Time to head off...new destination

So its been one whole week of training on Joe's cattle farm near Gympie where I've had more than my fair share of new experiences & found myself very surprised at all the things I could do when I set my mind to it. I have learned many things but among them the biggest realization is that while I try absolutely everything, farm life is not for me (especially extended stays).

I have been truly greatful for the loving yet backbuilding experience & family feel Joe & Peta along with Mr. & Mrs. Mooney, Scottie, & numerous farm/herd dogs provided for all of us. I think the best way to describe it is like Swiss Family Robinson meets Laura Engles Wilder with a pinch of the Bonanza feel to it. Mornings began at 6am sharp & by lunch time we had already put in a good solid six hours of work. My favorite tasks this past week were feeding the pigs, washing & herding the bulls, & the drive up into the hills (and by drive I mean serious 4 wheeling some steep terrain). There were many days when we ended very sore & exhausted from digging fence post holes, digging trenches, & setting up panels for the local Bull Sale this weekend. The food has been amazing with home cooked meals every night followed by spectatcular desert. Meal times were spent swapping stories of various colors & merry spirits. Afterwards everyone pitches in to clean up & tag team shower times while we try to one up eachother with bruises & farm related wounds. Despite nervous moaning & groaning I also had to learn how to use a chainsaw, drive a huge tractor, & ride a motorbike. Our small group has bonded quite well in the past few days already swapping emails & cell numbers with promises of keeping in touch as we embark on our new ways. Liz & myself have officially been dubbed the girly girls of the group with nick names such as Chatterbox, Miss America, Have a Chat. However it was unamimoulsy decided that we provided much needed comic relief & received A's in "communication" skills. Its nice to know my socializing can pick up the slack where my brute strength or construction skills lack.

Tomorrow I head North towards Cairns where I will be staying with a family doing a sort of nanny position & helping out with various odds & ends work on the farm with riding horses. So I need to finish packing...until next time!