Last day of phase; tomorrow we will be moving on to phase 2 in Gibbsland, Victoria. The day gets off to a really gnarly start as we mix up our comms, then we get the wrong equipment in the wrong ‘ute’ for the job we are tasked with. So, we reset, and repack and get going a little behind the curve. Some of our successors arrived a day early, so I split my team to create two teams with the newbies – actually a great way to bring them up to speed with the ways of working we have developed. But that’s more responsibility. We have trouble finding the house/plot address; it was listed as No. 91/92 but we don’t see it as we drive along. Google maps also lets us down. We finally find it, located opposite No. 600. I meet the landowner and we chat for a little while before getting stuck in. Again an incredible resilience shines through. Puts a lump in your throat – I can’t believe who is more emotional, me or him? We have more drama’s in the afternoon sorting out our tasking, the day gets worse. Finally a plan comes together and my two teams go off to their last jobs of this phase. We are in really ‘in the bush’ this time, the black top ended 20 mins ago. The heat is blistering now, well beyond 30 and almost no shade. We get the sunblock out again but as we smother along our forearms it just mixes in with the dirt, dust and ash. A sort of sticky grey film of gunk, will it stop the sun? Again another incredible story of bravery and resilience from the owners. It is so humbling. Hard physical work in baking sun. We last the afternoon, they have passed 50 days now. Without a break. They consider themselves ‘lucky’ their house survived. The offer us in for a steak dinner, such is their gratitude. Sadly we have to decline, the local Asian-Christian community are coming up to cook for us. It was delicious.
Our last night together; its emotional. Lots of hugs and more than a few tears. Friends for life.