Richard & Tracy Down Under

Here is the latest update for the last few days:---

20th December, 2008

Well today was a good day, great sunny weather. We had a small job to do today - that was to bottle the first batch of Aussie Beer. I have made a bitter am hoping that it will taste better than that cold Australian stuff they call bitter.. Here are some pics of the bottling factory...

The day then went on as usual - We had seen that the Wallaroo Christmas Firework display was tonight at 9-30pm. We decided that this would be a good event to go to. Well got into the car at 9-00pm to see the fireworks had already started. Well we got down there and saw the finish. Some photo's of what we saw...

22nd December, 2008

Today we went to the Kadina Christmas Pagent. Basically it was a carnival through the street followed by a carol service on the green. Think it was just another way to show off what you have got in the way of cars and bikes etc. Here are the photos.

Well was not a bad show, most people from the town made the effort. Might have to show them how the Brits do things though.....

25th December, 2008

Well HAPPY CHRISTMAS to you all.

We went for a walk along the Beach today. What a shame that is was sooooo busy - A total of 12 people there... Could not believe it - it was so crowded...

Whilst on our walk - Tracy got attacked by a killer CRAB - She was so happy that I was there to catch it, she did manage to get some photo's, once she had got her breath back...

We have found that there are a lot of jellyfish around - we have noticed one that keeps reminding us of a condom stuck in the sand - see what you think....

Well what do you think - let us know.

We dont know what we are going to be doing on New Years Eve, we were going to go and have a drink etc on the beach - but we have noticed this sign on all paths to the beach...

Well that has put an end to that - will have to see what happens.

That's all for now so see you all later.

Richard & Tracy

Today is Friday 19th December.

Well life has been much the same as always, nothing really changes there then.. Have been busy working hard, getting hotter by the day. Temperatures are now in the low to mid 30's on a daily basis, feels like 130 in the car. Making good use of the Aircon there.

Well what have we been up to apart from work - well......

On the 5th was Tracy's birthday, she had a few cards and a couple of prezzies.. so that saw Tracy's first birthday in OZ. No different to normal just have to good weather to go with it.

On the 7th we decided to go somewhere for a change of scenery. We said in the blog before that we went to Moonta and found nothing there... Well think we must have had our eyes closed or went through on the wrong road. Well we went and found a lovely little town. Had a walk down the street. Then we had to stop - there was a roar coming from a side road - and then suddenly about 100 moterbikes drove out. We later found out that they were on a gift run to needy children... how nice.

We then drove down to Moonta bay - what a lovely spot, so took some photos.

On Friday the 12th, my mobile phone rang at 4-30 AM, it was my boss saying that there was no work today... This was due to the rather large storm that was above. We had rain all day Friday and most of Saturday. There was that much that it broke all records. We had about 100mm or 4 inches. Good for keeping the dust down, but makes work difficult. On monday we got our concrete truck stuck so went home at 8-00am.

On Saturday 13th we went to Port Pirie to get our Christmas tree. On the way Tracy started screaming, making me wonder what the hell was wrong - well she had seen 3 kangaroos bouncing along the side of the car. Luckily they bounced off into the bush and never damaged the car. A nice sight though. Anyway got to Port Pirie and found they have a BIG W - basically a cash and carry, so we got a tree (artificial) and some decorations. Stopped at Subway for lunch and drove back. Bearing in mind that Port Pirie is about 2 1/2 hours away...

On the 14th we decorated the tree - here is the result.

Today the 19th we have had some work done on the house. We now have 2 large rainwater tanks. A carport and a big pile of gravel. We have struck a deal with the owner of the house, she is supplying the gravel etc and I will be landscaping the garden, in exchange for a few weeks free rent... Helps us all out.

Well think thats about it for the moment - and my beer is getting warm, so will finish here and will update very, very soon.

Hope everybody is ok and please keep intouch.

23rd November, 2008

Hi all, been a while since our last update, things here have been quite busy.

Now Sunday afternoon and the sun is out, have had a week of not brilliant weather - well when I say not brilliant I mean a bit cloudy and not as warm. Average temp has been a chilly 26 to 28 degrees.. Ha Ha Ha, have had a couple of storms in the evening. What a show, storms are big here, nothing like the ones in the UK. At least we are not in Queensland they have had really bad weather, about 14 inches of rain fell overnight the other day. They will still complain about a lack of water.....

Tuesday 4th November saw Melbourne Cup Day - A horse race which stops the whole country. Finished work at lunchtime so we could all get home or to the pub to watch the race. We were not to bothered by this but at least it gave me a half day off with full pay...

Have been doing a lot of walking over the last few weeks - had quite a long one the other day.... Woke up to find that the car had two flat tyres... I had no foot pump and all the neighbours were out. So we decided to walk to Wallaroo - what a mistake... It is about 5Km to walk along the beach but somebody in their wisdom put a marina in the way, which you have to walk around, this puts an extra 3km on the journey. Anyway got to the garage and purchased a can of tyre weld and a bottle of pop, and then walked all the way back.

