>backpacker work
>what a chore! Yesterday I found myself not cleaning chairs, but marquee’s – and there were only three of us to do what normally is done by 6 people! I did come up with an idea to speed things up and make our lives easier, which the foreman seemed to appreciate – why they hadn’t thought of it before is beyond me. I was supposed to return today, but when the alarm woke me at 6:30am I was too tired and sore from yesterday to make the effort to get out of bed. Just hope they pay me my $90 for yesterday’s efforts.
This foray into the world of blue collar work has now lead me to commit myself for 6 months to try and secure an office job here in Adelaide. I quite like it here now. I already have friends in the form of Alex and his uni mates, with invitations to parties most weekends and meeting up for drinks during the week. I’ve also made some good friends at the hostel I’m staying at who have been here for some time, so the situation is all quite good. If I were to get the role I’d be happy to stay and then spend the last 3 months travelling. I’m already resigned to the fact I won’t see everything Australia has to offer. And at the end of the day, whilst I am backpacking, it has more of a packge tour feel about the whole experience given the path has been walked by tens of thousands of backpackers before me, all clutching the latest edition of the Lonely Planet (I have two, so I guess that makes me worse) with places to stay, must things to see and do with countless tour companies all to willing to oblige in showing you the ‘ultimate’ experience. So I am not entirely disappointed.
Met up with Alex lastnight at Grace Emily’s. A mix of live music, cheap beer, and around 23:00 a ‘free’ BBQ with cold coin donations very much appreciated for a sausage in a slice of bread. Last night was particularly good as Alex and I met up with some German friends from Sydney. I met Ben and Sula when I was in Melbourne too. It was quite strange really. When we got to the pub Ben and Sula knew some people who I had met yesterday evening at my hostel. The backpacking community gets smaller each day.
lee ibbotson 
>Hi LeeHappy Easter. We managed the glass of wine and of course it was French not Ausy. We are currently shaping our mouths for the Guiness in Ireland at the end of the week. I would have got you an egg but the postage would have cracked it so I did that instead and it was gorgeous. Yes I am still a chocoholic amongst other ailments.Haircut day went with no mager disasters if scalping can be regarded as not disastrous. Last weekend Dan had his new bike stolen from our garage, he was pretty devastated but is already selecting his next. Two days later a car lost controll outside our house and crashed into H’s car, his pride and joy is all smashed in at the rear. The guy was shocked and totlled his girlfriends car. The moral of that story is if you are going to total the car you are driving let it not be your own. And for H, take your car to work with you so no one can crash into it when you leave it at home. Nan sends her love as do we all and take care. Have fun love Gill.