Day 89 – Same old!

Ok, some of you are sending us messages & it sounds like I’m painting a pretty bad picture of this place. It’s not that bad, sure it’s a little bleak, isolated & cooler than what we have experienced for the last couple of months….But hey, I’m here with Ness & Annie, we caught up with Brad & have had one hell of an adventure…. So I got nothing to complain about!

Although we have a warm desert wind blowing here today, so strong it blew Ness’s camp chair away from the van.

They have cable TV in all of the rooms here, there are sports channels, movie channels, discovery channels, the works and they also have the commercial networks…..So if you are not at work during your 12-13 hour day you can watch a bit of telly!....Me & Annie watched a movie the other day…The Untouchables, about Al Capone…..Lots of shooting, car chases, blood & violence! I hope she liked it! (ok I’m just kidding….in case any of you think I’m serious!)

Have a special mention in tonight’s blog for Arama, she had her first driving lesson today….Arama has been so busy living her life that she left it a bit later to learn to drive, but finally at the age of 23 she has decided to bite the bullet & drive a car!....Keep up the lessons Arama, then we will see you more, there are no trains to Dixons Creek! Awesome stuff chick!

I wrote a newsletter today for work, most of it is just information or my thoughts…. A bit like this blog really. I like writing things down, it helps me to think….. Sometimes Ness asks me a question & all that comes out of my mouth is gobbledygook! But if she sends me an email asking for information then I can usually give her an answer?..... for you psychology types out there what does this mean? Am I a thinker? Or just not able to communicate verbally?

Smokers suck!....get offended if you like! But I reckon smoking should be illegal!.....Ok maybe that is taking it a bit far, and I respect your right to smoke but Please please please get rid of your cigarette butts sensibly. Annie is fully mobile now & almost walking….. so she gets around on her hands & knees…..and is constantly finding cigarette butts and putting them straight in her mouth! So c’mon you smokers…..give up or do the right thing!

Annie’s birthday is nearly here….today she is 11 months old, wow how time flies. When I was with Brad recently I thought to myself he was this size not that long ago! Makes me realise that we only have our kids for a short time……Sigh!!!!

Reader’s replies

Arama has already had a mention, but it’s worth saying again…..Yayyyyyy Arama, keep them wheels turning.

My sister Heather had an interesting dilemma this week, my niece Sydni is choosing her subjects for next year….. Syd is 16 years old. She had the choice between an economics course & a beauty course guess which one she chose????..... Duhhh! Heather was it really that hard? I could have told you which course a 16 year old girl would have chosen!

Brad my son has decided to put his tax return to good use, he has enrolled in a course for working with people that have substance abuse issues…..Mate all I can say after visiting the Alice is there is plenty of work ahead for you!

Annie’s Blog

Oh boy can I make my parents laugh, I have worked out that I have all these Super powers that instantly make them laugh! I look away and then I look back at them & they laugh, they call my name and I ignore them for a while and then when I turn around they laugh! I make a funny face and they laugh! I do a big fluff and they laugh!.... I’m going to get a suit made up with a cape when I get home and I’ll put a big S on it to show everyone that I have Super Laugh Power…… Or has that suit thing already been done?

Dad said the No word to me a hundred million times today…..I went out to the outside world (outside the box on wheels) and I found all these soft paper things lying on the ground….But every time I went to eat one Dad yelled NO!..... C’mon Dad these things are everywhere, surely I can eat a few?..... Dad said they were called Butts?.... but that confused me because the other day my Dad told mum she had a cute Butt? What the????

Later Dudes!!!!....Dunno what that means but my brother Brad says it heaps

AnnieInAVan…XXXX

Day 88 – Day 2 at Oz Minerals

Another day, more nothingness! Not much happening here today. Woke up, went to work, came back to the van, went for Brekky in the mess, read a bit, had a snooze (very unusual for me to snooze during the day) went up to the training room for a look with Annie & Ness, came back again, did a few emails, went up to the Mess for dinner, came back to the van, went to work for the night shift boys & girls, came back to the van, went to the loo, wrote a blog, went to sleep. James is pretty much right…not much to do.  I am slowing catching up on all my work stuff but Annie keeps me occupied most of the time. 

Repeat for the next two days!

Not much to do here except work, I think they scientifically designed this place so that all you can do is work & sleep!.... Be so glad to get out of here!

