Alice Springs and Uluru

Landing in Alice Springs and after checking in Kate and I waited for Olivia to arrive. I was so nice to see Liv again...we were going to have the best of time this weekend! We all went out for dinner and found a pub after grabbing a few snacks from the shops. Just as we were about to order...oh no!!! Olivia had lost her phone...we went back to the shop but it wasn't there, I asked if she had even brought it out with her?! We took a look on phone finder and there it was...Liv went back to the hostel and it was under her pillow. We had such a grate chat over dinner and caught up on things. Bed time ready for our 5am wake up.

Day 1
It was still dark when we woke. We waited for our tour bus to pick us up and when the bus was full we were off on our adventures. Our tour guide introduced himself as Andrew and for the first few hours I think the whole bus slept. After a nap I had time to take in the view of a straight road that just went on and on forever. I was surprised by how many trees and bushes are actually in the outback and the ground is so red! 

Lunch was rolls on the bus before arriving at King's Canyon. Here we took a 3 hour hike the first bit was the hardest, climbing up many steps. 

I learnt something on this hike: a canyon is only one way in and out, as it goes into a point and a gorge you can walk through...and with that fact - the Grand Canyon is actually a gorge, so why do they call it a Canyon?

We still had not had a group introduction by this point but I did start a conversation with Guido (aka - David) from Amsterdam. I was interested in what he had been upto in Australia. After a wonderful hike we found the last bathrooms we would see for the night and headed to our campsite. On the way we had to collect firewood...Olivia and I obviously found the best wood! Mind you this was a fallen tree but by the time we got it out and dragged it to the bus it was already loaded and tied up. The only thing I took from that was a splinter. We finally arrived at our campsite for the night which was on a property the same size as Belgium! It's so hard to get your head around how big Australia actually is.

It was straight out of the bus and on with the cooking...the French in the group just stood around while Olivia and I got stuck into the cooking - I cut the onions. 

We had chillie with pasta and veg. We also got to try an Australian bread cooked on the fire called 'damper'. It was all very delicious, I ate my whole plate up. After dinner we rolled our swags out around the fire. Swags are a cavans cocoon with a thin mattress inside which you pop your sleeping bag in.

Made another friend around the fire this was Katy from England. As we still didn't do a group introduction...our tour guide just was not interested. It was time to start settling in for the night. The toilet was a drop toilet behind some corrugated iron. I found the first night a bit uncomfortable and had freezing cold feet!

Day 2
Laying there in the early hours of the morning after the moon had set and looking up at the stars was so amazing. I saw so many shooting stars. Packed up in the dark and got breakfast as the sun was coming up. Jumped back in the bus and made our way over to Kata Tjuta for an hours hike. 

Before we started the hike Andrew explained to us how these rocks had formed millions of years ago when India came crashing into Australia! This explains  why the sediment lines are at a 90° angle on Uluru (formally known as Aires Rock). With the view of Uluru on the horizon we grabbed lunch before making our way to the Aboriginal Culture Centre to learn more about the Aboriginal way of life and why the land and Uluru is important to them and their rituals. Andrew then took us to a waterhole at Uluru, he told us an Aboriginal story and showed us some cave paintings. 

Some of these paintings had worn away or where no longer there because in the past people would throw water on them to bring out the colours so they would get a better photo...now we can't enjoy them! Time to catch the sunset over Uluru, we park up started dinner; I was in charge of cutting onions again! It was such a beautiful sight - the rock became so red. 

Monty enjoyed watching too. After sunset we headed back to camp. This night we stayed at a different site which had flushing toilets. Swags out, fire burning and songs playing - a good night. Because I didn't want cold feet again I put and extra layer on, tights. Eventually we settled down in our swags - I had a much comfier night. I had left some rubbish by my head that I was going to pack away in the morning but I heard it move and got scared that dingos where by my head  eating it but I take a peek and saw this pair of legs that belonged to Olivia...phew! Olivia went to the toilet and I watched the stars. On her return and trying to get back in her swag she lost her balance and landed on top of me, I burst out laughing and couldn't stop...I ended up waking up the whole camp...woops! It was very funny though! I am still laughing about it now.

Day 3
Up before sunrise again, packed up everything quickly and went back to the same spot as sunset to watch the sunrise.

