Saturday...14 August

Well now have I got a story for you! What a day.
Went to the local markets this morning, they have them every Saturday at the Museum, you know the one I got sucked into the other day, thus delaying a planned trip to the coffee plantation. Great markets, heaps of stalls, and even better, I resisted temptation and came away empty handed. They were selling everything from fresh produce to plants, including roses and orchids. They had all sorts of animals, some for sale, some like the horses for buggy rides and some for display as proud owners walked their dogs through the markets. Among the dogs was a cavoodle, the tiniests little puppy, to a Saint Bernard, huge beast, but of course a very placid nature, which was good as half the people at the markets wanted to pat it.
Today was extra special at the markets as it was also the annual Mareeba Gold Panning competition. Great fun watching people of all ages and sizes washing a measured amount of soil and being scored on time and amount of gold found and retained on the panning bowl/basin.
After a quick lunch, during which I loaded up the Sunbeam food dryer with a load of beef jerky, we drove out of town a few kilometres to a WW2 Museum. This particular one is the largest privately owned museum in Qld. Full of very interesting memorabilia. Planes, trucks, jeeps, troop carriers, artillery guns, big display of everyday equipment of the ordinary soldier. Heaps of medals and maps. Himself always knew his father was stationed in this area during part of the war. This is where they taught our troops jungle warfare. Today we found out at this little museum exactly where his fathers group were. No doubt he will make time to go there and it would be rather special to walk in the area his father trained in so long ago, I think.
After that we came home for a cup of tea and then went for a 70km trip to Mt Carbine to see the bull riding and bronco riding competition. A large portion of the program was allocated to the juniors with the youngest competitor being 3. The program started at 5pm and after interval at 8.30pm they finally  had the big boys on the big bulls. Fast and furious with only a couple of serious injuries from stompings or hang ups. The clowns really are very good at what they do and more than once we saw them take a hit or get thrown saving a rider from being tossed by a very angry bull. Apparently the bullriding was followed by a live band until 2am, and most folk camp out for the night and follow it up with a communal breakfast tomorrow morning. We were too tired to party with them so headed for home. The weather was rather chilly but generally a pleasant night out and even the drive home late at night was not too bad as we did not meet any kangaroos or other suicidal animals or wildlife.