The Byrnes Come to Visit

8th to 11th July, 2021
We were very excited for our first visitors for the 2021 cruising season to arrive. I have known Julie since we flat-shared in Cairns when we were in our early 20s – yes, that long ago. Obviously being an old flatmate Julie knew how little I enjoyed housework so I was determined the boat would be ship-shape. It was pretty humid but we scrubbed and scrubbed for hours, well maybe not that long.

Julie and Peter arrived just after lunch. We were so thankful to see that Peter wasn’t wearing his Wee Jimmy wig or talking with a Scottish accent. We got the car unpacked and used it for some last-minute provisioning to ensure we had enough food and a trip to the chandlery before dropping the car off in the ferry car park. It’s a good spot, as it’s pretty cheap, secure and easy walking distance to the marina.

Townsville was pretty lively with the Supercars in town, the Townsville festival and music coming from the casino parklands. Being old we decided to stay on the boat as it looked

like it might rain. There was plenty to eat as we had fully reprovisioned and our guests had brought with them the largest array of snack food we have ever seen. They also bought a lot of wine including a one litre bottle of wine that Peter said is like mother’s milk and he drinks ALL the time.

Unfortunately, there were complaints about the turn-down service, the lack of good quality chocolates on the pillow and threats of a bad Trip Adviser review.

The next morning, a little tame parrot flew in from the next yacht. Kiki amused us by hoping around the cabin, sitting on us and eating the jam off our toast. When Kiki landed on Julie’s open hand, we mistakenly described it as a Disney Princess moment. We left the marina for Magnetic Island after the owners finally called Kiki back. On the way there we all sang Happy Birthday to Georgie who was having her 28th birthday.

Nearing Horseshoe Bay Peter started acting a little “Fletcher Christian” talking about his superior sailing skills and in-depth knowledge of the local waters. Fortunately, Julie gently reminded him

that he had sunk his own sailing vessel and of the subsequent sea rescue and finally John was able to retake the helm.

On arrival we had lunch at Sandi’s Seafood, some post-prandial drinks at the Marlin Bar and sunset drinks on the poop deck. In all it was a very relaxing day, good company, funny stories and amusing repartee apart from Julie constantly asking us – do you think I look more like Snow White or Ariel?

Our guests being keen bush walkers wanted to do the walk at the old Fort (sounds like a climb). The local bus dropped us at the start of the walk and we ripped our masks off as John and I had bought new ones that were too tight.

As everyone knows I don’t like inclines greater than 1% so initially all was good – a well-cared for pathway with an even track, great views

and koalas sleeping in the trees. Not only did the path get steeper but we found out that Peter was one of those people who had to look at everything and to read every sign even going off-track to search for signs he may have missed. He wondered aloud at what this bit of iron was for, where this bit of brick might have come from or what was the role of that pipe.

Seriously though, the Fort is a WW2 remnant overlooking Bowling Green Bay with views of the Palm Island group. The complex was built in 1943 to protect the harbour and town from what was believed to be an imminent Japanese attack. Townsville was the major supply depot for Allied troops in the SE Pacific and a staging post for movement north. The site contains derelict concrete structures with remains of water pipeline, command post, searchlight tower, ammunition store, radar station, signal station, gun sight and living

quarters.

The walk was quite steep towards the end but very interesting and had fabulous views. We ate our packed lunches and walked back to the bus stop; probably only a two-hour return trip.

Peter kept saying how dehydrated he was so we stopped at the Marlin Bar on the way back to rehydrate the poor fellow. Back on the boat we watched the sunset and continued to eat as much of the snacks as we could before we had a large dinner and some more wine from that one-litre bottle.

The following day we cooked a proper full English breakfast to send Julie and Peter on their way. We dropped them on the shore where they caught the local bus to the ferry terminal and took the ferry back

to Townsville.

Little did our guest know but all guests are now judged by the Captain and Crew during their visit and may win one of the many categories on offer. I wonder whether Julie and Peter performed well enough to win a category?

John and I were exhausted and spent a quiet day only going to shore a few times for Tallis’s regular toilet visits.

We planned to spend the next few weeks between Maggie and Townsville as we were expecting more visitors in early August.

Next: Practicing Relaxation