Gill's Blog: Coastal bound

Well after the excitement of Droving Day we moved on, travelling east towards the coast. Took it easy only doing about 150ks a day, stopping in free campsites, didn't come across anything exciting but did pass through a town named Banana and no it's not because they grow Bananas there it's because of a yellow cow named Banana and the stockmen used her as the lead cow so others would follow, she is long gone now but I think the drovers a few days ago would have been happy to have Banana to help them get the cattle over the bridge.

On Tuesday we finally settled here at Calliope near Gladstone, lovely free camp, just out of town, lots of lovely green grass and a river nearby, Brian caught a couple of fish but they were undersized so threw them back. Gladstone is a busy town and port, exporting coal and grain, drove in for a look and had coffee at the marina and also managed a quick shop.

Today we drove to nearby Tannum Sands, thinking we would give Bentley a good run etc and were disappointed to find no dogs signs every where on the foreshore and the beach. We took him a quick walk along a path and then thought what the heck, no one around and took him past the signs and let him have a good run on the beach, he loved it and no one seemed bothered...... Walking on the beach reminded us of Bali, a little overcast, humid and warm, tropical feel.

We will probably move on tomorrow, looking at a caravan park on the coast but have realised it is a long weekend here, so could be busy and expensive, may need a plan B