This is what the vine looks like before it's sprayed (it is terrible to get rid of):
My Yutes ( I like the yellow one waay better - just because of the colour; but not pulling the fuel cart ;)
Here is our outdoor pet - a blue tongue lizard (I haven't named him yet, Timmy was a tough let down) we love him because he loves to eat snakes:
And one of my many important jobs throughout the day (make lunches & suppers, run yutes and parts out to the field, and plant 100 seeds of different variety per tray and keep them moistened so they germinate - I have quite an important job ;)
January 21st (Friday) The boys had to shut down spraying at lunch time because it was too hot. So we decided to go back to Akuna station for the week-end. So we pulled down the other boat (the vehicles here are so small that our station wagon was a really large car to pull a boat):
Josh not being a Canadian submarine - I took over that role this week-end ;)
January 22nd (Saturday) - The vineyard/restuarant beside Akuna station:
We were going to hike the local trails but as you can see they are all flooded:
Ahhhh wine (Josh still isn't a big fan):
This is called "Big Orange" and it is the biggest of the "big" fruit in Australia ;) It has a cafe, look out point and a souvenir shop but was closed on Saturday :( :
The Renmark Hotel - It was Australia's first ritzy hotel - and it also had a wrap around bar going around the length of it:
One of many drive through liquor shops throughout Australia:
The largest Winery in Australia - Berri Estates:
January 24th (Monday) Along my daily trip to Loxton - stop signs are not common here, it is normally Give Way's (yield); this is coming onto the main highway to Loxton:
I love there road signs here - there are signs continously along the route that say how many KM's left (probably about every 10 km):
The road leading to the farm from the Loxton highway through the village of Peruna (a couple houses and a sports arena that is actually open at winter time):
This is the paddock that you head through to the yard (the road alongside is still too wet):
I absolutely hate driving through the paddocks that are sand (especially when pulling a full fuel cart behind the manual yute):
I know that lots of my andedocates of our experiences probably aren't that funny because you had to be there, but I hope you find at least a little amusement in them :)
January 25th (Tuesday)
Georgie and her parents were driving past Peruna (5 minutes down the road) to go pick up some fruit from a orchard grower they know by Remark. I packed the boys lunches and hopped in for the day.
Georgie's mom started talking right away how she was on the Atkin's diet (her husband laughed and said maybe just at tea time). She was very serious about this and about all her research until Georgie interrupted with "didn't he die at a young age" - she got mad and said no he lived until he was in his 70's, he died when he was walking in New York, slipped on the pavement at winter and hit his head - definite brain aneurysm. :) I'm positive he died at a young age. Well we are on a fruit excursion and Jenn (Georgie's mom) said you can't really eat fruit on the Atkin's diet - way to high of natural sugars and raises your insulin levels. (Hmmmm why are we going to buy fruit the rest of us were wondering). As the day progressed the diets continually changed upon the shop we stopped at (first it was Atkins - no good because no fruit, then it was "didn't you hear about the 3 week grape diet", etc). It was priceless - I had no idea there were so many diets that consisted of fruit. I think it was an excuse for our 45kg of fruit in the car by the end of the day.
Grapes at the friend of Jenn's orchard outside of his house:
How much fruit do we need?
One of the numerous road side stands we visited - all on the honour system:
A fruit packer's plant that Jenn's friend sends his fruit to:
January 26th (Wednesday) AUSTRALIA DAY
Cricket is a big deal in Australia - especially in Adelaide on Australia Day. We decided to go into the city with Jock (he has a member's card) and get tickets for the general section:
Some of the outfits that people were wearing were hilarious (like Rider games) - many people were wearing the Aussie flag and Anna and I decided to join in the fun (plus it was a great protection against the sun since we both forgot sunscreen):
An area of the general section - we moved to find shade. Just below the scoreboard is the "Grass Hill" and it is a huge party - no seats everyone dances and mingles, etc. We spent a little time there ;)
Anna talking to Jock on the phone telling him Josh actually convinced a security guard to let us into the members section (Jock said bu***sh**).
It is honestly unheard of anyone every making it in. Anna and Jock both have member cards and have tried numerous times to get friends in and it never happened. But it took Josh a lot of C Bombs (Canadian) and alot of his convincing salesman talk. There is a strict dress code in the members section (Josh and I dressed prepared for it - he was bound and determined to get in) we had to take off our Australian flags and Anna thankfully had a skirt in her purse :) (women can't wear shorts). The security guard escorted us - Anna went in like normal and he told the group of security guards that he was taking us to "the office" - we went around the corner he went his way and we went ours (we tried to tip him but he just said if we see him in a bar in Canada we have to buy him a drink ;)
A perk of being in the members section. You get the best views, food and alcohol in the oval. In the general part all you can get is a hot dog and fries; wine and beer. In the "members" section you get pizza, indian cuisine, seafood, etc; all spirits, various kinds of wine, various kinds of beer and Pimms (the best drink - vodka, pimms, lemonade and ginger ale garnished with cucumbers and lemons).
At the tea break:
The general section directly opposite the field:
If you go inside the oval (to the left) on each floor is a unique sports bar:
SPCA Members Entrance:
Leaving the oval to get a cab to Anna's boyfriend's place where he was having people over for a barbecue (wish we could have taken way more pictures of the members section but that would have looked a little obvious):
January 27th (Thursday)
When we were at the orchard of Jenn's friend (Martin) - he mentioned he was slicing nectarines for drying today. So I volunteered to go and help. It was alot of fun and something different to do, another Aussie experience. We also even had a recipe exchange (Martin's brother in law and his son are both great cooks). They also grow pistachios besides nectarines and peaches and they are great. I got a bag full of peaches, a bag of dried nectarines (last years crop) and a bag of pistachios for all my hard work.
Look at all my hardwork ;)
Martin and his brother-in-law Eric:
This is the sulfur tent where they will get treated for about 4 hours and then put in the sun for about a week to fully dry:
I was walking behind talking more then pushing :)
Martin starting up the sulfur:
Sulfur starting to burn, just about ready to be put in the tent (don't take a big whiff in - I learnt the hard way):
It is Friday here today. Josh and Jock got up at 5 this morning to work like mad to get as much spraying done before it gets too hot (they want to do all the outside perimeters so when Jock is by himself it will be easier). We are heading back to Naracoorte tomorrow where Ian and Jane are taking us out to a nice supper. We will then spend a day or two at Georgie's and head out on the open road, not sure what direction yet but we will see.
