It’s not all adventure…

Or is it?

I thought I would give you a little insight into what a normal day might be like on a working holiday inbetween the cool stuff that you all see pictures of!

I feel really good after a swim, despite the fact that the water was cold, I got disturbed half an hour into it by a hundred school kids and I had to bin my swimming costume because it was practically disintegrating.

Australian Indians don’t cook Bhuna! This makes me a little sad every time I fancy a curry!

I find it funny and interesting that there are shops closing down all over the state, possibly the country but everywhere I’ve been there are a few CD shops still thriving.

I had to give in and buy some cheap jeans. Something I don’t like skimping on but I figure cheap jeans that fit will make me look less like a tramp than good jeans that are falling off me teenage gangster style. I just have to hope they survive more than two washes and don’t dye the rest of my clothes. Or even my legs for that matter!

Getting fed up with living off ham, lettuce and cheese wraps and noodles I decided to get myself a Chinese takeaway. Walking home you can see the sympathy in people’s eyes as they see I have take out for one haha.

So my day pretty standard, although ideally it would involve some sort of work in the very near future! Until my lovely roommate decides she wants to practice driving the car she bought yesterday. She admits to having only driven about four times in her life total. It was going great apart from stalling once until we get to the top of a hill and she stalls again. Cars start lining up behind us and as she’s trying to pull away she’s rolling backwards!!! The lady behind us had to back up so we didn’t hit her. Oops! All the cars had to go past us and she made me get out while she tried again and again until she finally made it. Was quite entertaining for a standard Tuesday evening trip to the supermarket. Was also quite nice being in a car again. It’s been a long time! So in a way everyday you can come across a mini adventure, no matter where you are! Enjoy the little things is the way to enjoy life

I miss you all!! Xxxxx

The sounds of nature

The thing I love about Australian cities is the fact that they all have incredible nature right on their doorsteps. Launceston’s masterpiece is the Cataract Gorge which I spent a good five or six hours hiking around today. It’s beautiful like the rest of Tasmania.
One track I was literally in the woods completely alone. At one point a jogger passed me but for the other sixty to ninety minutes it was just me and the nature surrounding me. I got to listen and learn all the sounds. A little rustling on the ground meant I had disturbed a lizard sunbathing on a rock. The rustling in the trees above was the little wedge tail birds with their sweet songs. At one point a beautifully coloured one flew to the branch ahead of me. It flew around me from branch to branch as I stood still to watch it and then it flew at me, if I hadn’t have moved I swear it would have landed on my head! Was incredible. The loud sound a little further off was a wallaby bolting as it heard the jangling of my water bottle. I also witnessed baby wallabies munching away. Three of them, one slightly smaller than the other two. It was so amazing. Australians would just walk past these creatures as they’ve seen so many but any animal will always keep me fascinated for ages. There were also peacocks wandering around, including babies and they were even taking food off the visitors.
I love white gum trees! I also have a fascination with bridges. There were two suspension bridges to walk across today. One of them I did twice, just for fun! I remember when I was a kid I made my dad drive well out of the way on a family holiday so I could see the amazing bridge that is the Humber. I don’t know where my interest in bridges came from, especially those of the suspension kind but I suspect school somehow. Many things grabbed me while I was learning about them at school and I still have the enthusiasm and curiosity about things today but I can’t read about things I have to discover them through doing or listening. I guess interactively. I read all about the history of the Duck Reach power station today on my way around however.
When I was walking out of the reserve and back to the hostel I noticed that everything was more beautiful. It’s almost as if nature teaches you to open your eyes and see the beauty in everything. Although I’m sure the sun helped! I think the day completely refreshed me and its great to have that escape from city life.

I had this post written on my phone and it was much better but i forgot to save it argh. Random thought of the day…I think photography is for people with a good eye but aren’t all that good at drawing.
I’m sure there are lots of things that have changed about me since I left for my trip two months ago but one of the things I am so happy to say is that I am now used to everyone being friendly because that’s what they are rather than sceptical about what somebody wants when they say hello. It’s quite a nice feeling to know that if you came unstuck almost anywhere in the country there is someone around who would gladly help you out.

