My two day gorge tour was a fabulous time out but on my
return to work I was more aware than ever of the impending ‘anniversary’. I was
only back at work for two days before I was off again but they were hard days.
On the Saturday I made so many mistakes the head chef asked if I was ok. I
answered no but that there was nothing anyone could do and said I’d try to be
more careful. Despite my mistakes I am proud to say that the customers were all
forgiving in the face of my sincere apologies and most left with a smile on
their face. I don’t think one of them could have guessed that my heart was
breaking all over again. The next day I did better work wise and before I left
I finally managed to tell my manger why I was struggling and apologised for my
recent touchiness and request that he pass my apologies on to the other staff.
The ‘the Day’ arrived. On Monday the 17th of September I went whale
watching. My sunset cruise had been moved to the morning which wasn’t ideal as
I am not a morning person but in the end I think it worked out well. Instead of
having a packed day I moved my pamper session to the Friday which allowed me
time to skype with friends and family. The cruise was fun and though I started
the day in a sullen mood it had lifted by the time we were heading back. The
mother and calf whale were fun to watch though I regret not spending more time
just watching them instead of hiding behind my camera trying to get a good shot
I did get enough glimpses to make the trip worthwile.
Back at work the next day and it was obvious that the news
had trickled down the work grapevine. Sadly though I wish I didn’t still need
it having everyone being a little more careful with me really helped. If there
was ever a doubt in my mind that the folks I worked with weren’t good people
then this day would have erased it. Since then I have been back to my more
‘normal’ self which means that I am easier to deal with though of course I will
never be completely easygoing, I’m just too interestingly complicated for that.
My day was also improved by my lunch ‘date’. One of my new friends from the
gorge tour was back in town after doing a three day tour up to Cape Leveque
with the same company that took us to the gorges. It was lovely to spend a
couple of ours chatting with someone who was on the same wavelength as me and
it was by far the best split shift break to date. I really hadn’t expected to
make friend on a two day tour but two of the other girls had been in a couple
of time over the weekend and we swapped details so we could stay in touch and I
even managed to catch a quick lunch with them before one of my shifts. I am
sure my co-workers have never seen me so sociable. It’s a shame none of my new
friends were hanging about still I look forward to keeping in touch and seeing
them at a later date when I make it to their side of the country.
I was fortunate enough to get another day off and after
three days work I had my re-scheduled papmer morning. I got a manicure,
pedicure and my eyebrows tinted and waxed and I loved every minute of it. I
then treated myself to lunch at a nearby cafe before heading back to the hostel
to send my brothers fiancée her birthday present in the form of an e-mail
voucher. Of course turning on the laptop is always dangerous so my intention of
having an afternoon swim became an evening swim but the water was lovely and
warm and it was relaxing to swim as the day turned to night.
I was really glad of my relaxing day as it was followed by a
pretty full on working week as I managed to pick up a few more hours due to
some staff leaving. Having reviewed my working hours and week it’s no surprise
that by Thursday I was flagging. On my last day I had to give and an order a
steak sandwich as I felt my body need both calories and red meat. Though I love
living the veggie lifestyle occasionally my body craves red meat and I am
always happy to oblige it, though next time I may splash out for an actual
steak as the ones my work serve look and smell fantastic and the customers certainly
love them. One if these days I really am going to have to eat somewhere other
than my work but it’s hard when I get a substantial discount on such amazing
food. Still I think on my days off I might try and branch out a little. Of
course it would be easier if I made friends but I just don’t seem to have the
energy. I miss my friends but I can’t seem to work up the enthusiasm or effort
to make new ones. I’ve started chatting to a few folk round the hostel and for
now that’s about as much of a social life as I can manage. I think I shall try
to make more of an effort and see what kind of people I’ve been living with for
the last month or so. After all meeting people is one of the joys of hostel
living so I really should branch out from the ones who happen to be sharing my
room.
After my hectic week I had another mixed day off. The
morning started fairly early with a 9am pick up for a kayaking tour of Roebuck
Bay. We didn’t let the fact we failed to spot any turtles ruin our morning, there were jokes about them
popping up behind us and swimming underneath us doing their own tour and we did
spot a few rays and of course birds. The kayaking was really good fun. I ended
up paired with one of the guides and she was really friendly chatting with not
just me but the other folks as well as we passed their kayaks. I think I got
the hang of paddling but since I was with an experienced person I’m not sure
how well I really picked it up. I do know it’s something I want to do a lot
more of and suspect that Queensland and Tasmania will be explored a little
differently than I originally thought. The bay tour was three hours so we
stopped for the obligatory morning tea. This tour managed to be different once
more. As well as the usual chit chat we were treated to our very own crab race.
One of the other guests kindly gave me one of his crabs and though I didn’t win
I think my wee crab conducted himself very well considering how much smaller he
was than everyone elses. After crab racing and refreshments it was back in the
kayaks, we did do a little drifting on the way home on the hopes of glimpsing a
turtle but it wasn’t to be and we were soon back on dry land and on our way
home.
I had booked the pre-sunset camel ride on the recommendation
of one of my passing through roomies and as this session was substantially
cheaper I treated myself to one of their professional photos. The guides took
photos of us as we went but this meant that I was sure to have at least on decent
photo so show the folks back home and I made sure Zack was in at too as he
remains my faithful and constant cowpanion, my one constant in my ever changing
world! The main reason for booking the earlier ride was so I could photograph
the sunset from the beach afterwards. I am glad I listened to this advice as
taking photos from a camel is fun but leads to interesting results. I don’t
think I have ever just sat and watched the sun go down before. I had a great
time exploring my camera and learning how to use it on manual mode. I took hundreds
of photos of the sun as it lowered in the sky and even ventured down to the
shore where I got some really cool reflection shots. Of course as the sun went
down the tide started to come in so I found myself moving back, taking more
photos then having to move again as the tide caught up with me. It was fun and whilst
I was a little worried I would miss the sunset during one of my retreats I
eventually found a rock far enough back so I could watch the final moments of
the sun setting in glorious peace. Really it was the perfect end to a really
good day out in Broome and one hell of a way to spend my day off work.
On my return to the hostel I arrived just in time for the
weekly barbecue and $5 later I had dinner without the hassle of making a
decision, cooking or cleaning – bargain. The next day I had a fairly early
start so I spent the rest of the evening chilling in the hostel in my favourite
corner and oh yeah, writing this blog proving that whilst I still have my
moments of grief life really does go on.
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