21 Days In...

We're now officially in the Tropics, having crossed the Tropic of Capricorn at Rockhampton (or Rocky to Aussies who like to abbreviate).  It's been a nervous trip up from Brisbane as Porky the Landrover is unhappy with its clutch and we've been trying not to change gear too often.  Amazing that you can go long distances in top gear in these parts.  After an unscheduled stop in Bundaberg we made it as far as Gladstone on Saturday night only to find the city was in party mood at the end of a week of yachting celebrations.  And the fair was in town, a nostalgia trip of kamikaze rides and deep fried sausages on sticks.  The restaurant we ate in was heaving with young things looking to party and the queue for food was long.  You get an electronic pager to let you know when your food is ready (large quantities but a bit bland).  Afterwards we wandered down to the harbour to watch the bands – Killer Queen was playing to a large audience.  This morning we called in at Mount Morgan, an old gold mining town very drowsy and run-down now the gold has gone.  The hotel was a great goldrush-type establishment with a gaming room and free teas and coffees.  The road up to Mackay is bordered by sugar cane for hundreds of kilometers.  Now at Sarina, just south of Mackay and a little motel right on the beach.  Tomorrow we spend a few days with the relies before the trip back in Porky to our friend in Brisbane. No more kangaroos spotted, unless you count the dead one on the side of the road.

Be seeing you in a few days.