Nobody puts Baby in a corner

I have had one of the most interesting Christmas's of my life.  I woke up bright and early at 6:30 and went for a hike into the hills behind the roadhouse- the weather was overcast and only 25 degrees, so I felt a little safer venturing out then the last time I went.  The Hamersley Range starts rising a little over a kilometer out and as I reached the first hills I saw a little kangaroo hop by.  On the other side of the hill was a few caves and some really cool rock formations.  I climbed about half way up the more major hill in behind before heading back.  I had been told there would be a champagne breakfast at 9 and I didn't want to be late.  

Turns out breakfast wasn't until 10:30, but that was okay because I had a chance to clean up.  I then had a solid 3 hour nap and then went out to the staff patio for a beer.  10 minutes later the rain started.  It can only be described as monsoonal.  I have never seen such heavy rain in my life.  The parking lot turned into a lake in about half an hour and the ditch that cuts across the property, ironically titled "Arthur's Creek" actually turned into a creek.  Woz, one of the yard guys, who has been working here for over two years says he has never seen water running in that ditch the whole time he has been here. 

The rain trickled away around 4, just before supper, which consisted of prawns and crayfish (lobster), oysters, salads and cold meats.  I still hate oysters, but I tried one again just to confirm this.  All the staff got $30 vouchers for the store from our manager, Sandy (short for Alexander), and various chocolate awesomeness from Therese.  She works on front counter, like me, and is absolutely Christmas-crazy.  She did all the decorations and table settings and has had carols playing in the shop pretty much since I got here.  

After dinner most of the staff proceeded to get drunk to varying levels, with Woz winning the top prize after falling asleep in his chair and eventually falling out of the chair to get more comfortable on the floor.  Not really in the mood to get totally smashed, I went and watched Dirty Dancing with Therese and Francis, the German girl who works in the kitchen, while the sober guys watched Robot Chicken.  No matter how many times I watch that movie I still get sucked in- it's like dance crack for women.  All in all a very satisfying Christmas, despite the lack of snow.  

-A.