Townsville was our home for many years, so it is always nice to get back and visit old friends. Despite its many beautifications (parks and walkways along the Strand, riverside walks and parks, new lakeside suburbs, etc.) since we lived here, it has retained its country town atmosphere. I think its sprawling, spacious layout and its tropical climate are a cause of this.

We have had a wonderful apartment for the week down near the Strand. Most mornings Reg's son, Murray collected me for an early morning trek up Castle Hill. The view was always breath-taking (or was that the exercise up such a steep incline?) and the sense of achievement exhilarating. The downward march was always easier on the lungs, but not on the legs.

Castle Hill dominates the city. Its red granite mass is 292 metres high - just eight metres short of being a mountain. A great many exercisers climb it each day in their dedication to keeping fit and it is difficult to find a car park at its base in the early hours of the morning.

On the mornings I didn't do the hill, I walked the lovely waterfront along the Strand, joining the throngs of others out to greet the morning. Jezzine Barracks at Kissing Point has undergone a 40 million dollar redevelopment and just opened to the public with walks and signage and art displays to commemorate the indigenous and military history of the site. From here, another view of Townsville and the water is worthy of greeting the day.

The weather has been very warm and muggy, but with so much recent rain the city and surrounds are beautifully green. The parks are lush and provide cool escapes from the hot sun.

As well as catching up with old friends it has been great being able to spend so much time with Murray and Michael. We came up especially for Murray's 50th birthday party. Being a mad, keen fisherman, the theme was naturally a fishing one. How good is it to dress up for a party in thongs and old clothes? Brilliant!

It was also great to be able to see Michael again before he head off to start work in PNG. Heady days. I hope he gets to keep his.

An added bonus has been catching up with Murray's son and his wife and child. They too, happened to be visiting Townsville so Reg got to meet his first great-grandchild for the first time. Little Lucy is a heart melter and very adept at turning all adults around her ga-ga. There is nothing more lovely than a baby's laugh and she is delightfully bubbly.

We are now feeling very relaxed and in tune with the slower pace of life up here. We have had our fill of the hill, enjoyed lingering in some lovely restaurants, been lucky in renewing old friendships and most of all, happy to have had time with family. We are a little sad to be leaving, but always looking forward to what is around the next corner.