Just my luck

As I left work today a black cat ran infront of my bike. Just as I was thinking 'gosh that's ominous' a bug of some description got stuck under the brim of my helmet and stung my forehead. I still have a red stinging mass now just above my left eye...

Lucky I'm starting to like the Pilbara right? I read a quote today that stuck with me... 'sometimes things need to fall apart to make way for better things' I think that sums up my experience so far pretty nicely:)

Gurrimarra

Yesterday I had an amazing experience at one of the communities, Wakathuni. Every Monday we have 'Waka club', where we try and instill upon the kids their culture, as well look at their reading, writing, fair play etc. An Aboriginal elder, Brendan, came out to speak to the kids about their culture as he is concerned it is getting lost with each new generation. He taught us about the 4 different skin groups in the Pilbara, and who you can marry. This ensures that your blood doesn't become 'too pure' as you can't marry family. The groups are Gurrimarra, Bunuga, Burungu and Milangu. He made me an honourary Gurrimarra:) He also talked about love being made up of three facets, respect, caring and sharing. It was fantastic to be a part of, but also made me realise how little I know about a huge part of our history. I hope this year I can go some way towards rectifying that. And to make it even more worthwhile, check out the amazing double rainbow that arched over the road as we left. I could even see exactly where it landed... I almost felt like looking for a pot of gold. As we drove off all the Aboriginal kids jumped in the car with Brendan to 'chase the rainbow'.

Surprise Visitor

I just had the most amazing weekend yet in TP! On Thursday night Sarah rang me to make sure we were still on for a skype date. I was setting up my computer when I heard a knocking at the door. Thinking it was some unwelcome visitor I answered in a flurry, only to find Sarah herself standing there (on my flooded front porch!)

We had such a great time together. It's by far the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, I can't believe what an amazing friend she is, I'll really never forget it.

FRIDAY: Beth gave me the afternoon off, so Sarah and I got our domestic housewife on, and made triple chocolate brownies and caramelised onion and goats cheese tarts. We then drank a vodka goon bag (Tom Price just brings out the classy in me) and headed down to watch the touch rugby semi-finals, before hitting the pub with the locals, fab!

SATURDAY: Sarah and I headed off to the gorges. I felt so proud to show her how gorgeous tom price and karijini really is. Seeing it through another persons eyes made me realise how much I love it here. This day, most importantly, is the day I bought my akubra. I'm a true country woman now, I may just need a horse to go with it? That night I took Sarah to watch the first afl game of the season, then out to Thai and finally home for popcorn and a movie... although we were too exhausted to sit through it all:)

SUNDAY: On Sunday we went up to the lookout and were lucky enough to see a huge iron-ore train run past. They apparently have over 240 carriages and can be up to 3km long. We also finished our vodka goon... given. Then we relaxed, ate even more and eventually said our good byes. It's definitely a weekend I'll treasure. And even though I was teary, she made me realise how much I can enjoy it here, and for that I am insanely grateful.

Karijini

I just arrived home from a fantastic karijini camping trip! Some friends from Perth, Brosey and George, flew up to meet his sister in Karratha and a whole Karratha crew convoyed down to the gorges... and they picked me up on the way which was pretty nice!!

Yesterday we headed out to Weano, where we did Handrail and Kermit's pool. Unfortunately I don't have any photos as we literally had to swim through gorges to get there. I didn't trust my arm to hold a camera above water! They were category 5/6 hikes... not for the oldies! We then headed back to the campsite for a makeshift barbie. I impressed myself with my tent assembling skills... but encountered a bit of a disaster when I eventually climbed into bed. We had pumped up my air mattress with a compressor, which was a new and EASY experience, but I had failed to notice the mouth-hole, for additional air filling. Sadly I left it open and my mattress deflated in no time. It made for a very rocky and uncomfortable night...

Today we did Joffre Falls, Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool. Fern Pool was AMAZING! You can't even capture it with photos, and I can't put it into words. I did see three snakes today, one Pilbara Death Adder... and two Olive Pythons. A python was hanging out just above us in the waterfall... cooling down? When we hopped out of Fortesuce Falls to make the big trip up we noticed a big commotion in the water. Looking down we saw a python, swimming, stalking its prey! It was terrifying, and it managed to catch something... I'm glad we saw it AFTER we got out!

Dinner Guest

I have had yet another snake incident. I went over to my friend Gina's house for dinner tonight... all was going well, brilliant in fact!! We were siting outside, enjoying a glass of wine before firing up the barbie. All of a sudden her dog went berserk, and hanging out under the table was a giant king brown!! (Only one of the Pilbara's most deadly... just the norm really:) It curled up in the corner and we had to keep a flashlight on it until the snake man arrived (Jim and Dot, your friendly household snake removers...). It was well over a metre when Jim fished him out... Apparently he releases them back into the wild, out at the airport. I won't be wearing thongs when I next catch a plane!

It actually made for a great night. A perfect accompaniment to our fresh salmon from the fish truck!

I have also attached a photo of a regular Pilbara grasshopper. (The one I ate was about half this size...)

Mons Grylls...

I'm not even sure how to begin this entry... I've probably had the strangest weekend of my life.

So it all began with the touch wind-up last night. I went in sunglasses intent on leaving as soon as it got dark (I didn't want to have to remove my sunnies as this would likely scare away the children) Suffice to say I didn't leave, nor did I drink wisely! The night took a turn for the worst when someone dared me to eat a grasshopper...'only if it's a green one' was my STUPID response to that! SO when someone gave me a green grasshopper half the size of my palm I felt obligated. There would be nothing worse than being known as the chick who got dared to eat a grasshopper and didn't, right? I wrapped it up in a lettuce leaf and put a bit of tomato sauce on it... and down the hatch it went! It was foul, and very crunchy! Not something I'd do again... I did win $75 though, so I feel I came out on top in that situation! I further disgraced myself at the pub for karaoke night... where I danced, had the time of my life... and spent most of my winnings! On arriving home at 2am, I promptly updated my facebook status to 'mons grylls'.. I've got my priorities straight.

I woke up today with a raging headache... and now no visible right eye! I went over to see my boss, smelling like a brewery, for advice re the eye. She took me straight to the hospital where they inserted a cannula and gave me 200mL of hydrocortisone. I'm heading back this arvo for more.. let's hope it works as I'm quite over looking so ugly. The picture above doesn't even do the rash/swelling/eye situation justice as my eye has now deflated. How much does one have to endure upon uprooting her life... surely it should be getting easier by now?

Spelling Bee

Just a quick note to let you know that after nearly 8 weeks of being in the Pilbra, I have realised it is actually spelt Pilbara. Well you learn something new everyday they say...

I'd also like to inform you that my face may actually be worse. Could this even be possible you ask? Well yes... this morning I almost couldn't open my eyes, they were swollen shut. My eyelashes had disappeared under skin folds.. truly! I can actually see my bottom eyelids as I write this, never a good sign. I look like I've been crying for hours... and for once, this actually isn't the case!

Tom Price, I think you may hate me? Don't worry, the feeling is mutual.