So this little city slicker went off to a rodeo party up in Myallo, near Daintree, the night before the roadtrip. It was a hoot, full of (as promised) cowboys and larrikins and big, burly, loud women and their even bigger, burlier, louder husbands, and excited kids who could not keep off the rodeo fence despite endless warnings. Shame about the random tropical downpours. Still, when the time came for tired kids to be shunted off to their beds, I really didn't want to go.

And the best part?

Was it watching my brother and his mate, Col, have a go at riding the bulls and neither of them lasting more than a second once the gates opened? No, but that *was* pretty bloody funny (and so was the way Dave was so sore the next day). He fell off so fast no-one even knew it was him and I didn't get any pics at all!

Was it watching the 14 year old girl who managed to stay on a poddy calf in the ring for a full 5 seconds more than my fully grown bro and his mate? (That's her in the second last photo down, about to come off) No, but that was GREAT! You go, girl!

Was it watching the hilarious slideshow the birthday boys family made for him (it was another 40th Bday party but this happy cowboy has way more money than me so he threw a rodeo for about, oh, 300 of his closest mates), featuring dozens of embarrassing photos of bad hair days and cowboy adventure moments? No, but that was pretty funny too.

Was it watching people slide on their asses down the wet grassy slopes around the rodeo ring? Elissa did it with a plate full of food and managed to throw sauces, salads and bread rolls all over herself and the grass around her... Yeah, that produced more than a few wicked chuckles.... But nah. Not the best part.

It was watching the band rock out (in a down-home country kind o' way). They were awesome. Especially since they were all aged between 9 - 14 year. Turns out their mum was a music teacher. Their cover of Sweet Home Alabama was rockin'!

Oh, and hello Denise! :)