A SHORT NOTICE TOWNSVILLE RENDEZVOUS (5 JULY 2016)

So, with Alva Beach explored and included on the 'return visit' list, we had almost reached the end of the northern migration for this year. I mentioned previously that we had 'places to go and people to see'.....we have gone to the places, now it's time for the people.

Our very good SA friends Julie and Chris Kuchenmeister, who we first met at the Adelaide Test Match cricket many years ago, and with whom we have several other interests in common, were travelling the country in the opposite direction to us. We had been in touch from time to time and eventually determined that, with a bit of good will on both sides, our orbits could intersect in Townsville, but only for twenty-four hours.

This plan suited us well for  several reasons. Apart from the fact that we were very keen to catch up with the 'Kutchies', our wine cellar was in dire need of a significant boost in stocks before we headed up to Kurrimine Beach. Townsville hosts the last Dan Murphy's this side of Cairns....we have gotten to know it well over the past four years! And the hop from Alva Beach to Townsville.......just a tad over 100 kms....this was a good plan. (sorry...this para will just not justify right!)

Once back into Ayr and out onto the Bruce Highway yet again, we were presented with the wonderful spectacle of dense, low lying fog at the base of the distant mountains of the Great Dividing Range, mountains which had now been our constant travelling companion for many, many kilometres.








We never tire of the constantly changing cloud formations which twist and boil over the ridges, fed by the moisture from the Coral Sea being dragged onshore by the south-easterly trades of this time of the year.





But this was 'old hat' territory, so no more photos, well, not until the craggy peak of Townsville's Castle Rock heralded our arrival in this major centre of southern Tropical North Queensland. (You may recall that whilst travelling south on on this stretch of highway last September we had to negotiate the smoke hazard of a large bushfire...we were interested to note that the entire area has been considerably cleaned up!)


You may have also noted that I have used the term 'Tropical North Queensland' for the first time (as opposed to Far North Queensland). A pretty active debate is currently raging in this part of the world at the moment. The tourism gurus claim that the term Far North Queensland implies that the region is too distant to encourage popular tourist appeal, whereas by replacing the word 'far' with 'tropical', all of sudden the map will change and the kilometres will somehow magically disappear before all who may be contemplating a trip to the world of winter warmth. 

I have only one comment to make about all this, a direct quote from that highly talented but flaky tennis champion of yesteryear, John McEnroe, who was want to frequently scream at the central chair umpire...."you can't be serious"! Surely any who can afford this trip could not possibly be so dumb as to be swayed one way or the other by the proposed change......or could they?  Let's face it, there is even a current active political debate centred on the proposal to split the State into two, South and North Queensland. I do sometimes wonder if there is an orchestrated competition between QLD and WA for the 'only in America' prize!

But let's move on. Despite all the eccentricities of many of the folk of FNQ, we love the place as is obvious by our continual return visits. 



The Kutchies had preceded us into Townsville and had chosen to stay at the Magnetic Gateway Holiday Park which is conveniently situated on the southern side of this large provincial city. Notwithstanding the navigational challenges presented by yet another major alteration to the Bruce Highway on this side of town, we were soon set up on a huge grassed site immediately next to our friends.


Now let the games begin....literally! After effusive greetings and an exchange of travel and other gossip, and our return from the essential sortie to Dan's, we were asked the question, "Do you play Yahtzee?" "Well, yes" was my hesitant reply, which I quickly embellished by explaining that the last time I had chanced my arm with this dice game had been in June 1972 in a small seaside holiday town on the west coast of Sweden (now that's another and long story!)




Liz had never challenged the gods of chance in this manner, but despite our lack of any or current expertise, we took little persuasion to settle in for what tuned out to be an afternoon of real fun and frivolity. But, of course, first things first....let's get the top of the red bubbles whilst the rules are explained. 








And then it was down to business. You could tell Liz was serious....she even donned her glasses! Despite our best efforts, we were cleaned up....I maintain the claim that we were just being polite guests! In reality, the game was just a good excuse for much frivolity and noise. 


Not only were we provided with an afternoon of entertainment, the redoubtable 'Jooles' had asked an even more important question than determining our penchant for Yahtzee....."would you be interested in a lamb roast for dinner"?  What a silly question! Common courtesy and 'camp rules' demanded that we supplied sweets. Fortunately we were well stocked with frozen berries and ice-cream, courtesy of our significant combined freezer space. Dinner plans were agreed and in place.






And it did not disappoint.

This was just the occasion to break out one of my treasured Rutherglen 'stickies'. With Max on guard duty we yarned on well into the night in the still warmth of a balmy FNQ evening.





Meeting old and dear friends on the road like this, more or less 'on spec', is a real travelling highlight. Liz and I are very comfortable in our own company, and we continue to revel in all the new sights and experiences our nomadic lifestyle brings, but there is always something really special about a day such as we had in Townsville this year with the Kutchies. 

And it was about to continue. Our next port of call is Mission Beach, or to be more precise, Wongaling Beach, and a week with more good friends. The party had only just begun!