We have been up north for quite some time since being whisked away by the Spirit of Queensland. I quite liked the 12 hour train journey, with seats like an aeroplane set up - spacious and reclining with trays and individual screens with a great selection of movies. The food was tasty and reasonably priced, as were the drinks. The one negative I believe is that it leaves Brisbane late afternoon and you miss a lot of beautiful scenery in the night hours. Our friend, neighbour and weekly walking companion, Helen travelled with us and spent a week in Proserpine before continuing further north to her brother. This was a great opportunity to re-explore and show off the old home town and surroundings. We enjoyed the sunshine, and some great coffee and food at Airlie Beach. We also got a few walks in, including the Great Whitsunday Walk, which I had completed for the first time last year. Completing the Great Whitsunday Walk this year was much easier for me, though still a challenging 30k mountain climbing trek. The first 17 km is especially challenging with many long, steep slippery sections. After Repulse Creek the going was gentler. We met some rangers on the trail and a few other hikers, a big snake and plenty of wild pigs who have dug up the area a great deal. (Click on the photos to enlarge.) I enjoyed doing this trek even more than last year. Perhaps this year I am fitter. Knowing the track and what lies ahead was also helpful. Maybe next year I will do it again beginning at the Brandy Creek end. For a more detailed look at this trek you can click onto May 2015 in the Archives column to the right. A highlight of our trip north was attending the wedding of my nephew Todd and the lovely Larissa. It was a beautiful setting overlooking the waters of the Whitsundays. A trip to Townsville for a few days provided a change of scenery. The north is lovely this time of year. Murray and I climbed Castle Hill a few mornings. Last year this nearly killed me. This year I loved it. After Townsville we had a few days in Mackay thanks to mum spending a week in hospital there, so my early morning walks took me on new trails of discovery. Mum is back on her feet now and we have returned home. It has been lovely catching up with family and old friends and exploring more of the north.
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