Got back on the bus still eating pizza from the night before - it really was `All you can eat`! Tom and Rodger were with us yet again, along with Vicki, who was to be with us for a while also! (not that that was a bad thing Vicki!) We were bound for the small town of 1770 - so named due to Captain Cook landing there, in you guessed in 1770! It is also the last place you can swim in the sea up the east coast, without a 100 percent chance of getting eaten alive or stung to death. We were stopping here for lunch (awesome curly fries!) and also the chance to go Scooter-rooing!!! Sold as a chance to ride scooters through the bush in search of kangeroos! Wasnt quite that in reality but anyway...Having never ridden a scooter in my life (think Alex Swann, and you'll understand why!) I was slightly dubious about doing so. However I do admit that it was actually quite fun and dare I say, exciting! The place we went too didnt seem to care too much about Licenses, as long as you signed the disclaimer. The owner was a Hell's Angels reject complete with bandana covered in something like `Scooter's rock my world` and Handlebar moustache. I ended up sharing my scooter with Vicki (yet still managed to whip everybody in the `race`) The trip started off quite pleasantly, then the rain came. At first a gentle shower, then a torrential downpour, forcing me to take my hands of the handlebars to wipe the rain out of my eyes (in retrospect, probably not the smartest of moves) However I survived, and once the sun came out, the race was on...I mean we were all scooter pro's now! Engines revving/squeaking away; we were off! At one stage I made 60km!!! Tom took the prize of receving the most warnings for reckless driving, but I reckon I may have the won the main event! Oh, and we saw some Kangeroos too! After handing back our speed machines, we headed across to the hostel in town to pick up some more people - it was here that we came across Nick again. It was here, that we also met the Geordie Lads - James, Matt and Paul. And lastly Chris and Mel. That night we were to spend the night at Kroombit Cattle Ranch, so it was here that we headed. As soon as we arrived, it was a quick check in, before being asked who wanted to go clay pidgeon shooting! Most of the lads, and a few women jumped at the chance, and all promptly jumped in the ute and headed off into the bush. By the time we arrived the sun was setting, so were going to have to trace our targets with a spotlight. No problem! Andy and I could only afford 2 cartridges, so we had to make them count. Andy stepped up to the mark...Pull!...Bang....Pull....Bang - 2 out of 2!!! Not bad for an amateur. Then it was my turn, the pressure was on...Pull...Bang....Yes! Pulll....didnt even aim, just looked up and fired...and missed. Too cocky by far! Was great fun though. Once we had all fired, we headed back for roast dinner! A massive chunk of cow each, and some spuds, and real gravy! Very nice indeed. After dinner, we were given the chance to crack whips- very cool but surprisingly very hard! Finally the time arrived for the main event - the Bucking Bronco!!! The rules state - you must have one hand on the grip, and the other must stay up in the air, never touching the Bull. You need strong thighs, and if an option no balls. The average first go round was about 20 bucks, with Tom gettin 1 (beaten by even the girls). Howver one German managed 36. Most of the Lads werent going to let this stand, and the German lad conceded to give us an extra go, his score apparently being unbeatable. Everyone went first, including Andy and no one came close. Then it was my turn - I climbed up onto the Bull - there was more at stake than just my chance at fatherhood. I clung on for my dear life - 10..20...31...32...33...34...35. Then disaster struck and I was flung off. So close yet so far. I did win a beer though so all was not lost. All sat around for the rest of the evening, each competing for who hurt the most. Tom claimed he did...we just ignored him. I would just like to say that during our travels, we have met many people - some we clicked with, others just werent our type of people. There hasnt been one person though who Andy or myself just couldn`t stand to be around. Until now - Middlesborough Lad. I have it on authority that not one person on the entire bus could stand him.(He later turned up in Magnetic to be met with the same response) I dont mean to drag this out - but this guy was awful. He argued with absolutely everything, was better at everything, and generally upset everybody! There is no point to this really, other than to get this off my chest, and to warn to you -there is such a person out there! That night we all slept in converted stables; slept so soundly that Nick and myself almost missed the bus. Which would have been awful, as that day we were due to arrive in Airlie - the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. On the way, we were also going Lawn Bowling!More about that soon!!!