The Road to Rocky (Rockhampton)

The road from 1770 to Rockhampton was not what I expected.  Actually it reminded me of home,  there was dry grassy paddocks with mountain ranges in the background.  For those back home it was like driving from Canberra to Cooma the only difference was the outside air temp was 27'c.  I must say I am a bit sad I am not getting to wear my beanies this winter.  As I sit here and type I have one very red shoulder, me thinks it will be very sore tomorrow.

Rocky - Rockhampton again was not what I expected.  I thought it would be tropical and all shiny and coastal.  But  it is was country and dusty and MAN and BEEF territory.  Although we come across a gang of Where's Wally characters in the local McDonalds including the Wizard and Wanda.

Coming into Rockhampton we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn.

The big news is we had a night out on the town.  Yes we lived it up at the Great Western Hotel, being MAN and BEEF territory we enjoyed the most delicious steak in a big MANS size serve.  While enjoying our steak we sat in a bull riding arena.  We did not sit in the ring as that would be plane silly and cranky bulls might stomp on our steak.  So we sat at trestle tables on plastic chairs with gravel under out feet.  Which was kinda handy when James spilt his drink we just wiped it strait onto the floor.  OK  back to the bull riding,  it was training night the first bull rider was a girl aged 3 who rode a fresian cow. We all clapped.  Then they ranged in age from 7 to 13 to 16 and beyond.  It was a great experience  they where dressed cowboy like with their cowboy shirts, wrangler jeans that where just a little dirty, cowboy boots with spurs and of course cowboy hats.  After the fresian we got proper bulls and boy where some of them cranky, one even eyed Grace off.  Maybe it didn't appreciate the fact we where eating steak ringside, did I tell you how good the steak was.  Normally I don't like big hunks of meat but you know when in Rome or MAN and BEEF territory one must eat steak.  The training went for about 1.5 hours and was all free to watch.

Thats me in the pink bottom rt corner

We are staying at Emu Park.    I knew it was going to be good within 5 minutes of staying our grey nomad neighbour said she would put the kettle on and make me a cuppa.  Then Grace and James came screaming back from the toilet.  "MUM, this is the worst toilet ever, there are swooping birds in the toilet and a poisonous green frog."   Its quiet nice actually , I like it. The caravan park would be circa 1960's  but we have a big grassy park at our backdoor.  A big tree with a rope to swing on,   and then theres the beach.  We spent the afternoon at the beach, the water was a little cool for me but I got wet up to my knees.  Its a long beach with rocks one end.  One thing I find interesting is that the rock pools up here seem to be devoid of all life.  Mr Red Elephant managed to knock James Red Elephants front tooth out while playing footy.  James is know missing is 2 top front teeth.  James also had his first haircut at a hairdressers today.  Normally I do it,but forgot to pack the clippers.

This afternoon we participated  in Happy Hour, imagine 40 Grey Nomads sitting in their camp chairs in a circle, menfolk one side, ladies the other all enjoying a bevy and a natter.  Pete called it the circle of knowledge I called it the ring of happiness.