Sunday, 27 April 2014

The last leg of the work stop in Geraldton......Part Two!!!!

So l promise Part 2 will be shorter than Part 1......


Following my longwinded Part 1 is looking like an equally drawn out Part 2...sorry about that, didn't realise how much fun we actually had in Geraldton!!  We thought we should check out a the Greenough Historical Grounds before we left.  We had a brilliant day looking at the old settlement which housed a prison, school and church...along with some Lama's!!!

Time for Meg to really know what its like to go to school.....the cane is out!!!
Boo reckons she can teach her into line!










Meg having a crack on the piano









Loved this old church....









The school term seemed to go by really quickly, before we knew it the girls were having to say their goodbyes to all their mates.  I went to school and took some pics of their classmates and teachers so the girls would have lasting memories of their time at Geraldton Primary School.

Meg's class


Silly time!!!!




Boo's class mates....Kate, Sharny and Ella

 On the last assembly at school the girls even got awards from their teachers, Mrs Westlake and Mrs Archdale for their great efforts.  The girls were farewelled by the school, such a warm little community this one....Have loved the girls being a part of it.

Mr Elliot, the principle, giving Meg her award



Mrs Quatermaine, the deputy principle, awarding Boo


Then school was over...........for now anyway!

The kids on their last day of school.....not half excited hey!!!! Girls got their shirts signed by their school mates to remember them.....



We had arranged a sleepover for Boo to have with her mates one night in the school holidays.  Boo had a great night in the tent with her mates Ella, Ethan, Sharny and Kate.  Think they got to sleep around 11pm, don't think the lollies did us any favours in settling them down!!! Lol.

Boo, Ella, Sharny, Kate, Meg and Ethan.......bombs away!


Boo's great mates, she will miss them so much!

Megs mates joined us at Pages Beach Park one arvo for afternoon tea and a play. I have fallen in love with the mums, have made me feel so welcome and reminded me of my mates back home.  Meg had a great time eating with small cupcakes, l needed to encourage her to go play with all her mates but she was too overwhelmed with the food!! Lol.  Cayden, Ben, Patrick, Halo, Zade, Seoni, Samaha, Cavyn and Jack will all be missed by Meg, have been great mates for her.


Meg's mates....too many to name!!

Best pic l could find of my Gero mums.....Kylie, Emily, Sheree,
Rachel and Kat!



Goodbye cuddles!!! So sweet...














Our last adventure that we treated ourselves was to head over for a plane ride to Abrohlos Island.  The Woods joined us, we all decided it would be our last treat and something to remember our time in Geraldton.  The kids were all so excited, don't think either of the girls had been in a small aircraft before.  We all crammed in to this small plane and took our journey over.  The photos l had seen of the group of islands had been extraordinary and our experience did not disappoint.  The islands are home to working fisherman, but don't have any accommodation for tourists.  As we flew over, the cluster of islands were scattered amongst the amazing turquoise sea.  Our tour guide was a cool bloke, spent the flight telling us about the history of the area and pointing out old shipwreck ruins.



In front seat as always......

All ready for take off......





Jake and Meg get to share a seat..






Amanda and me sooooo excited...



And we're off......


















 








After 45 minutes we arrived on the island, landing on the dirt landing strip, the kids giggling with excitement. We took the short walk to the beach, greeted with lavish yachts anchored in the pristine waters.  We all were eager to get snorkeling, hearing that the reef was amazing.  This was our first time snorkeling for a long time and couldn't wait, but before getting in the water we were treated to some morning tea and chocolate to keep us going.  We all headed in and had a brilliant few hours exploring the waters.  The reef was amazing with deep purples and blues, the fish hiding in amongst it were amazing.  Meg and l had a screaming match in the middle of the reef as she wanted to go back into shore, but l was determined to keep her going.  Think l took the relaxation out of the place and afterwards felt a little stupid, but on the positive side, Meg made it all way thru the reef with me without me killing her!!! lol.  I sent Marty on the hunt for a big shell due to Mark showing me his prize he collected, a marvellous huge shell.  Unfortunately, Marty had no luck, but thankfully Mark saved the day and came across one for me.







