Those of you playing along at home, may have heard me mention that Boatman has a new job.
He has left the car industry that was slowly sucking out his soul, and is instead driving boats.
What a surprise.
His new job works on the tides, so he usually has one week on and one off, or thereabouts, and starting next month, he will restart some financial planning on his weeks off.
In the meantime, he is homebound, and thus keen to ‘do stuff.’
Camping stuff.
Now I don’t mind camping. Over the years I have accumulated enough necessary items to actually make it quite comfortable. (Have you seen my chair?)
However I do not like to be hot, so if boatman wants to camp at this time of year, it can not be camping in the strictest sense. I’m thinking hiring a cabin or something similar.
So when Boatman suggested that we travel out to Arnhem land to visit friends Phil and Anna, I thought this a lovely idea.
He could do his fishing thing, and I would have someone to talk to.
And also fans. (The ones on the roof; not a whole bunch of people queuing for my autograph. Though that would be nice….)
However as the days draw closer, I started to realise I had agreed to something without fully understanding what I was getting myself into.
This is Arnhem land.
We are going to a community.
It has two names; one Aboriginal and the other for all us white blokes.
There are questions that need to be answered.
Question: Is there Internet?
Answer: Apparently so. How else would Anna be able to read my fabulous posts?
Question: Is there phone reception in case I need to send an emergency group text to Gemma, Daisy and Erin to say ‘I’m in the middle of nowhere!’ or ‘boatman is making us go fishing off the side of the road; help me!’
Answer: yes. Boatman has managed to call Phil to organize this whole thing.
Insert huge sigh of relief.
Question: Is there air condition?
Answer: I don’t know. Anna is there?
Question: Isn’t Oenpelli a dry community? Will I get arrested for smuggling gossips in the boats cabin?
Answer: yes it is, but Phil and Anna have a permit. They are obviously wonderful people.
Question: Do I really need to bring with me yoga pants, and egg plant and some limes?
Answer: yes. Apparently I shall be doing a class, and eating vegetarian lasagne. I can only assume the limes will not be for tequila slammers…. (Actually I have no idea what the eggplant is for either. I was just told to bring one!)
Question: Where on earth will we all sleep?
Answer: in one of the kids bedrooms. All six of us together, so nice and cosy, and really not all that different from small people who try to sneak in during the night anyway.
Question: Where exactly is Gunbalanya/Oenpelli?
Answer: Here
So there you have it. Boatman is dragging me 303 km’s to the middle of nowhere, and it is happening this very day.
In fact, it is highly likely that as you read this, I am trying to entertain small children on the long drive to the ends of the earth, and worrying that my house sitter will be met with the birth of unknown small guinea pigs, from a mumma Pig who is set to burst at any moment.
Surely, this earns me a really good mothers day gift?
Do you draw the line at being made to fish off the side of the road without phone reception, so that you can’t possibly let anyone on FaceBook know you are being made to fish off the side of the road?
If you were Anna and you read this post, would you just tell me to turn around and go home?
pps I probably won’t get around to many IBOT posts till Thursday, but I will get there!
Sounds like an interesting time will be had by all. Good luck! I’m sure you will have a fabulous time
PS How do you not like hot but live where you do????
Nee Say recently posted..Alarmed but not alert
I have tried to leave so many times but it has never happened! Doors never open and I just get stuck here again.
One day….
Wow, certainly looks like the middle of nowhere! Enjoy your time away and let me know what the lime was for…!
Msmandie recently posted..You Talkin’ To Me?
Ha ha! Apparently nothing! Boatman and Phil were having a stupid conversation and the lime was part of it! I just misheard wrong!
Have a great time I am just a little jealous. How awesome to get away, especially to the middle of nowhere. That is by far one of my favourite places
Rhianna Suttie-Gunson recently posted..Somethings never change and some stay the same
We are stuck in Jabiru ATM so I still haven’t been there. It’s a beautiful drive though.
I’m just impressed with the level of organisation required to get you all thus far and has been done!
My significant other knows me better than to drag me along to anything…well other than Roller Derby.
Have a brilliant time and stay safe! xxXOoo
cj recently posted..The dilemma of the letter G.
Thanks CJ
Boatman knows that once he gets me away I love it. And the kids so enjoy the adventure which makes everything very worthwhile.
Have a wonderful family trip Jess! By the way, I really don’t like hot & humid too!! Haha and yes, I do realize that I’m living in sunny Singapore :p
Ai Sakura recently posted..Korea 2012: Sakura Ohanami Season in Seoul // ソウルのさくら・お花見名所
If only we could change the weather where we live right?
oh wow, goodluck! I hate it when hubby drags us to weird places.. happens alot more now that he’s driving. Hope you have a good time anyway!!xox
I’m sure we will! We usually do. It’s more the idea that wears me out, but I love the adventure!
