It took us right up until we hit the first traffic jam in Airlie Beach, to wish we were back in our car free slice of heaven. Ah well … we duly collected our rental car, a nice little MG which seems to drive smoothly enough, and fits into the smallest parking spaces.  The drive to Townsville could only be described as tedious. Not because of the scenery, which is typical northern Queensland cane country, but because the people in charge of Fixing Things seem hell bent on repairing the entire length of the Bruce Highway, all at once.  I wish I owned a bollard manufacturing company.  We had the sun in our eyes too, as we were heading more west than north.

It was a relief to pull up in our quiet suburban street, outside our freshly painted Queenslander.  We are on the ground floor which is nice and cool.  We have plenty of space and comfort; it will be a good base for the next few days. BUT – the kitchen light is very dim.  What is it with Queensland and illumination? At least we have good lighting in the bedroom. And – thank goodness – a washing machine.

Today was mostly for catching up on various chores, and doing The Big Shop.  But we did take some time out to visit The Palmetum, one of Townsville’s several Botanical Gardens. It was a lovely oasis, and contained a number of plants with colours, shapes and textures we’d never seen.  Our favourites were the avenue of soft blue-grey palms; the lagoon with its water lilies coming into bloom; and the cactuses and succulents; none of which looked like we should touch them, for fear of being jabbed, stabbed – or possibly devoured (I’m sure one of them was a triffid).

The Palmetum also contains a sobering memorial to the victims of the Blackhawk helicopter crash, when two of them crashed into each other during a night training exercise over the nearby ranges.  Sixteen men lost their lives, in an incident that should never have happened.

Townsville is of course an important part of Australia’s military history.  We will explore more on that tomorrow.