Sunday, March 6, 2011

Hey ho, lets go!

Righto, things have been pretty good actually :D

Last time I posted, wasn't having a great time, but now it's getting good again, yay!  I was leaving Perth last time I posted, sitting in departures, being just a little bit bored.  Flight was good, sat next to a guy, who was hungover, but he joined me in watching two n a half men on my laptop.  Melbourne rocks, simple, I like it.  Although, big downside, its absolutely freezing cold, brrrrrr.....  Remember that Perth is hot, 41*c day I left, after my 3 hour flight I jump off the plane in to 17*c Melbourne, I was freezing.  Everyone was wearing coats and jumpers, I looked a bit silly wearing my thongs n short sleeve shirt around the city.  Bah well!  Also, Melbourne has trams, everywhere.  Felt a bit silly, I couldn't even figure out how to get on one, let alone buy a ticket.  Asked a couple of bemused pedestrians and they explained that there are mini stations in the middle of the road.

After figuring out the whole tram situation, I eventually found my way to my hostel, X Base St Kilda.  Its a party hostel, no question.  Got to my room, dumped my bags down and went down for what I though would be a quick pint, oops.  Ended up taking part in the hostels pub quiz with a load of lads from Ireland, winning the prize ($100 bar tab), using it, then ending up in a mixed dorm room drinking goon with about 15 backpackers singing along to random guitar tunes.  Also, I met a girl from Jersey.  Ok, not as amazing if she had been from Guernsey, but it's getting closer.  Anyhoo, lots of alcohol later and singing along to guitar tunes with a load of backpackers, it turns 3am and its time for bed.

There was a reason why I only wanted to go for a quick pint, I had a 9am train, which meant I had to get up at 7:30 to shower and get the tram to the station.  HANGOVER!!! Owies.  Lets just say I spent the majority of my train and bus journeys that day asleep, not good.  Eventually I arrived at my final destination, Mount Gambier, a relatively large town of about 23000 people.  Was met by Paul (my new boss), who recognised my hangover and swiftly took me to mcdonalds for some junk food n a large coke.  I like Paul, he's a good boss.  We then head to the homestead, which has both Pauls house and ours.  I live with:
  • Hugo - easiest way to describe is big dumb farmer, but really friendly
  • Jack - guy my age, pretty cool actually, get on really well
  • Louise - jacks girlfriend, in to horses, also quite cool
Not really sure where they come from, each from a different country, but all speak  good English thakfully.

First couple of days at my new job I spend them shadowing Hugo, feeding grain to the cattle, moving some into different paddocks and getting a feel of the place.  Also working on them in the yards, such as treating pink-eye, separating calves from heffers and checking they are all healthy.  I have learnt everything really quickly, and so today (my 3rd day) I was given a list of tasks to do like feeding cattle and mustering plus treating pink-eye, all to do one my own, which I did with no problems.  Paul is very happy with me, says he is impressed how quickly I have learnt.  Also done some work in the workshop such as welding up some machinery and maintenance on vehicles, so I am fitting in really well.

Today, I went to my very first rodeo.  It rocked, was awesome!  The guys that get on those bullucks, must have huge bullucks themselves!  I think doing rodeo is one of the few things I think I am happy to not do in my lifetime.  No one got harmed or crushed, although a few bulls did fall on the cowboys when they fell of, but everyone was ok.

So it's Sunday tomorrow, normally a day off, but I have asked to work.  I really enjoy my work here, and to be honest, much rather muster cattle or work in the workshop that sit and watch re-runs of two and a half men on my laptop, although I am getting a lay in, yay!

OOOPS, so it's a bit of a long post.  Anyway, uploading pictures now.  Speak soon x

PS For some reason my internet connection here isn't letting me upload photos anywhere else except facebook.  Dont ask me why, I cant figure it out. Will upload some photos here ASAP



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