Tuesday 12^th June - Townsville

Afew things we forgot about yesterday. See yesterdays entry for photos.

Along some sections of the beach they are doing reclamtion work with the world's biggest sand bags. I have never seen bags this big and they are filled and carried by machinery.

The walkway/cycleway along the beach goes for about 3 km which Fay has mentioned. But wherever the way goes near the roots of a Moreton Bay Fig (we think they are) they have built a bridge over them. There must be about 20 of them in the 3km distance.

Also along the beach, wherever you could access the beach, there were stations where you were warned about the stingers in the water - some quite dangerous. At these places, they had a 2litre plastic bottle full of vinegar, which is what you apply when stung.The next step is CPR, Ambulance etc!

Yesterday during our walk along the Strand (no not Monopoly), the road along the water, we stopped at a cafe to have a quaffe. Whilst there we could see a little float plan, The Red Baron) doing his joy flights around the bay. When it was time for the flight to finish he would do a barrel roll, stall the plane and come sweeping over the water loosing height and head directly for the cafe we were in. He would then turn along the beach and land on the water about 50meteres from the shore. I guess it was the calmest piece of water he could find, but it did look like he was doing a beatup on the cafe - perhaps he owns the place!

On to Tuesday and our trip to Magnetic Island. .We caught the bus from outside the park – seniors half price. We had to change buses once we got to town but we waited less than 2 minutes. The ferry was a twenty minute trip (it’s only 8KM to Magnetic ). The senior’s fare was half price at $14.50 – It does pay to be a little old after all.

Immediately on landing we caught another hop-on hop-off bus which took us to Horseshoe Bay on the other side of the island. The bay was magnificent and took the opportunity to walk along the beach to one end and back.We psaddled in the water it was wonderful. The whole island is the result of volcanic action and the rocks[tors] are ENORMOUS. If you want to remove a piece of rock you need to blast it as drill make no impression. The bus drivers were very friendly and helpful. The island is consideresd to be a suburb of Townsville. and plenty of holiday accomodation. Backpackers are what keep the island going as Aussies only visit on long weekends.  A shame really as it is absolutely beautiful and accessible.  Once again there was NO surf as the bays around here are protected by the other islands. The bay had its own lifesaver, on duty and the stinger nets. There are quite a few islands here.

Hoped on the bus again and went to Nelly Bay which was where the ferry let us off in the first place. It was time for fish and chips and we eventually found the take away and then we found the beach and had lunch by the water. We did another walk around the place and headed back to catch the bus once again and went to Picnic Bay which is on the Western side of the island. Once again it was very sheltered from the waves and the wind.

Real estate can be had here from $250,000 up to 1 million if you want a waterfront place. From what one of the locals said, the backpackers are basically carrying the island at the moment. I’m sure there are deals to be had.

On the bus once again and back to catch the ferry back to Townsville. The bus connections this time round were not quite as successful. There was a half hour wait for both connections. It proved to be a long but wonderful  day.

Wednesday 13^th June _ Townsville

We had planned to do a bit more sight seeing but it developed into a lazy day. We went to one of the numerous malls around here and had a quaffee. We then split up and walked around the mall. A little bit of shopping in Woolies and Fay had a hair cut. We also made a big purchase of a TV aerial as we are a bit sick of no TV, and some classic ABC TV series, I Claudius and Rumpole, just in case the TV aerial didn’t work. We had a bit of trouble finding a place to park at the mall and we had to do it the aircraft way and do a circuit. We ended up parking between Maccas and the servo, but at least we got a park.We found a vinnies on the way home and have stocked up on reading material.

I am happy to say that the aerial works a treat and we will not have to venture into dangerous territory tonight to watch the State of Origin. Well it’s working at the moment – and we will not be moving Fanda just to make sure.
The tide is out across the road and many sandbanks are revealed.