Day 40 Friday 17/7/2026 Mulambin, sunny 13 – 23

Woody missed his blood test yesterday, so today he returns to pathology to wait in the queue. We are spoilt in the city, having half a dozen clinics to choose from and all within walking distance.

Our new camping chair arrives from Oztrail and buying online turns out to be much easier than shopping around.

The Bridesmaid is due to fly in tonight, so we stock her cabin with a few breakfast goodies before heading into Rockhampton to meet her flight. Being in town is a good chance to drop into the Stocklands Shopping Centre to get my new clip on sunnies assessed. Having them fall off my face whenever I look down really isn’t ideal. The assistant gives the grips a bit of a squeeze, a “she’ll be right” and a “there you go”. And off we go, to top up the groceries and grog and pick up the bridesmaid.

This is an impressive little airport, and we watch the FIFO (Fly in, fly out) workers in their fluoro and sensible boots heading to the departure lounge for Brisbane. Rocky is the regional hub for the coal mines, and the airport carpark will always be filled with white Toyota utes from the mines and associated companies. The flight arrives with more FIFO’s being greeted by excited kids and relieved wives. With all the kerfuffle we somehow miss the BM and Woody suggests that “maybe she got pissed on the plane and arrested”. But no, there she is at the baggage claim.

It’s a night drive back to the coast for a few drinks and some steamed gyoza’s in the cabin. I’m wondering if our BM has any idea of where on earth, she is.

Accom: $56.00