A New Start

After almost two months of unemployment over summer, relaxing, watching cricket and drinking cider, it was back to the real world and back into work. I'm now an Area Manager for an OEM looking after pumping and process equipment for mining. I will be looking after the Murchison and Kimberley regions which means lots of travel and lots of driving.

I'm glad that I have these regions to look after, as I have been on many of the sites in the Murchison and on the visits I did last week, I knew many of the people up at Golden Grove and Jundee. It was like the good 'ol days, wearing high viz clothes and steel caps, wearing "cool" safety glasses, even going for a quick trip underground, Bacardi and coke in a can (I personally got GG to stock these when I worked there in 2003/2004) and sleeping in a donga.

I'll be seeing a lot more of this...

...in the coming months.

I even did two nights in Meekatharra! I must say however, of all the mining towns I've been to, Wiluna has *unfortunately* set a new low. It really is a dive. Smelly, dirty, lots of broken down cars and stray dogs. Not my favourite place, but at least I know where to get an icecream and a bag of chips.

And now I call tell everyone I been everywhere!

Year of the Tiger

This year, my Valentine's Day was spent alone. Robin was still in New Zealand, and I didn't have any plans. Nath had come by, as he was in the area, to give me a hug.

Luckily, February 14th marked the start of celebrations for Chinese New Year - Year of the Tiger.

The Sagaramudra Buddhist temple up the road had a festival going in the car park so I popped down to see what all the fuss was about.

There were fire crackers, groups of chanters and drummers and lion dancers; all performing for the crowd. The day was hot but it was worth the show.