Looking back

So it's Christmas time around the world, which seems strange given its so hot. It's at this time we have started to look back on the last year. 

2013 has been an amazing year for us. January passed in a flash, and the rest of the years pretty much followed suit. To think its mid, almost late, December is ridiculous! 

It's been a year in which we've got married, then left jobs, friends, family and animal companions behind to explore Australia! The opportunity to explore a country the size of a continent. 

So far we have loved every minute of it. The people, the places, the environment, the culture, and there's so much more to see. 

That being said the one disappointment so far has been the work. A combination of our field of expertise and visa type means there are few / if any opportunities we are able to apply for (that we would apply for at home). This may be different in the other places we visit, but thus far has been our experience. 

Not too say we haven't enjoyed the variety of work opportunities we have had. It's been very...interesting. 

Given whats happened in the last few weeks, months and year, we can honestly say you never know what could happen. 

As we start to plan for next year, we really do appreciate the places we've seen, the people we've met, and the experiences we've had in 2013. From last minute wedding preparations, talking universities with the wedding car driver, Chloe saying "I do", Layla's Gangnam Dance, waking up at the Queens looking out at the 'Southsea Sea' a married couple, honeymooning in Tenerife, my final Primary Project events at Chichester, Chloe's last assaults at work, Marmalade joining Team Supreme, deciding to leave (mainly sell) everything to try out Australia, final days at work, final volleyball & 5-a-side nights, saying goodbye to family and friends, getting one plane, not knowing if or when we would return and everything since. It has been amazing!

Here's to 2014.

We hope you are all well and enjoying the holiday period. See you all (in some shape or form) in 2014!

Most Liveable City

So Melbourne, its definitely not Adelong.  There's not a Roo Burger in sight!

As we get closer to christmas we are both missing home. Though we had a reminder of home three weeks ago when Chloe dragged me out of the shop, where I had been happily  playing FIFA. Very much like being at home.   

After having been here four, maybe five, weeks. We'd  only had five days where it had not rained, or been cold enough to require two jumpers. We were constantly told the weather 'is about to change'. It's got better, it's warmer and we see the sun more often. But the rain is still around.

We've since learnt this is the worst summer for decades.

Our hostel accommodation was Good. Actually it was amazing compared to the place next door! On arrival in Melbourne we made our way to King Street Backpackers (before our 7 plus hour coach trip we had decided to book 3 nights at the closest hostel to the coach stop, as we arrived at 11.15pm). Our home for the first 3 nights was a twin room (thanks to a double booking). Which was less visually pleasing than the 6bed we moved into, but I digress. At the weekend the hostel was fully booked (we've since learned that weekends are always booked). So we moved next door to Melbourne Connect. It was horrid. Lets just say I set up a trip advisor account just to moan!

We then booked back into King St. Backpackers on Monday and stayed  there for the next four weeks. 

We did a few cool things in the first few weeks here, before spending a lot of time job and accommodation hunting. 

We visited St. Kilda a few times. Seeing a hiding penguin, and lots of kite surfers. Not to mention getting rained on more than a couple of times. We visited Ethiad Stadium seeing Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar. Once we were inside I realised why I'd gotten a funny look when asking if our seats were blocked view seats. Because, we could sit anywhere in the upper tier, there was no blocked view AND there was a roof! Not the sort of thing a Pompey fan is expecting. 

There's been a lot if walking around, a lot! And we've loved it, even if our feet often ask for a rest near Hungery Jacks or a certain pub (meal deals and wifi, need I say more?). We have also visited the Ice-Chill Bar, where we where in minus 14 degrees for over 30 minutes, playing O's & X's, taking photos and having some drinks. Good times!

We've (re)learned that direction is not Chloe's 'best' skill, having twice got on a tram going the wrong way. Though only once did we ride it to the end of the line before confirming, 'yes, we are going the wrong way'. 

We've also learned that we haven't packed for this weather as we are wearing both our jumpers in 90% of our Melbourne photos. 

We've walked around the stadia nearby, there's Rod Laver Arena (Tennis), AMMI Stadium (Rugby and Football), MCG (Cricket), Something beginning with H (Netball), and another multi purpose stadium / arena. It's amazing that these buildings are all so close to each other. It really gives you a sense of being near everything that's going on. 

A few weeks ago we were waiting to visit the Melbourne Music Festival, then Chloe saw a few people with open day bags, never one to miss an open day opportunity, I was straight on the interweb. Then we were off to the Melbourne Cricket Ground with information of a free event. 

We could not believe what we saw as we walked in..... People on the field, lots of people. Now I'm not a cricket fan but this was a sight. Admittedly on closer inspection most where playing 'footie' (aka. Aussie Rules), but still amazing stuff. We walked around (the opposite way to the arrows) and sat in the directors box and wondered about on the field, walking passed the pitch long queue to hold a trophy I can only guess is something to do with cricket. We managed to avoid the hundred plus balls flying around, which was fortunate.  

