Rockhampton

I don’t think I was dry the whole time I was in Rockhampton.  It was hot and I was sweaty.  Being on the river you think “swimming”.  You could swim in the river… if you were willing to take on the sea snakes, eels and crocs.  Needless to say, I wasn’t willing. 

 

We moored at the Fitzroy Motor Boat Club.  It was a non-descript little club that was rarely open but it had showers and a washing machine, that’s all I needed as there was a pub on every corner, so refreshment was never far away.

 

I actually liked Rocky as a town but the Fitzroy River had absolutely no redeeming features at all.  It was the colour of coffee and full of the aforementioned scary creatures.  It floods every summer and is not easy to navigate, even at high tide.

 

We spent a week in Rockhampton.  On our second night we went to The Great Western Hotel for the Young Guns Rodeo.  Kids as young as 4 riding calves up to the big boys riding bulls.  There was bull riding, the bucking broncos and the barrel races.  The rodeo clowns (actually called bull fighters) are amazing.  I reckon the riders have the easy job… try to stay on for 8 seconds and most don’t even achieve that.   The bull fighters worked for 4 hours and constantly put themselves between the bull and the rider… and not a barrel to hide in.

Bucking Bronco

 

 

The rodeo clowns dress like footballers,

is that a not so subtle dig???

 

During our stay Michael helped Keith replace his damper plate and Keith helped us by driving us around while we bought new generators, groceries and miscellaneous knick-knacks.

Michael working on Keith & Pauline's Boat - Tan T'ien

 

Once Michael & Keith got the new damper plate installed in Tan T’ien, we bid farewell to our new friends and headed back out to open waters.