Yeah Mates! It's been a long time. Computer terminals are rare and expensive up here in the bush.

It's been so long since we updated I don't know where to start so I'll start with the Hotel California. We just finished our third WWOOFing gig at Birdwood Downs. It's a Station (read: Ranch) just East of Derby where they supposedly practiced all kinds of sustainable farming, ranching and living. We were given an introduction to the property by one of the semi-permanent people there. There was a lot of detail and a lot of rules were explained but we were feeling quite soft from all of our recent driving inactivity and were quite happy to get right to work and didn't pay too much attention to all of the finer details.

The first night was fairly normal. Kind of overwhelming as everyone was talking really quickly and very loudly all at once. Most of them with their mouths full, but a nice "meat based meal" (as our WWOOFing book calls them). Robyn, the Director of the property and chief cult leader told us that she would wake us at 5:40 the next morning to explain what "lab" - (morning meditation) was all about. The Lab was optional, but we wanted to know more about it and try it out. I'm not sure the last time that Baebs was up at 5:40 but it wasn't pretty. For whatever reason, I actually hadn't slept that night at all so quite conveniently, I was happy to have something to do other than stare at the ceiling. We sat for 45 minutes "sensing" different parts of our bodies. To put this into IT nomenclature, it's like pinging every part of your body. We were both done sensing by about 6:20 but sat there with the others until 6:45. My butt down to my toes were all asleep from sitting cross legged and I was darned relieved to be able to sense those extremities again.

They put us to work mostly doing gardening work. They had a big garden but not much growing in it. Over the course of several days we got it weeded and planted. We're not holding much hope for whether or not it will get harvested or any care and attention now that we're gone, but here's hoping.

By Wednesday morning we were in a rough state. Almost no one had talked to us and we were stuck spending all of our time together instead of interacting with other people for a change...one of the main reasons we're WWOOFING. Wednesday was a turning point as we met 2 other volunteers there that had long histories with the ranch but were also somewhat disillusioned with the weirdness and lack of communication and respect that there were being shown. We ended up hitting it off with Dennis and Clare and they were our saving grace there. Despite our new friends we made the decision on Thursday to leave Birdwood Downs as it was just not fulfilling our expectations. We were, however, in charge of "formal dinner" along with Sophia (apprentice cult member and chief ladder climber). We hadn't told her that Baebs was a cook and we both just smiled amusedly (with the help of Dennis' wine) every time she bossed us around. She was just too much and too full of herself. Dinner was then eaten, but talking was not allowed. Between dinner and dessert Sophia, Baebs and I had to perform a skit (you can imagine how Baebs enjoyed that). Then after dessert, we each had to read a passage from an Islamist poet and digest its meaning (but not discuss ?!?!?!)

We headed out Friday morning with tears in our eyes that we were going to miss Saturday mornings "theatre and breathing practice" where, apparently, some people just burst out crying as they remove blockages from within. I think we both know why people might cry and it's not from blockages.

I'm sure that little description is going to sound weird and disjointed. It was just too weird and un-fun for words and we're glad to have moved on. We hope Dennis and Clare don't drink the Kool-Aid. At least they had a pit in their workshop and we could change our oil and get Max ready for the next part of the trip.

Since, it's been more desert, a few more Gorges, lots of driving but at least we've had some interesting experiences to discuss as we drive. We also saw our first wild crocodile. A Freshwater croc, luckily on the far side of the river.

After 4 months in Australia, we're about to leave Western Australia. It's been a great visit, but we're ready for at least the mental perception that we're moving on and getting closer to being back with all of you.

Love to all at home.

Jason & Baebs