God bless Australia

The day after I left the farm 7/4/13

It possibly sounds lame to some but yesterday I had the best experience of my trip so far. I was sat on a bench after naughtily just having consumed a whole small pizza to myself and just about to start writing when I notice some fins wading across the water. I jump up throw the pizza box in the rubbish, chuck my stuff in my bag and run to the rocks to witness at least four dolphins jumping in and out of the water. I’ve tried many boat trips in Australia so far to get a sighting of these amazing creatures. I even had a wild dolphin swim booked when I was in Adelaide and it was cancelled due to RAIN, in AUSTRALIA. What are the odds! I didn’t think I’d ever witness them in their natural habitat and out of the blue on the day I’m not feeling that great and I should probably still be on the farm and there they are right in front of me! It happened so fast I only managed to snap one picture but it was a pretty good one! The major downside to only using a camera phone and not an actual camera on such a trip is the lack of zooming capabilities. The picture was posted on my Twitter account if you wish to view it >>>>>

I think what made it so great was the fact that it was so surprising and unexpected. Even though I’m constantly excited about seeing new things this occurrence really got me pumped for more adventures! The problem, or maybe it’s not such a problem, I have mainly with such a long trip is I’m in such a rush to see everything that I think I’m missing out on valuable experiences in the places I’ve visited so far. However I have another ten months yet so I can always go back!

Day 22 on the farm 5/4/13

Well all is not rosy on the farm. I have discovered when two very different people live in a confined space together it doesn’t work. An argument was had and the farmer is convinced I was in the wrong however I very much fail to see how and he wanted to argue with me and really didn’t speak to me in a nice way. Made completely insane assumptions about me after knowing me for a measly three weeks. Really am in shock to be honest and I feel he is taking his frustrations with his business out on myself. I also think he spends too much time alone as he thinks the whole town is against him. Well he’s apparently happy with his life so tomorrow I am leaving him to get on with it, without my help. Good luck buddy.

Back to being a traveller. A backpacker I can’t call myself as my contents are in a wheelie holdall and I spend way too much on food ha. I’m growing weary of people say “you’re brave” when I tell them I’m travelling alone. I’m not brave I’m enjoying life. I may be a million miles from home and my loved ones but I don’t feel like I’m ever in any danger. Brave people are those who jump into flaming buildings to save people or try to stop attacks happening in the street. Even though travelling for a long time is at times very hard and can be extremely lonely I don’t class myself as being brave. Strong perhaps. Determined maybe. Save the bravery for the heroes.

The East coast of Tasmania is truly stunning and I don’t regret coming. I’ve learnt to stick up for myself and choose my own path. If anyone ever gets the chance to come to Tassie they must take it! The east coast is just beautiful. I’m looking forward to heading off to see more of the state.

Dick Dundee came back!!! Luckily it was when I was here on my own so I could talk to him about staying on his farm for a while. It appeals to me way more because of the horses and dogs. Home grown veggies and kangaroo and fish caught for dinner won’t hurt either yum! More of a real farm experience. I don’t think I got a great deal out of this experience personally except how to clean sigh but maybe I soaked something up that will be useful in my future. I am hoping anyway that I can fit in going to this farm even if its only for 2 weeks as I’ll also need to make a little money in the next six weeks before the boyfriend arrives for our epic adventure. We will be experiencing the almost traditional campervan experience and also heading to Bali for 9 days, another country to tick off the list. All exciting stuff!

I’m finally going to start writing a book. I’ve been racking my brains trying to decide what my future holds career wise so I can jump in head first when I eventually go home but I can’t seem to stick to one option. Hopefully inspiration will take over along the way!

Day 11 on the farm 25/3/13

So I’ve been here over a week and I still really can’t think of anything negative about life out here. I’ve seen a few more interesting insects…last night a mini scorpion in the bathroom, a mini jumping spider which is possibly what I woke up with on my face a couple of nights ago, it had also turned on the lamp in my room which is one of those touch ones. A bit freaky but if I was living in a house rather than a shack I think it would be less likely anyway! It’s 23 glorious degrees outside today. I have been left to run the shop on my own a few times now and it’s been pretty nice interacting with all the holiday goers.

