It is bucketing down with record breaking winter rain in the Mackay area. The General Gordon Hotel near Homebush is surrounded by hectares of sugar cane and big muddy puddles. The GG was built in 1886 and this Sunday afternoon it is rocking to live music. An eclectic bunch of drinkers are perched on handmade wooden stools. A bloke cooks snags and onions on the bbq and small dogs wearing kinky coats wander about looking for affection. This old joint has atmosphere in spades.Outside there is a free camp with a few campers but the ground is so waterlogged they’ll be stuck here for days. At least they won’t go thirsty.