I hope you manage to enjoy yourself and I’m sure you’ll get a few posts out of it
themotherexperiment recently posted..Mummy needs sleep
Oh that I will!
Have fun!!! I can’t wait to read all about it.
Ames recently posted..Exercise the Pinterest Way
Thanks Ames. It’s already been quite interesting!
What an adventure! Sure you will love it! Enjoy xxxx
Me too xxx
Sounds like an adventure – but one i would probably complain about endlessly (and then enjoy myself and have to say – yes you were right !). My hubby has dragged me many kilometres out of the way to see a “cool bridge” or 2 or 40! My mother actually likes fishing so she and hubs have gone on their own fishing day trips without me!
Deb @ Home life simplified recently posted..Wishing for a little magic fairy dust
Oh that’s hilarious! Thank goodness for your mum hey?
I always enjoy things as well. Getting away is always good
Looks like a whole lot of fun is in store for you! I love to go on road trips to nowhere with my hubby too and it’s always challenging to go to places you’ve never even heard of. I once went on a fishing trip with the hubby and turned out I was the only female there but whaddaya know, I caught a fish, albeit a very very tiny one. =) Enjoy yourselves to the max!
Summer recently posted..Blur but beautful – DIY idea for party invites using mosaics
Oh good on you. Yes it is fun. Love boatman taking me out of my comfort zone.
I’ve been dragged bloody everywhere by the other half. But I’ve dragged myself some places too… I spent a lovely couple of days in Maningrida once. Enjoy!
The Accidental Housewife recently posted..Autumn Leaves part deux
Or really? Boatman wanted to move there a few years ago!
Mr Black wanted us to take a holiday with my parents over the Easter long weekend. I told him outright no, but that he could take the kids with him and I would enjoy myself a weekend at home alone.
It didn’t eventuate so I missed out on that weekend alone.
I would have sucked it up normally, but I’m now in a place of “Why do it if I really don’t want to? He can still do it, but I don’t have to.”
Miss Pink recently posted..How To Dry Your Baby
Haha! Yes there is AC and even better its free! Yes you will be forced to eat vegetarian lasagne! Yes you have to share a room at this point until we all get so sick of the kids we kick them out with dogs! But cant help you with the lime…i dont even know what thats for
Haha! Yes there is AC and even better, its free. Yes you will be forced to eat vegetarian lasagne and you will be forced to like it! Yes you will be coming to yoga (also free!). Yes you will be sharing a room at this point, until we are all sick of the kids and we kick them out with the dogs! Limes are what you get when you allow husbands to talk and organise things – I have no idea what its for!
We’ll have a wonderful time! See ya soon! xx
Just realised my first post posted, I thought I’d lost it! Technology!
ohhhhh have a great time away!! it sounds interesting to say the least
Lyndal recently posted..only thing on my mind
Im sure youll have a great time. Phone and internet are ofcourse the most important
If youve got them youll be fine. Kinda jealous. Would love to get away for a while. Have fun xo
Lifeasmummymax recently posted..Ive been distracted by “50 shades of grey”
Have fun! sounds like you will have a great time.. hope that the road trip isn’t too tiresome! Loz x
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Jess, hope you have an awesome time and don’t worry about commenting on our posts, I’m sure we all understand.
And thank you for giving me a good giggle!
Janet recently posted..Should Christians read The Shack?
*insert excited voice* Just imagine all the blogging material you will consume!!!! *end excited voice*
Have fun!
And just so Boatman feels good, Husband is soo jealous!! hahaha!!
xxx
miss.cinders recently posted..Bitch!
I hate long road trips. You could not pay me enough. Have fun! Rachel x
Rachel from Redcliffe Style recently posted..How did this happen??
ooo thats a definite trek!!!
Luckily my husband doesnt like camping too much – would rather a nice cabin in the forrest… although he loves fishing – he goes out on my dads boat alot.. last time I went out on my dads boat I was very seasick… so he is happy to keep me at home!
go #teamIBOT
Yvette @ DTlilsquirts recently posted..My lil man and his flexible legs
Oh give me a break. You’ll have all the creature comforts in Phil and Anna’s house that you do in Wulagi. You’ll just have them with spectacular scenery and a healthy change of culture. And since I have it on good authority (ie. you announced it on Faceboo)k that you’re staying in the crocodile hotel in Jabiru due to the river being up, I really don’t see what you have to whinge about.
If anyone should be whinging it’s Tim. How’s he supposed to catch fish inside a hotel room?
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