November 27 I think

We have been here in Townsville for over a week waiting for northerlie winds.  We have not been idle, however, prepping and painting Hitchiker's interior, in the berth areas and the heads. It is a beautiful blue in the heads with a lighter blue, almost white in the berth areas.  We got new carpet in Cairns, blue, and the cockpit paintjob we did a few months ago is holding out well.  So, a bit of a facelift.  Still have work to do, it never ends, but we are very pleased with our efforts over the past week. 

Townsville is the jumping off place for Magnetic Island, but the town itself is not very touristy.  Not very many backpacker accomodations in town.  David put up notices in the notice boards of a few and we have several interested kids who had time to spend waiting for us to get the northerlies.  Two German guys, Marcus and Felix, and a German girl, Anke, have been to the boat for a look and are eager to go.  Also a call from Jacob and Suze, Australians, who get back today from Magnetic.  The weather forecast looks marginal tomorrow, but better on Monday, so we hope to leave then.

When we were in Townsville many years ago and I went to church, we met Paul and Jenny and have seen them on occasion when we are passing through.  They are coming out to the boat for dinner tomorrow night.  Paul works at James Cook University in the geology section, I think.  Anyhow, they have always been real nice and fun to be with.  We have not really socialized much, due to being too tired after working hard all day.  Our favorite friends, Maureen and Barry, on "Spirit of the Kalahari" (Barry is from South Africa, can you tell?) usually are here because Maureen's folks live here and this is where she grew up.  But, alas, they have moved on to Airlie and with move again south when we get the northerlies, so we may miss them.  I go visit her mom in a nursing home near where we have the boat every few days.  Her sister Zita, is 79 and never married and plays the violin at old folks homes and various venues in town.  She was lamenting yesterday that now that it is Christmas, she has to play Jingle Bells all the time and she hates it!!  She goes to see Frances at 4 pm every day and I can catch her there.  She took me grocery shopping one day and will take me out to Big W and K Mart to look for stuff for my new bathrooms.

Anyhow, next I will be writing from Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays.  Now that most of the work is done we are eager to leave!!  My tan is fading.  I need to be out on the water.  I have books waiting to be read.  More later.