Yesterday, Wednesday i went off to work with pumkins. Robert, larissa (both german who i live with) and i were picked up at 715 and were there for 740 ish, however, work didnt commence until 8 so we loytered in the cold. Then 8 oclock and a guy came, moved some things around and then came and told me and larissa what to do. Robert has worked there for a while and so he cracked on. Bascically there were 5 large crates of punkins and either side were cardbord boxes, and on the other side of one of the cardboard boxes there were another 5 crates and then cardboard boxes and our job was to sort thru them if they were 'big' or 'small'. That is it. 8.5hours sorting them out and as one box was empty or filled they were replaced by more. The day wasnt so bad as there was us three and two other guys moving the crates around. The boss, 'mario' wasnt there as he had been stranded in melboune due to the ash cloud and i think this is why it was ok. Apparently he is always complaining about something so there was a more relaxed atmoshpere. At 11 we got a 15min break and then at 1210 we had our half hour lunch break which turned out to be 45mins! We were also aloud various ather breaks thru the day as the second in command said 'what mario doesnt know doesnt hurt him'. I like that but i think he was only so relaxed as we were moving the pumkins at a fair rate. It is a real back break but its managable! When i got back i made bangers, smash, onion gravy and veg which was delish! Then had a hot bath and went to bed.

Today, Thurs, i was up early and collected by 'dean', the plumber, to go and work for him. We got to a house about 15mins away and i met victor, 76 from spain who had lived there for 50odd years. He had 2 failed marriages, one to an italian and had a son and one to a spanish woman and had a boy and a girl with her but now live on his own. We were there to plumb some water pipes from the front of the house, thru the house and then to the back connecting lots of pipes on the way. My task was to dig trenches out the back and front for the pipes to be laid in. At 9 victor brought a plate of bread and one of mixed meats and cheese out for us ot eat...with some coke and beer. He offered us drinks of alcohol and was being deadly serious. We gave in to a sandwich and a coke but he had a glass of wine! Thru the day he had several whilst offering beer to us! Just after our butties my boss went to the doctor and said he would be back in an hour or so and to carry on. So i doug all my trenches, filled one with the pipes and then re-filled it. Again it was sore on the back but more laid back so was tollerable. Victoe, who reminds me of grandad and don, helped here and there and we talked alot. I didnt understand alot of what he said so i just smiled laughed and noded when i thort appropriate! I finished my tasks and then messed about in victors garasge with him before having a beer to shut him up. 2hours later my boss came back and we got back to it. I was now just passing him tools and holding pipes whilst he fitted them which was fun. When i asked he explain why he was doing things which was interesting. Being a plumber out here is different to at home as here u need to learn how to work with gas and how to roof and other things and the course takes 6years! My boss said he earns enough to get by happily (as he picks me up in his brand new $50,000+ toyota pick up!) but if he went somewhere else he could earn between 6-10,000 a week! Thats the trade u need to be in out here! There was a space about 1foot deep under the house which i had to crawl under a few times to pull pipes thru and assist with things, this was abit sketchy but was fun! Again my boss went off for 20mins so i just sat with another beer taling to victor! When he got back we finshed up, i re-filled the remaining trenches and he packed the 'ute' (pickup) up and we went. It was hard work but alot of fun and i earnt a good wage and another days work with hime tomoz! Then tonight i have been to the shops for more jeans as these are filthy and the washing machine has broken and then had a hot bath. Im not waithing to have tea before going to bed with a film and getting up early to go to work which is 3hours away!!!