A rough patch.
When we left Broken Hill, our Australian adventure entered into a little bit of a rough patch. We headed to Wagga Wagga (as had been planned for months) to check out the casual/supply/sub* teaching situation. The paperwork was completed months in advance. The $100 union fee was paid. We were ready to settle down and start earning money. To make a long story short… this is where we discovered that despite what we were told by the Department of Education, there is no real need for casual teachers in New South Wales. In fact, many of the local teachers were struggling to get enough days. (Plus, you have to apply in person at each individual school instead of using an online system for an entire district.) We were qualified, approved, and flexible… but it just wasn’t going to happen.
And then we were woken at 3am one night by drunk cowboys on horseback whooping and hollering through our campsite. That was the actual low point. I think my exact words were, “I want to go home.”
So we did. Sort of. We decided to head back to our Australian home-away-from-home: Newcastle.
Photos from near Nelson Bay after we returned to Newy.
One of the best decisions of the trip.
xo, jill
*Can we please decide on one term for this worldwide? Needlessly confusing.
Ugh, sorry to hear about all the troubles you went through, but we’ve all had those days on the road where the deck just seems to be stacked against you and home looks more and more appealing. At least this prompted you to head back to a place you love! Sometimes things not working out the way we expected can really be a blessing in disguise.
Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) recently posted…Putting the “Gorge” in “Gorgeous” at Taroko Gorge
Oh, it definitely turned out to be a blessing. I owe those wild cowboys a “thank you.”
That first shot is breathtaking, Jill!
Sorry to hear you had a rough patch – they suck when you’re away from home. I hope like Steph said it was a blessing in disguise – because just quietly, Newcastle runs rings around Wagga! x
Alli Campbell recently posted…CETINJE, MONTENEGRO
Oh my goodness, yes, it really does. Why did we think we could live in Australia and not be near the beach??
That looks like the perfect place to retreat and get refreshed! Sorry things didn’t work out – that’s always the worst while on the road. Hang in there!
Eileen recently posted…Why not take a Spanish road trip up the Costa del Sol?
Thanks, Eileen. Everything worked out in the end… like it always does. 😉
Aw.
But that beach looks superb!
Colleen Brynn recently posted…Inside A Gulag
It’s hard to find a bad beach in Australia. That’s for sure!