Mad Trip Day 6: Kroombit to Rainbow Beach

[galadriel1010]

I have given up on NaNoWriMo. There wasn't really any way I was going to manage it this year, not with only about 10 days when I could actually write and the amount of other stuff I took on.

Another very early day today. Woke up at five, again, and had a ten minute lie-in, then got up and dressed and woke the girls up, and I was ready to check out by about ten past six. Got checked out and breakfasted, and then sat around waiting and nibbling ladies fingers (they're little bananas).

After breakfast, at quarter to seven, we piled into the bus and Tracker took us up to the rodeo range, where those who were doing the shooting did so, and we all had a go at using a lasso and at goat catching. The team I was in came in third, but I didn't have much to do with that.

Back to the main camp, I went out to the horse yard with another Irish girl, and the pair of us went on a goat muster. We had to help to steer the goats through three paddocks for their afternoon feed, for some reason. There were a few kids there, which were so cute, but two got separated from their mother when we split the herd, poor things.

My horse was called Bob, and was much more interested in lunch than in goats. I still ended up a way ahead of the other two, herding my rag-tag group of goats up a fairly steep hill. Bob was most reluctant at that point, but he got up it just fine.

Having got the goats mustered, we had time to go for a trek up to the highest easily accessible point on the 40,000 hectare station, which is Sunshine Hill. From the top of the hill, you can see for miles and miles, and there is nothing to see but hills and trees. Some parts of the station are so remote that a plane that crashed there in 1945 wasn't found until 1994. They do all their cattle mustering by helicopter, because it's the cheapest and quickest way to do it.

Riding down steep hills is quite scary, especially when the horse stops to think about his route. We got down, though, and Tracker was already waiting on the bus to take us onwards.

He started to let us choose the music, but he gave it to Brian as far as Hervey Bay, and he put more of the same on, and then Jess took it from there and played a lot of club type music, which was about as far from up my street as it's possible to get. Oh well.

Very badly sunburnt. I put factor 50+ on first thing in the morning, but when I went to reapply it, after the sunburn happened, it had separated, either because of the heat or with age, which is probably why it didn't work. So now I have very sore thighs and no internet. Will have to find some in the morning.

I'm just too tired to write at the moment. Even this is nearly beyond me, so fiction is just not going to happen. I knew I wouldn't manage NaNo if I didn't get it done by the time I left Melbourne. Unfortunately, there was no way I could get it done by then, with the level of exhaustion and busyness I was already at. I'm sorry, Yorkshire, I have failed you!

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Comments

[zazajb.livejournal.com]

Just to say I'm really enjoying your travel diary [you said you felt deserted by your regular reviewers] You're not deserted, still very much loved and glad you're having a wonderful time... hope the sunburn gets better soon *gentle hugs* xxx

NaNo will still be there next year and I may even have a go myself! x

[jeeplovergal2.livejournal.com]

I am enjoying your experience through your diary. I so loved Australia when I visited but am enjoying learning new ideas for a future trip. Enjoy!!!!
Di

[bk_forever]

Sorry you won't make NaNo this year, but it was a lot to ask of yourself with this trip of a lifetime!

Rounding up goats sounds great! I used to ride when I was younger, but I'm violently allergic to horses - one hour riding and I can barely breathe for the rest of the day! I still used to do it though - glutton for punishment!

Wow, what amazing views they must be! I can't imagine the sheer scope! Sorry about the sunburn though - painful!

Really love reading your updates, makes me feel a bit warmer while I shiver in a white world of snow!