What rain?

Tina has to work again, Megan & Nathan come round and we try to find Nathans fuel pump issues in the cruiser.(he should have brought a diesel, Oh oh I hope Tina doesn’t read this I’ll get in the shit, she already thinks it's my fault they broke down as it is) We look over all the connections, run separate wires and everything but no luck.

We got in a swim and a nice down pour as well. A good day but no luck.
Did I forget to mention that while it was raining it got so wet that my willy created an earth for the fuel pump. Power in the Penis hey? (no Image provided here)

White Lady hits the water

We are off fishing today, Brian, Jan Nathan, Rob & I. ( I need to come up with some sort of abbreviation here another 5 weeks of this and I will use up all my blog allowance just writing down everyone’s name all the time, more about this shortly) anyway I’m up early and ready to go, I get picked up on the way to Robs and I’m going on his boat and Brian is going to take the White Lady (WL) out for its first run. Yes you guessed it another boat not quite ready bit going on the water anyway. The 105 Chrysler is nicknamed the fridge and one look will confirm this. We finally get to Buffalo creek after several stops and there is no water. Some guys just fling a tinny off the back and slam it into the rocks to launch. Not much chance Rob would do that to his boat and no chance with the White lady. Sorry Jan I nearly write Brian’s Boat every time but that’s another story.
We decide to go to Nightcliff and there is enough water launch there. Off we go Rob & I head off to set out Crab pots which I bait up and rig up on the way. We make it up the estuary just and set the pots. We catch up with the (WL) and fish for a little while and head off. Rob losses the WL and we are half way to Mandorah before we find out its not them. Back to the Bottle Wash an artificial reef for a brief fish before the crew in the WL decide to leave, I think Nathan has done enough of being the Burley Boy.
We head back and check the pots with 6 nice Muddies, but I’m quite disappointed I only fished for no more than 45 minutes in an entire day and even saw a little to much sun. Better no forget to mention Tina cleaned the van for the kids arrival and raked up heaps of leaves to try to reduce the Midgies.

Boxing Day

It’s Boxing day and there is one thing that must be done. We must watch the first over of the Boxing Day test, Australia win the toss and bat against Pakistan. Today hangover and all we are putting the tarp back over the two vans, but first we must clean the roofs. It is a long process and takes a good 3 hours.

Brain, Jan, Megan & Nathan arrive and we have some leftovers for lunch before proceeding. We get it up but despite the huge size of it doesn’t cover both vans. Then down to Robs to get a rail to put across the tarp to help hold it up. We have a swim in the pool in the arvo and maybe I drink a little too much??

Christmas in Darwin

Its Christmas eve, Tina worked so Jan, Brain & I sat around and enjoyed pre-Christmas activities, mostly centred around getting Brian’s new Navman to work. Some festive drinks and conversation filled the night.

Its Christmas and after some morning phone calls we are off to drop of Brian’s car at Pinelands. When we return I cook Mexican for breakfast including Mexican coffee which is rather strong, sweet and has the odd drop of alcohol, however it’s quite nice.
We ope presents and everyone is very spoiled, and I think Santa brought most of use what we were wishing for. Brain works on smoked fish for lunch courtesy of his new smoker, Jan makes some more coffee’s in the new coffee maker. I continue to work on the Navman which is becoming a little frustrating.
Megan & Nathan have changed plans due to the cyclone and have decide to drive straight to Darwin, it was supposed to be a Christmas surprise but car travels have spoiled it a little ( I’ll let them tell you about that on Facebook) . Anyway they arrive just after lunch and hugs and kisses and we are into lunch. It’s a busy day and there is must celebration and drinking.

Counting Down the Days

Another quiet week it rained most days. I had a few work lunches to attend and Brian’s foot hasn’t gotten better at all that’s what happens if you don’t seek medical attention. Friday night we had some drinks at the Deck Bar with some CSG work folk and then we walked back to Jan’s place. Jan cooked us the most wonderful Fish & Chips for tea and we all drank to much. Sore heads all round (well except for Jan I think).
Saturday Tina had to go to work but we had a great Saturday night and sat round the pool Sunday drinking and socialising.

