Blogs from Townsville, Queensland, Australia, Oceania - page 8

About halfway between Brisbane and Cairns, Townsville seems to have the ideal climate, allthough we were told that it does get very humid in the summer. The Great Barrier Reef is on its doorstep, while inland there are old goldmining towns like Charters Towers, Further inland too is Mount Isa - one of the biggest current mining towns and enjoying a boom at the moment. Rob was able to join us for this part of the trip, and it was tremendous - although almost unreal - to see him walk into the airport arrivals hall after 8+ months away, looking fit, well and just the same as ever. Townsville itself has a tremendous sense of space and a slower, tropical , feel to it. There was a great view from our hotel across to Magnetic Island, ... read more

It’s been a little bit quieter here at the Robson house this past week, but that all stops once the weekend hits! I relaxed and recovered from the Chillagoe trip during the week and wrote my 3 part blog, finished 2 books (and I am halfway through my third), posted a lot of my pictures to facebook (I have a few more albums to go, I have to do it when nobody is home since it slows the internet connection way down), and I can now try and get caught up with adding pictures to my past blogs. Then maybe I should be all caught up, but the thing is I really do like doing it all ☺ Friday night was my first real night out at a pub with Kieri Darrigan and her friends. I ... read more

Another beautiful 80 degree day here in Townsville.  Heather says I am looking a bit tan! Which is quite a shocker since I never tan.  As much as I love the sun and the heat that comes with it, I can honestly say I have never been so happy to see clouds in my life.  The sun in the Tropics is just brutal and almost everyone wears a hat and/or sits under an umbrella if a pinch of shade cannot be found.   Today we are headed to the Billabong! From what the kids are telling me between squeals of excitement is that we all can get a chance to hold a Koala, Wombat (they say he is reallllll heavy :), and a Crocodile! You bet that I packed my camera (and one of these days ... read more

Today was wonderful, for one I slept until 6 a.m, then I took the phone and walked outside in a tank top and shorts and called my Mom and the weather was perfect. Heather opens up all of the doors in the house to let the fresh air in first thing in the morning and it is quite something to just walk in and out of the house and on the veranda and not have to open any doors. Since Simon had to work Heather, the kids, and I hung out for most of the day. So we started off the day by going to one of Townsville's shopping centers. Now Australia wants everyone to stay in one place to shop so they put their grocery stores in their Mall. So you can buy your groceries ... read more

I landed in Townsville at 6 p.m,  my body really thought it was 6 a.m with the time change  but I didn't feel too bad!  Heather, Simon, and their two adorable kids Max and Emily all met me at the airport! I have not seen Heather and Simon since I was 12 back before they had children.  I couldn't stop thanking them for this wonderful opportunity and to let me know what I could do for them.  Heather and the kids had to leave since both kids were selected to play in a concert that night, and once I got my bags Simon and I were off to the concert as well.   Max, 8, was playing in his first concert and he had a solo! He plays the cello and I had a great time ... read more