Picnic Bay, Magnetic Island

We are now back in Townsville.  The kids have the washing machine cranking, chilly bins emptied and most of left over foods returned to their rightful places.  They both go back to work tomorrow.

Our day started with pancakes, strawberries and cream on the terrace, yummo!!  Packed up, loaded the car then went for a cruise (car not boat) around some of the bays.  We had a visit from a rock wallaby in out garden below our terrace which was a photo opportunity not to be missed. There is a heap of blips I could have chosen today but went for this seascape, the reason is written below.  

Went to the beach where they were married 5 years ago....what a lovely place that was and bought back many fab memories.  (Their wedding was a weekend affair with the Sunday being my 60th birthday ... More letting down of the hair.  We had such fun.)

I had in my mind what I would blip today, but on arriving at Picnic Bay I found that the jetty was under repair and cordoned off. You can see the workmen and equipment if you look hard enough.... It was badly damaged in a cyclone recently.  Bit disappointed as the underside of the jetty is awesome (you will just have to believe me)....I had photographed it when we came over to help organize their wedding 6 years ago.

So here is second best.....the jetty showing Townsville in the background. It has a dog leg at the end that isn't noticeable in this picture. Love the azure blues of the sea that sort of merges with the sky.

We had a couple of hours to kill before the car ferry departed, spent it sipping refreshments in an outdoor bar overlooking this vista..... *sigh*

A little bit of The jetty history.....

1770 - Captain Cook named this Magnetic Island on his 1st Pacific voyage
1876 - The first jetty @ Picnic Bay was built
1959 - This jetty (blip) was opened .....(679 feet or 207 Metres)
1984 - An estimated 4790 vessels and 250000 - 300,000 people were  using the jetty every year
2001 - New jetty with terminal to cater for all the daily ferry's was built at Nelly Bay 
2010 - a $500,000 refurbishment was completed 
2012 - further damage from cyclone required repairs seen in blip.

Our Maggie Island experience is over, so many highlights to remember
......spending quality time with our kids, and being warm at the same time
......a stunning sunset
......seeing the koala's in the wild
......super smart apartment with "to die for" vista 
......those yummy breakfasts Aidan cooked for us
......swimming in a selection of heated pools
......the list could continue, but won't bore you.

rainie