JILL THE "TRUCKIE"

 

(HA HA)

 

 

 

Well, on Saturday I was able to spend the day

with Dave, carting hay.

The only difference this time,

was that I got to drive the road train!!

 

Yes, I did say DRIVE!!!!

YEE-HAHHHHHHHHHH

 

Me with my rig!

 

 

 

Dave needed someone to go with him

to drive the truck while he loaded the hay

with the Manitou (forklift), as the haystacks

were very far apart and in different paddocks

and he couldn't do both things.

 

So he suggested to his boss that I go along

and she said "Yeah, let her drive the truck!"

 

Well, as some of you already know,

I love to drive anything with wheels (or tracks

or whatever) and will

give anything a go!

 

So, how about a triple road train?

Yeah, that means 3 trailers!

Always wanted to drive a truck!

 

It was a lot of fun.

I had to take it through a narrow gate

and also around a right angle corner that

looked like you'd never get 3 trailers around it.

(Dave actually had to clear some of the

scrub with the Manitou before

I could attempt it)

 

But with Dave's expert guidance walking ahead

of me, I made it without mishap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Got to see this crazy whirly-whirly!

 

 

 

And at the end of our 12 hours carting hay,

I was nice and dusty and dirty!

 

 

I have uploaded a video for you, to prove my story.

This is me, driving through the paddock:)

 

 

 

 

 Here is another video of me driving the Manitou!

(Yes, I had to try that too. I loaded one bale of hay

just to give it a go)

 

 

 

Okay, no more truck stories for today.

Guess I'd better get back to wedding preparations.

 

 

PS. It's Maddy's 13th Birthday today,

so we now have 4 teenage girls in our house!

Yes, you can all feel sorry for Dave now!  

 

 



ABBI CREATES!!

 

 

Abbi just recently finished an 8 week

cake decorating course that taught

her the basics of cake decorating.

 

For the last class, they had to bring a plain

iced cake and decorate it!

 

Wa-Lah! Here was her effort!

 

 

 

Needless to say, we were all very impressed! 

We're sick with the flu!

 

 

 

 

 

And my tombstone when I die........

ha ha

A VERY LONG DAY AT THE OFFICE

I MEAN, IN THE TRUCK WITH DAVE!

 

 

Last Wednesday, I was able to go with Dave on his

regular overnight run. (Actually, 2 nights)

 

Dave did his usual Mataranka run first on Wednesday,

beginning at 7 am and got home

around 7:30pm, had a quick shower,

we stocked up on our meals etc and after fuelling up,

left Katherine at 9:30pm.

 

Heading down the Roper Highway,

we did the midnight mail run:)

Yeah, I know, weird, dropping off mailbags

in the middle of the night.

 

First stop-Moroak station 11:30pm

Second stop-Lonesome Dove station 12:30pm

Third stop-Big River station 12:40pm

Fourth stop-Mt McMillan station 1:05am

 

At 1:25am, we arrived at Roper Bar to 'camp' for the

rest of the 'morning' until 6am

(I guess 4 1/2 hours is better than nothing)

 

Then it's off to Urapunga, a very small aboriginal community

where the dogs were all out to greet us.

 

 

 

After unloading freight, including grocery items,

new push bikes, tricycles, clothing, TV's, stereos

and all sorts of interesting things, we headed to Ngukurr.

(There is a small store at Urapunga that sells just about anything

and does really good business in the area)

 

The drive to Ngukurr is 32km, but took us 1 hour!

Quite a lot of it doing 10km an hour because of

the road being badly corrugated!

 

 

It was really misty and foggy, which I had never seen out there before.

Quite eerie but pretty.

 

Check out this sign.

See the VB can?

 

 

Anyway, after unloading quite a bit of freight at Ngukurr, we headed

for Numbulwar, 156km away, on the coast.

 

 

 

Here's a couple of shots of the road and the trip.

Sorry, I always get carried away with my camera

on these trips as the country is so beautiful and so diverse.

 

Here's a mud puddle in the road, left over from the wet season.

Okay, so it's half a meter deep, but that's a puddle in a truck:)

 

 

The view looking back out my window.

I just love the colour of the water!

Bet I could stain some clothes in that!

 

I just love this sign!

 

"FLOODIN"

 

 

Once again, view from my window seat!

 

Anyway, back to our day ish.

After a 3 and a 1/2 hour drive to go 156 km,

we arrived in Numbulwar.

 

In a lot of places, the road was MIA,

missing in action! due to the wet season

and local disputes between the main roads and

local council as to whose responsibility it is to fix it,

the upshot being, it remains unfixed!

How like the government!

 

But, fortunately, so many people have driven around the

missing parts that there is now a detour of sorts.