Whats going on in your world? We have not been keeping up with the news over the last few months. But this morning I caught a snippet of Julia getting shirty with a journalist? What did he criticize her dress sense or something? Surely there are better more important things to worry about!

Readers comments

Norm & Marg are off to the Paralympics….hope Australia does well or they will be bagged by their own countrymen & women! I hope just attending is recognised & a medal is a bonus! Sport Shmort! I’m over it when the focus is on so few high profile multi-millionaire athletes! The bling that the American basketball team was wearing would fund the running of a third world country for the next 300 years!

Georgia has been watching “Dumb Drunk & Racist” on the ABC, Georgia it is nothing like that in real life…. It is worse!!! The other night when I dropped Brad home we saw a car on its side with 5 very drunk indigenous brothers standing beside it….we knew they were drunk because 2 of them were holding the other 2 up! And then we drove past a bottle shop where the security guard had his knee on an aboriginal man’s head holding him down! And you know who’s fault it is? The bloody taxi driver who supplies them with their grog!

And Tereasa said we live in Melbourne coz really cool people live there…… That’s true T, pity we don’t know any really cool people!

Annie’s blog

Well I think I’ll have a holiday soon, I am nearly 11 months old and I think I deserve one. I have been living with Mum & Dad every single day for the last few months without a single break. Granny & Nan & Pop, you have to give me a break. Mum is always making sure I look good,(Hardly with this red dirt…I gave up long ago) and Dad is freaky about what I eat, he always checks the packets to make sure I don’t eat perservetives! But then he is quite happy to give me one of his hot chips? (and red cordial) I mean I’m not complaining…..but it’s a bit weird. Oh and this bed in the box on wheels, we need to look at what I am going to do when I get older, I mean I want my own space, can you have a 2 room box on wheels?

Today Mum & Dad took me to this big room, Dad works here while me & Mum stay back at the box on wheels, it was fun it had lots of chairs in it and I crawled all over the room. I’d like to see my Dad work one day, I wonder what he talks about???

Only 2 more days here and we start to head home……..Weeee Heeeeee!!!

Good evening to you all

AnnieInAVan….XXXX

Day 87 – OMPHMS

Day 1 working for this site, Ness & myself are a little flat today! I think that the cold morning & the bleakness of this site have made us both realise that our little adventure is coming to an end! And as happy as we will be to get home & see you all, we will miss the diversity of landscapes & people that we have seen. I think that it is this place…it is desolate.  Some of you may remember the pictures from our last trip when we came here, rows and rows of cream portable buildings no trees, no grass just dirt and wind.  It is also weird…all the other sites have been really friendly…but this one just seems a little cold.  Mmmm….

I got a headache that would kill an elephant, I reckon it’s the wind! It is very windy here today, a cold desert wind that is actually blowing the van about a bit. Annie was outside a while ago & she was crawling on her hands and knees and faced into the wind, she squinted her eyes & her hair blew back….It was hilarious!

We’ve been allocated a room here to use, it has its own bathroom & bedroom. It’s a bit small or we could all move in here and have a mini holiday! A bit small it is tiny but too be expected…a single bed, TV, mini bar fridge and a bathroom and that is it!  As we don’t have TV in the van at least I can catch up on news in the donga.

There’s not much to say today, since last night I went to work at 6am, finished by 730 & then had nothing until 6pm tonight. So Ness & I did some work & caught up on a few things.

Nothing grows here! We are in the middle of SA, this site is actually in the Woomera prohibited area, if you look on your map you will see that there is a shaded area that the general public has to stay away from, that’s because we have secret stuff out here that we can’t know about! Did you know that we also allow other countries to test their missiles on the Prohibited area! I checked it out & they have bookings up until 2023!!! Gee that’s a long way ahead to book a missile test!

But getting back to the ground it is mainly rocky sand, and it is not just the mine site that is like this, as we were driving here we slowly watched the trees & bushes disappear & the rocks & the sand take over.

Ok gotta go, its theme night tonight in the mess…..Mexican food!...Yummmm  That would be Indonesian food honey…but I guess I am the foodie not you.

Reader’s Comments

Tereasa accused me of waffling!..... Oh T, you haven’t heard anything yet! Get me started on cars, bikes anything with wheels, NRL, true crime, Australian history, lots of other stuff I can waffle about till the pigs come home!