The walk along the beach....


Like a post card in the Bahama's!!!






So after a magnificent day snorkeling, collecting shells, and taking a short walk up to the lookout, it was time to head off back to Gero.  Abrohlos Islands is definitely a must for anyone visiting the area.  Such a pristine part of Australia, amazing snorkeling amongst the reef and glorious amounts of differing species of fish.  Felt like we had found paradise, definitely worth the $700 bucks for the day.  So good to finish our time up in Geraldton with such a magical experience and with our great mates The Woods.














Our first group pic.....Marty, Me, Mark, Amanda, Meg, Boo, Charlotte and Jake.


The plane ride home was just as amazing with awesome aerial view of Geraldton.....



Can just make out Pt Moore Lighthouse....our caravan park near 














We had Martys bday which we celebrated a few days after the fact due to Marty being away on a shut down......we enjoyed yet another big homemade icecream cake.




Next was Easter which Meg and Boo were super excited about.  The awoke to their Easter eggs and like most kids, had chocolate for breakfast.




The girls with their Easter Egg hunt finds.....
Later that morning we headed around to Teaghan's as she had invited the girls over for a ride on her horse. Boo was super excited!  Getting up on J.D. (yes that stands for Jack Daniels!) was a breeze with having steps to climb up on first.  He is one monstrous boy!  Meg reluctantly boarded JD for a ride too and in the end wasn't as scared as at the beginning.  I faced yet another fear in these travels, climbing aboard a horse.  i had been bucked off as a teenager and never gotten "back on the horse" as they say.  As l got on top of JD, which showed off just how wide my legs do not  spread, Teaghan led me around the track.  My knuckles were white, my heart was beating near outside my chest and my palms were that sweaty l nearly lost grip of the reins.  But at the end, even though palpitations were still present, l felt proud that l had gotten back on the horse.  Don't think l will be off galloping anytime soon, but its a first step.....


Your a "nut" Meg!!!













Our last few weeks in Geraldton were crazy.  When l wasn't working, trying to save that last few pennies, Marty was busily packing things up and getting preparations done for our trip.  As usual, l felt like l had left everything to last minute so on a day off Meg and l drove around town crazily taking photos to remember our favourite spots.  The Point Moore lighthouse was a must, as was the foreshore and H.M.A.S memorial site up on the lookout.


Beach behind caravan park....

Point Moore Lighthouse from afar....

Girls school....Geraldton Primary


Loved driving past this old church...


Art Gallery


















View of Geraldton from H.M.A.S. lookout


Fascinated the whole time with the Port













St Francis Xavier Cathedral

Trains on the way to work one day.....



Sunrise.....





I was experiencing mixed emotions about leaving, as l always do at the end of a work stop.  I really enjoyed my work, have gotten to know my work colleagues more than other work stops due to it being a small working environment and having stayed so long.  Have so enjoyed my banter with the prison officers, spent many times cracking jokes and taking the piss out of each other.  Same goes for some of the prisoners, once you take away their crime, most are fairly decent to you and civilised.  Have looked after a lot of long termers, so have gotten to know some well.  Think the most rapport had was with the women prisoners. Had a lot of time for some, sad listening to their stories of abuse and violence that have led to their incarceration.  Hopefully l am leaving this place having made a difference with some, if nothing, making them feel like human beings that can change their destiny if they work hard.



Last day of work.....hooray!!!

My going away dinner ended up being a double banger with Jemma surprising everyone rocking up. Teaghan and l have been left missing her crazy at work.  Was so cool to have the three of us together again, really love these two youngings.  Such awesome chicks.  Boo and Meg also fell in love with them.  Teaghan had invited us to the beach and her house a few times so the girls could take a ride on her horse J.D.  Really look forward to catching up with them in the future!!!  It has been great to work with the rest of the crew, Yvonne, Lyn and Elisha.  Have learnt many things, but one thing l wont miss is the tensed working environment and bitchiness.  That aside, l was left feeling very humbled at being part of a unique work place. My boss Joe was nothing but super supportive and cool to work for.  Have never felt so appreciated so quickly, thoroughly enjoyed my jokes with him and learnt so much from him.  Felt like l was always running to him for advice, so glad he never got sick of my interruptions.  Even though my time here was personally and professionally challenging, l will definitely miss everyone and the work. Some people don't understand how l could look after prisoners, but at the end of the day, they are the only ones that have been caught, who's not to say l am looking after a murderer or paedophiles laying in a hospital bed???

