aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaghhhh im so behind on this blog thing.hmm have done so much since i last wrote so to get it all in im writing briefly just so u know roughly what we did:Sunday 13th ish: We went to White Water World a huge water park just outside Brisbane was sooo good and loadsa fun. took my underwater camera so got some good piccies.Monday 14th: Left 9am for the training ranch, stopping off at Gympie to open a bank account and get some shampoo. Got to the ranch and everyone went dead quiet think we were all really nervous - well i was!! Claimed a bed in the dorm and assigned the male and female toilets - we didn't want them piddling on the seat or floor and pooing in our girly one. Had a quick tour of the place, met Matt the cowboy and Doris who cooked all our meals then headed out to Goomeri and the shops to buy cowboy hats, boots, shirts and belts. We put it all on -looked so funny then headed out to the farm where we were shown round and then fed the horseys. By then it was getting dark so we headed back to the house for dinner and showers. One of the guys doing the course with us had been to Thailand the month or so before coming to Australia and had been tusked in the chest by an elephent, anyway he had his stitches out on Sunday but was playing pool and messing about a bit and his wound just popped open and the blood was gushing from his chest was awful but he got to a doctor an hour or so later. Tuesday: up bright and early uuurgh half 5 and made ourselves breakfast. Was hot even at that time in the morning! Put on all our new clothes botts and hats then headed to the farm. Up first was Ag motorbikes (bit like motorX bikes) with Rance another cowboy (the proper type you'd imagine from the films) who helped out! I was so scared of the bikes at first and of falling off and hurting myself on day 1. but soon got the hang of it (well at least on the straight bits of road) and started going faster as the morning went on. Once everyone had the hang of it we went cross county up and over hills and cross rocky fields. I fell off 3 times going up hill and knocked over a whole tree on the second fall which went rolling off down the hill. I love the motor bikes now and rate it as one of the best things ive ever driven!!After an amazing lazy lunch (where I managed to conk out for 40 mins)of about 2 hours cos 'you pommys cant handle this heat' we got the horses saddled up and learnt western riding. wasnt much different to english style but the saddles way comfier. Same as the bikes, as soon as everyone had got the hang of it we were off!! Cantering over the paddocks the wind in our hair!! well not really we had riding hats on.... and there was no wind! but it was still good. we saw Wallabys too!Wednesday: Changed my first tyre today!! Its not even that hard!! Id have done it sooner if id have known it was that easy. Was so hot doing it in the full sun tho. Also got to drive the Ute - a 4WD pickup up and over the rocky hill a few times each. Found some meat eating ants which can apparently eat u to death - so the blokes went to jump on the anthill and there was millions the whole ground was moving. Also learnt some knots and how to attatch loads safely.Quad biking after lunch was the funniest CRASHTASTIC afternoon ever. Again as soon as we were confident we were up over the ridges fields and hills at great speed. Whooop! The afternoon was going really well till becky did a unplanned wheely (there wasn't enough quads for everyone so we kept changing between them) on her motorbike which chucked her off backwards was pretty funny and I started laughing so much I wasn't really watching where I was going and ended up not making it over a hill so had to roll the whole way backwards -v scary. Then as we were bombing along the edge of a field I didn't see a huge ditch (probably up to my chest if I was to stand in it) and I went into it at bout 40mph the front of the quad hit the far side then my head hit off the front of the quadbike I managed somehow to get out the ditch and just avoided crashig into a tree. I thought id knocked my teeth out or dislocated my jaw it was that painfull. Also when it was my turn on the motorbike we went up this hill which was pretty much vertical- well maybe im exagerating a bit, but I didn't have enough revs and even though I had almost made it I just saw the tyre at the front coming off the ground and me getting verticaller by the second so I abondoned ship cos I got scared and the bike had to be rolled all the way back down. Katie also crashed into the back of beckys quad while starting her motorbike was hilarious as becky just lurched forward and katie just jumped off dropped the bike and started flapping haha. And if that wasn't enough action for one afternoon Beckys crash was by far the