Mel S spent a weekend at home & everyone came to visit her! But not for long, off overseas again Mel…. You must be the only person I know with more frequent flier points than me!

Sandy G returned from Hervey Bay to the cool of Yarra Glen….. Victorians please remind me why we live here?

And Arama explained the frequent visits to Castella, nice Arama…..I hope the visits continue after we return!

Birthday Wishes to Louisa from Camel Country...do they eat Camels in Dubai? Or is it just me that eats them in Alice Springs?  Happy Birthday Lou. xxx

Annie’s Blog

Wow it is soooooo windy here, today I went outside and nearly got blowed over! It made my eyes cry & my hair all swooshy! And it is cold too. I think I might tell my Mum & Dad to move to a warmer place with the box on wheels!

Mum & Dad are both grizzly today, they don’t like the cold either and the wind just gets to ya! It makes me mad!!! So I think we will all be better once we leave this place & start to head back to Victoria. It will be colder but at least it won’t be windy!

Me & Mum did the washing today, Mum says the best thing about coming to a mine site is that the washing machines are free! She is washing EVERYTHING!

I have not made any new friends here yet, everyone seems so busy at this place….. it’s not as friendly as the last place. Can’t wait to see all of my friends & families.

Oh and by the way this 8th tooth of mine is rooolllllyyy hurting me. Wish it would hurry up and come all the way through.

Nighty Night

AnnieInAVan….XXXX

Day 86 – Prominent Hill Mine Site

Well ladies & gents we made it to our last work engagement for this trip, a mine site in South Australia that mines copper & gold ore. I have been involved with this mine since it opened in 2009 & they ask me back regularly to speak to their new people & recharge their old people!

You know I do a lot of work with companies that many people think are “Bad” for the country & for the earth & our future. This annoys me a little because unless you see how they run these operations & have actually experienced & witnessed how it all works I don’t think you have the right to criticize! Sure 100 years ago we didn’t really think about how the things we were doing affected the environment, but now it is totally different. Most companies have large environmental departments & cultural departments that are the first to be consulted before any work takes place. And if something happens these departments are the first on call to make sure it is dealt with properly…. You should see what has to happen if there is even a small oil leak from a truck! The enviro’s have to monitor it all the way until it is rectified. Anyway I’m waffling a bit here, but I just don’t agree with people who say something without really understanding how much effort goes into making sure we do things responsibly now! Oh and think about this, if you have lights in your house there is a good chance that the copper in your wiring came from a mine somewhere…So if you can do without that then you have the right to criticize!

Ok off my soapbox now, Hey a special mention tonight to Meredith from NZ, last night she won an award for the massive effort that she provides to her partner Nathan’s Yacht Club…. & Meredith doesn’t sail!!! Awesome job M, you deserve it! Meredith won ‘Volunteer of the Year’ for the Yacht Club.  You go girl….!!

Today we cruised down the Stuart Hwy to Coober Pedy, this is a weird place, surrounded by thousands & thousands of white mounds of dirt dug up by miners looking for opals, the town is a dust bowl of old mine works, houses for the locals & touristy type shops selling all sorts of opal related products! We met up with my next door neighbours Chris & Michelle whose car had broken down & they were waiting to fly home to Melbourne. Great to see you Chris & Michelle, see you next week when we get home.

Reader’s Comments

Already mentioned Meredith, but well done again M…..Ps, wanna buy a bike & an outboard motor? I got one going cheap!!!

My sister Heather….. I had a go at her for being a Kept woman, I have to clarify things here she is not “Kept” she works very hard, her commitment to keeping her fake tan is admirable & she never misses a Waxing session or hairdressers appointment, Keep up the hard work H!..... (Oh boy I’m gonna cop it when she sees me next)

Georgia, nothing wrong with a bit of Camel, early explorers lived on it for years. Oh & you should put your name down to teach at Alice Springs or Coober Pedy….. Menindee is a piece of cake compared to these places!!!

Annie’s Blog

Hello families & friends, we stayed at a place last night that was cold, I have been warm for 2 months now and last night it got to 8 degrees! Gee that is cold….Not sure I like the cold. We stopped at the Coober place & I wanted to meet the Opals, but Dad & Mum took me to see our neighbours Chris & Michelle, wow I have not seen them since I was a baby! I let Michelle hold me because she is friendly, I reckon she would make a nice mum one day! But I was a bit grizzly because my mouth was hurting, I got another toof coming through, that will mean I have 8 teeth!  It is through my darling Punky(Annie’s nickname) so fingers crossed it doesn’t annoy you tonight.