Not always easy for a truck and trailer,

but of course, Dave can handle it!

 

 

One of the picturesque crossings along the way.

 

 

The first time Dave came out here, he had 2 trailers,

no one had informed him that you couldn't bring 2 trailers

because of this tight crossing, but there was no backing up

so he crossed safely, unlike others before him.

The Lord definitely watches over him!

 

Arriving in Numbulwar, we were greeted by views of the ocean.

Wow. It was really weird to see it, it just didn't feel like we were headed

for it and then, wa lah! there it was.

 

 

I stared out to sea for ages hoping to catch a glimpse of a big

salty, as the locals often see them, but alas, I didn't see one!

Note: this looks pretty, but don't get in, something is

bound to get you and it won't be pleasant!

 

Unless you're local that is,

they don't seem to have any qualms about dipping a toe in the water!

 

 

Well, after unloading, it's homeward bound.

Back through Ngukkur to pick up our 2nd trailer.

 

I finally got a glimpse of some buffalo.

Dave sees them all the time as well as donkeys

and all sorts of other wildlife.

 

 

This was some roadside graves for the aboriginal people

 

Well, because it was getting late and it had been a long 2 days

especially for Dave, we stopped the night again and headed for

Katherine (another 5 hours) in the morning after some sleep.

 

I still marvel at God's wonderful creation

and all that we so often take for granted!

 

WHAT A GREAT GOD WE SERVE!

 

 

 Hope you've enjoyed the pictures and haven't

been bored to tears. You wouldn't believe all

I leave out!  Thanks for taking the time

to enjoy the Territory with us!

 

 

 

 

 

BIG NEWS!!

 

Lauren's engagement ring has finally arrived!!

 

 

 

After waiting almost 2 months for it to arrive

after being backordered, she can finally put

it on her finger!

 

At least it came before she got married:)

 

 

Top things Territorians NEVER say

 

Recently in the NT News I came across this article and it was so true and funny

that I thought I'd share it with you.  If you've lived in the Territory for any length

of time, you'll so relate to some of these. (Not the beer ones, of course)

I had to censor some of them, so pay no attention to the numbers being mixed up

or the spacing or the indenting etc etc, my computer has it in for me

and often has a mind of its own!!

 

Remember, these are thing that are NEVER said!!

 

16.I'm uncertain if this car will last the journey

 

17.I reckon one carton will be too many

18.These thongs are worn out, better throw them away

 

1. Mate, I think you should read the instructions on those fireworks.

 

2. Living in the Territory is really affordable.

 

3. Let’s go swimming!

 

4. There really isn’t enough crocodiles in the Territory.

 

5. That esky looks way too big.

 

6. Should I wear a tie?

 

8. I think I have a drinking problem.

 

9. I should use some antiperspirant.

 

10. You’re underdressed.

 

11. You’re overdressed.

 

12. You’re not dressed.

 

13. Let’s just catch the bus.

 

14. I’ll just leave the door unlocked.

 

15. I wish we had Melbourne’s weather.

33. Should we buy a parking ticket?

 

34. That duct tape will never hold.

 

35. The council will get that fixed ASAP.

 

36. Mate you should stand well back from those fireworks.

 

37. It’s too hot for a beer today.

 

38.Officer I think the flares are out of date on my boat

 would you mind checking them for me?

 

17. We don’t need an airconditioner.

 

18. Our politicians are a trustworthy lot.

 

19. I watched a really interesting program on the ABC last night.

 

20. What would southerners think?

 

21. I think I’ll give the fireworks a miss this year.

 

23. Sorry mate, I can’t go fishing because the wife wants me to do some chores.

 

24. But what if they find out I’m not really sick?

 

25. Please don’t get in the ute tray, it could be dangerous.

 

26. Sorry, I don’t have enough seatbelts to fit an extra person in the car.

 

27. Nah don’t bother with the jumping crocodiles.

  

Would you like a lend of my lures?

29.  
30. Sorry, I don’t eat barramundi.

31. Let’s just park further away and walk from there. 
32.                                                          
33. Mate, you definitely shouldn't tamper with that croc trap
      

40. I can’t believe how little that coffee cost.

 

41. I think my council rates are calculated fairly.

 

42. I can’t believe how quickly they brought out my meal

 

43. I think I’ll buy a smaller, more economical car.

 

44. No, I don’t have a spare stubbie cooler.

 

45. We won’t need insect repellent.

 

46. I’m worried my dog is going to maul someone.

 

47. The bread will be fine outside of the fridge.

 

49. I really enjoy working at the Health Department.

 

50. That petrol is quite reasonably-priced.

  

I’m uncertain if my outboard is in reliable condition,

perhaps we should give fishing a miss this long weekend.