More recently Chloe's been working as a fundraiser over the phone and I'm fundraising face to face. Having had a 3 day job a couple of weeks ago selling and promoting toys. 

We have now moved into our own accommodation, with our own space and a great rooftop view. 

Yesterday (that's right we're almost up to date) we watched Melbourne Victory play Newcastle Jets, unfortunately we lost, however we did get to see Emile Heskey! Then on the way back we walked passed the Ethiad Stadium where Bon Jovi was playing, and there were still $35 tickets available. So in we went, Chloe was bouncing away on her chair singing along within 3 minutes. I told you, there's always something going on. 

We are now looking forward to seeing Simone, who is visiting us, over Christmas and New Year. We are planning to do some activities / day trips which will be fun. We are also now planning on moving on to Tasmania in early February, where we will potentially again participate in farm work. 

But for now we are enjoying the build up to Christmas and hoping all our family and friends at home are too. 

The usual visual display is below. 

Mario in the city centre

Pre Match at Ethiad Stadium

Melbourne Victory vs Brisbane Roar

Penguin Hunting

Nearby Yarra River

Visiting the Ice Bar

St. Kilda

MCG Open Day

View from our rooftop

South Melbourne Beach

Passenger Busking at Fed Sq. 

AMMI Park for Melbourne Victory vs Newcastle Jets

Bon Jovi at Ethiad Stadium

Short Stories (V.2)

Version 2 is right! I've already written this post (almost finished it)! Only to realise I haden saved it. So here goes, short stories v.2. 

Monopoly with Jack

Jack is the son of our boss at Roche Bros. Jack loves monopoly, so much so that we once played twice in a day. However there is a fatal floor in Jacks game plan. He has to have Mayfair and Park Lane. I regularly exploited this plan by (fortunatley) landing on and purchasing one of this. Then making Jack pay $2,000 for it. Who says I'm not good with kids?

David's Walks

Our second WWOOFer friend, David, enjoys walking and trekking. Most days after work he is out walking the surrounding area. Then on Fridays he's off until late on Sunday. I mention this because one evening we herd a gun shot and wondered if he'd been shot for walking through someone else's land. Fortunatley David came home about an hour later. 

 

Mike's visit to the Doctors

I've had a small bump on the back of my neck for years. However about two weeks ago, this bump became much larger and was becoming very uncomfortable. After a week I gave in to Chloe's 'suggestions' and went to the doctor. Where I was informed I had an infected cyst. 'Fortunatley' the infection could be drained. After moving from the consultation room to the We Have You Now Room. I was asked if I liked scars. My response was quick and clear, "I'd rather not have them!"  45 minutes later and I was out. My whole neck in a bandage, but I was out! 

Thanks to our Medicare card (actually number as the card is in Sydney. Too long winded for a post called 'Short Stories'). I only had to pay for the antibiotics.  

Batlow Apple Blossom Festival

The festival was very interesting. An array of rural community life. There were stalls and food stands, of course. Along with, vintage cars, a hay bail maker, forest fire fighting truck, AND the history of kitchen utensils and sowing machines in Batlow. It was just so very... fascinating. 

We sat and watched the local orcstra (try to) play some 'well known' songs and the Windy Wizard. Who I found hilarious, I think its fair to say Chloe didn't enjoy the performance as much as I did. Sadly we missed the apple pie eating competition. 

Visiting the Dam

We were luckily enough to visit the Kosciuszko National Park Dam with Lachie and some of his family on our last weekend in Adelong. It was lovely, but I've mainly included this so I can add a photo. 

David's Hair Cut

I only include this because its hilarious that I cut some of his hair. 

Christmas Jobs

We have now moved on to Melbourne in search of Christmas work. Unfortunately this has ment we've left Adelong eairlyer than expected. But we wouldn't have found work in mid December, so here we are. 

Image Time

Post Drs. 

Batlow Apple Festival

Kosciuszko National Park Dam

Last Day Photos

Waiting for the coach to Melbourne 

Day 1 in Melbourne -  Richmond

Hotel Transylvania nearly has me...

Hello!

Having been here (Adelong) for about 6 weeks and having now decided on our next stop, I thought it was a good time to post again. Also Chloe is currently watching Hotel Transylvania and starting to fall asleep, so why not. That being said, I maybe writing this 'now' but it will probably be a couple of days until I have signal to post this. 

That has been one of the slightly annoying things in that we never have signal here. Though we are in the middle of hills and mountains so I guess it's to be expected. 

We have met two other WWOOFers since the last post. A German girl (who's name I'm going to avoid writing for fear of a drastic misspell), and David from Hong Kong. It's very interesting to hear about other people's reasons and journeys to WWOOFing and to Australia. 

