http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/kangaroojack/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from kangaroojack en-us Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:02:29 +0000 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:02:29 +0000 DAY 421Thud I heard a very heavy raindrop in my sleep land on the canvas above us thud thud and probably before the fourth one hit I was already out of bed ldquodonrsquot rushrdquo Andy shouted as he too was getting out of bed concerned that if I went to quickly that I would completely miss the stepladder and land in a heap at the bottom of the bed. ldquoWhy the rushrdquo I ca http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Tumblong/blog-464548.html DAY 420The sun was bright and shining directly into the tent I could not hear movement from Jason and Kristyrsquos tent but I was getting warm and thirsty so got out of bed I could not put the kettle on as we found yesterday that it was broken so I filled a billy with some water and put that on the gas ring instead.It was not long before Andy appeared closely followed by Kristy and then Jaso http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Tumblong/blog-464307.html DAY 419I awoke on this New Years Eve Andy brought me a cup of tea so enjoyed drinking it while in bed but as always you reach a point where you really need to get up and as we have Marmite I can indulge in toast for breakfast with a healthy helping of the black stuff.Andy wants to pop into Bunnings in Wagga he is anxious to get some fixings and bits and pieces so that we can attach the new box http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Tumblong/blog-464054.html DAY 418I enjoyed the tranquillity of the bedroom before joining the hive of activity in the kitchen however I only find Robert it seems that everyone else is outside looking out of the window Helen is almost up to her knees in water waving a little fish net around standing in the emptying fish pond.So today is the day that the fishpond gets a clean it is all hands including 5 year old Alex who http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-463884.html DAY 417A day of choices today it is Susanrsquos birthday and she is heading off into Wagga to have her hair done so I can either leave at 8.00 with Susan or I can leave at 9.00 with Helen and Patsy I knew that I would not be quite ready so I left at 9.00 with Helen and Patsy. Andy is staying behind to do some chores for Helen his first job of the day is to go and feed the Chickens and the d http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-463785.html DAY 416Well Andy woke me at 6.00 with a cup of tea I think everyone was waiting with anticipation to see if I would actually get up now I do get up early if I have to so Andy just encourages me by telling me he will buy me breakfast once we are on the road which makes it slightly more tempting for me. I am up and soon ready to go I donrsquot even think I finished drinking my tea Wandering http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-463469.html DAY 415Before we had even had breakfast Andy and I headed over to Merriville to feed the chickens and dogs. As usual when we get there I disappear to sort the dogs out I am suddenly surrounded by 9 puppies yapping and pulling on my laces socks and gators in fact it becomes difficult to walk as I donrsquot want to step on their tiny little bodies so I lift each foot carefully as if I am walk http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-463223.html DAY 414A cool start to the day it had rained again over night but the general feeling is that it is not enough to make a difference to the dams.After breakfast Andy and I head off to feed Jasons chickens and dogs. They are all waiting with eager anticipation when we arrive especially the puppies who are all over me yapping and vying for my attention I am really starting to see their little pe http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-463010.html DAY 413The title of todayrsquos blog would be better sung by Bing Crosby but substituting the word White for Wet.Iiiiiiiimmmm Dreeeaaaming of a wet Christmas Blah blah blah blah blah blah blar blahI was first up this morning getting out of bed at just about 06.30 I dressed and went and put the Kettle on and soon Helen wandered out of their bed room and we wished each other a very Merry Christ http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-462814.html DAY 412Well today is Christmas Eve and even though we are 10000 miles away from where we started the hubbub of Christmas is no different. The only major difference is here at Woodstock Farm Nangus New South Wales Australia its 38.3 degreersquos and without labouring the point it is baking hot.Christmas Eve in the UK will never be described at baking hot most probably because home in the http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-462735.html DAY 411I was up bright and early again this morning Jason comes across from Merriville with a pot of Antibiotics for the chickens as the one we had to send to Chicken Heaven the other day was one of Jasonrsquos and now Helen has got lots of Jasonrsquos chicken cast offrsquos it seems sensible to give them all a good dose of medicine.How do you get chickens to take medicine well the night http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-462345.html DAY 410I Skyped Mum and Dad first thing this morning I was still getting over my cold so Mum was about to tell me to go to bed with a hot water bottle but then remembered that it was morning over here and because of the heat you wouldnrsquot really want a hot water bottle. They are surrounded by snow but for how long I donrsquot know it is still very cold over there but I am sure the rain http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-462342.html DAY 409I was up bright and early this morning and went in to the kitchen it was like the Mary Celeste as quite as the grave.The kettle was put on and tea was made I knew this morning that Helen and Robert were up at Hazeldene weighing sheep ready for market Helen had told us what was happening so we wouldnrsquot feel like we have been abandoned.This morning Ross Jilbert from Landmark would http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-461981.html DAY 408My cold is well and truly coming out now I stayed in bed until 9.00 but soon got bored and got up. I had some breakfast put a load of towels in the washing machine and did some reading.Helen received a phone call from Jason but it was for us Kristy Jasonrsquos partner was asking if we wanted to go into Wagga with them for some lunch we thought it would be a great idea to head out fo http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-461976.html DAY 407When I awoke this morning it was hard to swallow my throat seemed to have swollen to bigger proportions in the night I knew that Andy and Helen will have gone out first thing Helen needed to help prepare Eurongilly Hall for the carol service tonight I wanted to help but I was still asleep when they left.Eventually Andy and Helen came back I went out to see them but got sent back to bed http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-461784.html Hi EveryoneWe would just like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.We bitterly miss everyone and wish we could be with you all but you all are forever in our thoughts.It seems a little odd this year that the weather is predicted to be 30 Something degreersquos and we fully aware that we are right in the middle of summer where last year it was virtually the start http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-461687.html DAY 406We were sitting in the Kitchen at Woodstock all having tea and toast Robert had already left for his long day and we were just discussing our possible plans hoping for a productive day there was all sorts to be done around the house in preparation for the onslaught of Christmas.Helens mobile phone sprang in to life it was Robert Southern Cross Irrigation had informed Robert that his p http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-461676.html DAY 405Today we had two hits Caroline and I hit the shops for Christmas and the Temperature Hit 42.3 Degreersquos as recorded at Woodstock on the verandah.So today was going to be another busy day and we had a late night last night so I am feeling a little tired but Andy brings me a cup of tea I get up shower and dress as today is Belly Button DayAfter breakfast we are heading into Wagga to http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-461288.html DAY 404My plan for the day is to Help Jason and Robert concrete the paths around Merryville so I was up nice and early and ready to go by 6.15am.Time is of the essence this morning so we really did need to get a wiggle on before the sun became so hot that it dried the concrete out and it becomes impossible to work with.Robert had taken the mixer attachment and fitted it on to the tractor and drov http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-461153.html DAY 403What started out as a quiet day actually ended up quite busy Helen had gone off to school this morning and we were sitting quietly in the kitchen deciding how we were going to tackle the day when Jason and Robert poked their heads into the kitchen and asked us if we would not mind driving in to Wagga to gets some bits made at an engineering company.We took the pattern of a rod joiner for http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Nangus/blog-460963.html