Since updating my blog last Saturday I have had possibly one of the most eventful weeks since arriving at Lemontree. Last weekend Chris stayed over at the Donga for 3 nights and Lisa's boyfriend was away which led to a lot of drinking! Lisa's Mom was visiting so we had drinks and a BBQ on Friday. We then went to the pub on Saturday night and there were also plans for drinks on Sunday. I opted out on Sunday as the 5am starts were starting to take their toll and even those that did have a drink gave up by about 10.30pm.

On Monday Stacy and I went to feed my bosses fish and water his wifes plants. Unfortunately we arrived to find that they were already dead. The family had only left on Saturday so Im not sure why they died but there are several theories... 1) In the hot house they 'boiled' to death, 2) They over-ate, 3) They live in a self-cleaning tank but it was really dirty so possibly there was a powercut and they died from some kind of dirty water poisoning. Anyway, Im not a fish expert but am hoping they wont blame me as it was agreed that I wouldnt need to go over until Monday. On Wednesday I took Florian over to the house to help dispose of them and one had completely decomposed already!! Ew.

On Tuesday Stacy and I worked the morning shift together. We popped over to Lisa's in the afternoon for a drink with her and Luke and ended up plotting something evil to do to Florian as he was working his last shift that evening. After a big discussion we decided that a water fight was definitely in order (there are lots of hoses in the dairy) but also decided to steal a big bucket of lubricant to throw all over him. After changing into appropriate clothing, we all rushed up to the Dairy later on with Henrik and Chris and a big fight ensued. Unfortunately Florian saw it coming and we all ended up getting soaked but it was very funny. We also used tail paint, which is basically just spray paint for marking cows, to paint each other. Luckily Stacy and I managed to avoid the painting as it takes ages to come off and Henrik still has some on his arm and in his hair a week later! It was very noticeable that everyone was wearing long sleeved tops the next day!

When Florian finished work we set him and Henrik a final challenge for a carton of beer. We took them across this huge bumpy paddock which was pitch black by this time and they had to swim across a disgustingly muddy pool. Luke and Lisa ended up joining them while Stacy and I kept order and attempted to take photos! Florian ended up winning but both Luke and Henrik came very close. I was assured that it was very warm in the pool but I have to say that I was not tempted one bit to join them! We then came home and more painting ensued. It was a really good evening but had any of us been caught by the boss we would have been in big trouble! But I suppose the risk makes it that bit more exciting...

On Thursday Henrik and Florian left the farm and on Friday we all went to Pittsworth for theirs and Chris's leaving 'do'. There was a really good turnout and we all had a really good night. It didnt really feel like any of them were leaving but its very quiet in the donga now and morning shift is a bit boring without Chris! Emily got fired today though, she really is useless, and Stacy has been put onto morning shift from tomorrow. It's what she's wanted since we started but our boss was a bit reluctant about us working together in case we talk too much so we have to be on our best behaviour. It will be nice to spend the afternoons together though!

The German boys are nice enough but Robyn, who I work with and consequently spend the afternoons with, really doesnt speak very good English so we dont talk much. Often I dont think he understands what I am saying, twice this week he has woken me up at 5am to go to work when I havent been working! Despite me telling him about 3 times the day before on both occasions that Im not working! They arent very popular amongst the other farm staff because they never understand anyones jokes. But they are clean and tidy so not bad to live with and they work hard!

The temperature here is back up to 40c but I am definitely acclimatising as I havent felt too hot at work. Today was my day off and this afternoon I went to the local pool with Luke and Lisa. It's an outdoor pool and it was lovely to cool off! Im hoping we can all go again, especially now that Stacy will have free afternoons too!

Despite having such a good week I have spent a fair few days feeling a little miserable. I am quite bored of the job now, but feeling better about it knowing Stacy and I will be working together. All the talk of leaving started to make me resent the fact that I have to stay, especially as the days are so repetitive and we are missing the 3 boys! We are hoping we might get another backpacker or two who are a little older and speak better English! (And are male models who like to cook and clean, of course!) We have now got an exact date for our last day on the farm, Thursday 25th February and will be going to a music festival in Brisbane on Saturday 27th with some people from work so that will be a nice way to celebrate and say goodbye! The countdown has definitely begun...

To see photos from my time here please go to the following link... http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=97996&id=223101243&l=42f10d5af6