Jemma and Teaghan......gonna miss these two!!

"Those girls be crazy!!!"

Can you see Boo photo bombing the pic??


My fellow work mates for the year...Jemma, Yvonne, Teagan, Joe, Me and Lyn.. (
M.I.A was Eleisha_




Another personal goal l have been able to achieve is that l completed my first ever 10km run in my life.  I reluctantly set the challenge and cant believe how l smashed it.  It achieved the 10km run (on the treadmill) in under an hour!  My time was to do it in no more than an hour and l got it done in 57 minutes and 37 seconds.  Could not believe it!!! So proud of myself, didn't think l could ever run lead alone run 10km without stopping!! My 8 months at the gym has made me feel so much stronger, healthier and confident than ever in my life.  Have not only lost inches and kilo's and built fitness and strength but have gained a new appreciation and love for exercise.  Am a little frightened that l will loose the motivation when we hit the road again, but hoping that l have learnt enough to be able to continue and incorporate into my lifestyle.

On our last day in Geraldton, as l sit and reflect about our time, l cant believe how quick its gone now that its over.  Marty and l have been able to save more than we could have anticipated, but have also been able to gain new skills in our line of work.  Marty has grown in confidence being able to bring home the big bucks and think he was surprised at how much he loved the FIFO mine work.  I now know that my passion is indigenous health, even if l find it frustrating at times.  Don't know if l could work in a prison long term, but loved the opportunity and experiences l have had.  We have met some amazing people and had to say goodbye to many as well, but know we have friends for life.
Geraldton has provided a great year for Boo and Meg at school with having made some good little mates. We have been embraced by many people and made some good friends.  The town was a nice little spot to call home for a year, the caravan park was ok but could have had friendlier managers.  It was in a prime location for where we needed to be.  I think we will miss this place, but definitely not the wind.  That is the one thing that we are glad to be saying goodbye too.  With having to replace the awning before we headed off, that should be enough to tell you how bloody windy it was!!!

Just a few more random pics from our last few months in Geraldton.......



Teaghan met us at Pages beach one day and took Boo for a ride.....
Boo had to stand on the bull bar of the Nissan to get on JD!





Just some random sunsets and sunrises from my time going and coming home from work....only bonus of 12hr days!!!








Such good motivation when your running on this footpath!

Daddy daycare....

Panoramic view of Pages beach across the road from our caravan park...



Meg and Boo all dressed up.....and grown up!



Point Moore Lighthouse.

One of the many rolling ships into Port everyday!!!

Jake, Meg, Charlotte and Boo finally get their sleepover together!!!


Sisterly love......aawww



Awesome foursome!

Beach Babes!



On this last night in Gero, l have just finished work (yes that's right, l finished the night before we are due to leave) l am feeling very exhausted and hope that l will start to get that exciting feeling in my tummy.  Am a bit scared that l'm not feeling half as excited as l usually am, and after a year stopping in one place, you would think that l would be jumping out of my skin.  Amanda, Mark and Marty are all happy as peas in a pod, so why aren't l?  Tomorrow we set off, the first time travelling with the Woods.  Its always been that we've been together for work stops and not actually travelled together.  We've been together, living next door to one another for such a long time that l wonder if travelling with them will be any different.
Am sure that l will get my buzz back after l have had time to chill out and de-stress from work.....Cant believe it, but tomorrow we set off to recommence our trip, planning to have the next 6 to 8 months off and make our way up north WA, cross thru NT and head to QLD to start lap two!!!!  At least my blogs might get a little more exciting and a little less long winded.......


Bell Xxx