First day in Australia!

After arriving in Darwin on Sunday afternoon, Monday was our first day on the job. Most regrettably there was no opportunity for a sleep-in and we were up showered and ready to be picked up at 07h00. Of course while we were waiting outside to be picked up (in the SWELTERING heat) dad was already birding!

The team picking us up was late, but over the next few days we were to learn late was normal. It seemed to me the team was rather disorganized and all over the place (though with that many people a degree I understand), but somehow they made it work. To read more about my time at the Hidden Valley race track on Monday with the team look here.

Nic and I at the track.

After our time at the track we hit the shops, unfortunately not Woolworths (so no collectable cards) but a shop called Cole’s. Mom, dad, and I are part of the team as their caterers, so we are feeding 21 people, three meals a day, as we travel and camp through the outback, as well as 20 people the week before, just lunch and supper. That is a lot of food! So Monday’s trip to Cole’s was not the one and only, but one of very many! We filled three trolleys with food and stuff, and went home to recuperate! The trolleys need a mention though. The trolleys look like your normal, average, run of the mill trolleys. But they are not, they are evil crab-walking trolleys! Seriously. Then put a couple kgs of food, water and milk inside, and you need super strength to be able to turn and maneuver the beasts. Then add a slight downhill slope and it is a recipe for disaster! Luckily we avoided the disaster but it was a close call!

After loading the car, we headed back to our blissfully airconned house to offload groceries, pack all the food away, and start cooking the first of many suppers. We had beautifully gas barbequed chicken, potato mayonnaise, and green salad. After supper was done, we washed dishes and cleaned the kitchen, to then start organizing lunch! Cooking and cleaning is also something I will be spending a, sadly, large amount of time doing – that IS my role on this trip in any case!

Our house.