Today had 3 phases. Amanda, Claudie and Janine went for a horse ride and I think they all really enjoyed themselves. Janine was obviously nervous about it. She's a student of animal behaviour I think: she has that amazing way with horses but it also means she has a sense about people too so she knew Claudie was an amateur and nervous. J was brighter and so he and I rode the bikes out across the flat to where Tim, Kurt and Brendan (farm hand) were putting in a new gate. Then Tim and I went over to the new block for a run and to put out some lick for the animals.

Had some excellent scones which Janine had made for morning tea and said our, "Goodbyes," and got going.

Arrived in Duaringa at Aunty Jean's rather late for lunch. She had laid out an excellent cold lunch for us which we all gobbled up appreciatively. Her house looks exactly the same as it did 30 years ago and so do her and Mick really. Mick was keen to tell us about the 40 mowers he has around the place. Peter was there too as it turns out and so I got to see him as well which was great. We all walked together around the garden and then over to Grandma's house for a look. Claudie found a cactus growing wildly on the tank stand next to the wash-house. We potted it up and it's coming around Australia with us.

We saw a coal train on the run-in to Rocky. The guys counted 108 carriages. Very impressive sight. Checked in to the Riverside Caravan Park okay. It's fine.

Took Jasper up to Rocky Base Hospital. His tonsillitis was out of control. Fever, severe pain and rigors, despite being on oral ABs and plenty of Brufen, and he hadn't really eaten anything since breakfast. He was crying in the car on the way to Rocky from Duaringa. So we took him up. Long wait in emergency and then the staff where a bit funny. It's always hard to know how or when to play the, "I'm a doctor," card. He panicked a bit when the staff came to see him. Anyway, they eventually admitted him to the Children's ward and he's there now with Amanda. Claudie and I came home to the van for a decent sleep. Cold again, 5°.