VOYAGE TO TREASURE ISLAND

In  his relentless search for  oddities, interesting books  and collectables , the  Shipping  Reporter  sailed   into  Australia's  largest Vinnies op shop   at  West End, Townsville, which covers 1900 square metres  of  floor space.  

Not interested in  the wedding  gown  and  smart  male attire section  near the  entrance , our scruffy waterfront roundsman pulled out his camera to  show a small part of  the  huge   contents .  

In the past, the Queen Mother  was spotted   inside   a showcase  along with a copy of  Poor Fellow My Country by Xavier Herbert,  Maori  carvings.  On this trip  there was  evidence , below,   that there were many  collectors of royalty in  the north , Lady Di tucked away,  plus  souvenirs of  overseas  travel  to the South Seas , Britain  and  Asia. 

A  stand out  was  a  display, below,  for a 19ll  Wolseley  car , the firm founded  in 1901  by  Vickers armaments and   Herbert Austin. 

Large carved trunk followed by jam-packed  showcase .

Further  on there is a  large book area , a  collectables section,  an  old sheet music, records and  vinyl   display ,CD and  DVDs , paintings and  prints ,  a  huge  clothing  offering  and  glassware , new  and  used  furniture  . There is a wide  range  of  British, Japanese  and   New  Zealand  china. 

Books the Shipping Reporter   came away with included two about  WWll in New Guinea and   one about the  quest to recover an English pirate ship and its treasure  which sank off  the coast of Cape Cod in a  storm in  1717.  

(Treasure. Vinnies. Pirate.)