Magnetic Island & Townsville
06 June 2011
Janice
Here we are, sitting at Townsville, having had a relatively lazy day – SO nice. We arrived a few days ago and have been running around madly.
We needed to get to a chandlery to buy a new tiller monitor (so our Fleming self steering will work with our downwind sailing). It was out of town so we hiked, then headed for a chart place another few kilometres away that was closed, then back into town to visit museums. All in all we figure we walked about 20 kms that day, then the next day was busy too, what with going to church (and catching up with a priest friend who just happened to be taking the service that day – Ian & Jill McAllister for those who know), washing, getting more supplies (and having to haul them by hand back to the boat). Shhh - don’t tell him I said it but Ken looked like a pack horse!
After Bowen we did a 24 hour sail up to Magnetic Island where we discovered the beautiful Horseshoe Bay. It was great – no marina fees, just good access to the fish & chip shop (luxury), pub, ice cream shop (double yum for those with no freezer) and beachfront shower (albeit cold). It was AWFUL because the anchor just seemed to be stuck and we couldn’t get away. We did get to have a really good look at Magnetic Island…. and again did some serious walking (and my muscles still haven’t recovered) before hopping across to Townsville.
Tomorrow we head off for a longish sail up to Orpheus Island which is part of the Palm group (Palm Island being a well known Aboriginal settlement). Apparently Palm Island is quite beautiful, but sadly the racial issues and crime rate means it is not recommended. Ken has been shocked by the really sad state of some of the Aboriginals here in Townsville – I’ve seen it before in Alice Springs and it is shocking to see – decimated people. Of course that is the minority, with many more Aboriginal people just getting on with their lives.
All in all the difficulty of the regional areas is becoming apparent to us. Townsville seems to be doing it tough, Magnetic Island (supposedly a tourist mecca) is really running down, and seems to be dying.frjfdjfdjkdagvvv 006E (Cedric has been helping).
So, early night for us with a long sail tomorrow (because our planned stopover spot is in a military area – and being used by them for a few days).