to just under 16% and the place is looking very dry indeed. We got 3 days of rain, some heavy and water everywhere you looked. The good thing was, the dam got it as well, 100ml the first day. It stops you in your tracks though and not much gets done. I went to the shops one of the three days and got soaked just going from and too my car. By the end of the weekend after the rain and due to great run off the Dam was 22%. Mostly though the weather was good all month with warm to hot days, 28-30c and slightly cooler nights, 17-22c so no complaints from me. OH! The humidity, the thing I can't handle was 50-70% most of the time and very Tropical visitor friendly so that was good too.

From my arrival, I spent some time at the local medicine man and getting tests etc done and they came back mostly good. One test needed further investigation and that also was OK in the end, I am still vertical and haven't cashed in my knife and fork yet so that's good.......... I heard that down the back!

May also saw meet ups with fellow Grey Nomads, some new and some I have met before. This is a continuing thing meeting people you have met before as we are all doing the same thing, travelling around the playground, you often cross paths. At least it's not swords.  

Well, that brings my May update to an end and June is underway so until next time,

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

A few pics below as usual.

Gin Gin, QLD Rest Area.

Waverley Creek, QLD Rest Area.

Flood Water evidence at Waverly Creek. Creek is at back of fence.

Home Hill, QLD Rest Area.

The 'Strand' Jetty in Townsville with shipping port in background.

Looking out to Magnetic Island from the 'Strand'.

Going Up in the world and Castle Hill, Townsville.