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Published: September 28th 2013
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Auctioneers, beasts and buyers
The auctioneers quickly move from one "lot" to the next leaving us in awe of their profession. When in Roma... do what the Romans do
How can 2 months have passed since the last blog entry?
Some of our readers have complained about these blogs being too verbose! Remember that this is our way of documenting our experience so that when it’s all over we can re-live it. This one is a biggy. To read/see the abridged version, please just see the photos with their descriptions.
Extra photos at the bottom of this edition. "What happens in Roma?" we hear you ask!
Our initial plan upon our arrival in Roma was to head straight to Carnarvon Gorge. However, on being promised so many job opportunities, we decided to try our luck. Within a week, Wendy had a trial at a coffee shop and was up and running. Peter was encouraged by the amount of bus traffic in and around the town. He secured an interview after just one phone call. Things were looking rosy. Alas, nothing ever came to fruition from several bus companies and after 6 weeks of waiting and trying Peter had had enough of Roma and sitting around. Finally, after a trip to Toowoomba for a driving test with a rather
large bus company who were looking for someone for Roma, Peter secured a job….. in Dalby!
So – back to the 6 weeks in Roma!
The cattle sales in Roma are renowned as the largest in the southern hemisphere so we went along for the experience. Wow! It is a very streamlined and computer-operated logistical practice, but still using stockmen on horseback. It was very fascinating. And so many beasts!
Wendy has never really worked in a coffee shop before but was quite pleased to be back in the workforce AND gaining new skills. On our first weekend in town we were very pleased to learn that The Queensland Youth Orchestra Big Band would be performing with Troy Cassar-Daly at the Showground in a free concert. We were able to walk there. Troy was first on the programme, performing some of his “country” music. He then returned to the stage for the second set, dressed in a tuxedo to sing some “swing” songs, with the backing of the very talented musicians from the QYOBB. We haven’t taken too much notice of Troy’s music before then. We loved his country stuff, and when he began “Fly me
Replica of the last Cobb & Co Coach..
.. The original had it's last run in 1924. The Surat Museum was very interesting to the Moon” we were blown away. He has an amazing voice. We hope he will record some of that genre of music as well as continue with his obvious love of everything Australian. No suitable photos to show you here, sorry.
Other weekends had us venturing out and about. One Sunday we took a run out west to Mitchell to check out a free camp spot at a weir. It was a VERY popular spot and we would like to spend some time here. Of course, when in Mitchell it would be silly not to have a soak in the Artesian pool – so we did! It was very reminiscent of our time in Moree in 2009. Very relaxing. Another weekend had us packing up the van for a “holiday”. We headed south this time to St George. A very pretty little town on the Balonne River. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the “Unique Egg” where a very talented gentleman has a display of his amazing craft. He engraves emu eggs with all sorts of intricate designs, places small lights inside them and mounts them in mirrored display cases. Did you know that emu eggs are made
The Dingo Fence, Injune Qld
At 2,500 kms, this is the longest fence in the world. up of 8 layers? – ranging in colour from dark green on the outside to glassy white inside. A visit to Riversands Winery was a delightful experience. The young pommy back-packer behind the bar was both knowledgeable and entertaining. We also got to see the photo album of the floods through the area and the grape harvest in thigh-deep water. The next morning, Wendy was lucky enough to go for a paddle with the local dragon-boat crew. It was a lot of fun, great exercise a very interesting way to see the river. It’s hard to imagine the surrounding area covered by water to the height of the markers along the banks. Some floods (including the most recent) reached 14 meters! On our way home to Roma we stopped for the night at Surat. This little town is extremely well known amongst grey nomads (there are THOUSANDS of them out here!) for its amazing green grassy free campsite within walking distance to town. It is also the last departure site for the very last Cobb and Co Coach run in 1924. The museum is very interesting. Another Sunday we took a drive north to Injune. The countryside is really starting
This is fun
...and great exercise! to show signs of drought again, which is quite ironic as the roadworks to mend the flood damage are still in progress. 8 km out of town we investigated the “Dog Fence”. We trust that you all know what this is. At 2,500km it is the longest fence in the world.
During a visit to the doctor for a driver authority application, Peter mentioned a spot on his nose. The doc took one look at it and referred him to a specialist in Toowoomba. Since Toowoomba is a 4 hour drive from Roma we planned a few days away and organized to meet up with Shannon and Michael, and a stay-over with old Central Coast friends who now live there. Peter was also able to organize a trial run for a Toowoomba bus company who were recruiting for Roma jobs. After the run he was asked what he thought about relocating to Dalby and starting work straight away. Dalby is a much nicer town, with twice the population of Roma and twice the services, and only 1 hour from Toowoomba, so we said yes, please! The visit to the specialist involved removal of a BCC - Basal Cell Carcinoma.
The famous Nindigully Pub
We made the trip down from St George on our weekend away. It is famous for it's VERY generous meal servings. We won't show you the photos of the lunch we had! Driving back to Roma on the same day as the surgery, we stopped in at Dalby to make enquiries at the 2 caravan parks to decide where to take up residence. Back in Roma for a few days to wait for the official job offer, pack up and move east. We were able to take our time over the weekend to get to Dalby so we enjoyed one more night of bush camping at Judds Lagoon. We stayed for one night in Dalby and then made a quick trip to Toowoomba for Peter’s orientation with Stonestreets Coaches. Peter has been given a run to travel north to collect a handful of workers, come back through town and take them out to their work site south west of town. He has to leave here at 3.40am. He returns home at about 7.15 for breakfast and then goes back to bed for a few hours. He then leaves home at 3.40pm to do it all again, in reverse order of course. Most of the time he’s driving a 57 seat bus with only about 5 people on board! He’s getting big ideas about the size of our next motorhome! We’ve now
Handsome beast
Just one of thousands of beasts that pass through the Roma saleyards (the largest sales in the Southern Hemisphere) each sale day. been here for 5 weeks and have settled in really well. The caravan park is almost in town, so we walk up town for most of our business and small shopping. There are quite a few mine/gas-rig workers staying here and the wives get together quite often for coffee, walking, or early morning exercise at the pool next door. Wendy is enjoying herself immensely … She now has a casual job at Muffin Break. The weather is heating up quickly and extreme fire danger warnings are in place.
Remember to check out the photos below.
We trust you are all well.
Until next time…..
Peter and Wendy
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