2009 - Here We Go Again

G’day everyone , we thought it was about time to bring you all up to date on the trials and tribulations of the Watt clan up till now from last we spoke.

The last instalment came from Mackay in October. Well we stayed there for about 5 months, which was about four months to many. Turns out Mackay is really one of those places you would like to visit but should not think of living in. We spent or time parked on a couple of sites at the Andergrove van park. I say a couple of sites because the managers in their infinite wisdom seem to have it in their heads that just because you are paying for a camp site a week in advance doesn’t mean you can stay in the same place. We got moved twice but others were moved every four weeks because people were coming to stay on these sites (apparently). The toilet block was a toss up from day to day as to wether you could chance sitting on the seats or not. The shower spouts had to be held with one hand so as to not hit everywhere except yourself. The pool was like swimming in a stale bucket of urine.

Still we can’t complain too much. At least when it rained our site wasn’t covered with a foot of running water. Shit what am I saying, when didn’t it rain. We were there for five months and it would have drizzled for two months and bucketed down for another two. At one point we had six weeks straight of rain. Great place to live. If you didn’t drown the bloody mosquitoes carried you away. Why did we stay? Julie often asks that. Bloody conscience got in the way again. The boss I was working for came down with cancer four weeks into the job, and felt we just had to do the right thing by him. So we stuck it out. Me going to work 6 days a week and Julie teaching the kids (in-between strangling them). At one point I realised it might be time to leave when coming home from work I found the kids sitting outside and Julie inside the van with the air con blasting away, a scotch in her hand and the van door bolted shut ( to keep the little bastards out apparently), and muttering “ I’m going to kill the little shits”. Okay, maybe we had better go out for dinner tonight hey darl.

We did meet some nice people in the park and around town. One couple with five kids in a 16ft campervan (bloody idiots) have stayed in touched (Tayla’s, Jessie comes from them) to the point of even catching up at Bundaberg. Another pair of girls from Coffs Harbour turned out to be bad news. Namely, Australia Day was very memorable, for those that can remember that is. Started the day with a BBQ in the community kitchen which was good. Then a couple of arrogant Silver headed bas---ds decided to take over the area with their bull---t music and bongos. Time for me to leave. So the girls retired to the pool. When I caught up with them again an hour later, they had an esky around the pool and a line of empties to back up the glow on the three girls faces. To the extent when the one that is normally in control fell out of the shower and then proceeded to go arse over tit trying to work out how to put on her underwear. For some reason she had a sore head the next day.

Then cyclone Hamish decided it wanted to come and visit us. After a couple of days watching what it was doing, it came to the Saturday when I got called into work to move some cupboards out of the workshop and on to site for insurance, in case Hamish decides to hit. As it turns out it did decide to come and visit on this same day. As the rain started to get heavier I decided to knock it on the head and get out of town. It took Jules a little to get to work, mainly because the roads had disappeared under two foot of water. Even roundabouts could not be seen under the rain water. Maybe it really is time to go now hey darl? After a mad dash to throw everything from five months of standing still into the van and car, we made our way out of Mackay, never to return (Shithole).

Got to Aunty Bevs at Bundy two days later (got away from that cyclone). Bull. Bloody thing followed us, didn’t it? Well just sit tight and hope all goes well. Besides we‘ve got tomatoes and mangoes to pack, that will keep everyone busy. Yey dad.

We made the exodus to Brisbane to go on a 12 night cruise on the Pacific Sun with Julie’s sister, brother in law and one of his work mates. Jules is the big 40 this year and what with Ruddsy's giving we back some tax and trips being quite cheap we thought what the hell. Top idea Jen. First day out we hit the bum end of cyclone Jasper which meant we were ploughing into 5-7m swells. At least this meant the buffet and bar was easy to get to. There was plenty of dodging dying people in elevators and chuck chunder in most of the hall ways. Thank god for a cast iron gut. Let’s have another beer hey Rich, what rough weather? Still it smoothed out after a couple of days and turned into brilliant weather from then on. Bugger, now we have to fight with the oldies to get near the food (it might run out if you’re not careful you know) and cue to get a drink. Just have t buy two at once I guess. Many a morning was passed out near the Outback bar having breakfast then downing a few cold ones from about 9.30 onwards. Pubs are open somewhere in the world after all. Then the afternoon consisted of a few more drinks, dance lessons, horse racing and the almighty BINGO!!!

A word of advice, don’t get in the way of a determined pensioner heading for his or her seat that they have sat in for the past couple of days. And do not dare make a noise once those numbers are being called. You can feel the flesh being stripped from your body by there glares this intones. Still the prize money was pretty good, and I missed out on the jackpot of $9500.00 by one number.

Everyone enjoyed the trip, especially the snorkelling on all the islands. The girls were impressed by the natives at Pentecost that did the land diving from thirty foot home made scaffolds into the dirt below wearing nothing more than a banana leaf wrapped around d there Johnson and a smile. They made many a male feel quite inadequate. The kids were good, Tayla was never seen (until 2am most mornings), and it was good to make new friends with Richard and Vicky, and to spend time with Rich and Jenny (yes and Jonah). Birthdays were celebrated on board and back on the mainland after the trip. It was great to catch up with everyone that we were able to see. We are now back at Bundaberg for a couple of weeks before heading north towards Georgetown then over to Darwin. We shall keep you posted on the travels and who is being murdered from week to week.

Love and miss you all

The Watt Eva clan.