DANCING FEATHER

 

CRUISE SHIPS IN GHOST FLEET

 Bali bound cruise ship in Townsville last  week.   Another    ship  due  in  this week .  Little or  no coverage in  local  media  .  It  is claimed online  that  passengers on  such vessels  spend  up  to  $500 while  in  town.  However, the observation  has been made that if a ship is in the early stage of an overseas voyage a  passenger  is  less  likely  to  spend up  big  in  the  Townsville  terminal  where   vendors   offer  a   range  of  items  and  services , including  souvenirs , art  work.  Shipping   Reporter  photo .  

THE RAINS CAME

 Belatedly, the   heavy   fall  of   rain normally   indicated  by  the blooming of    Rain Orchids  on  Magnetic  Island  happened.  It  bucketed down   over  three days  and  nights  , this blog's gauge  recording   180mm .  On  Friday  morning it   rained    heavily  on  the  island ,  but  not  so in Townsville .   The  following  view  of  the   cloud  covered    island   was  taken  from  the   ferry .    

CLOUD BUILD UP TOWNSVILLE

 

Shipping Reporter photos.

ANOTHER CASINO UNDER A CLOUD AND HELICOPTER CHECKING OVERHEAD

Townsville . Wellington photograph . 

 

TOWARDS WATERFRONT GENDER EQUALITY

 It's tough , dangerous , dirty  work  down  on  the docks  , where  many fenders  and  buoys , like the above  ones ,  are employed  to  cushion  the  blows , knocks, bumps  and  surging  tides .  Now, however, it  seems  the Townsville   boyos  have   new  company- in  skirts , no  doubt  inspired  by   feisty  Tugboat  Annie .  

Shipping  Reporter Scoop .

SAINT'S BLESSED FLOWERBOX

 Feral  vegetation  still growing  atop portrait of  Australia's  Catholic saint, Mary MacKillop, looking down  on  busy Ross River Road , in vegetating  Townsville . Shipping Reporter  exclusive  photo taken  with  marine  telescope.