As the sun was coming up over the horizon we enjoyed breakfast. After taking some amazing photos we went off to Uluru for a base walk, this went all the way around Uluru and was 11 km around. The 4 of us (Olivia, Kate, Katy and I) enjoyed this 2 and a half hour walk seeing Uluru up close.

 Some parts on the way around were not to be photographed because of it being sacred.

After finishing this hike it was time to board the bus, drop some people off at the airport and then make the journey back to Alice Springs. This was a long journey, had some lunch on the way back but at one point I thought we wouldn't make it! The bus was over heating but after giving it a pit stop we made it just in time to check in and finally have a shower after 3 days! Some of us were smelly after all the sweating and hiking in the heat. We got ourselves ready and met up at the Rock pub with Andrew and some of the others in the group for a meal and drinks.

It was such a shame that I got speaking to some of the group on the last night but they also had the same thought about not having a group introduction...which would of made the weekend even more enjoyable because we would of all made many more friends. The food was good and I enjoyed the drinks but it was time to hit the pillow.

Day 4
This was a sad day because I had to say goodbye to Olivia not knowing when I will get to see her again! I do love Olivia, she is such a lovely person and a great friend...I will miss you!

This was mainly a travelling day; catching a flight back with Kate to Melbourne then taking the SkyBus back into the city and making our way to Kate's house.

Melbourne - Part 1 - 01.05.17 - 04.05.17

HOLIDAY TIME

After a busy day at work and packing up all my things, I was off to the airport to catch my 10pm flight to Melbourne. This was not a great flight as my ears were killing me but after a short time I landed and caught the SkyBus into Melbourne. Then found my way to my hostel at 1am...crept into the dark room and found a bed.

Before even getting up I was rudely awaken by my bed breaking...the person on top moved and got out then a metal rod hit me in the bum!  

After breakfast I spent my first day in Melbourne by joining the free walking tour (same as I did in Sydney). I saw bits of Melbourne and found out some great places to eat, drink and visit. I was quite tired so after getting some food I headed back to the hostel to chill out, I meet some Chilean guys - really got chatting to Joaquín and Przemek from Poland who was also in my dorm.

Day 2 - I saw Kate again!!!...we spent ages chatting over Nandos, she is now working as a Nannying for a lovely family with 2 boys. After Nandos we took a walk through the botanical gardens on the way to the Shrine of Remembrance.

In the evening I met one of her friends Kelly and we went to the Croft Institute - this was an interesting bar we got syringes to drink our drinks with and there was a hospital bed in the toilets! After drinks it was Chinese time!

Road trip time - Kate, Kelly and I went to The Dangenong Ranges these are an hour drive from Melbourne and you get a great view of the city on a clear day. 

We saw kookaburras and many cockatoos near the waterfall. We ventured down a forbidden path and got to the foot of the waterfalls.

It was a great day exploring. On returning to the hostel it was free drink night out at a bar so I went along with the Chileans. They kept dropping home like flies, it ended up being just Joaquín and I so we went for a walk through the park on the way back and saw loads of possums...they were even brave enough to come up to us, I sat on a bench and was having a photo with one when it turned it's back on my and almost pooed on me! I quickly jumped up at lightening speed.

4th May
This was the day I packed up, made my way with Kate to the airport and caught our flight to Alice Springs. The flight was great and the view out the window was nothing I've seen before and was just miles and miles of red.

April 2017

This month was supposed to be my last working with the horses but because of the move I was asked to stay on a bit longer. Pete and Virginia have been taking truck loads of their belongings to the new home already as there is so much to move!

April has been full of more competitions and shows, the first one being EquiFest where Fiorella was performing 2 tests. This show was a very busy with lots going on; we had hacks, dressage and jumping. Virginia and I went back the next day to watch some more jumping and have a nose around the stalls

Next show was the Grand National for hacking horses...this one we just went to watch one evening. So leaving the horses behind we took a trip in the car we arrive at the ticket gate, the lady takes a look in the car and said, "Are we all about the age of 60?" Virginia replied, "Yep, yes we are."
I just sat back in shock...that is the first time someone has ever said I look older than I actually am! Off with my O.A.P ticket to watch the classes, it was a great evening.

