The Kronikles of Tony and Ruth
Day 16 - Saturday 15 July 2006
Brad is chef du jour: bacon eggs and toast are devoured with gusto. It is warm and the sun is peeping through the clouds.
Purchase of coffee at a roadside café is attempted during today’s tour of tropical Townsville. It takes so long that we join the queue demanding the money back. The two boys behind the counter are apologetic and there is a software crash in the cash register – the bloody thing refuses to open. Well, I’ve never seen this done, the take to it with a small sledgehammer and soon there’s money and bits of the cash draw on the floor. Thus the cash back ideal is honoured. I never thought I’d do this but I buy a coffee at McDonalds and am surprised by the good quality.
Through fog and overcast skies we wind up Mt Stewart to find it’s antennae poking into the clouds. The view is dramatic and spectacular. Low clouds hide mountaintops, there’s rain to the left, Townville spread out below and Magnetic Island blocks the horizon.
Attending the opening of a new community centre we meet the Mayor of Thuringowa. Premier Beatty is in town and this Liberal Mayor is not invited at the Labour lunch nosh up. I’m learning that this city is a twin city: Townsville and Thuringowa. Lunch is a sausage in bread as we wander around the usual wind blown stands. A jester is entertaining a family of small girls who are giggling away and are so cute I just have to take a photo.
On the way back to the Clarke’s we buy up on grog, fish and some goodies. Brad and Nick go out on secret men’s business so Ruth and I relax by the pool.
We enjoy a lip smacking dinner of fish and prawns. Good cook is Brad. All is washed down with (too much?) Sauvignon Blanc.
To bed – what time?
 At the Clarke pool Us and Brad-Townsville |
 Laughing girls at a swim pool opening-Townsville |
