A rum dispatch from our Shipping Reporter who limped into Townville's Quayside Terminal Number 10 Wharf when the Holland America Line cruise ship, Volendam, said to be from Santiago, berthed with a cargo of tourists.
It was on a day when the Townsville Bulletin ran a front page story that the city is open for business despite Cyclone Jasper and Cyclone Kirrily . Strangely, it did not mention the cruise ship was due that morning- a sign of being open .
Our waterfront roundsman went to the terminal when many passengers from the ship were returning in buses from various trips.
Out the front of the building they were invited to pat a tame bearded dragon. Some onlookers seemed a bit apprehensive when looking at the critter, as if it could be related to a brown snake.
A sandwich board , below, drew attention to a "majic mist" spray for wonky knees . This could have interested some of the passengers who were on frames and walking sticks , as was our shuffling reporter .