most spectacular!! We were speeding down a reaonably steep hill maybe a little bit fast but then becky hit an anthill lost control and careered head first into a tree. I was right behind and it looked so bad I thought she would have been conked out. Thank god she had a helmet on! Anyway she was fine it had looked a lot worse than it was however the quad was a little worse for wear - smashed up with a huge dint right in the middle at the front. The bullbar also came clean off so was strapped to mine with a belt. Its funny looking back at this crash but at the time it defo wasn't. Got back and Rance was like 'SSSHiiiiit what an afternoon' probably his most eventful one on quads for a while.Thursday: Tractor drining today. Was a bit scary at first as it had a huge ploughing trailer thingy on and a spiked lifting type thing at the back so made it really long for turning. Was quite fun but think ive become a bit of a speed freak over last few days and the tractors slower pace didn't have the same buzz. Also did some fencing and learned how to tie wire round the posts and attatch new bits if a fence has snapped. After lunch was chainsawing was good fun if not a bit scary at first. It was so hard to start up tho needed uber strong arms then we cut a few trees vertically and horizontally each. Lastly a bit more fencing and put our wire knots into practice by tightening a wire fence then reattatching it. Cut by barbed wire twice :o(Secured a job on thur night. Wasn't what I wanted at all and I had a bit cry cos I didnt want to be a cleaner and gardener I wanted to be a cowboy girl. But there was nobody wanting females on their ranches - which is understandable in a way cos who wants to pay a female for a job when a man can lift more and do more with his strenght. Grrrr still bit annoying though. But I get paid 250 pounds not including tax so its tiny bit better cos everyone else is on 150 ish a week.Friday: Whoooop whooooop day of the muster!! So so excited!! Decided to do it on a horse instead of quad or bike and im glad I did we got a lot more action and got a lot closer while moving the cattle. Leaving the farm and getting in position for the first lots of cows that the quads were rounding through reminded me of section attacks waiting in position going up the flank, the cows being the enemy haha god im a saddo!! But it did haha. There was a massive chunky ass bull and it was mine and beckys job to round it up we were like eeeek were gunna die!! But it saw the female cows the others had round up and needed no coaxing!! Cows love running down hill but horses don't so the cows ran off and we couldn't keep up and so we lost them almost back to the place we had started from, but got them together again and moved from dam to dam stopping every now and again to let the mummies find their calves and the fat cows a breather. Took 5 hours in total and my butt was in agony by the end but it was the best fun ever and made me even madder at there not being a mustering job for females!!After bringing the first lot in we jumped off had a drink of water and a quick toilet stop then we were off again rounding up the cattle at the other side of the track. Lots of calves this time - so lots of seriously moody mummys. Hahaha one tiny tiny calf was trying to keep up with mummy cow and she shat an his head covering his whole face in runny brown cow plop!! Was hilarous. Stopped for a well deserved and much needed lunch and to let the cattle recover from there stressful morning. Was so sad having our last lunch cooked by dorris on the big house veranda over looking the paddocks will defo miss it. After lunch we sorted the cattle into unbranded babies, teenager types and the rest. Haha and the fun started. Branded the girl calf and I injected it - bit gross cos the feeling of piercing skin is a one I cant stand and it was tough to get through so even worse. Ewww and when it was in the trap thing getting branded it got really scared and as I was stood behind I got squirted with its wee. The poo followed but id moved by then!Awww then it was Boy calfs turn, we'll call him Borris as I feel its easier to be sympathetic and to feel sorry fopr something with a name. But anyway he was branded and injected just like the girl only he had another surprise in store eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk - CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!Urrrrrrgh I almost puked. The calfes eyes were white with fear and his poopy was coming out quite a bit faster than the girly poopy. Im getting the shivers now writing this and im not even a man!! But anyway out came the scalpel and sliced the skin and then Matt popped the Borris balls out. Bleeeuuughh. They said they normally cook them on the branding furnace and eat them but they'd switched it off so the dog had