Arrived safely in Cairns Friday afternoon. Spent Saturday shopping for last minute bits & pieces including a replacement tent pole after I lost one on the road. Have made a modification to my pole carrier!! Enjoying a relaxing Sunday morning by the pool. Girls have hit the buffet breakfast. Rhian will fly home today at lunch time.

Stopped in at the Globe Hotel for a beer with Pat Ogden, publican here for 50 years who is retiring today. They say his pub will be shut down tonight at midnight and made into a tourist centre. Good luck Pat!!

Blackall, home of the famous black stump used the surveyor general of 1887. The surveyors placed their theodolites on the stump for lat & long observations. It was considered at the time that country to the west of Blackall was "beyond the black stump". Rhian's turn to drive.

Arrived here at 9:15pm. 1486km from home on day 1. Another 75 litres and $110. Bourbon & Chips for supper..mmm Time check the front of the car after Rhian hit a kangaroo last night, only 8kms from here..