Packed up and headed off from Gingin, everyone a bit excited to be heading to Geraldton to check out the town and what we expect to call home for the next 8 months. Longest drive in a while, girls a little annoying so put the movies on most of the way. Dont usually do this but is last drive for a while and wanted the quite to be honest. As we pulled into town, the ocean views were wonderous and we felt like this town would fit us well. It felt like a hard working twon with the huge silos and working port, loved seeing the big ships pulled and unloading. We took a while to sort out what park we were going to stay at, seeing we were to be here for a while we wanted to make sure we were choosing the right one. We took around an hour to drive around town, checking out about 4 different parks. We ended up choosing Belair Caravan Park, out at Point Moore, not because of the welcoming spirit from the owners, but due to the location of the park and surrounding attractions closs by. I was greeted by a very grumpy lady, Joan, who didn't really want a family of four booking in for a permanent basis. She was rude and gruff, so wanted to choose a different park, but she knew she had us by the balls as it was the closest to twon, school and work places. We had the choice of two sites up the back of the park, we chose a huge slab site which was probably the best we've had in a while. Took Marty a while to get hte van right, wanted it perfect due to pulling up for so long. Girls were so excited, they ran down to the jumping pillow and play ground to burn some energy off while we set about making camp. Great feeling knowing that wouldn't be packing up for a while, Marty and l are both ready for a stop and to work. Ready for the girls to have a rotation into mainstream school, interested to find out if the distance education has set them back or sent them to higher levels.
Over the next week Marty and l had the fun of going around twon trying to organise work. The hospital was pretty small, very country, only 60 beds. Thought would be bigger seeing the town population was 40,000!!! Got a job pretty easily, they were eager to sign me up as they had a very junior nursing staff pool, l just ahd to wait for the paperwork to go thru. Very frustrating as was ready to get going as money was getting low. Marty was having his own frustrations. We thought it would be one of the easiest workstops for him to get work seeing it was an industrial town, had the port, railway and ooutlying mines. We had our ingers crossed, and it wasn't from lack of tyrying, he went out most days doing a resume drop at all the local businesses and employment agencies. Only time will tell, would have to patient......
Geraldton town itself had good vibe, it had an awesome kid friendly foreshore with a splash park and cool playground, tranquil marina and the main street looked clean and edgy with little funky shops. We reckon it will be the best work stop yet. Across from the caravan park theres a playground and beach which looks very inviting and we hope to utilise lots while were here. The schools look good and the girls are very excited to be going to mainstream. When they are misbehaving and being brats we threatened to not send them to school and keep homeschooling. Was hilarious really, our girls would pull their heads in and be little princesses all because they wanted to go to school!! The only thing was that l couldn't formally organise their school as it was school holidays in WA at the moment.
Our neighbours are pretty great, their names are Jack and Julie and they're an older Dutch couple. Their here for a few months so lucky we all get on l suppose. Having some great laughs with them already, looks like a positive relationship at this stage.
Seeing work and school were on hold, we spent the first few weeks looking around town. Thought was better to use the time while we weren't working to suss things out. We headed back out the road to the famous "Leaning Tree". The bloody thing was virtually growing on its side due to strong westerly winds. Have never seen such a thing really, think its unique to WA this whole tree leaning business. We rode into town a few times, great little ride, just enough to get the blood pumping. Girls hated riding up the steep hill just outside the caravan park, but loved racing down it. Marty and l were both terrified that they would fall off and leave half their face on the footpath. Great to hear the girls squeal with excitement and laugh themselves silly though. The girls really enjoyed their times at the foreshore at the splash park and playground. Great little spot really and the view isn't too hard on the eyes either. Im going to say it again, l am in awe of these massive ships that arrive in town, pretty cool seeing two little tug boats guide these stupendous ships into the port.
We had heard that Geraldton in famous for their winds. Meant to be the windiest place in Australia. Now l know, why would we want to stay long term at a windy town. Well surely it cant be that bad, right? We experienced a few strong windy nights which resulted in a few nights lacking in sleep due to the annexe roof flapping and the trains going past on the nearby road. Marty and l are hoping to get used to it, otherwise it will be a very long work stop!!
Second week in Geraldton looked promising. One morning Meg woke and went outside, next minute she was squealing in excitement. I raced outside to find her jumping up and down and pointing the sky. Out int he horizon their was one of the most amazing rainbows l have ever seen. Surely this was the start of a good week!? For me, the job front was good. Definitely have a position on casual pool at the hospital with eager managers already calling me to suss out my skills and level. I have also applied to the nearby prison out at Greenough, about 15 mins out of town. They have a medical clinic at the prison and it has always been on my professional bucket list to try it out, so if the opportunity arrises then why not grab it l say. Marty is a bit apprehensive about me working at a place that houses criminals, but l have reassured him that l wont stay there is l don't feel safe. Plus l have to get the job first, will worry about everything else if it happens. The worst thing about starting a work stop is waiting. Waiting for jobs to happen and waiting to see what the future has in stall. The girls are driving us crazy, needing entertaining all the time. Have been used to hanging out with the Cronans and 'HardFirm' kids so much that they have forgotten how to play with one another and by themselves! Luckily we haven't got long before they are hopefully starting school and also the Cronans are heading into town to start their work stop too very soon.
School had finally started up again, and when l contacted them found out that we were knocked back. Something to do with being too full and we were actually out of their zone. Bit hairy for a while as the other option was to send them to this other school, Beachlands, which is ok but l have my heart set on Geraldton Primary School. It looks neat and tidy and when speaking to some locals, the reputation is good. Beachlands has a lower socio-economic enrolment, alot of aboriginal kids and not as good reports from the locals. We had to wait for the Cronans to arrive to see what they were doing for school as if they pulled out and went to the private one then the girls would have a place.
The Cronans pulled up, and it couldnt have happened at a better time. The girls were once again happy as they had their mates to play with. They too were at the stress level that we were two weeks ago trying to get work due to money low and getting the kids schooling organised. Was great to see them again, had been a while, maybe a month or so since we saw them last. They went up north to Exmouth to explore while they waited for school to start up and pass some time. Quite enjoyed to have a drinking partner again, although was a bit cool at night to be sitting outside, jumpers were definately on by 4pm :(
Marty has found the local "Tip" and think this is going to be a dangerous thing. Already he has brought home a vacuum cleaner and bloody battery operated kids scooter to fix up! His hoarding ways are still there apparenlty, good old "Steve" ( a nickname we gave him years ago from the bloke off the Ozzie flick 'The Castle').
Last day of freedom has come as l start at the hospital tomorrow....surprisingly not very nervous, but excited. We enjoyed my last day of freedom by taking a ride into town and checking out the marina followed by a stop at the foreshore playground. Wonderful to lie in the sun......argh the serenity!!! Fun is now over for a while :(
Bell Xxx