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May 2013
01 May 2013
Nothing to report except it is a new month and we are still at Talwood out loading wheat by truck and are expecting to do so next week by train.
06 May 2013
Back to work today after a very pleasant weekend in Moree with good friends, wine and food. An early start this morning meant that we were up and at work in time to witness one of the best sunrises we have seen as the day started. It was also a really good start to our son Michael's birthday.
A beautiful start to the day, birds included.
So good it is worth two photo's
08 May 2013
Another early start this morning (but no nice sunrise) to fill the train. 1780 tonnes in 38 carriages with two chutes going and despite the sun coming up the wind up on the gantry was quite cool. Joanne began opening the rooftop doors as the operation began and then switched to closing them. A relatively simple but important task which involves pressing two buttons at the same time (while the train is moving along) and ensuring that the two doors come together.
My workplace for 3 hours
The two joysticks that allow you to make it right or make a mess
With the train filled it was back to filling trucks with the stacker, tractor driving and using the ever present broom and shovel.
18 May 2013
We are still in Talwood and have been working quite long hours out loading the wheat (7,000 tonnes this week via road and train) which helps stock up the bank account and provides us with plenty of physical activity to keep us fit and the middle under control (two belt holes less after 5 weeks).
The weather has changed and temperatures have taken a dive into single digits overnight and up to the low 20's during the day so we have had to reach for the extra blanket at night and warmer clothes in the mornings.
The bunkers at work are starting to look emptier and the local birdlife has less to snack on so they have taken to eating the waste grain pile or sitting on the stacker waiting for an opportunity to get some of the good stuff when we are not around.
Galah's scattering from the waste grain pile
Sitting atop the stacker and heading for the good grain at every opportunity.
We took a drive into Goondiwindi (Gundy to the locals) for shopping today (all the shops close at 12 noon) and having left only two other campers at the campsite this morning we found they had multiplied while we were away, and now there are six! So it was a good job that we knew the spots that we could fit AJ into that were within reach of the last remaining power point.
Tomorrow will be a day to catch up on housework and the like before our 6.30 am start on Monday arrives and we are back into it again. Having worked the harvest when it is brought in, it has been very interesting (and enjoyable) to have worked at the other end when it is out loaded for feedlot use or to the Port of Brisbane for shipping to China.
22 May 2013
Today is a cabin fever test. It is raining and even though the boss said we would work if it was a change of heart came through just as we were packing up ready to head off to work. Today will be a very easy relaxing day including a little nap when the mood takes. Today's weather was always on the cards (and needed) so this morning was totally different to yesterdays sunrise (below).
What a magnificent start to the day!
31 May 2013
This week has seen some cool mornings (down to 6 deg C) but some beautiful days (low to mid 20's). Work has been steady with out loading wheat by truck, cleaning up stinky waste grain, stretching out, cleaning and rolling tarps, not to mention today's big effort.
We had a silo to fill ready for next week so we had two trucks being filled over on bunker two, then transporting it around to the silo where we unloaded the wheat into the grid and up into the silo, all 1,200 tonnes of it. Truck after truck came and went until after 40 odd fills and empties we had achieved our target.
Opening the truck doors to fill the grid sure made for a good upper body workout (no wonder I have lost 6 kg)
Doors open and 28 tonnes of grain flows into the pit and up into the silo
With a gentle breeze blowing the dust from the wheat was quite thick at times and so it was a good job we had all the necessary PPE to keep it out of eyes and noses and the shower tonight was long and hot to get the mix of sweat and dust off.
With no work onsite next week because the boss is away we will be off to Toowoomba to get some things done on the motorhome (new brakes, fuel filter and timing belts) and then a couple of days to rest and relax before emptying the silo on Thursday and Friday (after that is anybody's guess).
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