I don’t like to say that one place or an audience is better than another, but sometimes you just have to do so. 
Mackay entertainment for me has been the show of the tour so far. The crowd, were simply brilliant and the venue itself is really one of the best sounding places in Australia. I left the gig via the back door quite elated and that’s a wonderful feeling any musician can have. 
  
Having had a good night sleep and a wholesome healthy “Brekky” we made our way for Mackay Airport, for our flight back to Brisbane. Whilst at the departure gates, a very appreciative women came and introduced herself as the mother of a young boy who was in the gig the night before. We all noticed him and she informed us that he had Autism, but just how much he’d enjoyed himself at his first ever concert. She told us that he can’t stop talking about his night seeing Smokie and that it has made a real difference to his life . . . . . How wonderful it is for us as a band to hear such comments! 
  
After our arrival in Brisbane, we transferred to our resort hotel in Caloundra. 
Caloundra is small town very similar to a UK seaside town, although very quiet it has to be said.   The Crew had decided that we should have a BBQ on our night off, so yours truly rose to the occasion . . . as I always do . . . . and I whipped up a menu of, Chicken, Beef and Kangaroo with a side salad of mixed leaves and melon, followed by a mixed cheese board . . . . washed down by 48 cans of XXXX Gold, 7 bottles of red wine and a chilled bottle of white Wolfblass . . . . . When we went shopping, I asked the crew lads who was going to drink all that booze . . . “US” they replied . . . . and you know what? . . . They did. 
  
Our second day off in Caloundra consisted of reading round the pool and recovering from our Mid-Tour Barbie. 
(Someone also informed me, that while I read and am oblivious to what going on around me? . . . .and  I scratch my nuts!) 
  
Our next show on the 8th was further north up in Maryborough. We decided to change our hotel, because we had an early flight to Darwin the next day, so we felt it better that we stay nearer to Brisbane Airport. 
With just five hours sleep, we made our way to Darwin, where we played to a packed house again. 
The Northern territory is home to many Aboriginal folks and they too attended our concerts in large numbers! 
  
Today we traveled from Darwin to Hobart, Tasmania. A long flight via Melbourne and we’ve just checked in to our hotel, some tired, some ready for a trip to the bar . . . . . I shall let you guess who that might be? 
  
Meanwhile  . . . . . I’m off to bed! (After I’ve scratched my nuts of course)