Maggie

Wednesday 23rd October

Our last night on Magnetic Island. Its been pretty wild, there was skinny dipping, heavy drinking, sitting round a fire on the beach with a guitar and boys who could actually play and sing really well... and that was all just last night. It's the first time we actually stayed in a hostel since being in Oz, as we left the van in Townsville and took a passenger ferry here. We're sharing a dorm with 4 other people and we have been meeting a lot of young, excited people many of whom are here for the full moon party this weekend which is highly likely to get rather messy. Today we did some snorkelling and went round the island on the bus, so its not all been an alcoholic haze.

The best thing about the last few days though is the news from home - on Oct 18th not only was it my big brothers birthday (hope you had a good one, bro!xx), but also the birth of my cousins second child and Babas new nephew/godchild. Happy days! (THANK GOD for skype, baba has been an emotional wreck)

After this we head towards Arlie beach and the Whitsundays!!
   

Yeehaaw!

Oct 12th - The Rodeo.

The first time I sat on a bull, I knew I had probably made a terrible decision that would end in tears. The pro rider was next to me, telling me what would happen (the ride of my life), how I should sit (feet in front of the rope), and not to worry. I worried. I regretted signing the piece of paper that contained the phrase "may result in serious injury or death", and hoped barbara wouldnt get too annoyed when I inevitably would get kicked in the face and horribly disfigured.

Feeling pretty confident here...

Twenty minutes later I was back on a bull, this time wearing a helmet and padded vest, and the nice man was attaching my right hand to the bull while all his previous instructions vacated my brain. Before I knew it, the gate was opened, some arsehole slapped the bull and I was suddenly on top of an honest to god rodeo bull, and it was awesome. For a few brief seconds I felt I was getting it, but like everyone else I didn't last all that long. What a rush though! Apparently I stayed on longest out of the novices (aka backpacker idiots) but there really wasnt much difference. We were looked after so well by the pros - they made sure we were as prepared as could be and were super friendly and welcoming; my only regret is that baba had to work that evening so missed my shining monents of glory.

...3 seconds later

The event itself was really chilled and cool - a ring was set up in the back of the local pub and there was some spear throwing, a tug of war and music playing before the bull riding, as well as the outside bar. It was mostly locals, so fairly small, and our group were the only tourists there. Best day ever! Got some wicked pictures and videos, hopefully will get them up on facebook soon.



Oct 14th
Last full day in Lakeland. Mostly spend doing laundry, washing the van, cleaning the inside, and melting in the blistering heat. After the boys finished work I took a couple of them to Cooktown so they could shop at the IGA and we stopped off at the Lions Den on the way back. A storm also started rolling in and we were treated to a pretty epic light show before nearly perishing on the road courtesy of a fallen tree. Fortunately the brakes were working and I managed not to lose control on the wet roads, but i did nearly wet my pants in the process. A truck driver had already driven back the other way to get some help so a couple of minutes after we got there they rocked up with a chainsaw and we cleared it all up. Im very happy I didn't die though, especially on Mums birthday! Happy birthday old lady! Sorry I couldnt email you today, Courtneys internet wifi thingy has lost power and the cable has gone walkabout so you will probably only get an email from me when we drive down to Cairns tomorrow.

Still in Lakeland

So despite being in the middle of nowhere, we never run out of things to do. I've been doing a bit of work at on some passion fruit at a nearby farm, (and got to ride a horse and pretend to be a cowboy), we've been fixing up flynet in the van so we can sleepwith the doors open and not get eaten by bugs, and theres always our sporadic fitness regime to continue when we cant think of anything better to do. Also, jumping off dead trees into a nearby dam.

 

 Wallaby Creek Festival happened last weekend, and we went along for Baba's birthday - there were some awesome bands (The Hillbilly Goats, Lily and King) and a ton of mental hippies. Awseome day.


The Hillbilly Goats! My new fave band with Goats in the name.

Work continues at the roadhouse. Temperature is in the mid 30s, I still have yet to develop a tan. I have, however, killed my first marsupial with the aid of my trusty van. The worst part of the scenario wasnt the awful crunching sound, but the ear splitting, morbid celebratory cheering from a number of drunken idiots that I was less-than-legally driving back from the pub in our 3 seater van.