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Tom C-B's Travels 2006
Yo yo yo everybody! Back again to bring you up to date after falling a whole week behind! The previous entry has Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, so I'll fill you in on Monday, Tuesday and today...
MONDAY
An early bus this morning was not particularly what one wishes for after staying up to watch the early morning footie game, but I managed to arrive present and correct at the right time, so that was the morning's ordeal over with. We kicked back and relaxed for the longish drive to Kroombit, where we would be staying in a working cattle and goat ranch!
When we arrived it was like stepping into a film, with little log cabins for dorms, an old cart serving as the 'bar', and spurs and stirrups galore! After being shown our sleeping quarters, we were whisked off to the animal enclosures in 4x4's up a bumpy dirt track, where we would be taking part in some clay pigeon shooting and a goat rodeo...
The clay pigeon shooting was great fun, and I managed to get 3 out of 5 despite never having shot a gun in my life! I think I'm now addicted to shooting shotguns now mum and dad, sorry! After the shooting we were put into teams of 3 for the goat rodeo. We were put in the pen with about 50 goats, varying in size, and were given one to take down and 'brand'. The brand wasn't actually hot, but we had to replicate a real rodeo as we were being timed. Mayhem ensued, with goats running every which way while we struggled to grab one by the horns and get it to the ground. It was all a good laugh and although I was slightly apprehensive beforehand, I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Back at the main ranch, dinner was a meaty affair, with a whole side of beef between 14 people. After dinner, the fun did not stop there, as we still had to ride the mechanical bull and learn how to crack a whip. It was also Kim's birthday so we had cake and party poppers as well. With the activities over, we indulged in a number of amusing observation games round the camp fire, and, with the cake finally devoured, we went to bed as another early start to the day awaited us the following morning.
TUESDAY
Not much to add from this day as it was the longest day of driving on the whole trip! We left the cattle ranch in Kroombit at 7am and arrived in Airlie Beach at 6:15pm, so as you can imagine we were happy at the thought of not having to get on another bus until Monday.
Airlie Beach is similar to Hervey Bay in that it serves as a gateway to a higher calling, that being the Whitsunday Islands. We had booked our sailing trip for Thursday so with that in mind, we went for a big night out, also staying up till 5am for England's last group game. Completely shattered after being up for a good 26 hours, I collapsed into bed at 7:30 in the morning, not to rise again until 12:30 that afternoon.
WEDNESDAY
Good weather meant that, when I did get up at 12:30, we went to the artificial lagoon to soak up the ever present sunshine. Much of the rest of the day was spent in the same fashion, and we split up in the early evening to do various jobs and errands, mine being going to the internet to get down to some serious business on this journal.
So there you have it, you are up to date and I hope my recent adventures have made for some insightful and envy-making reading... Tomorrow we are off to the Whitsundays, so I'll be back on Saturday to tell you all about it.
Until then, adios, ciao, see ya later
Tom xx
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