The big update

I know, its been a while.

So the last you know is that I had purchased a car. A Ford Falcon Wagon 1994, estate to you and I, white, with four wheels and a steering device.... for that is all I know about cars.

On the Friday night (12/12/2008) I celebrated with the hostel massive. I hadn't planned a big night because we were planning on heading to the Full Moon party the next day. However, drinks at the hostel led to drinks at the pub and then at someones house.

11am the next morning I rocked up at the hostel and promptly went to bed. It was clear at that point that I was not going to be in any fit state to drive to the party later on and was quite happy to crash out in the coolness of the bedroom.

The next day was a scorcher, even in the shade it remaind hot but considerably cooler than in the sun. I spent the day relaxing with a book on the wood decking....bliss.

Monday I left for Bunbury. The weather had turned, the sky was grey, which changed the plan i had to drive up the coast to dunsbourgh where there was a nice beach for swimming. Instead I left a little later and took the road direct to Bunbury. I arrived to find everyone sat outside which was pretty much where I had left them the week earlier. It was good to be back.

Life carried on as usual at the Wanderer Inn. Sat outside reading books, chatting to people, drinking too much coffee followed by too much beer....
I was closer to the beach again, the beach being a two minute walk up the road, or sometimes a group of us, or sometimes a small convoy, would do the five minute drive to the dolphin bay where the water is calmer for swimming.
The following Monday (22/12) preperations for Christmas started. A list for those staying for christmas was drawn up, collections were made for the meal and the each of us learnt who we were to be secret santa for. It'd been left a bit late since there were only two more shopping days till Christmas. This meant that food prices were up so we got less for our money regarding chrissy dinner. The secret santa was made more fun though as there was less time to stress over what to get. Shopping in aussie hasn't been easy, since back home I know what shop sells what and exactly where I can pick up what I want. These shops are all different, some will sell a range of stuff and to find out what they actually sell you have to go in, most the time to find its all crap, but it means that shopping can take a while.

Being one of the people who wasn't working I ended up helping arrange the dinner, helping to collect the money for food and make a shopping list. I also made the fruit salad and a vegetarian chili which helped to take up most of xmas eve.

Christmas Day

This was my first christmas away from my family and also my first in a hot country.

It was surreal....

I was one of the last to get up, not surfacing till midday. By then most people were sat outside, some had already cracked open the beers, enjoying the holdiay feel and it did indeed feel merry.

By 3pm the beer was flowing, the santa hats were out, and the presents had been ripped into. I got a small version of a yard-of-ale glass and a youdrink, wedrink, Idrink, die....which prompted binge drinking and later got converscated for the problems it was causing :)

5pm was dinner time, by then all in need of some serious sobering up. It was a feast. Considering it was only 10 bucks a piece and there were some 30 of us, there was plenty to go around and enough was left for a later evening snack when all got hungry again.

After dinner the mood was a bit more sober, with full full bellies all were tiring. So to get things going again we headed with beers, towels, and a football at the ready down to the beach. I did go in for a swim but the waves made it hard work to stay away from the rocks and just as hard work to stay upright so I didn't last very long. Watching the wheelbarrow races was hilarious!

We watched the sunset, and celebrations continued back at the hostel.


5 days to recover....and to plan for New Year

To be honest I didn't feel too bad the next day....or maybe I've just conveinently pushed it out my memory.

Anyway....

We said goodbye to 2 friends, one back home (Hayley), the other travelling on (Marion), with a meal at a local restuarant the Saturday after. With my fellow non-worker (Marion) gone, the days at the hostel were quieter. Though this did mean I had no excuse from looking for a job, something I was feeling less than motivated having to do since I was enjoying my life of leisure. On the run up to christmas i had been enquiring about harvest jobs in the area, but the picking season had been delayed due to the weather. I had emailed numerous Wwoofing (willing worker) places but I was either told they weren't looking or some just didn't reply...how rude! The main jobs for backpackers in the area was at the chicken processing factory which was obviously a big No. So I looked to move on from my beloved Bunbury and found a pub job over the internet in a rural town.

I received a phone call on New Years Eve from the owners that they were keen to employ me. The conversation went well and there was nothing to stop me. I was to ring in the New Year to confirm my interest and that was it... I had a job!

New Year

We had a bbq for New Year too

A lot was drank

There aren't words to describe it. The photos will so some of it, but I think the less said the better.

It was an amazing night.

I saw the sunrise on the New Year's Day from the tower which stands in the middle of Bunbury overlooking the whole town and the sea beyond it.

It was after 8am I dropped into bed and, apart from getting up for a snack that evening, there I stayed till the following morning.

2009

Thurday 1st - in bed, not getting up, so much better to stay horizontal... light hurts

Friday 2nd - Feeling good. A day in bed makes it all better. Got a phone call from the owner of the pub asking when am I coming up to Dowerin, and if there was anyway chance it could be by tomorrow...eek! I hear my self say yes, I'll be there by 4pm. After the phone call finished, panic set in, followed by a mad rush to get packed. So efficient at packing my backpack, that an hour later its all done.

Saturday 3rd - didn't sleep last night, the weather has hotted up and the dorm rooms are muggy and airless. Realise its as hard to sleep when too hot as when too cold!
Packed and ready to go, I say goodbye to those who are up (not many at 8am) and head off on my way. My first stop is 10mins down the road to buy car insurance and roadside assistance. Even though I already have a minimum cover of insurance I had just found out that it was only for hitting a person. Meaning that if I hit someones brand new mercedes I'd have to fork out for the repairs......

Anyway that done and dusted I hit the road.

I dont hit any traffic and manage to navigate my way around Perth and the various freeways.... its a miricale.

After Perth its out to the Wheat Belt. Red dust runs along each side of the road, separating it from the surrounding wheat fields. This far into nowhere and the road becomes straight. An hour before I reach Dowerin I lose my phone signal shortly followed by the radio signal. Suddenly I'm feeling nervous. Without the music I'm starting to think! Where the hell am I going!

Dowerin

The signs say I'm getting closer to my destination but there is no sign of civilisation. Signposts for road names point to dirt tracks. I'm hoping I wont be directed down one of them. Not sure my car could take it.

As I come over the brow of a small incline (this is a relatviely flat area), the road stretches out for a couple of kilometres and at the end sits a small village/town. Not sure why anyone would build there but I can now relax as at least I feel I'm not headed quite towards hicksville.

Dowerin has one main street, if it can be called that. Its very small. Type Dowerin into Wiki and you'll find out it has a population of 352 (2006 census)....actually it even explains why they did build a town there......hmm

So here I am at The Commercial Hotel, 4 Stewart Street, Dowernin.

The weather gets very hot out here, and somedays I just dont leave the hotel. The other week it hit 49 and it's regularly in the top 30s early 40s. Hot!

On the whole its been a good experience. The locals are friendly and I enjoy talking to them. The only negative part is that I dont like the attitude of a girl I work with. Since she's been here for longer and so is effectively my superior. Anyway I wont taint my blog with me moaning bout that.

Till next time

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