It’s the last week at work and it is slow, well for me at least. Tina is flat out at Liquorland. No surprise but Brian’s foot still isn’t better. Megan & Nathan have left Adelaide and are on their way to Darwin. Its not good new though with Cyclone Lawrence making a path through central Australia right when they are due to arrive in Alice. I had another couple of work lunches and got the best pics of the little possum who lives nearby.

Flooded roads & rivers

Sunday I did the grouting and they are all finished. Brian & Jan did a bit of a clean up and we headed home. Well what a drive home flooded roads all the way, I even took a video while following Jan.

We got stuck at a creek where huge section of the road had washed away. We had to wait while a big dozer pushed rocks into the hole. I towed a couple of utes through the creek which wasn’t to deep. Next stop Charlotte River.

Well the water certainly was flowing there. There was little chance I was towing anyone through there. The depth marker had been washed away so it made it a bit tricky. Brain reckons we could probably drive through but Jan is driving cause Brian’s foot is not better yet. We waited around for about 2 hours.

The big trucks with more rocks came through and people followed behind the truck but no one else was willing to cross. As usual everyone is waiting for someone else to drive through. It finally went down a bit so we all decided it was time and everyone drove through no problems.

Tiling Jan's Kitchen Dundee

Andy – Saturday was tiling day at Dundee and I got all the tiling in the Kitchen done by 1.00pm. Brain mixed glue & cut tiles hopping around on his gummy foot. We headed down to the boat ramp for some fishing. What a site Brian has a chair, a great sandwich Jan made, cold beers and some rods form the 60’s. I caught a couple of sharks, Brian caught one to but nothing we can eat. We had a few drinks and Jan made the best lamb roast on her new rotisserie During the night it was Dundee’s turn to get that rain Tina got in town. It pissed down the whole night and didn’t le tup the next day either. Brian and I woke up with sore heads and I think Jan probably had one to.

Sunday I did the grouting and they are all finished. Brian & Jan did a bit of a clean up and we headed home.

The Wet Season Arrives by Tina B.

It is Friday & Andy, Dad & Jan are off to Dundee (I have to work Saturday) to finish off that tiling job that was almost started last weekend. So I have the van to myself for a couple of nights, it will be nice and I have a plan, Supernatural DVD’s food, beer & also the Pink Fun House tour DVD mum got me for my birthday, by the time they are ready to leave it has started spitting with rain we are expecting some more as there is a monsoon low off the coast 20% chance it could develop into the 1st cyclone of the year! I woke up at about 3.30am and the rain has not let up all night I am starting to get a little worried all of the seed pods falling on the roof are scaring the shit out of me. I am here all on my own, should I pack up and go to Dad & Jan’s now??? I can’t make up my mind so I try to get a little more sleep, hummm not likely. Around 7.30am I got all our important doc’s first aid kit torches, canned food, warm clothes and packed a bag, I looked the BOM web site there are no cyclone warnings but the is still the possibility it could happen on Sunday. I call Dad phone for some reassurance. They sound like they are having a ball, and I sound like a scared little girl. I would have taken lots of photos & video by Andy has the camera, I took a couple on the phone hope they work out. Dad calls me back at about 8am, and again tries to reassure me that if it does develop in to a cyclone it will be in WA by then! We are just experiencing a very low depression. It has been years since I have seen rain like this, I am still unsure so I have loaded up Jan’s little bubble car with my stuff, and will take it to work today so if it does get worse I can just go straight to Dad & Jan’s, I think I am be a little over cautious, but I don’t care. Our Cyclone plan was to pack up and head for Katherine, but I guess I am not doing that this time, good thing we have insurance. It is 11.20am it is still raining, I had better get ready for work, I bet it is a boring day, who is going to come out in this rain! People who need supplies I guess ha ha ha. I hope Jan’s car does not get bogged getting out of the van park!

Grammatical Apologies

Tina's Birthday & Electrical Storm Hits

We haven’t got much rain but we had the biggest electrical storm I have ever seen on the weekend. Thursday is Tina’s birthday so a Happy Birthday to the Girl she has to work a 1-9pm shift so I hope her pressies are enough to get her through. I wrote her a Birthday Poem, I think last year was the first time I didn’t do one since we have been together.