The biggest show I went to was the Sydney Royal Easter Show...this is a big agricultural show on for about 2 weeks. I went on my day off and my ticket included my travel that day too. I saw sooo much...flowers, photos, paintings, arts and crafts.

(Monty met some friends)

Cakes, wood cutting,  lots of trade stalls, the food hall, dogs, fair rides, chickens, sheep and an auction bidding on wool.

I followed this animal walk and ended up in the farmyard! Well this was an experience...it was chaos. You had goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, children and adults running around...plus ducklings, chicks, mice, donkeys and ponies to look at, very noisy! I didn't spend long in there.

The cutest was seeing the piglets.

For the most part of the day I watched the horses.

The next show was for Fiorella and Des, this was a different experience taking the two of them! They had to go where the other was going and kept whining to one another. Fiorella trod on my foot and gave me a big bruise because she could not keep still when waiting for Des to do his test.

The last show was another big one for the dressage world. The Sydney CDI, Des was the only one competing; a few days before we had been down to Horse World (the indoor arenas) to practice the tests. Day of the first test of we drove to Horsley Park and competed in the Grand Prix event and came 10th place. Next day was an early start, waking at 5am to get Des ready and off to the show for the Advance tests. Des did 2 of them so I had a little time to watch some others too that day. I thought he did well but we had to wait and see the results and if we got a place for the Advance Freestyle for the next day. Unfortunately he didn't get a place but we recieved a phone call to say some had dropped out so we had a slot but we got the phone call too late to get there. Instead we went along in the evening and watched the intermediate Freestyle. It was an enjoyable evening but in my opinion some riders need lessons in musicality (I'm available for hire).

This month has also been very focused on the move, more packing and fixing up things. I've been painting the postbox, chest and table. As the property is to exchange before the next house is ready I will be moving next door with the horses...one day we had to sort the horses stables and the sawdust man (Joe) came; that was a hard day on the arms, shovelling it into the wheelbarrow. I also got to have a lovely ride on Demarkus this month. He is actually up for sale; we had some people come to look at him but they didn't want to have him, so we get to keep him a little longer.

We have had some more spectacular thunderstorms. One day at 5:30 it came over so dark all of a sudden and the storm was right overhead. I couldn't not watch it!

We have had some really cold and crisp days...ones that have reminded me of Autumn in England. On my days off this month apart from going to the Easter show I have been to Manly Beach. Catching the ferry over...it was a beautiful day to lay in the sun and chill out, but some people near me went to swim in the sea leaving there stuff behind...but it's not people you have to worry about its the seagulls. They swarmed over and got into their food.

Another day I had a very relaxing time at the spa and a massage, its just what I needed. I also visited Susannah's place this is a museum of 4 terrace houses built in 1844 and is preserved to show different time periods and the stories of people that lived there.

Some more animals I've spotted this month:
Stick insect
Hare
Rabbit
Red back spider

March 2017

Well this month has been very busy and wet!

The weather has changed and we have had quite a few flood warnings, the bottom of the road has flooded a few times. The garden even had some waterfalls and turned into a river! Though it is still warm.

I have been doing the usual routines but the house has been up for sale and now has finally been sold so I have also been helping with the packing.

The farrier came.

Also had a few injuries this month...Demarkus kicked my hand and fractured the tip of my finger then about a week later Des bites my arm. It was very bruised and took ages to heal because I had to grow many layers of skin back. 

Then my phone screen smashed and they couldn't replace it because it's an overseas model! Luckily I found somewhere that might fix it but have to wait for the part to arrive.

On my days off I have been into the city; I meet up with Liz and Amber (from the 2nd India tour), we went for lunch on a Sunday in their suburb; Newtown.

It was great to see them again and catch up on what they had been doing since India. I had a lot of stories to tell.
Kate came to Sydney (read other post for the details). Another day I went to the cinema to watch Hidden Figures and took a walk across the Harbour Bridge.

Been to a few competitions with Des.

When Kate came to Sydney

Kate (my roommate from my second India tour) has come to Australia, she is working in Melbourne but came to Sydney for a few days. I had 2 and a half days off work so I hopped on the train and made my way into the city where Kate was waiting for me at the train station. It was a great day so we headed to Bondi Beach.