I met the farmers wife and she’s lovely. She fed me up and brought with her boots, trousers and gloves for me to work in so no more blisters alleluia! She made me feel even more welcome here and I am trying to think of a way to express my gratitude for when I have to leave. I will be meeting his children and grandchildren at Easter which will be eventful I’m sure.
I just got the speech about wasting water but its rain water or pumped from the river so it doesn’t cost him a cent and I’m pretty sure I’m not going to use a rivers worth, despite my 20 minute showers.

If I keep having to practice making the ice creams and of course eating them after, all my hard work in losing weight is going to be ruined! Work was hard today, all my muscles are aching and my hands are raw but like if I was at the gym I just pushed though the wall. I am catching the sun which probably isn’t helping but it will be nice to be a bit more brown.Earning money is slow so far but I may be getting a job down at one of the local vineyards which will be much better money. I will also be making waffles in the mornings for customers and minus ingredients all the money made will be mine.

This is completely unrelated to farm life but I’ve noticed something in my time in Australia. There seems to be a lot of media attention on depression and a lot of people setting up help for sufferers. It’s on TV, it’s on posters from toilet doors to shops to bus stops. It baffles me a bit! I mean Australia is booming at the moment, everyone is making money and spending it. The sun is always shining. If you avoid the fast food places most of the time the food is fresh and good for you. As far as I’ve seen there’s not a whole lot of binge drinking going on. There is a mountain of physical activities you can do. How are so many people in this country suffering from depression? How much better do people need things to be? I understand major life changes like deaths of spouses etc but I can’t imagine that’s so common for it to be an issue. I’ve seen people who’ve lost their houses due to floods or more recently a tornado and they just pick up and get on with life. I guess it suggests that it’s very much the person and how they deal with things that affects their way of life, not their surroundings. I think this is something that should be concentrated on with children as much as their school work, teaching them how to handle life. It could also be that they already have everything so don’t know what to do with themselves, as depression is also pretty common among rich housewives everywhere in the world. Well that’s my two pence worth. I guess I see this place with rose tinted glasses being here on ‘holiday’ but compared to almost anywhere else I’ve been in the world Aussies have got it pretty darn good!

Other than hearing ‘fair dinkum’, ‘cobber’ and other native lingo on a regular basis I think as a traveller one of the best things about living and working with someone is being able to stay in one place for a while and settle a bit and really see what life is about over here. I already don’t want to leave Tasmania. I will have to at some point though to find some work to continue living the dream. I can honestly say I haven’t been this happy in a really really long time and now I just have to get my boyfriend, family and friends over here and everything would be perfect! Ha.

Day 5 on the farm 19/3/13

I’m sat by the river in the sun, slightly shaded by the trees. I spent the day forking wood chip into a wheelbarrow and tipping it over rocks and clay. Other work I’ve done the last couple of days is prepare flowerbeds for planting tomorrow when the plants arrive. This is all pretty hard work for someone who has never done any gardening or even used a fork or spade in her life. My mum always said I had pen pusher hands which I think was proved today when I got the sixth blister on my hands ha. I am loving it though! I think partly because its different and partly because I get to wake up to the most amazing views and am literally living the life. We pop into the nearest town, Bicheno, every couple of days. Just 10 minutes away it has a wonderful beach and a blowhole around a lovely rocky area and the people here are so friendly. I really have absolutely nothing to complain about. The birds are tweeting and flying around the place. There is an abundance of butterflies that are always fluttering by. The worst insects I have seen so far are crickets but only because they look like cockroaches. A few times a day you hear a gun shot go off where a farmer is taking a pop at some crows or a roo or whatever takes their fancy! Dick Dundee shoots his own kangaroos and prepares them for food himself, I can just imagine how good that tastes!!! I really hope I get a chance to get on his farm at some point, without offending my new farmer friend.