Got tyres sorted the next morning in the garage in Kadina. At least we did not have to walk there.. The exercise is good for you so they say.

Things are starting to happen at the house, the landlady has decide to put in two rainwater tanks, each one holding 10,000 litres. The planning has gone through for the carport so something should be started pretty soon. Who knows we might have a garden for christmas, We could be having turkey on the barbie yet....

Am still working at the chicken farms, we are producing one shed a week at the moment. As there are 40 sheds to build there is quite a bit of work to do still. Have included some photos to show you my office....

Will try to remember to update this blog on a weekly basis, Have been a bit lazy not doing it for a while, work, rest and play seems to take over when you are in a place like this.

Sunday 2nd November.

Well another great week has just flown by, time seems to go just as quick here as it did back in the UK. Nothing changes there then. Things are a bit strange when contacting people in the UK since the clocks went back there. We are now 10 1/2 hours ahead and makes calling people very interesting.

Worked Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday again this week.

On Wednesday we took our empty bottles and cans to the re-cycling depot. Came out being 25 dollars better off. They pay you 10 cents per item if you take them to the correct point. This is great as it keeps the countryside tidy and people make a bit more money.

Took some photo's of the area we are living in, yes a building site at the moment.

After lunch we went for a walk along the beach. Here is the road to the beach from our house.

Whilst on our walk we both had to laugh at a chap and his wife trying to catch a crab. He decided to try to scoop it up out of the water with his hat. Was quite amusing to watch. The I found one and showed Tracy how it should be done, and I didn't use my hat.

This one was above the minimum size for keeping but I decided to put it back and allow it to live another day.

We also took some photo's of the seaweed that is around the area.

We then found a starfish and just had to snap that one.

This morning (Sunday) we were woken by a very large storm. We had thunder and lightning along with the biggest downpour of rain I have ever seen. It did not last for long and was only enought to wet the surface of the ground. We had a quick walk down the beach and took some photo's of the storm clouds.

Had a quick walk into the cheap shop in town, it is the only shop that is open on a Sunday. They have all the Christmas stuff in already, at least cards etc are very cheap here.

Had a quick walk along the pier after lunch and nearly got blown off the edge as the wind is still very strong. Time is now 5-00pm and sat down doing blog watching Aussie TV. At the moment we get 2 channels, but will be signing up for satellite very soon. At least then we will have a choice of what we watch.

Next update will be next Sunday.

Sunday 26th October.

Well another normal week this week.

Worked Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. This does not work out too bad and breaks the week up having Wednesday off. Would be nice to work a full week (to bring more money in) but with the Global recession at the moment, then something is better than nothing.

We have been out walking every evening as the weather is so nice, with temperatures getting up to 39 degrees this week. Still have not had any rain.

Farmers here are starting to get worried as they are predicting strong wings (storm force) for the weekend. They have only just started the harvest and are worried that they might loose a lot of the crop in the winds. The farmers are now harvesting throughout the night and are making a lot of dust.

Got the local paper on Tuesday and noticed that The Copper Cove Marina was having a boat show on Saturday. We both said we would go as it is our local Marina and should show our support.

So on Saturday we went. Yes well, it was a boat show (if you can call 10 boats a show) with a live band, bar and bbq. Think we spent about 20 minutes there. Have included the photos.

This last photo is where we get our beer and wine from, we have a drive through bottle shop. A bit different to the UK and a bit strange for the first time.

Now geting set for the week ahead. So from now on we will update the blog on a weekly basis unless anything special happens in the mean time.

Sunday 19th October.

Have been working all week, Had to stay out overnight on Tuesday as we were working about 150km away and is was more economical to stay away.. Poor Tracy has been left on her own, think she is getting bored during the week. Will have to try to sort out another car so she can be more independant...

Saw 2 Dolphins in Wallaroo bay the other evening. Was a great sight as this is the first time we have both seen wild dolphins, being themselves and not having to perform.

Have been into town and have managed to get some furniture on interest free credit, so have chosen a 3 piece suite, washing mashine, fridge, freezer and a bed. We could really do with more but it will have to wait. Hopefully this should be delivered on Saturday.

Furniture was all delivered on Saturday. Thank goodness, it is so nice to be able to sit down on a sofa, wash our cloths and go to sleep on a proper bed. The airbed had done us proud but it can only be done for so long...

Sunday we decided to go to Port Pirie.

Had to go a bit later than planned as there was a knock on the door, the real estate agent who is looking after the site we are on had organised a family day for all residents and owners who have not built yet, but she had a problem.

The catering people had turned up but never brought their generator, oops. She asked if it was possible for them to use our power, could not really say no - could we?

Left them to it as we had plans for the day, they were going to finish at 4-00pm so I said we would be back.