We made it to the mine site & Dad & Mum took me to the dinner place, Mum said it was called the Mess, but it is not as messy as our caravan when I play in it! Anyway I’m looking forward to meeting lots of new friends this week, I’ll tell you all about it.

 See Ya’s Soon

AnnieInAVan….XXXX

Day 84 & 85 – Last day in Alice & on to Marla

No blog last night if you hadn’t noticed! Had a great couple of days with Brad & I was not in the mood to write a blog last night.  He is my big kid & I’m so happy to see him getting on with his life. Can’t wait to see you again Brad, keep up the good work.

Ok Bloggies so what you all been up to? Granny are you still partying after your birthday this week? You know you are not as young as you used to be!!! Sandy & David have spent the week in Qld having a rest from Melbourne’s crap weather, hope you enjoyed yourselves? My sister Heather got a new job during the week, so her years of living as a supported wife & lady of leisure are over! My brother in law Brad went on the wagon this month….and fell off a couple of times! Keep it up Brad, 140kg is only a few weeks away…you can do it mate! Norm & Marg are still in the UK, hey the Paralympics start on the 29^th…you should go! Georgia have you been internet surfing for vans & tow vehicles? Remote area contract teaching will suit you, send Brendon to live with Granny! Meredith had a bad week, burglars stole Nathans bike & outboard motor! Mongrels….and they didn’t leave any fingerprints!!!! I didn’t know gloves were invented in NZ yet?....Sorry M, bad joke, hope you have a great week next week to make up for it! Arama has been out to Castella, Hey Arama what takes you out there? Art? Wildlife?....Or maybe a special person???? Tereasa, I got a gas question for you? But it will wait till I get back…..Oh and I did read all of your email about your visit to the Alice, I just didn’t want to waffle on as much as you do with my reply…..Hahaha I crack myself up! Kirsten I hope you had an alcohol free weekend, remember what your partner said…you can’t party like you used to! Simon & Kristine D….you guys got no internet in NSW? Or just busy unpacking? Pete & Mary, this trip is not for work….it is a reconnaissance mission for our future 4WD trips. Campbell & Karen, you have been quiet this trip? Celeste, you are also invited on a future trip, Rakesh could get work at many of the remote places we visited, there is a real shortage of skilled people, especially anyone with cooking & chefs skills. Rob & Juan….How’s ma brudders from anudder Mudder! You both have to get to Broome & to Alice Springs! Liz P, you owe me the cost of a Purl & an Opal! Brad W so cool to catch up with you mate, Dan W be home week after next mate….I know you don’t read the blog but just wanted to say it! Rodney off to work on Sunday….No more 9-5 Mon to Fri! Alan N haven’t heard from you for a while either, Neil & Ally T, hope you are well… your neighbours will be back soon, Dan C…didn’t get to Kununurra this trip mate, but will catch up with you soon.  Bonnie & Egg…are you home yet? Flick….You in Victoria? Or WA? Jo Smith….next time you start to write a reply to the blog, don’t stop for anything or anyone….They will survive for 30 minutes without you! Mel S, where are you this month? Actually don’t answer that the blog is not big enough! Sarah F, have you been to Alice Springs, Shayne W….Off to Naru are we????

And all the rest of you who don’t write often, we hope you are all well & the blog has kept you in touch with what we are doing. Looking forward to catching up with you all when we get back!

Annie’s Blog

Wow I saw my big brother for 4 days this week, I think I like him…he plays fun games with me and yesterday Brad & Dad took me to this big bouncy pillow thing that big kids can jump on. I’m still too small so Brad picked me up and held me and he bounced on it….How cool is that, I’m going to hire my big brothers out to other kids that don’t have big brothers!

We left the springs place and now we are going to this Coober place, Mum says that it is famous for the Australian Opals?..... I’m looking forward to meeting them, I might play basketball when I get big like my brother!

But then we go on to another mine site, cool I’ll have lots of friends for the whole week! Then we go home….I been away for so long I can’t even remember what my home looks like! But I’m missing all my family & my friends, I have changed a lot my Mum keeps saying….I bet you all have too!

See you soon.

AnnieInAVan….XXXX