6 February 2000

Decided to take the coastal route from Biloela to Yeppoon so drove across through Calliope to Gladstone and had a look round there, then north west to Rockhampton, north east to Emu Park, thence north via the coastal beaches to Yeppoon.

Gladstone is a busy harbour port and a large regional service centre. We went to a park and lookout from where we could see over the port facility and back over a marina to the city. The city centre is not as large as I expected but is quite colourful and cosmopolitan nonetheless.

Rockhampton is a large city with plenty of modern buildings, but also a lot of older style ones of beautiful period architecture. We hope to explore more of this city in the next few days with Trish recommending some places of interest.

Yeppoon is a fairly relaxed but busy town on the coast. It has some lovely beaches, but you can't swim there from November to March because of the box jellyfish, which can sting very severely - and sometimes fatally. There are warning signs at all the beaches and these also say that if stung, pour vinegar liberally on the affected area. Apparently this is the only antidote and will give instant (and potentially life-saving) relief.

Trish and Jenny are both well. They have a lovely, open, older style of house on a hill not far from the beach and which is also reasonably close to the shopping centre. There is an area under the house which was the original owner's workshop but which they use as Trish's study. This area also doubles as guest quarters when required, and contains a double bed, shower, toilet, etc. It is very airy and comfortable. A breeze blows most afternoons and relieves the heat and humidity of the sticky summer days. We haven't done much so far except relax and accompany Trish to do a bit of shopping, but we did take the dogs for a walk along the beach this afternoon. Tomorrow we hope to go to the rainforest at Byfield, to a pottery place nearby and for lunch to a picnic area that Trish and Jenny know where we will barbecue sausages and eat them on a roll.