6th August 2009

We rolled in to Mt Isa at about 11am and found Matt's Aunt Janet and Uncle Howards shop where we said hello and setup camp out the back of the shop.Howard and Janet live in a small flat at the back of the shop so we are going to stay with them for a few days.Matt's cousin Anne is also here as it is rodeo time and their country clothing store is very busy at this time of year.

Matt and I spent the arvo strolling around town and getting a few bits and pieces that we need and then it was back to Howard and Janet's for a few beers and a yummy Lasagne for dinner.Thanks Janet!

7th August 2009

Just pottered around today and did a few jobs.Anne's Husband David arrived this arvo as he is going to keep Matt and I company over the weekend so Matt and I and Anne and David headed to the Buff's Club for dinner.Anne went home after dinner as she had to work the next day and the rest of us stayed out.Quite a few Beveridge's later and Matt and David had taken over the Karaoke bar!After singing a number of songs they decided that they should be 'groupies' for whoever was singing and were dancing on the karaoke stage!We got home sometime after 2am.

8th August 2009

A bit of a slow start this morning but we finally got going and got out to the rodeo ground about lunch time.Matt, Mel and David spent the afternoon at the rodeo and Anne came out after work.After the rodeo we went to Fred Brophy's boxing tent and watched the fights.Fred Brophy has the last travelling boxing troupe in the world and it was a great experience to go and see his show.For those that don't know how it works, Fred has a troupe of boxers and locals challenge these boxers for a fight and the public pay to go in and watch the fights.If the local wins, he gets paid.Even if you are not a fan of boxing (like Mel) you would probably enjoy seeing this.It's a bit of an Australian institution.

After the boxing we all headed back to Howard and Janet's for dinner and some good conversation.

9th August 2009

Sleep in day today as it's the only day that Janet, Howard and Anne have off. Howard cooked us up a yummy breakfast mid morning and then Matt and Mel and Anne and David went for a drive out to Lake Moondarra which is now full of water after many years of being nearly empty.Then it was out to the rodeo to watch the finals before Anne and David had to fly back to Townsville.Matt hadn't been to a rodeo before and seeing as Mt Isa is one of Australia's biggest we thought it would be a good rodeo to go and see.It was good to watch and the new arena and facilities were really good.We especially liked the stand that sold home lemonade - it was a great thirst quencher on a hot day.It's been around 30 degrees every day we have been here.

10th August 2009

Still in Mt Isa.Spent the day pottering and organising stuff.Matt spent the day doing some electrical work for Howard.Then Howard and Janet took us to the Irish Club for dinner (where Matt won another $200 on the pokies!) and then drove us up to the lookout for a look over Mt Isa.

11th August 2009

Did much the same as yesterday.Matt doing electrical work and Mel typing up the blog.Andy (Matt's Scottish mate) flies in this evening to spend a month on the road with us.

12th August 2009

Today was jobs day.We spent the day getting organised for the next leg of our trip - groceries, fuel and packing up.Janet and Howard took us to Townies Leagues club for dinner and afterwards Matt and Andy decided that they wanted to go to the Buff's club (it was Karaoke night....what can I say!) so we dropped them off and Janet, Howard and I went home to bed.