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Another tough day at the office
Hard at work on the farm. Don't exert yourself too much Simmo. Greetings all from Sunny (yet freezing) Cooma - the eastern gateway to the snowy mountains. It's a beautiful day outside but the temperature is icy. The cold air stings your face as soon as you step outside but at least it's clean and fresh.
Well, last time I touched base I was marking calves and drinking beer in Bundy. The last few days there were relatively uneventful. I did a bit more work on the farm, went to the cattle market a couple of times, went into town once or twice, ate plenty of magnificent Marian Wrigg home cooked food and shovelled gravel for Trevor's path. For those thinking of shovelling gravel in the near future - DON'T. I should make it clear that I volunteered for the job, wanting to do a few days hard labour to earn my keep and remember what it's like to do proper work that leaves sweat on your brow (working at CP Thomastown during the summer with a broken air conditioner doesn't count!), but damn it's hard work. All I needed was an orange jump suit and leg irons to give it the authentic convict feel. But at the end of the day
The Wriggs
L to R: Lachlan, Yours Truly, Neil, Greer and Abby. myself and the evergreen Neil (still working like a Trojan at the ripe old age of 104 or whatever he is) got the job done and earned ourselves a fantastic Chicken Terriyaki up at Trevor and Greer's on Friday night. It was a great way to finish my time in Bundy.
On Saturday it was time to cut the umbilical chord and set out into the big wide world. I know that I had been away from Melbourne for 10 days already but being in Bundy was truly like I never left home. I can't thank Neil, Marian, the kids and their kids enough for their warmth and hospitality.
I said goodbye to Neil and Marian from Sale station at 12 o'clock and the bus hummed it's tired and well sung tune through Bairnsdale, Orbost, Cann River, Eden, Pambula and finally Merimbula. Merimbula in May could well be the sleepiest town I have ever encountered. I wandered into town on the Saturday night around 8pm and it may as well have been the wee small hours of the morning. There was hardly a soul around save for a few people dining in the restaurants and cafes. Things were
Megan Wrigg
My little buddy Megan and I after dinner at Trevor and Greer's. starting to kick on a little as I headed for home around 10. The A-frame chalkboard out front of the pub proclaimed "Dance Party - Saturday Night" and some beats were descending over the footpath from the room upstairs. As I crossed the road headed for the bridge I saw a few blokes standing by the windows sipping cold beer and a handful of girls "shaking what their mumma gave them" (to the song of the same name) on the dancefloor. Rock on Merimbula! Still, I would've killed for a partner to head on up their with me.
The Hostel was near dead - only two blokes there - but man they were crazy cats. The first was a German. Probably in his mid 40s who was headed from Sydney to WA via Melbourne and Adelaide. His English was pretty basic but I managed to deduce that he had spent the previous night in his tent nestled deep in the rough of the par 4 2nd hole at the Wollongong Golf Course. He said that a nervous moment came when the first player of the morning shanked one into the woods and had to play it where it lied
Doing what I do best
Sizzling a few neck steaks on the barbie at the Bundalea Giraffe Farm (it's a Bundalaguah joke). right out of his sleeping bag. He left on Monday, hitch-hiking his way for Wilsons Prom.
The second bloke was a 45 year old kiwi builder with a gambling problem and drug dependency. He was different. I think I caught him on the end of his first joint and he told me that a few days earlier he had bought himself a one-way ticket from Aukland to Sydney and left without telling a soul. He was on his way to Melbourne where his son lives but he didn't know exactly where coz his son "doesn't want him rocking up on the doorstep." I could see why. He plans to stay in Melbourne for 5 years. My favourite part of his story though was the bit where he said, "I parked my car a few miles from the airport. It's parked legally so they can't tow it. That way it'll be there if I ever go back for a holiday." Great thinking big guy.
Anyway, tonight I'm staying in Jindabyne then tomorrow night I'm off to Canberra where I'll update you all on the last few days. I hope everyone is well. Thanks to all those who have posted comments and sent messages. They have been great to receive and a good laugh along the way too.
Keep punchin',
Simmo.
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Alanna
non-member comment
Relative???
Geez!! i think u may have run into a relative of mine!!!