Red Elephants in Townsville

We  have just spent a wonderful two days with some Canberra friends in Townsville.  We thank you for your hospitality and your laughter.

So we did not get to Townsville until school pick up time.  This worked perfectly as the kids went to pick up their friends from school while Pete and I parked Willow in the street and did a bit of tree surgery while we where at it.  Our first afternoon was spent with the boys going to soccer training and me and the girls at home with the girls playing Evil Knievel on the skateboards.  Seriously I was in fear of their lives.

HEY hey the gangs all here

Our friends have a great deck out the back with a leafy green backyard.  We enjoyed a beaut barbie on the deck prepared and cooked by Andrew, and lucky for us Paula arrived home just in time.

Barbie car

The Fort

Our next day was touch and go as rain was forecast and there was a big green blob making its way across the state on the synoptic chart.  We decided to be like the girls and be Evil Knievel's and take the chance on going to Magnetic Island.  So glad we did, we had a great day.  Mr Red Elephants stepped down from driving his 4wd and drove what we called a barbie car and it was pink too.  We drove around an explored the island at its many beaches.  On one side of the island it was blowing a gale but around the other side with the big mountains to protect it it was nice and still.  Being Red Elephants  we did the Forts Walk.  From memory i think it was 4.5 k  and of course all up mountains except for the return of course.  We saw to Koala's tucked up high in the trees.  Just how do they hang when the tree is blowing around and they are fast asleep?  The Forts was a WW2 base and look out.  So great views out over the ocean and back to Townsville.  After this walk we where a "little" hot and bothered so we returned to Horseshoe beach for a dip and paddle before returning our Barbie car and hopping on the ferry back Townsville.

View from inside the Fort

We found our way back to our friends and Andrew had pizzas on the go in the barbie and cold drinks ready to go.

We sleep well last night, I don't know if it had something to do with the Forts walk or the sound of rain on the roof.

Sleepy Koala