53. It’s too early in the morning to start drinking.

 

55. You can always trust the NT News.



KATHERINE SHOW AND RODEO

This is us at the show:)

 

Well, it's that time of year again, and we've just had a big weekend of

show rides, show food, loud music, rodeo fun, dirt, dust and craziness!

Dave was able to make it home at midnight the night before the show holiday

so we were able to all go as a family, which was great!

Emilee and Maddy

 

 

This year we were able to enter some of the competitions, and brought home

some prizes (prize money was very minimal but it's still exciting seeing

your entries with certificates on them).

I gained a 2^nd in photography portfolio.

Abbi got a 2^nd in photography and a 1^st and also the “Outstanding Junior Exhibit”

for her beautiful Table Runner that she made with Aunty Caroline's help!

Lauren got a 1^st and 3^rd for her adorable fabric origami placemats.

Maddy got a 1^st for her cross stitch.

Chloe got a 2^nd for her very creative and adorable vege sculpture.

 

Anyway, it was great fun.

Some cute kids watching the action

We had fun watching the lawn mower racing, which turned into

dodgems and cheating,a great laugh (a new thing this year

with only 3 entries, next year watch out, we're on the lookout for a ride on now!)

 

 

This was a horse and 'car' barrel race competition

 

Maddy came 2^nd in the watermelon seed spitting contest and also

in the elastic sided boot toss!

This year we didn't compete in the wheelie bin races as I felt too old,

Cam was afraid Lauren wouldn't be able to pull him along in a bin :)

and Emilee didn't feel like making a fool out of herself.

This little piggy went to the show!

 

Of course, the highlight of the show for us is the rodeo!

We went to both nights to catch all the excitement!

There wasn't too many spills this year and turnout was down on last

year, but we still managed to get dusty

 

and do some yelling and take lots of photos.

It's great to be able to stand right next to the rails and stand stock still when a bull

rushes toward you! Okay, so we've had our adrenalin rush for the year!

We came home very dusty and tired but had a great time. 

 

Here is a video clip of some of the action!

 

 

ABBI HAS A CAR!!

 

No, she doesn't have her license yet (very soon though), but

she now is proud owner of a Hyundai Accent.

 

I know, I know, it's not a Toyota (again), but beggars can't be

choosers. It goes like the wind and I am quite enjoying the speed,

not having had that for a long while with our veteran vehicles.

We are getting quite a collection in our yard now.

We now have 2 Ford Falcon sedans

 

(Laurens. One is for parts), a Toyota Hiace (dying

a slow and painful death),

 

 a Toyota Landcruiser (dying a very slow and painful

death), a Nissan ute (doesn't go, yet),

 

a Hyundai Accent, a camper trailer,

a tandem car trailer and a box trailer.

 

Hmmm, did I get them all? Oh, and of course

Cam's Hilux when he's visiting.

 

(he has taken his box trailer, except the

 

 half finished one he's building).

Add to that a whole bunch of bulker bags

 

and crates full of cans for the metal

recyclers, a whole lot of tools and boxes

 

of books etc not unpacked etc etc

and well, you've got the picture.

 

We fit in very well around our neighbourhood!

 

 

2 HOLMES GIRLS ON THE ROAD

 

WATCH OUT AUSTRALIA!!

 

CROC ESCAPE!!

 

On a totally random note, here's something you don't hear every day.

Yesterday Dave did his regular run to Timber Creek (3 hours away).

This time, one of his pick ups was a small saltwater crocodile:)

Yes, I did say a saltwater crocodile.

 

Our friend, Phil, who owns a local restaurant, is going to put this

little fella in a large tank for tourists to look at and keep replacing it

as it grows, with a smaller one as he's only allowed to keep a certain size.

 

Well, how do you, transport something like this you ask?

Easy. Tie a rubber band around its snout and shove it in a cooler bag.

 

Yes, a cooler bag like you put cold stuff in!

Territory style! Only one problem.

 

This particular bag had a little hole in it.

Second problem. It was sitting in the sleeper of the truck while Dave was driving.

You can probably see where this is headed. Anyway, while driving along merrily,

Dave heard something rolling around in the sleeper. Thinking it was a plastic bottle

or something, he wasn't too worried, but pulled over as it was an annoying noise.

Well, to his surprise, the little blighter had gotten out

 

and was making a great escape from

his safe little bag into the vast interior

 

 of the sleeper. Needless to say, he took a bit of catching

 

and Dave's nervousness at the chase,

before Dave had safely stowed him away again.

 

Dave had carted him around for almost 11 hours!

 

 

Luckily, the croc survived the ride and so did Dave.

 

Never a dull moment on the road, that's for sure.

 

Here's a picture of what it would have looked like:)

 

Cute, but they don't stay that way!!