Pictures of how dry the area is at the moment.

Some of the local houses - every one is different...

The Airstrip at Kadina..

In Port Pirie we bought a coffee table and 2 bedside tables from the cheap shop, cost us about 30 dollars for the lot, what a good buy.

Got back and disconnected the power for the catering people. Then another knock on the door and Tracy was presented with 2 Loaves of bread and a Hamper - full of sweets (yum, yum,yum)

Had a walk along the pier in Wallaroo, watching the fishermen, catching all the Crabs.

Had a bite to eat and relaxed on our new sofa.

Sunday 12th October.

Have been busy working all this week, Have spent a lot of time at the chicken farm, making concrete panels. Weather is making life different, working in temperatures of 36 degrees is not easy. Blasted flies, it is like every fly from the area knows you are there and they love sitting on peoples glasses, sometimes I can't see through them for the flies...

Am starting work at 6-30am and finishing at about 4-00pm, gives us plenty of time in the evening to have a relax by the beach... ha ha ha ha.

Had a very lazy day on Saturday, just having a walk around town in the morning and a long walk along the beach in the evening.

Today, I decided to take Tracy and show her the scale of the chicken farms that I am working on. It is about an hour's drive with the last 25 minutes on country roads, these are gravel roads, very dusty and not much uses them.

All was good until we had a blow out on the car, just so happens that it had to go just as we were going around a corner on the gravel road, To say we had no control would be right.

We ended up in the hedge. Stuck on the bank. Changed the tyre but could not get off...

** it is getting hotter, the car is stuck and nobody around...

Started to walk to the chicken farm which was the closest thing being 5km away. About 3/4 of the way to the farm a nice man stopped and offered help. We got the car off and thank god no damage at all.....

Tracy does not like the Gravel roads anymore, but will have to get used to them as they cannot be avoided sometimes.

Had an early night and a rest before work for the week.

Wednesday 8th October.

Weather here is still great and must not keep on about it..

Had a lazy day yesterday (Tuesday) but did take my CV round to a few people. No luck with that though, most of them said They will keep hold of it and keep me in mind.

I did phone a chap who was advertising in the paper, he told me the job had already been filled but would like to interview me anyway.. What have I got to loose.

Have to meet him at Kulpara about 50km away at lunchtime.

Have just got back from interview (only took 2 Hours) and have been offered a job, Not really what I want to do but its something. I am going to be working for a Landscaper but making Concrete Panels for the sides of Chicken Sheds... Big business here. They have 3 sheds at the moment and are building another 45, each shed holds 45,000 chickens. Each chicken is bought for 50 cents and after 8 weeks is sold for 3 dollars.

Hope this will work out, but at least it will bring some money in etc.

Went food shopping again and then for a long walk along the beach.

Took a photo of the sunset.

Well have to be in bed early as I start work tomorrow, 8-00am start and have to drive there which takes about an hour. Will keep you all informed.

Sunday 5th October.

Well a change this morning, woke up and the sun is shining again, makes a change.

Popped into Wallaroo as there are Helicopter flights today at the boat ramp. Yes was a good idea, but it only lasted for 2 minutes, a quick trip around the bay and that was that. So we did not spend money on this one - We went to Woolworths instead.

Had a late lunch today and then had a walk along the beach.

Think we walked a long way as we walked to Wallaroo and back.

Had to turn the air conditioner on tonight just to take the heat off.....

Tomorrow (Monday 6th) is a Bank Holiday for Labour Day here, so there will not be any shops open and not much to do. So will have a lazy day and see what happens.

Saturday 4th October.

Woke up late this morning, think all the rushing around has caught up with us.. Did not sleep too bad on our Blow up bed, will have to do something about it though - it is ok for a couple of nights...

Had breakfast then went into Kadina for a few more bits, just a few basics, sharp knife, chopping board and saucepan etc.

Could not be too long as the shops shut at midday on a Saturday.

Got the local paper and noticed that there were a lot of Garage sales on today, so decided to go and have a look, never know might pick up a bargain..

Well what a load of old tat,,,,, all the good stuff must have gone first thing in the morning. well never mind, was worth a look..

Had lunch and then saw there was a local show on..

Kadina "Show & Shine" it was called, found out in the paper that it was a car and big rig show. Yes looked good so we went.

It cost us $5-00 each (not a problem as it all went to the flying doctors) got in and what a dissapointment. Supposed to be a car show - well if you call 50 cars a show then -

It was a meeting for young lads and their custom cars... There were a few classics but nothing like we are used to.

Buy the way the white Porshe is Tracy's new car!!!!.....

When we help at the car show at Popham Airfield and we get 900 clasic cars in, 50 is nothing.

We only spent about 10 minutes there, drove back to house.

Went down to Caravan Park to check e-mails.

Back for tea and then sat down to watch a DVD..

Retired for the evening.