A day in the life pretty much consists of getting up early and having breakfast. Maybe popping into town for supplies or errands. Getting to work, whatever needs doing. Having lunch. Going for a walk or sitting by the river and reading/writing. Catching up with the news. Having dinner, tonight is BBQ can’t wait! Enjoying the complete peace and quiet then getting to bed early to be ready for another day. There is a rooster next door but you can barely hear it as next door is, as you can probably guess, not that close. So I wake up naturally without an alarm every morning, it’s pretty special, as the Aussies like to say.

It turns out this isn’t the families main farm, which is in the North. This is where they sell their produce and grow a few strawberries. I’m meeting the farmers wife tomorrow who is coming down to visit and maybe the whole family at Easter time. He has 3 children and too many grandchildren to count. There are plans for dune buggies for kids on the many acres here and a tipi for campers. I’m really excited about being a part of all this expansion. It’s a great experience. I’ve been preparing the wooden poles for the tipi. I’ve also helped promote the place online which is something new I can bring to here as the farmer doesn’t have much clue about such things. The big kid in me is looking forward to getting a go on the dune buggy that should be on its way!
I feel miles away from anything, including my own life, especially back home and its strange to think everything is still going on while I’m out here living healthily and peacefully in this little corner of the world.

Day 1 on the farm 15/3/13

On the bus from Hobart to my new home for a couple of months I’m very excited to see the farm and get to work. The scenery all around me is just stunning, every few kms is another glimpse of the magnificent coast. Its kilometres here folks, not miles. Riding along listening to a local guy talk about fixing up his car to the bus driver in what words I could make out with his quick drawl I’m already getting a taste of the local farmers. As soon as we are getting close to my drop off point I’m desperately looking out for the big strawberry that my new farmer friend told me I couldn’t miss on the way along the Tasman Highway. The highway being what us English folk would call a country road. Eventually I see a sign for ice cream and think this must be it…the owner boasts of the best ice cream in Tasmania and I must say its pretty darn tasty! The bus driver pulls up alongside of the road and all I see is this shack and I’m like is this it? Is this even big enough to house me and the farmers family? Where are all the animals? My heart sinks a little.

I roll my holdall on wheels up to the entrance and from behind the fly screen I hear a loud voice…”G’day how ya going Claire?” Minus my name this is pretty much how he welcomes everyone. After introductions and a load of information about the place I’m just observing the day to day business, holiday makers wandering in and out mmm’ing at the ice cream and other things like the blackberry liqueur which is my personal fave. So 3 hours after I arrive in walks this grey haired fella in vest, jeans and boots and sporting a black cowboy type hat with the crocodile teeth around the base of it. Tanned and youthful looking and very quick witted he seems to know my new farmer friend. He stands in the doorway weight shifted onto one leg, hand tucked into his belt right beside his knife and starts talking about his ute and his chooks. This guy is who I’m here to meet! He’s 78 years old and still runs his own farm and rides horses. He told us how earlier a bus full of “Japs” were all shouting “Hey Mick” at him and snapping pics. He turned round to them and said “Nah mate I’m his twin brother Dick Dundee,” Dick being his actual name. I’m not sure if my describing this to you is anywhere near experiencing the situation but I was highly amused the whole time he was here. He owns the kind of farm I was hoping for with dogs and horses and he grows all his own vegetables etc. He did say he needed some help so I’m considering asking if I can spend a couple of weeks there too, I reckon he would even teach me to ride!

The farmer says to me go for a walk around the grounds, just behind there is Apsley River. Oh my gosh, I’m living on the river!! This is a pretty good consolation for no animals and the dog next door comes to visit though its a butch little thing, not quite a farm dog! As I walk down past all the long grass the sound it makes blowing together gives the impression there’s something rustling around in it so I’m looking for small mammals but alas it’s just the grass rustling together. The river is great, it’s slow and steady and surrounded by reeds, trees and grass. I really want to swim in it, it’s quite deep apparently but there’s no way for me to get past the muddy banks and reeds though there are plans to build a jetty.
After an exciting day I sink into the middle of my obviously well used bed and fall asleep to the sound of crickets and nothing else.

****I really want to add photos to these blog posts but its not gonna happen while I’m stuck using an iPad. There are some major flaws to Apple products!