It started out as a gentle stroll

Yesterday I thought I would take a stroll up the hill aways.  We walked up Hillside Crescent the other morning and the view was magnificent, so I thought I would go back one afternoon and get some photos. 

There was an intriguing sign pointing to the "Goat Track" so I thought it would be nice to walk up it a little way and see how hard it was.  Couldn't be too hard right?  Wrong as you will see.

I started taking photos from just above roof level as I felt I could stop at any time and go back down.  The track was quite good with cement and proper steps even though some of them were fairly big steps.

This photo was taken looking towards Townsville South along another track which I did not use.

So I ventured a little higher and got this lovely shot looking out towards the port.

The track didn't look too hard, so I ventured higher and found I could see the motel. It is along that street running up the right side of the photo, just about where the white lines stop. That is the brow of a small hill and the entrance to the motel is on the left, just over the brow.  We don't hesitate when driving in the gate in case there is a car coming and we can't see it.

I kept on going up. There were lots of people about and I took it slowly. I had to as I was getting really puffed. I loved this view because I can see Queens Park and the road I walk down to get to the Strand. That is the one wherre I lost and found the tag to the motel key.

At last I reached a spot where I could rest.  But it was very windy. Nearly blew my hat off.

Will I keep going?  I may as well or I will never know what the rest of the track is like.  It gets harder though.  Do I regret my decision? How will I get down?

I press onward and upward.  Lots of people pass me going up or coming down. It seems to be a very popular keep fit track.  At last I reach the top and have a nice drink of cool water.  I can see to the north, but I didn't go round and take a photo as the sun was quite low in the sky and was shining straight into the lens.  I got this shot of the bay stretching up past the airport just to prove I really was up there. It felt so good to have made it.

Now for coming down.

My legs started to shake.

Still a long way to go!

That was the last photo I took. Obviously I made it down and strangely enough I slept very well last night.

I hope you meet your challenges today head on.

Keep calm and carry on!