The last few weeks we have spent most of the time pruning and packing apples. It's amazing how time consuming some of these tasks can be. We have now listened to most of the music and podcasts on our iPhones. That being said, we have enjoyed doing something very different to what we were doing before. However we have both said today how much we miss the jobs we had back in the UK. 

We are now planning on moving on to Melbourne in the first week of November to seek work before Christmas. That will be another exciting adventure, as we look for accommodation and work over the next few weeks. 

As our time at Roche Bros. Fruit comes to an end we will try to cram in as much as possible while planning for Melbourne. Last week we visited the Adelong Gold Mill Ruins, walking along most of the paths and some paths, looking back, I'm not exactly sure where paths (we were walking past the bottom of people's gardens). It was a lovely walk, if slightly hot. 

Those of you that are friends with Chloe on Facebook will also know that two of the dogs next door had puppies last week. It's amazing how much they grow in a few days. 

We have had a great time here and will enjoy the next 3 weeks, but we have missed the beaches. Hopefully we'll be near the sea in Melbourne. 

***** Trying not to be distracted by the film ******

There was a big family-friends dinner here last night which was lovely. The only annoying thing being we didn't take a photo. This has been one of the best things about this part of our journey. Getting to meet and spent time with a group of family-friends.

Anyway their about to do the 'Zing' song on Hotel Transylvania so I must go. 

We hope all our family and friends reading this are well and looking forward to the blizzard winter the BBC (other news providers are available) is saying your going to have in the UK.

*Highlights remembered at a later stage

- Watching the Sydney Roosters win the NRL Championship. 

- Ricky Martin's pre-show 'show' hilarious!

- Not sure it's a 'highlight' but trying to save the chooks after a dog attack. 

- Visiting Woolworth's (it's a supermarket here). 

- Going to Henty, the farmers comicon. 

- Trying to decide whether or not to use horse medicine (a long conversation). 

- Watching Game of Thrones season 1,2 and most of 3. It's a new addiction! 

- Watching a 20 minute news segment on children being injured on trampolines (8 a day in Australia)!

As per, photos below

Chloe helping with the pies

Pruning 

Day trip to Wagga Wagga 'Beach'

Sunday morning view

Gold Mill Ruins 

Chloe with the dogs

....and a puppy!

Spider! Where? Kill it!

Having now been on the farm for two weeks I thought it would be a good time to fill you in on what we've been doing. 

Job wise we have (so far);

Packed apples

Put down fertiliser

Pruned

Rolled wire (a lot of wire, and a few different ways)

Packed apples

Cleaned and packed eggs

Fed and released dogs and chooks

Packed apples

But enough about work! We have walked the 2 hours to Adelong (and back), walked around the farm and surrounding land to explore and find good vantage points to look around at all the....land. In short there's been much walking. 

There is also a dog / puppy business here (next door, run by our bosses mum). Chloe has attempted to adopt a puppy. Fortunately at $2,000 it's well out of our price range, so the occasional walk (or drag and carry) will have to do for now. 

Last weekend we visited the Kosciuszko National Park. Google tells me the Park is 6,900 square kilometres (everything is kilometres here, what happened to miles?!?). We drove towards the caves and thermal pool. Unfortunately we were too late to walk though the caves, but did walk down to the thermal pool area. After waiting for the 3 people in jumpers to inspect the pool and look around (not an actual inspection!) we got changed and slowly got in. Having been told its always 27 degrees we where expecting some warmth, alas there wasn't much! We had also read the information sign which stated that frogs can live in the pool...along with other things. 

We didn't stay in the pool quite as long as expected. 

On the way to Kosciuszko National Park we saw a few kangaroos. The first ones we've seen in the wild. We've been looking since we arrived on the farm for Roos, only to see dead ones on the side of the road, not exactly what I'd been hoping for. Fortunately on the way back we saw a few more which was cool. At this moment in time I think I have now seen as many live as dead Roos. Fingers crossed for spotting some more live Roos.   

We have enjoyed meeting Lach and Belinda's family and friends. Joining them at the pub and watching rugby (still not sure which ones league and union, despite asking "why is that a foul?" "What is he doing?" "Are they allowed to do that?"). Everyone is so happy when I sit down to watch sport here. 

Yesterday I found our first spider, which I showed Chloe who was less than pleased to see it in the box we were working on. In fact she went as far as to demand it's killing!

We have enjoyed having the opportunity to see, and be part of an Australian family here in Adelong. It has already been a great experience. Still few more weeks / months to go yet! 

I nearly forgot the drinking! They have it all in moderation here. Never before 5 in the week, and never before 11 on the weekend. 

Usuall visual display below. 

Walking to Adelong

Around the farm

Fertilising Team

  Kosciuszko National Park

Chloe's puppy (it's being sold next week)

Chloe's 'friend'

The house