It was so nice to see each other after so long...we spent the afternoon laying on the beach chatting and then walked the length of the beach.

Well the first day we did a lot of walking! First we started off trying to find a recommended breakfast spot - Fratelli Paradiso, it was a good place for breakfast if you ever find yourself in Sydney. Then we walked back around the harbour to see the bridge and Opera House.

Monty enjoyed the view.

Finding Kings Cross Station (yes I am in Sydney) we board the train to Bondi again. This time the weather was cloudy and very windy but we were not going to lay on the beach. After a picnic with a view we took the costal walk from Bondi to Bronte beach...I got a little blown away!

This is such a beautiful walk...we did detour off down on some rocks and walked around and ended up on Tamarama beach. Upon reaching Bronte beach we found signs saying beach closed...how can you close a beach???

Catching the bus back we had dinner at Darling Harbour before heading up the Sydney Tower Eye. 

We got to look down on the city at night, the best view was of Hyde Park (yes I'm still in Sydney) and St Mary's Cathedral. Surprisingly you can't see the Opera House from up there,  it is hiding behind some buildings. As Kate and I wanted to see the harbour at night we took a walk down to the Opera House. It was lovely to see it all lit up. Taking a nice stroll back chatting then suddenly Kate screams and grabs me to save herself...I thought there was a crocodile running towards her! Not to worry she had just spotted a possum! 

She was afraid it was going to attack us. After doing over 37,000 steps our feet were aching and we were glad to rest them in bed.

The next day again was filled with a lot of walking...we joined the free walking tour (I would highly recommend this to everyone). We learnt about the city's short history and some interesting facts. Finishing the tour I took Kate for a relaxing surprise...Catmosphere. This is a cat cafe; we got a drink and biscuit and then got to play with cats for an hour...most of them slept.

Monty also got to join in the fun.

It was time to say goodbye to each other...until next time 

February 2017

My first day was 31st January but I get woken up by the cockerel at 4:30am! Something I will have to get used too.

There are 4 horses at the property...

Fiorella 

Demarkus

Des

Dan

And 2 cats

Coco

Freddie

Most mornings I start at 6:30am (on the weekends a bit later) to start the morning routine. The morning routine consists of getting the horses ready to ride (grooming,  bandaging and tacking up), mucking out the stables and then pitting the horses out in the field/paddock. Afterwards I will then do another task for the morning these include cleaning tack, paddock poo pick up, watering and planting plants, washing windows, cleaning cobwebs, raking and some cleaning.

Afternoon routine consists of rolling up the bandages,  getting the horses from the fields - rugging,  hoof picking and oiling, sweeping the barn and feeding.

For the first 2 weeks in February the weather was hot and reaching temperatures upto 47 degree. Some nights it was still 42 degrees at 10pm. Throughout the month the weather got colder (to workable temperatures) and even rained. I saw a very spectacular thunderstorm.

On my days off I have been into the city, it takes about an hour on the train. One time I took a walk around to see the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge and then joined a bus tour of the city. 

I wouldn't really recommend this tour as I didn't really find it very informative. At one stop I got off to see the Chinese Garden, it was beautiful in there and a peaceful place to visit. Another visit into the city I visited the Observatory and leant some more about the sky in the southern hemisphere. 

I also went to Barangroo Park,  it was nice to chill there. On other days off I spent at the property just catching up on things and chilling out.

Some animals I've seen around the property are birds, mice, rats, spiders, deer, kangaroo and a goanna. 

Flight to Sydney and settling into work

Having to get up at 3:30 to head to the airport for my flight to Sydney. It was only a 4 hours journey but Australia has 3 timezones so "7 hours later" I was in Sydney. After finding my way to the trains and grabbing a opus card (the travel card in Sydney), I was on my way to Riverstone where I was to meet my new boss, Virginia. She picked me up from the station and took me to the property. I was shown to my studio flat with had a double bed, kitchen along one wall, sofa, dining table and shower room. 

I had a view of the chickens and cockerel as I was unpacking and settling in before I was shown around and met the horses. It was a hot day of 42 degrees and I was wearing my trousers and black top time to change before dinner with Virginia and her husband Peter. It was a difficult nights sleep when it was still 42 degrees at 10pm!