Day 12: Sun 06 Sep 15 – Rockhampton

Ride: 21 km

 After an early morning ride, we had breakfast and it was then into the truck with Fischers for a tour of Yeppoon an Emu Park.  On our way to Yeppoon we stopped at the local markets which were nothing new really!  We found Yeppoon to be very busy and parking to be at a premium.  We did however, jag a spot just across the road from where we wanted to have coffee.  Fischers shouted us coffee in return for ferrying them around the various places we had visited thus far.  Greg and I also had HUGE pieces of carrot cake each, whilst Fischers shared one, which was much more sensible.  We then walked along the beach for a short while to try to settle the stomach contents. 

It was then off to Emu Park, with no Emus to be seen anywhere!  There is however, a Singing Ship Monument which marks Captain Cook`s discovery of the bay in May 1770, and commemorates his Bicentenary in 1970.  The memorial represents the billowing sail, mast and rigging of his ship Endeavour, and concealed organ pipes use the sea breezes to create eerie music.  There is also a Centenary of ANZAC Memorial consisting of a Cenotaph, sculptured wall and memorial walk (still under construction).  The whole precinct will recount, preserve and honour the history of Australia’s war heritage, and those who created it through service and sacrifice, providing a lasting legacy.  The walk will eventually be 175m long and will finish at the Singing Ship. 

After that, we had all had enough and decided to head home for lunch.  We did have to stop at Woolies on the way for another resup.  Lunch was followed by a nana nap, and then we were on the bikes to visit other friends of Greg’s (he met them on a non-cycling trip to Vietnam in 2011), Lyn and Tiny, and their very spoilt pets.  We couldn’t stay long as we had to get back to get ready to go out to dinner with Fischers.  We walked to the Glenmore Tavern (a favourite of Gunther’s during his Uni days) and had very filling meals.  Greg had his favourite – Atlantic salmon and Wendy had a pizza!  The walk home did all of us a lot of good.