them raw instead!After all that excitement we took the cows back to their fields on the quads, fed the horseys and went to the pub in Goomeri after an amazing day. Got back to the house showered and had a bbq with steak and chicken and kebabs it was a good end to a fab day. Jack got drunk and branded himself with a J on his chest. He bent a piece of wire into a shape then heated it up on the fire outside and pressed it against his chest- crazy. Saturday- lie in today well till 8 oclock but we were still up at 5. The water had ran out we had apparently used the whole tanks worth in 5 days - 35000litres. Ooops. Packed and stipped our beds and got in the minibus to Gympie where we had to catch a Greyhound Coach back to Brisbane. Thought we were all getting on the same coach so wasn't prepared for goodbyes that soon when mine pulled up. Becky was getting on one to the airport!! We didn't manage to get a job together. So I had a bit cry as I realised I was now on my own going to a job I didn't want, in the middle of nowhere with total strangers.Stayed in TinBilly's Hostel in Brisbane Sat and Sun night was pretty central went to bed really early and had a good 12 hours kip.Sunday: Got up and went into town for a few bits and bobs. Got some new shorts, some postcards, a phonecard and some shampoo and conditioner. Wowweee haha bet u didn't really care what I bought but thought id tell u anyway. Went over to southbank for a bit near the pool and had a bit sunbathe and wrote my diary then I cam back did some laundry went for another walk, rang mum, rang my new employer Debbie told her when I was coming, then went to find some food. Had a macdonalds!! Yes yes a macdonalds :o( nothing else was open that late on a Sunday and im not sitting in a restaurant by myself haha. Sat in town writing my diary, people watching and listening to a band in a pub opposite!!Monday: Up at 6 to get the bus to Chinchilla today!! Was sat next to an old lady who was asking loadsa questions I was like sssshhhh I just want to sleeep. But I was grateful to her when I came to get off cos I didn't have a clue what this chinchilla place looked like and would have got off at Dalby half an hour away from Chinchilla had I been left alone!! Met Debbie and we went for lunch, did a bit shopping and headed back to her house which was another hour and a half away towards the middle of nowhere eeeek. Have such a nice room - double bed, fantastic view, and another room with a sofa and a tv which has slide doors that goes out onto a veranda.The couple Debbie and Rowell is bout 50 yrs old with 3 sons (all moved out) Gavin 21 Robert 24 and Chris 28 who is married with 2 kids, and a daughter Carrie30 who lives in Brisbane. Theres also a sausage dog called Bertrand who is pretty old and is going blind but comes to me for tummy tickles and sometimes comes into my room at night and I wake up and hes curled up in bed with me haha. First night here they cooked me steak on the Barbie which was ace!! Couldn't have asked for a better first meal whoop. SO many noises outside and theres frogs and geckos everywhere. Defo wont be going to the loo in the night! Its an outside one!! Eeek.Tuesday: Learnt how to use the tractor/lawnmower was good fun!! Took me 5 hours though to do all the lawns and grass round the barns. All the grass and dust got stuck to my suntan cream tho so I came in for lunch looking like ….. errrrm I dunno ..but very scruffy and black!! The lawnmower conked out so I was trying to rev it and start it and the Gavin came over and said id probably ran out of petrol and it had!! Great first impression he probs thinks im a stupid english girl haha nevermind. He then showed me his dead cow which was in some freezer thing, bit gross really. Had a bit lunch and then hoovered out Debbies car and washed the outside. Was good fun actually had the music up loud and I was singing along and there is absolutly nobody to disturb here in the outback.The ants were driving me crazy and I could feel them biting my feet and crawling up my legs. Had a shower and tea then pretty much went straight to bed as I was that tired.Wednesday: Swept the whole veranda and all the footpaths then showered. Then me and Debbbie went into Toowoomba 4 hours away (that's like driving from my house to manchester ish to do your shopping) to do a few jobs pick up a few tracter parts, get the dry cleaning, get her hair done etc. Stayed the night in a motel I was expecting pure Skank like in films but hell no - this was a 4 star motel with 2 bedrooms tv minibar pool, sauna breakfast in bed the full works. Went for dinner in a place called Sizzlers an all you can eat buffet type place. Was amazing. Full of obese people tho which made me feel tad sick!!Thursday: Yeyyy 22 today!!!! Woke up yep 6 oclcok on my birthday uuurgh, had breckie