Journal 247 - Australia

The onslaught has begun.
A few days away from the farm, but the workload is just as high. It may have something to do with the sudden heat blasts I've been experiencing. Summer has arrived in full force and trust me, it certainly makes up for the poor excuses for a 'heat wave' that the UK has given me over the last 23 years. With temperatures in the forties I only have to sit still and I break into a sweat.
I have acclimatized far better than I imagined I would though. It's true when they say that the heat is a different kind here. Its a little unbearable right now, but I'm certain we are due a thunderstorm.

It is also only six days until Christmas. I'm still not prepared for what is likely to be in store. I am glad about the thought of ice cream knowing I'll likely sweat out any of the fat and sugars, thus still fitting the slender 'bikini model' figure I've been working towards since I arrived in the country eight months ago. And that alone seems like it was only yesterday. I definitely feel as though I'm getting used to things here. It will surely be case of finally feeling settled and then it'll be time to leave. I won't think of that though. It's still a long time away. Well, at least until I'm likely to reach actual 'home'.

I've spoken to a few people in the last few days, who have seen and done things that I am yet to embark upon. When asked when likely to go home, one replied, 'I really hope never, I don't want to go back there.' Another has been in Australia for three years and also has no real plan to return, at least permanantly, to the UK. I can't say I disagree either. Life is far too easy here. Not that it's a bad way for life to be. In fact it's pretty fantastic. Just today I was walking home and was being smiled at, and said hello to by other people. It was a foreign concept almost. Its so rare for people to even make eye contact, let alone smile or say hello in the UK now. I'm sure if people were friendlier the way of life would be so much easier.

People complain and whine far too much. A lot of people told me I was the same a few months back. I never had a positive comment to make. I always saw the bad side to everything, and most of all, I was always complaining. That's not a good way to be. People don't like a complainer. It rubs them up the wrong way and ultimately brings them down. I mean, apart from the heat, I really have no issues. Even that is a stupid thing to complain about. Whats wrong with getting a little more Vitamin D into the body and having some colour? Of course, all in moderation, but I don't think I can get enough of being happy and energised each and every day.

So really, Summer is in full swing now and I am certainly happy about it. I'm happy that people are smiling, enjoying their lives. And with summer come other wonderful things. Like beers, boats and wakeboarding along the river. I got back into the water sports over the weekend and it was fantastic. I was a little terrified. I had no real choice but to get in and get on though. No sooner was my life jacket on than I was shoved head first into the water. At least I had no real time to think about it. It was a good work out too, my arms were aching for at least three days afterwards.

I'm so up for this lifestyle for the next four months. I've already had a fantastic trip so far and I can only imagine it getting better and better.

Journal 236 - 241

I must be careful. I can't life life on the edge too much. Relaxing. Take it in. But most of all, be careful

I drove past fields that were making up the landscape of the scenic view I was seeing along my journey. The crops and hay bails were spinning, or seemingly so. Its funny how the world almost seems round when you look at it in motion. Like when you are walking. Maybe it is only me that sees the world in it's spherical form when I look down at my feet on my travels.

On the way to Deniliquin, the farm I hope will shape the way towards my next adventure, and my second year Working Visa. Only five minutes from City life and already concrete disappeared to make way for the yellow and greens of the seemingly dry and dusty crop-lands and tall overgrowing trees. Silage tanks, tractors, crop machinery,barns and milking parlours replaced the shopping complexes, glass buildings and fancy apartment buildings. Until I saw the odd palm tree I could have totally forgotten I was in Australia at all.

I looked out to the fields and wondered just how many snakes and spiders and other beasties were hiding there, in turn wondering how many of those would be in the farm I was heading to. I'm disappointed a little that I have not yet encountered such wild life . I thought it was a given that they would be there to greet me at the airport. They were not. Still, I expect I will see them in the upcoming months.

I really don't know what to expect when I arrive in Denny. Will I be putting my hand up various animals behinds? Running from chicken? A phone call from a Scotsman later though and I am certain that all will be well here. I arrived to Roast dinner and Beer. Perfect. Shouldn't get used to the easy life too much though. Fires are blazing in the alcove outside, the halls are so creaky and noisy I often mistake myself for a stampede of elephants and I suspect the building is haunted.

I wake up to the sound of geese and Kookaburrahs. The sun is blasting an impressive heat. I can hear various engines, perhaps the boat out on the river. There's also a Dancing Pole in the courtyard. I was right. This is the farmers Playboy Mansion. I noticed puppies (not that kind) crying for mums attention. This place is incredibly beautiful, peaceful. It would make a wonderful country getaway.

Kittens prowl curiously around. I'm off to feed the chickens and pigs.It is hard work on a farm. I am certainly no longer craving the gym. Painting and gardening takes it out of you somewhat. A spot of fishing to catch dinner. No fish, no dinner. Thank goodness for Aussie BBQ culture. And more beer. I haven't had an evening without beer after work since I got here. I don't even like beer. I've changed. Of course the day would not be complete without a dip in the jacuzzi would it?

Journal 235 - Australia

Things are changing again. This is a regular thing for me these days. Nothing I do is set in stone anymore. I feel more free, like I can do anything.
I've made the next vital leap in my travels. I just booked my tickets to a place in the middle of nowhere to begin my next journey in this country. Its going to be an experience I'm certain of that.

I'm a country girl born and bred really, it's just that that lifestyle was dying off a little by the time I was old enough to really understand it. Of course I remember running around the fields and woods with my cousins, them playing nasty tricks on me which, nine times out of ten would likely land me knee deep in Cow shit... However, I'm not really cut out for that kind of work anymore. I've never physically milked a cow, or shorn a sheep. I couldn't even collect eggs from the chicken coop when my Uncle asked me to. I had/have an irrational fear of birds (this probably stems from some result of my cousins aforementioned 'nasty tricks') I'm not sure how I will be faring by my return from the farm.

Knowing me even if I really can't handle it, I will put up with it for the sake of the gains that come with this part of my travels. Eighty-Eight days of chasing chickens and 'shaving' sheep. It sounds a lot of time. Time which will be so worth it for what I get in return. A whole extra three hundred and sixty five days in this beautiful country. Checking out all the bits I'll be missing this time around. Plus all the fun I'll be having when I'm not working. Like Wake-boarding across the lakes. Riding quad bikes. Taking long hikes..... Well no I can't see me doing that either, but if it's on paper maybe there's a slightly higher chance?

I'm also looking forward to being around some new people. Making more new connections. And sharing stories about where other travelers may have been over the years. I'll be drawing inspiration. I'll probably be getting jealous... I just can't shake the 'Travel Envy' these days. I'll be thinking of all the wonderful places that I'll be going to before I go home, and maybe even after I get home. I am looking forward to being back around like-minded people. I'm young and on the road and I need to be back around that culture to remember why I came out here. It wasn't solely to work or pick up a career. It was to see the place. I think I've become a little to settled in Albury, with my job and very easy living situation.

I need to wake up and remember the 'Work-life' Balance. It's time to bring some more play into life. Not get bogged down by the mundane day-to-day necessity that is work. I have a whole life ahead of me to find my path in my work life. Yes, of course I need to earn my keep, but right now it shouldn't be at the cost of not seeing the world while I have the chance to.

Lets not forget, I am a twenty three year old, with no partner, no house, no real solid career and no dogs.... I need to embrace this. Life is going in the direction it should be at present, no fusses, no real responsibilities, just life. Experiences and a reawakening of the mind.