G'day! I see ya have tuned in to check out my goings on so welcome to my July update, sit back and read away. OH! Ya can get a drink of some sort first if ya want.

I'll start with the weather. We had nice weather to start winter in July and in tropical Townsville (Yeh I know, winter starts in June but this is my July update). 8c to 20c over nights but mostly around the early teens and mid to high 20c during the days, yep, nice. A couple of humid days crept in as well. Not a lot of rain but a little did come in around 5, 6 and 7 and that just happened to be school holidays and the V8 supercars weekend. It didn't cause any problems really so all good. That said, there was a couple of minor mishaps on the race track though.

The month started rather quietly compared to last month but I'm not complaining at all. I went to see a couple of more movies and enjoyed those. I also got in a couple of meet ups with fellow GNs, one couple Brian and Cheryl had finally managed to get away from the Mornington Peninsula down south of Melbourne after a few false starts. As it turned out the last time I saw both of them was the same time last year after I finished the big winter house sit in my old stomping ground around Wonthaggi. I left there and set up camp along side Brian and Cheryl for two weeks until I started to head to other places. As always it was great to see both of them again. It was also good to see Graham and Linda again, we often cross paths as we move around. I also, for the first time met up with a GN I had never met before and it was finally good to meet Joe who was staying with his brother in Townsville for a week or so. Thanks for making contact and taking the time to meet up Joe. I'm sure we will cross paths again in the playground.

Later in the month something else took place that I hadn't done for some time and cant actually remember the last time. I know it was way back in a previous life though. I went to see a live show here in Townsville, yep, I love live shows and live theatre so headed off to see Jesus Christ Superstar. It wasn't in a church so the roof was safe :) It was actually at the Townsville Entertainment Centre. I had seen the original version way back in 1972, in Melbourne, mmm, lucky I even remember that far back. In fact, I saw it twice then, because I loved it so much. That was my first live show experience and got the bug.

So, what did I think about the 2019 Townsville version I hear you ask?

Well, after getting my ticket and later reading some publicity information and seeing a few publicity photos I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it at all to be honest. Back in 1972 the cast had period costumes and Jesus looked like we expect Jesus to look, with long hair etc and a massive production with all the bells and whistles available those days and a big-name cast. This Townsville production was much smaller without the bells and whistles and the cast were dressed in street cloths from this time in life, although mostly black and a bit punky. As said, the cast were all in black cloths but Jesus came out in light pale coloured jeans and long white top and stood out. So, a lot different to the rest of the cast. The music was the same and a smaller band did an excellent job.

Ok then, what did I think, well, great is what. Even though I went with a near negative attitude in the end toward this production it changed as soon as the first song started. I forgot the street clothes and really enjoyed the performance. Jesus and Mary had powerful voices and were both good choices for the two very important parts. Donald Trump even made an appearance and sang a song and that was with humour (Don't try and walk across the swimming pool though like Donald said). The original had the same song but different character. Well done cast, crew and Producers.

Take note Entertainment Centre..DON'T put the smoke machine next to audience seats!

As I was sitting there enjoying the show and it progressed toward the end, I started to think how in the world will they handle the Crucifixion scene in such a modern setting? My mind was put at rest as I saw a large scaffold arrangement shaped like a cross rise up high from all the stage setting and props etc. Jesus was then attached to that scaffold cross and risen even higher with only those pale coloured and torn jeans, no shirt and bloodied body after the earlier whipping. The only thing that I picked up on was that the sound effect as the nails were being hammered in was out of cinq but hey, I'm being very picky aren't I. With the great music accompanying that scene my mind was put at rest. They did a fantastic version and the end rolled in. WOW!    

Another thing that I ended up going to with my daughter and two grandkids was the new movie The Lion King. Well I am in the playground. I had read some negative critic reports but bugga them. This was IMO a great modern version. The same as the first but with modern techniques. The animals and scenery were all hard to believe they were not real. Again, IMO I thought it was better than the original and I enjoyed the kids movie. Mmmm, kids Movie? Nah! Big kids too. One thing though, I did miss Whoopee Goldberg as the Hyena boss. 

The month finished off with another trip to the wrestling, including the all in, no holds barred and no rules Championship match. I also enjoyed that.

I must add to all this that Townsville have started to build a new Stadium to replace the Stadium that the Cowboys NRL team use out of town to the north slightly. I went and had a peak earlier in the month and found it is coming along nicely and Elton John has been booked for February 2020 to officially open it. WOW! It looks great and when finished the Cowboys will move in and call it home. I heard on the news later in the month a competition has been called to name the stadium but IMO I reckon the highest bidder for sponsorship will have it named after them. Still, it looks great so far and will be an exciting time early next year for sure and I tell you that for free.

As you can read so far with my stay in the Tropics, I am doing things a lot different this year and not much sightseeing being done so far, well I have been coming up this way for many moons now so a change is as good as a holiday. I am still enjoying my time here though and I also tell you that for free. Gee it's good to do what you want when you want and not worry about w..k, mmm, still cant say that word sorry.

That all said it brings this update to a close so keep safe on the roads and out there everyone.

DOUG