Saturday 31st July & Sunday 1st August were spent at Sarina. This town appears to be totally dependant on the local sugar industry and tourism. BUT, it does have a Woolworths, and it doesn't have an ice-cream shop. As we drove towards Sarina beach during the warm sunny afternoon, we were puzzled by the low cloud in the distance (left). "Surely it must be a farmer burning his sugar cane field" I said. When we arrived at the beachfront (right), we were surprised to see thick "sea fog" drifting rapidly in from the sea - a first for me. It was so thick that it blocked out the sun and appeared as though we were under heavy rain clouds.

Frank: I can still access the local repeater that we have been using but it seems to have lost it's IRLP abilities. There is another that has Echolink ability (VK4RSA) but the only Echolink node number that I tried in your part of the world is 63666 (VK2RBM) - and it was busy. I'll try again now and then until Monday night. 

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F.Y.I. We have travelled 7,144 klms including side trips and exploring. We have used 1389 litres of diesel fuel which has cost $1858.

Monday 2nd to Wednesday 4th were spent at Carmila Beach in a free camping area just 30 meters from the waters edge (at high tide). At low tide the water is two to three klms away. We found that three to four meters of the foreshore was washed away by the cyclone early this year. The sand on the beach is finer and softer this year. There are still many treacherous deep sand traps to watch out for when picking a site for your caravan (left). Of course, with a Landcruiser it is never a problem until the motor-homes and fifth wheelers get bogged - they look for somebody with a Landcruiser to pull them out (this is not an exaggeration). I towed out one motor-home and one fifth wheeler on the first day here. Connie walks to the far end of the beach (see picture right) and back at least once every day.

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Wednesday 4th August ... Carmila Beach ... Oh Oh .. where the bloody hell am I?       I went walking with Connie and we took different paths on
the way back ... now... did I come down that way ? ... or was it this way ?  ... they all look the same!

I keep coming to dead ends! ... I think I'll yell for help!
... there's tire tracks and footprints, so help must come soon ...
... ... I know, keep walking east until I reach the sea again

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Wednesday 5th August we arrived at Rockhampton (again, this time on the southbound trip). We have booked in to the Riverside Caravan Park until next Thursday morning. The view of the Fitzroy River (left) is from the window of our van.

The weather is showing signs of cooling down, in fact Friday night the temperature in Rockhampton was reported as 8 degrees and our diesel heater cut in and out all night. The days are still OK and generally get to about 24.

A new star was born today ... - ... - ... (lower right), Connie joined the "botchie" team (I just guessed on the spelling). She did all right too, ask any of the male team!

The rocks that are visible in the Fitzroy River at low tide, inspired the name of the town (lower left).

It rained continuously throughout Tuesday night and cleared up nicely on Wednesday morning. The 800 sulphur crested Galahs scream at each other for an hour each evening (and drop their messages from the tree tops during the night). On our last night in Rocky, I got my revenge - I purchased a laser light from JayCar Electronics and gave them H E L L for an hour. 

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Thursday 12th we arrived at Calliope (left), a spacious grassy riverside "freebie" with no water supply or power, but with clean toilets and a general store. The free camping area is huge and is set up on both sides of the Calliope River. It is perfect for us with our own power and our own water tanks (320 liters). The river is flowing well this year after the rain two days ago (right).

Everybody has the impression that Connie drinks only water and water. Well, take a look at the pictures (left and right) ... and don't tell me that's a sober person ... !

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Saturday 14th ... we arrived at Bundaberg and went straight to our favorite caravan park, Glenlodge Caravan Village - what a nice place (left and right). It is nice to be greeted by happy people with a smile.  This park is so well kept that it is hard to consider looking anywhere else. I guess we have stayed here three or four times in recent years.

Sunday 15th ... A tour of the town included the Bundaberg Rum distillery and six bottles of Bundaberg Rum Royal Liqueur (purchased, not drunk). The price has increased this year to $115 for a pack of three (700ml of 20% alcohol), and it's still worth it.

Monday 16th ... we took a tour of Bundaberg Port and Bargara. The port (right) seems to have as many boats up on the slips as it has in the water.
The view from "The Hummock" (below right) always demands a picture or two.

We even got a "hello" smile from the "dragon" (left) who wanders the park - I think he's the same fellow who was trying to raid a birds nest beside our caravan last year.

One regular stop over is at "The Berries" near Bargara. We usually have lunch here (consisting of pancakes, cream, strawberries, syrup etc) but this year I unfortunately ordered a pie with chips and salad - and the pancakes to follow of course. The result was not good. I got a refund for the cold pie and overcooked chips. The magpies (left) were not as fussy, they ate anything left lying around.

To be continued in "Part 8"

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