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Published: August 8th 2007
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So, still in Bundaberg, completed two thirds of the amountof work needed for the 2nd year visa extension, doing fruit picking and packing in the areas most desperate for backpacking workers. Although not planning to extend my visa, since most of the hard work has been done, I have had my form signed off anyway, just in case. Two more working days to go, then we will be back on the road again. Can't wait to hit the road, I'm getting all excited, the same as before we headed off in the first place. Exciting!! On another one of those forced day offs today, since the tomato shed is shut, and there is no other available work for me to do.
It has surprised me how much everything, particularly agriculture, is affected by the weather here. If that happened back home, nothing would ever get done!! Bundaberg supposedly has about 20 rainy days a year, think we must have almost seen all of them by now. When it rains, most of the picking jobs get called off, especially the citrus fruits and strawberries, as picking in the rain causes damage to the fruit. Other fruits, like zucchinis and tomatoes don't
Zucchini Plants
Looking a little phalic! seem to get rained off, although the work is not as regular and frequent. The tomato shed still works in the rain, but not as much fruit is picked, and it means that we have to pack everything straight away since they are wet, and will be damaged if left in the cold store overnight. So not necessarily a bad thing. There have been many days recently when the workers in the hostel have got cabin fever, being trapped inside by the rain outside, with no where else to go, and nothing to do. It is a fight for the sofas and the DVD player, that we are often not the victors of.
The crops are also affected by the cold temperature. Although winter, it is not often as cold as it is now in Queensland. Last week produced a day colder than any other on record, as per the word around the shed. Even those that live in their shorts donned a pair of slacks last week. The cold weather stops the zucchinis and tomatoes from growing, hence why I have the day off today, and why the shed hasn't been open everyday, as usual. During these days
I have sometimes been lucky enough to have work picking the zucchs and toms, although not for very long. The zucchinis are very similar to pick as the squash, with the bushes being exactly the same, and hurting your back just as much, but the tomatoes are a pleasure, being waist height on the plants. I found myself wishing to pick tomatoes, which I never thought would happen!! The first day of it was wet and muddy, but I had my water proofs on, so was comfortable and dry, but the second was glorious sunshine, great weather for playing boules and volleyball with the squashy tomatoes!! Since it has been so long between each pick for me, as been packing, my body has felt the strain each time, like it has been the first!
It has not been all work, work, work, several times a week someone leaves, like we need an excuse for a piss up! It's a bit like the big brother house, saying goodbye to people you have lived in close proximity to for so long, although we choose when we leave (except if you are caught drinking in the hostel, then you get booted out).
A big group of us also went to the Bundaberg Rum Distillery, which is just a few minutes walk for the hostel. The 'tasting' session after was great, perfect cure for a hang over from the night before!!
Living in Bundaberg has been weird. As the Lonely Planet describes it, it is a typical Oz hick town, and that it certainly is. Everyone is a farmer, or works for a farm. The center point of their lives. Exciting.
So Saturday, we are on the road again, can't wait!!
P.S. Just had my last day at work, it is now Friday, and I am excited as ever. We are having a BBQ tonight, for which I have just made a huge citrus salad, and then heading off to the pub for a few drinks (jugs!). Just seen a parrot flying around in the garden at the hostel, a sight I have not witnessed for a whille, almost forgot I was in Australia, with all this work. New discoveries lead the way, and I am so ready to go.
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Rob Fotza
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Keep the blogs coming Cheryl - they are entertaining as always, and really make me want to travel...