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According to my thermometer the overnight temp was 25 degrees, so we knew it was going to be hot again today and one step outside proved that to be the truth.
I was packed up ready to go when Kimbo announced there'd be a slight hold up.....there was a flat tyre on the trailer. Being the true professional he is, he could have put some air in it, but decided the best option was to change it........heat and flies to boot.
However after Kimbo had a refreshing shower we finally were on our way by 11.00am.
Termite mounds were everywhere, so there was no need to get so excited yesterday.
At times our Highway #1 was disgraceful with barely enough room for trucks to pass and no shoulder to speak of.
Interestingly though when we turned onto the Onslow road because of Onslow Salt and now the Chevron gas processing plant of Wheatstone some 20km from town the road has been upgraded and was spectacular in places. What a difference money makes, some $250 million to be invested in social and critical infrastructure projects for this little town.
Finally destination Onslow was achieved by 2.00pm. We dropped into the shop where we'll be working and Corrina and Chris welcomed us with open arms. After a quick tour around town we found our spot in the caravan park and proceeded to set up our nest.
It was fairly hot in the arvo, 36 degrees but surprisingly dry heat. I expected there would be plenty of rain about but we've been told there is only rain when a cyclone forms. Onslow is renowned for cyclone activity. However as there are two currently forming in the Timor Sea, we will not be hanging around as we did with Cyclone Larry. No residents of the caravan park are allowed to stay once a Yellow Alert is announced............works fine for us.
The caravan park is right on the beach which would be lovely, however there is much dredging going on so that ships can berth at the jetty that the sea is a nice shade of brown..........once again it's interesting to see what happens when multinationals hit these little towns. There are pros and cons depending who you talk to.
As there is a lack of rain there was no expectation of lush tropical growth, but there is no growth around us at all. The gravel is fine, but we are paying a subsidised rent of $340.00/week (power included) - outrageous really but we are grateful to not be paying the full rate of $430.00/week. Is everyone capitalising on the boom in Western Australia.........you bet. The current caretakers of the park are on a 3 month contract.......12month contract is $150,000/year for a couple.
Many of the locals are dismayed by what is happening to there little town of 700 people. The gas processing plant currently has a workforce of 2,000 and that will swell to 5,000 early next year. Is the infrastructure here to cope with such an influx..........absolutely not. But with the bad there is the good. Wheatstone wanted a chemist for their staff....there was none....so they brought one in. A bonus for the locals. They needed an airport to land jets for FIFO, they created one, but there are no commercial flights in and out. Our nearest airport is Karratha over 300kms away.
The cost of food I will touch on at a later time, once we've had some experience with this. Probably will happen sooner than later when we buy food for Xmas day.
There are going to be changing times ahead for everyone..........some good.......some bad.
Tomorrow we settle in before we start work on Tuesday...........I'm excited.
- comments
danielsdomain Merry Christmas & a Very Happy & I hope not TOOO hot New yearHope there aren't too many cyclones to worry aboutHave a drink, or 3, with Ash & Wendy for usLove your stories, lot better than I've been doing, maybe I'll get better in the new year
ash-wendyfrank Hi Russ and Sandra, it's lovely to have Kim & Di here, we "met" yesterday and yapped about so much, and took up their arvo!!! then the highly competent pair started today and were REALLY thrown in the deep end with the Xmas eve rush to put it mildly and they are already a very valuable addition to the shop......very welcome too!Cheers Wendy
busmartins Thanks Russ and the same to you and yours. The weather although hot is dry which is lovely. There is talk of a cyclone about 27th but not thinking about that too much today.A New Year approaches so who knows what will transpire.Will most certainly have a few drinks over the festive season
busmartins Wendy thank you for your nice comments. Don't build us up too much, we don't want to let anyone down. Actually had fun today, but I was pleased to get off my feet when we got home. We'll be staying in the park tomorrow so will catch up with you after that. Enjoy your day tomorrow
Liz Fitzgibbons At last you made it! Enjoy Christmas and your new life (for the time being) xx
busmartins Thanks Lizzie, now if you just had a bit longer to come and visit ;-)
Marisa Hi Guys , hope you had a Great Xmas & a Happy New Year to you both . As I'm writing this the cyclone would have been causing you some grief , hope your both safe n sound . Love all the photos your posting look forward to sitting down to read what's been going on ! You could say I've become your little blog (groupeeee) Ha Ha Ha . Keep the great posts coming !! Keep safe xx
busmartins Hi Marisa hope you and Jeff had a nice day off on Xmas Day and you enjoyed your new car trip to Big Brook :-) My plan is to get our whole trip added, but 21 years worth will take awhile. Trying to work out how best to do it. Nice to hear from you. The cyclone was a fizzer for us, which was good, so didn't want to pack up just yet. I'm told however once they start, they just keep on coming. Keep fingers xed. Bye for now xx