Tuesday 1st September 2009 - Mission Beach

Hi Everybody,

Here at Mission Beach, which is 230 Klicks (150 Miles) North of Townsville and halfway to Cairns.

Although Mission Beach experienced a major Typhoon (5 years ago) that destroyed many of its Beach side Palm Tree’s, they have recovered sufficiently for me to be able to cast my mind back to what it was, A Tropical Paradise.

Mission Beach is famous for its “Beach”, which is a 12 mile expanse of white sand, fringed with Coconut Palms, the beach strewn with Freshly dropped Coconuts, just across the Bay are a group of Islands (Easily accessible) called “Dunk Islands”.

Yes! Mission Beach has changed in 20+ years, expanding from a collection of houses (A Village) to become a Township, and an expensive one to live in at that.

Took a walk today (Sunday 30th) along the entire Beach, and came across exactly the same place that we had walked one stormy overcast afternoon, those many years ago.

Into the 6th Month of my Oz Adventure, I will be spending two weeks at Mission Beach, with both the Rotary & Lions Clubs organised on behalf of Sightsavers International, and unbelievably, I have found a Lioness’s Club, so I am a Nigel about to enter the Lioness’s Den!

Will also have the chance to show & test NCS’s new awning, plus her new ground sheets, so we both have progressed since leaving Bunbury all those many Klicks ago in kitting her out properly, and I adjusting to my new life style.

You may think that I am totally enamoured with all things Australian no, I am not! I think I am an extremely pragmatic person; it is just that in reflecting the events as they have unfolded, I given it you as it is! In addition, I did state at the beginning it would be with “Warts and All”, fortunately, the warts have been very small.

Just back a step; Townsville was a delight, things to do, places to go and a host of people to meet, just before I left “Tim Thomas” (the carpenter) returned from Hughenden, and we had the opportunity to toast both our friendship and au revoirs, so that was good.

My Campsite neighbours Brett & Carlie have been great sports and company . Extra lessons in Fishing were handy, B.B.Q’s on the Beach and plenty of Tinnies available whenever one felt a little thirst coming on!

Lo and Behold, my good friend Alec Hall (The Fisherman and Prospector) has made contact again, it has lifted my spirits no end, he wishes me to knock on his door as I go south, and I will do just that.

Funnies: I have taken quite a few photo’s of the type of work “Ladies” are involved in here, there are no boundaries or restrictions, Woman do the jobs that we would normally associate Men with, e.g. Dustbin Collection, Major Road Traffic Management (Not School crossing monitors) but controlling major Road Works etc.etc. In fact doing “a’ what comes naturally”, it is shocking!

Got thrown out of the Major Art Gallery in Townsville, some of the Art was superb, so I snapped happily away, until told to hand over my camera and chip, as I was infringing “Copyright”, I refused and therefore was asked to depart “Pronto”, the photo’s were great Folks, one day you will see them!

Have to explain the Thong-Bit, there are two types of Thongs, those that you put on your feet (Flip-Flops), they are the National Foot-ware of choice by at least 90% of Australians. Then there are the Thong-Thongs, you know what Women wear to catch our eyes Lads, they are worn by at least 75% of Women no matter what size of Bottom they have, and aren’t they a turn-on! I have seen more Rumble-Bums than in any other Country that I have visited, ever!

Wildlife: This is Cassowary country a Bird that is a small Emu type with a very large hard Crown, plus with a very bad temper and will attack if they consider they are threatened. Yes! Possums and Kookaburra’s, I also hear that Platypus’s are rife. There are many signs to make you aware that the Croc’ danger persists. I also photographed a Weaver Bird Colony in action, weaving a huge nest just a few tree’s away. Yet again, there are the warning signs about the deadly Stingers in the Sea, it seems that their breeding grounds are but just a few klicks along the Coast and all it needs is for the Sea to warm-up for them to spread themselves out.

Transport & Petrol: Again I should have mentioned in my last Blog the Bus situation in Townsville, for just $A2.50 (£1.25) you can Hop on and Hop off a bus anytime within 2 hours of your ticket purchase, 2 hours will take you to the end of the World! Petrol is now at $A1.20 (£0.60p) per Litre Mike.

What has disappeared very quickly I noticed en-route here, was that people no longer wave, even the Caravaner’s, so Folks I have returned to Civilisation and anti-social behaviour has reared its ugly head, comradeship has gone out of the Window!!

Haircut: Well another haircut time, now up to three, this time is was again a Woman, who ordered me into the chair, then in answer to “What do you want?” I said “Short Please”. She then got out the Clippers/Shears; you know the ones, them that give you a Universal Butch Cut of about ¼ inch!!

When I told her “no way Jose” (her name was actually Elaine) she launched into a tirade of abuse, stating that she had been cutting hair since 7.30am (It was now 9.30am) had not had her cup of tea! Had not read the newspaper! Now I had the audacity to ask her to use a scissors! Boy! Did I get nervous, should I run for it I thought? Before She starts, but it all ended well, but I had a close shave Folks!

Weather: It is now as I enter the Tropical Rain Forest Country, getting very hot (Today 33°) and Humid, so I shall have to ensure that I heed the good advice, given by everyone that one should not stay in the Sun too long. Although I remarked in my last Blog I am now a slight colour of Black, I shall heed the advice.

Keep Well Folks

Nigel J Gauder
Sunday 30th August 2009.