Day 50 – Tuesday 7 September 2021 –? Km

This morning we decide to walk to the forts built during World War 2 on the mountains overlooking the approaches to Townsville Harbour. This is a 2km walk mostly uphill over some roads then lots of steps. The scenery is amazing with massive granite boulders of all shapes & sizes jumbled together with fig trees clinging to them. The trees are a mix of yellow flowering kapok, gums, hoop pines & figs clinging on to life amongst the jumble of rocks. We come across two small koalas nestled asleep in some trees, undisturbed by our camera clicking.  We continuing upwards.

The two gun emplacements have great views over the sea with the range-finder site even better views over this beautiful island. Now the going gets steep & we walk up many rough stone steps to the base of the concrete command post. Now a steep ladder to get to the top of the command post and more sensational views over this beautiful island. It is very windy and we get buffeted.  A sailing boat heading to Townsville is making heavy going of it against the big seas. Tereza has done very well walking all this way & climbing the ladders with her dodgy knees.

Next is the Communications Post on a knoll about 100 metres away, more ladders & even more amazing views. Even more wind on the open top platform. Tereza gets a phone call from her surgeon here with some very good news regarding the tests Tereza had before we left home. It is such a relief.  We decided to have morning tea at this place & enjoy the beautiful view. The 2km walk back down is a lot easier & we stop to see the koalas again, they are still asleep in the same place.

Lunch is again at SOS (Stuffed on Seafood), the waitress even remembers what we ordered yesterday, amazing.  The seafood is just as good, though the wind seems that it is just as strong on sea level. On the way back to Horseshoe Beach we took a drive through some of the back streets & stop to have a quick look at the beach on the northern end of Horseshoe Bay. The moored boats in the distance dance in the wind. Back to the apartment & our weary legs are crying out for a rest. We only wander out to the front to watch the boats bobbing & later the beautiful sun set. We watched TV, something we haven’t done for at least 50 days.

Tereza cooks a great meal & we eat looking out at the dancing fairy lights on all the moored boats, it is very pretty. Another great day.