Step 66 Monkey Mia – Carnarvon 369 km's

Monday 23^rd May

After the excitement of the dolphins it was back on the road, literally, because we were headed back down the same road we came in on.

Di took the wheel again this morning and lucky for Skippy she was paying attention and alert. Yep, our first Kangaroo suicide attempt for the trip. Missed him, with the van and with the camera. Pay attention Steve.

Well at least I got a photo of the warning sign

On the way back to the main road, this time we managed to stop in time for a photo opportunity at the 26^th parallel. Apparently if we followed this line to the left we would end up in Namimbia, if we followed it to the right we would travel along the Northern border of South Australia into Queensland. In both cases we would not see much civilisation. Actually that's not entirely true, you'd probably see a bit in Namimbia.

Is it just me or do the natives look restless?

Which way was civilisation again?

Stromatolites to the left. Yeah right, I'm not falling for that again.

 Lunch stop, another V & H recommendation, Gladstone scenic lookout. Like Ayres Rock, or even Uluru, a tabletop rock appears out of the flat plain. Unlike Ayres Rock: a) it's not very big; b) you can drive to the top. But still it was a great view.

 Back on the road and the wildlife abounds, well we saw a goat and an emu anyway. Also saw quite a few Skippies on the side of the road who were not as lucky as the one we missed this morning.

Arriving in Carnarvon, we ignored V & H's advice to stay in the Marloo – Retiree and Seniors Tourist Park, mainly because we are not Seniors and we are NOT retired (Steve – you are NOT retired). Bottom line we continued on and stayed at the Coral Coast Caravan Park. The ONLY park in the centre of town.

Carnarvon pier - it costs $4.50 to walk out to the end. We didn't.

I have no comment - it' just a picture I took

Wine o'clock much more pleasant tonight, with a couple of degrees extra temperature and several mph less in wind speed it was nice enough to sit outside.

What? Another planning session Di?

 Given we are in seafood country we decided to risk it and headed for the local fish and chip shop for tea. Good choice kids. The snapper was sensational and the chips excellent. Given the good weather we ate them sitting down by the river watching the sun set.

Tuesday 24^th May leaving Carnarvon

On the road again today but before we left Di picked up the following, true, story in the ladies' amenity block:

An older couple, who had been on the road for awhile were struggling with their different “speeds” of getting ready to get on the road each morning.

On this particular morning the husband, or the impatient one as he shall be known, suggested “Why don't you finish off the packing up in the van, while I drive on down the road.”

The wife, or the long suffering one as she shall be known, said “oh for goodness sake, if it stops you nagging, fine I'll travel in the van for the first bit.”

Some distance down the road the husband stopped the car to check his maps. The wife thinking this was her time to get in the car got out of the van. Just in time for the husband to drive off and for her to realise that she was standing on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.

Honestly the lady telling the story swears this is true.

Eventually the wife managed to hitch a ride to the next town and went into the police station to try and track down the husband.

Not quite sure how they managed to catch up with the husband but the story finishes with him being booked for travelling with an unrestrained passenger in a caravan.

Carefully strapping Di into the passenger seat, we set off together, chuckling to ourselves.