Some Warmth in the Winter Weather.

Last weekend, while Jeffie was exploring the Mornington Peninsula, I was up in Townsville, Queensland attending a V8 Race.  The thought behind me scheduling a trip to this race was that it's the middle of the winter in Australia, and I was pretty sure that I would need some sunshine right about now...and Queensland is where you go if you need sunshine.

Well, this is what the weather looked like when I checked early in the week:

It's supposed to be sunny in Townsville all the time...

So, I had to keep my fingers crossed that it would all work out and we'd have sunshine...

Arriving on Friday night, the weather was warm, but cloudy.  Saturday at the race was again, warm and cloudy, with a pretty good chance of rain.  While it wasn't sunny, at least it was warm!

I've been on so many pit tours at this point, I could probably give them.

The location of our suite was pretty good - at the end of pit lane on the
front straight.

Wait, is that blue sky and the SUN?!

The track is a road course, and getting to it means that you are walking
through neighborhoods...my guess is that the locals are tired of the race
fans coming into their yards.  This house decided to warn potential
unwelcome guests with a simple warning, "DOG."

Sunday morning, we decided to head to see some local Townsville sights before heading over to the track.  The Strand is their beachfront area where they have sea baths, life guard training, and beach.

Sea baths in Townsville

Stingers are a danger, even in the sea baths.

Rocky cliffs.

After visiting the Strand, we headed to Castle Hill, which is a mini-mountain in the middle of the coastal town.  One of the locals suggested that we should walk the 2.4km up the hill, but thankfully we decided to drive...it was a windy road up a very steep mini-mountain, but the views once we got to the top were awesome!

Just in case you forgot where you were.

In honor of Captain Robert Towns, after whom
Townsville is named.

Another tribute for community service.

View from Castle Hill.  The island to the left is Magnetic Island.
Maggie Island for the locals.

 All in all, a good weekend.  Not a great race finish, but at least I got some warmth back in my bones...