It has been showering here for the last two weeks and Friday and Saturday were yukky, rainy, cold days. We took the folks to the General Gordon for lunch on Saturday and did some bits at the shopping centre. The arvo was just rug up and vege out weather. Watched a couple good ol classics - Out of Africa and The Green Mile, both tear jerkers. Sunday came and what a beautiful day it was. Another job for my Darl, helping dad and neighbor Rigsy put in a gate on the boundary fence. Mum thinks that's getting a bit too cosy with the neighbors, after 25 years you should be cosy with your neighbors.
While my Darl toiled in the sunshine, I went into town, picked up Maree and did a bit of sightseeing and lunch. This is Mackay harbour, how it has changed over the years. When I left in 1990 this was just a beach as far as the eye could see and a lone surf life saving building would have been to the right of this picture. Now it is a busy marina complex with restaurants, bars, multi storey motel and unit complexes. Further down to the left is now the surf club and a number of private mansions aline the foreshore.
I was keen to see weather my favorite characters (when I was a kid) were still in the parkland behind the marina. They have been repositioned but are still all there. Freddy Flinstone still standing tall by the Old Shoe. It has had a colorful paint job, I remember when I was a kid thinking how high it was to get up on the shoe and climb the rungs (shoelaces). It was a tonne of fun, but now there is signs up saying Do Not Climb on the Monuments, how ridiculous.
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| I can tell the kids still climb up here, good one! |
The Pine Islet Lighthouse was relocated to the Marina in 2002. It was constructed in 1885 on Pine Islet in the Percy Isles some 120 kms ESE of Mackay. The manned lighthouse operated for just on a century to 1985 when as part of the Federal Government's policy for automation and unmanning, the kerosene powered light was extinguished. This lighthouse was the last operational kerosene light in Australia. Mackay is quite a beautiful place, but it is pretty manic with people/traffic these days, due to the increased mining industry.
Though we didn't do too much this trip, some other great spots to visit while in Mackay are Eungella National Park, Eimeo Beach Hotel, Cape Hillsborough and some of the beautiful beaches - Seaforth, Campwin Beach, Bucasia and Sarina beach. Now these artworks on the path between the Pioneer River and the revamped and extended Caneland Shopping centre have created a stir amongst locals, they reckon they are an eye sore and ugly. They are supposed to represent buoys - I say get a grip Mackay people and get with the times. Nothing like a bit of colour to jazz up the landscape.
The end of a great stay with the folks. We're on the road again for the last leg of our journey..... so stay tuned for the last week of the adventures!
Nearly forgot, one last pic of this beautiful carpet snake my Darl found in the old bird aviary when he was pulling it down. He transferred it to the old chook pen down under the mango tree, so he had a new home. Mum you better not venture down there.
It has been showering here for the last two weeks and Friday and Saturday were yukky, rainy, cold days. We took the folks to the General Gordon for lunch on Saturday and did some bits at the shopping centre. The arvo was just rug up and vege out weather. Watched a couple good ol classics - Out of Africa and The Green Mile, both tear jerkers. Sunday came and what a beautiful day it was. Another job for my Darl, helping dad and neighbor Rigsy put in a gate on the boundary fence. Mum thinks that's getting a bit too cosy with the neighbors, after 25 years you should be cosy with your neighbors.
While my Darl toiled in the sunshine, I went into town, picked up Maree and did a bit of sightseeing and lunch. This is Mackay harbour, how it has changed over the years. When I left in 1990 this was just a beach as far as the eye could see and a lone surf life saving building would have been to the right of this picture. Now it is a busy marina complex with restaurants, bars, multi storey motel and unit complexes. Further down to the left is now the surf club and a number of private mansions aline the foreshore.
I was keen to see weather my favorite characters (when I was a kid) were still in the parkland behind the marina. They have been repositioned but are still all there. Freddy Flinstone still standing tall by the Old Shoe. It has had a colorful paint job, I remember when I was a kid thinking how high it was to get up on the shoe and climb the rungs (shoelaces). It was a tonne of fun, but now there is signs up saying Do Not Climb on the Monuments, how ridiculous.
The Pine Islet Lighthouse was relocated to the Marina in 2002. It was constructed in 1885 on Pine Islet in the Percy Isles some 120 kms ESE of Mackay. The manned lighthouse operated for just on a century to 1985 when as part of the Federal Government's policy for automation and unmanning, the kerosene powered light was extinguished. This lighthouse was the last operational kerosene light in Australia. Mackay is quite a beautiful place, but it is pretty manic with people/traffic these days, due to the increased mining industry.
Though we didn't do too much this trip, some other great spots to visit while in Mackay are Eungella National Park, Eimeo Beach Hotel, Cape Hillsborough and some of the beautiful beaches - Seaforth, Campwin Beach, Bucasia and Sarina beach. Now these artworks on the path between the Pioneer River and the revamped and extended Caneland Shopping centre have created a stir amongst locals, they reckon they are an eye sore and ugly. They are supposed to represent buoys - I say get a grip Mackay people and get with the times. Nothing like a bit of colour to jazz up the landscape. 
The end of a great stay with the folks. We're on the road again for the last leg of our journey..... so stay tuned for the last week of the adventures!
Nearly forgot, one last pic of this beautiful carpet snake my Darl found in the old bird aviary when he was pulling it down. He transferred it to the old chook pen down under the mango tree, so he had a new home. Mum you better not venture down there. 
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