Tina -

I had to drive home in the most amazing storm tonight I was pretty scared I must admit, lighting flashing every where they were hurting my eyes and I was so worried the car was going to get hit by one of the hundreds of strikes. The wind was at about 80km’s per hour and the rain was just pouring down, and with our stupid Landcruiser light you can only see about 10mtrs in front of you, we are also currently repairing the high beam & we have no spotties! The street lights were out all the way along Tigerbrenon Drive, which did not help one bit, at least the other drivers on the road were taking it easy as well, and didn’t mind my 55kms. I finally got home & Andy is videoing the storm, like I am going to forget that fast. We sat out side for a while & watched the light show the whole caravan park was being lit up by it. We got hungry so decided it was time for dinner.

Another week at work will it never end

Its Monday again and back into work it’s only been about 8 weeks but nearly seems like forever. I’m sure all you working folk are crying in your beers. Tina goes around to check on her Dad and he’s OK and his foot should be better in time for all the kids to arrive.
Tuesday I take the Tojo down to Palmerston to get an exchange Power steering box. The leak is getting quite bad now. We have spent a fair it on the old girl but better now while we are working. In the arvo I stop in to see Brian and have a couple of beers. Then off to town. Tina is going out to watch a movie with Jenna so I leave the car in town and catch the bus home. I catch the most days and it is pretty interesting just like free to air TV but in your face. Something happens everyday. I have listened to more music on my MP3 than ever before and it easy to end up in your own world. Its 25 minute and $2 so a bargain, I can’t even start the Tojo up for that.

I forgot the Pictures

A little storm passes us by at Dundee


Your just not allowed to miss Sunset here



I know its been worn out to death but when your name really is Jan surely we can use it again.

"Not Happy Jan"

Brian is using the red wine pain killing method after the foot Injury.

RDH save Brian's Foot

On the way home we stop off at Crab Claw Island to catch up with Dave & Fiona some friends we made while they stayed at the Shady Glen. They are working/living out there having a ball. On the way into the resort we said how will we find them but as soon as we rocked up I spotted them in the pool, surprise surprise.

Had to stop at Coolinga Woolworth's on the way home because I forgot to get my wish tree girl 9 year old Leah a present.

We did here from Jan & Brian and his foot is not broken, bloody lucky but the hospital said Tina & I did a great Job, and Jan as well. We are Ice fanatic's, years of Football Injuries have at least taught me that. You can’t beat a good ice pack.

Grammatical Apologies

Just a couple too many beers when I wrote the Brian foot injury story.

Dundee Breakdown

Saturday Tina had to work so I dropped her off in town and headed out to Casuarina to a little Christmas shopping of my own. Boy was I crook and Wendy’s Dog and a Solo didn’t help much either. My big task of the day was to get the gas working in the van. I headed down got a new regulator and it works fine. Even solved that Kris Kringle issue.
Watched a little of the cricket, the Windie’s not the Wendy’s doing well. Picked up Tina and headed off to Dundee. It’s a pretty good drive and the last 20k of dirt is better than usual. We arrive around 6 with a beer in hand. Tina has nominated me for Tiling the kitchen and Brian is grinding the floor to make ot more level in the Donga.
Then while we are talking to Jan a loud bang and scream of pain has us running towards the donga with Jan calling out to Brian. No answer and we are concerned arriving to find Brian with Blood pouring out of his foot and severe pain. The grinding stone has shattered and smashed ointo Brian’s foot creating a large bleeding hole as well as a massive lump on the top of his foot. He has gone pale and clearly in shock but plenty of help on hand to see us through the first 20 minutes of drama. Anyway lot of ice and we thin just because he can move everything he doesn’t have to go back to Darwin to the RDH tonight. But more about that later.

Friday night and we like to party

Tina took the Compliance plate to MVR and all is good. Glad that stupid stuff up is over. By the way I riveted it back on where you can see it and read it. Bloody Genius that’s what I say.
Tina did all the Christmas shopping this is week except for one difficult Kris Kringle one of has got for someone unknown. Friday was the CSG party at Monsoons, a pretty good night of free drinks and a chance to meet some of the 200 odd staff. Tina had had teas with Brian and Jan some nice steak.