and had completely forgot bout it till Debbie brought me out a Card and Pressie. We then went did a few more jobs and debbie went to get her nails done so she dropped me off at her mums house where I did a bit gardening- haha yes getting my hands dirty and doing something ive never done before planting a bush!! It felt good dunno why really. Found myslef thinking if dad could see me now haha. And if I do say so myslef the bushes looked good!! Her mum is so funny and made me laugh loads also made me miss having a granma!! We then stopped off in chinchilla got some groceries with her mum and then dropped he back off and left for home.Ran over a snake on purpose haha which was on the road and it made a very satisfying crunch! - debbie said 'one less b***** in the world to frighten me' haha love it!!Had steak again for tea my choice as it was my bday and champagne. Gavin and Robert came over too. Gavin is so funny he cracks me up without even trying. Hes decided hes growing a beard for the whole of november!! Just cos!Friday:Cleared out the gutters which was again something id never even considered doing at home but with gloves on and a scoopy up thingy it was surprising satisfying to see the before and how it is after your finished. Im liking this cleaning melarky much better than I thought - think that makes me a right wierdo but ill make someone a good wife!!!! Ewww a frog weed on my foot today I was trying to get it to move out the way so I could open the door without getting it in and this guey slime/uriney stuff splashes out of its butt all over my flipflop and foot made me want to vom!! Gavin also took me to the tip! Haha where we saw a kangaroo and a Guwana a bit dragonny lizard thing checking out the rubbish. He also wants me to join his Rock band and play the bass guitar so he gunna teach me! Not a big fan of rock tho!!After lunch I cleaned the walls swept the veranda hoovered out 2 rooms hung two sets of curtains cleaned the windows and mopped the patio.I was hoovering the rugs on the veranda and a big huge guana was creeping up on me and cos I couldn't hear had no idea it was there then Bertrand comes shooting out barking his head off running towards me really angry and im like eeeek maybe im hoovering his fav rug and he doesn't like peole to touch it but he went flying past and then I saw the beast about 3 metres away. Was huge and alligatory so bertrand bit his tail and had a bit of a fight with it and chased it up a tree. My little hero, god imagine if the dog hadnt have been there I might have actually died from fright or a lost limb or something. Awww then he stayed watch while I finished the hoovering and kept checking the bushes and looking back at me. Finished early 5pm instead of 6 and managed to catch neighbours was buzzing!! Only there months and months ahead here so it didn't make much sense. OOOOOH gossip for neighbours fans tho - Susan gets sent to Jail, Steiger Pepper's dad gets sick so she has to move away and leave the show, Ringo has an eating diosorder, Carmella has Olivers Baby and Oliver is still in love with Elle. That's all I can remember for now!! Pork Chops for Tea then I showered and went to Bed.Oooooh ooooh oooooh Rowell has bought me my own four wheel drive whoppee so I can get out and about at weekends if I want. Not that theres anywhere to go haha but beats being stuck in the house so much. Saturday 27th October: Weekend off a whhooo hoooo. Rowell has gone to do some ploughing or something and Debbie has gone to some party or other so im here in the middle of nowhere on my own is a tad bit scary but at least my hero bertrand is here. He keeps dosing off and I keep waking him up so he'll keep watch for me cos even though hes blind he can tell when people come. Theres a new girl coming on Monday Gorgina 24 from Surrey so at least therell be someone to moan and gossip and do things with!! Harvest starts next week so its going to be mental apparently. Jesus that took forever to write and since ive written it you had all better bloody read it!!! Haha I bet most of you have probably not made it to the end but well done if you have read the whole lot!! Will try get my piccies done as soon as poss!! Hope everyone isnt having too much fun without me??!! Missing you all loads and loads but loving it here so don't worry bout me too much (MUM!). And no I havent read it through for grammer or spelling mistakes so yeah I know theres loads (MUM) but nobody should think im a thicko that cant spell I just type quick and don't bother reading back through. keep me up to date with all the gossip and what you've all been doing. And of course the x factor results week by week would be good!!Right enough from me oh one last thing whooop lost half a stone yey!!Love and Hugs Lauraxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx