August 27 Mackay

A low activity day – sat around this morning while mum washed and then went down to the nearby shopping centre to find a Post Office and also found a Gloria Jeans!!!!! This afternoon we paid a visit to the Botanic Gardens and exercised our legs by walking around for a couple of hours. We decided to stay on here for two more days so will leave for Rockhampton on Monday. Staying for a week reduces the rate somewhat as we get the 7th day for free. We’ll be staying at the Big 4 in Rockhampton for either 5 or 7 days (decide finally when we get there) and then will move on to Bundaberg. Now a whinge! Since the Farmers’ Market in Dubbo we’ve been unable to find a decent fruit & vegie outlet – the best available has been either Woolies or Coles. We asked here today and were told where to go, only to find the most pathetic quality – worse than the big supermarkets, in fact it made them look good. No where have we come across anything to equal Leisure Coast or Crinis. Another plus for Wollongong! Ducks! There’s a resident flock of Blooms Whistler ducks in this caravan park. They are really quite pretty and have free rein throughout the grounds. During the day they spread out but come about 4.00 pm start gathering near reception for the ritual daily feeding frenzy (see photo). There’s also a number of lorikeets turn up to take advantage of what’s on offer. You can probably guess the downside of having all these ducks around – duck shit everywhere! Footwear is compulsory!