Nancy found a job as a bar maid at the Fitzroy Hotel for a couple of days while resting in Rockhampton.

Journal and photo by Nancy Olson

Reluctantly, I checked out of beautiful O'Dowd's Irish Pub this morning.  I hated to leave, because it was such a comfortable, clean, safe place to rest.  Carmel, who, along with husband Ken, owns the pub, mentioned maybe putting on a fundraiser for the team when we pass through on our way north.  Ooh!  That might be a good possibility!

I cycled over to the Fitzroy (About two miles) and moved into my new room.  It's a no-frills place, and my room was private and cozy.  Yesterday, Bill asked if I want to work for him on Saturday, because he needs somebody to sell beverages to the spectators at the rugby matches.  Huh.  Ok!  Sounds good.  It'll be fun, and I need the cash.  I worked on the Internet in Bill's office most of the day, and then he asked me if I wanted to learn how to pour a beer.  Well, I guess I need to learn before the matches on Saturday.  I worked the bar for half an hour and then returned to the Internet for a few more hours of work.  At about nine, I was summoned to the bar and worked until closing at about 0130.  I am a bar maid.  (They are not into political correctness here in Australia; bar maid is not considered rude or degrading...) Not my chosen profession, but it's an interesting change of pace.

Even though I was extremely tired, I had difficulty falling asleep in my new surroundings.  I think I just wasn't comfortable in this pub environment.  It's sort of a sketch part of town, and I'm unfamiliar with the clientel and the general vibe.  Outside, a man and woman were screaming obscenities at one another for several hours.  I finally fell asleep at around four in the morning.

Mileage:  0
Weather:  windy
End Location:  Fitzroy Hotel, Rockhampton
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