Townsville

That burning off is playing havoc with my washing and my sanity. We had to hang 4 loads in the caravan which was no easy feat given the space limitations. Not happy Jan. So again we hightailed it out of the park as soon as we could.  Sadly we weren't organised in time and it was too late to catch the ferry across to Magnetic Island before lunch. Disappointed and after a minor meltdown, it was back to the "guide" for more information on what to do in Townsville.  "Riverways" is an amazing complex set alongside the Ross River that snakes through the northern side of the city.  You can cycle, walk, run, whatever for about 20km and it takes you past houses, roads, shops, bars, etc.  So we did the bottom end and it was a good 2 hour walk with the kids on the scooters and Zachie in the pram. Great exercise but boy was it hot. On the way back we stopped at these stunning pools and playground in beautiful shady parklands which are all provided free by the council. There were lifeguards on duty, beautiful amenities, cafes, an amphitheatre, museum. All clean, modern and immaculately kept.  Just unbelievable. About 20 turtles were frolicking in the water just below us on the boardwalk.  The kids were in heaven.  Lunch beckoned and we headed back to the foreshore (The Strand) in town for a BBQ and play in the waterpark as promised.  I know I said it yesterday, but I need to say it again, this place is fabulous.  What is it with Queensland and foreshores.  They certainly know how to build awesome tourist attractions. The walk along the strand is just divine and there's so much going on with people, families, teenagers, oldies, all walking, hanging out, eating, "living". At one end of the stand is the waterpark and the other end, a man made massive rock pool that is 4 times the size of an Olympic pool with a playground, BBQs, seating, cafes, flying fox and loads of grass to perch and people watch.  The pool is saltwater, and the water is taken straight from the sea and pumped out and replaced every three hours.  And its stinger free, which is why I guess they have these facilities because you cant swim in the ocean for a good part of the year. So we threw some bangers on the barbie, the kids had a play in the waterpark and it was a lovely afternoon. There's an incredible hill in the middle of the city, right near the strand, so thought we'd have a look on the way home.  Its only a few metres short of being classified a mountain.  You can drive, run or walk up it, and I was astounded at how many people were doing exactly that.  Its a 2.9km steep climb (and I mean steep) and it was as busy with walkers as I have seen Centennial Park on a weekend.  Incredible.  We drove of course, and the view was beautiful.  Home via a different road this time which took us via the racecourse.  Apparently the Townsville Cup was on today and the ladies were seriously frocked up, some plastered and not looking so glamorous anymore, which I noted to Rick. His response, "I bet you were one the best looking chicks at the races in your younger days, at the beginning of the day (how nice, I thought)....but probably the WORST looking by the end of the day".  Hmmh! That's a big call given the crowds they pull to the Canberra Races. People everywhere were desperate to get home. It was chaos and the shoes were long gone for many including a group of ladies on the highway that Rick tooted like a big devo as we burned past them.  Go Rick. It so reminded me of Paul Burley tooting us girls as he lapped the main street of Griffith in my 'youth'.  Dinner was a disaster.  Roast pork in the webber with all the goodies, but we desecrated the meat, dropped the gravy, Scarlett's plate and some of the dishes over the floor of the caravan.  Grease, grease and more grease, and not enough bench space.  I officially had my first case of cabin fever.  Lots of yelling and a couple of tears later I was glad my evening of hell was over.