Orange Segment, NSW: our 1st Workaway.

We got the bus, then the train, then a bus to Orange. It's a 6 hour trip inland. Felt a bit apprehensive, but it helped that the host, Fiona met us at the station. The job for the next 2 weeks is to help the family business with marketing and general maintenance.
We eat with the family each night, they have 8 children, but only 3 at home now.

Our accommodation is in a separate unit, and there's a couple of young women from France staying in the next bedroom for a few days, who have just been to NZ.
First day was interesting, traipsing round the 2 properties feeding the chooks, dogs, a gallah, rabbits, turtles, ducks and quails. We gathered some eggs and checked out the busy cafe. We work from about 8am to 1pm each day, then we go exploring. More about the town next time. All this fresh air and exercise is exhausting! 😴

Lizzie

From Suits to Boots

It's going to be an interesting transition. I spent Saturday afternoon trying out work/hiking boots for size and comfort. It was nice to do something real, and to think more about the changes ahead.

For the past 4 years I've donned a business suit and gone to work in an office - a very pleasant office, with views across Wellington harbour. Board papers, spreadsheets, policies and regulations have paid my bills.

But now, it's all going to be different. I'm trading my physical labour, and a bit of advice here and there, for accommodation and meals. I'm stepping into other people's lives and businesses, to offer my help. They are very interesting lives, in great places - Orange in Oz, Touzac in France, and Policoro in Southern Italy.

I'm going from indoors to outdoors, from cerebral to practical, from suits to boots...

Lizzie's Bloke (guest blogger)