Gadflights

The MnM Story

Day 4 Mackay to Emerald

Wot a day! Mercedes is already horizontal on the bed in the cabin at the Emerald Cabin and Caravan Park. (good spot) McAulay stays awake to bring this blog to you, dear readers.
We were sent off from Habana with a "full Australian breakfast" expertly prepared on the barbque by Paul. Cake and apples were packed for us, lest we be hungry on the way! (we were)

We did get lost leaving Mackay, despite an expertly drawn mudmap by said Paul. (not his fault, ours) Eventually we were on the road to Nebo.

Then we found that the Queen's Baton had chosen to take the same route as we were taking. We became the designated Senior Citizen Delegated Escorts as the Baton went from Nebo to Capella to Clermont to Emerald. We enthused with the crowds, we waved the flags we were issued, we lunched with the Police Highway Command Escort crew at Macca's at Moranbah.

We and the Baton passed through country richly green, but a bit besmirched here and there by mining activity (acres of double decker dongas) , and some startling ranges (The Gemini Mountains, Wolfang). At Clermont we saluted the Griffins who raised their cattle and their family somewhere outside there, (on the Brigalow property that they called KenMar) and spent some money to contribute to the local economy.

Emerald. Now around 17,000 in population. McAulay was here in 1971 - drove here with Chris (England) O'Grady as she returned to her teaching post here after the August school holidays. It has grown a very great deal since then.

And the Council workers were out in the main street smicking up the mulch on the gardens for the Baton tomorrow morning.