Where do I start?

Long update - it's been a week...time is flying!

Have finally arrived in Aurukun and settled in at the Aurukun Guest House.  It's run by the council and in a great spot across the road from the shop (there is only one) and for those who thought it would be rough and ready - quite the opposite.  Very comfortable, very clean and it's all pretty good so far.

We were extremely happy to see a washing machine after three days in a swag, with red dust from head to toe.  Add to that a day in a backpackers in Cape Tribulation and we were feeling pretty grotty.

We left Cairns in convoy (9 4wd's in total) - there was around 26 of us I think.  We had all the guys from Cairns, a few gals from FACSIA (think that's the correct acronym) and of course Rose and Vit who are the organisers of the program.  What a job!  Like herding cats.  Trying to get that many cars, that many people, that much food - drinks (no booze in Cape York for us) - bedding - equipment - radios - water blah blah...it's not easy managing that many people with a camp fire and a billy!

We camped (in a swag - yes on the ground just covered in canvas!!!!) for the first night in a place called "Billy Boil".  This belongs to traditional land owners who are the first family to build their own place with help from the organisation.  It's going to be a gorgeous open plan place - miles from anywhere, but they cut all their own trees, cut their own timber and then build the house.  It's part of an initiative called "Owner Builder" where the organisation assist with the loan of a timber saw mill (portable) and other stuff, and then the family and volunteers build the house.  Doreen and Laurie Hart (brother and sister) let us use their half finished deck to sleep on (much nicer than the dusty ground)...Frankie and Robbie Deemal also kept us company for the evening and also entertained with a couple of guitars - and a few old favourites kept many belting out a tune late into the night.

From there, we headed for the Normanby Station, where the Harrigan family provided their amazing hospitality.  Rose and Ron Harrigan and their family took us on a special outing to some old traditional sacred land, where there people lived for centuries.   We heard many old stories, and really got to understand how important their customs and maintaining both these and their language is. 
Pando Harrigan (son) and another member of their band  The Roadtrippers (apparently very well known up here in the Cape - a bit Paul Kelly, a bit Midnight Oil and a little bit country) put on an outdoor performance for us - it was pretty hard to beat.  And another night under the stars...

But wait, there's more.  Up and organised early, we (remotely located folk) headed to Coen.  The convoy now down to three cars.  Two secondees (Westpacers too) Sandy and Gen were staying in Coen, Daniel and I continuing to Aurukun.  We left Normanby around 9am ish, and arrived in Coen around 3pm.  Girls decided another night in a swag was too good to turn down, so they came with us (about an hours drive) further up the road to the Archer River.  We camped on the side of the river (yes fresh water croc marks were seen near the lagoon up river a little - however they are not consumers of humans, only fish.  We all made it out alive next morning!  A little wet - thank goodness we got to experience all the joys of sleeping under the stars, a good soaking of rain added that something extra!  It was fine - swag kept me warm and dry (Daniel not quite so lucky, he wet the bed...so to speak).

The Coen ladies headed back the next morning after a brekkie at the Archer River Roadhouse (we ate a lot of burgers on this trip – they all make good burgers!!!! And not a whole lot of anything else).

And off to Aurukun.  Long dirt roads (little bits of bitumen every now and again), more long dirt roads.  We came across a few interesting (and one might say stereotypical) things on the roads…a family in a crappy old 4WD spewing out oil from the back – Vit towed them to Coen (they wanted Aurukun, but that was around 300km away, a little far…); A couple who smashed their 4WD on the roads and had to head home on the back of a tow truck (holiday hiatus whilst getting that sorted out); and a young bull hit by a car with some nasty injuries that had to be put out of it’s misery.  All in a couple of days driving.

Aurukun arrival was yesterday around lunchtime.  We settled in (much needed shower – of course they are working on the water mains at the moment so not as fabulous as it could have been…that is with water!!!!!) The washing machine – never thought I’d be so glad to see one of those…

We went for a tour around town – met the local police and worked out to park the car in their lock down to keep the car thieves (back in town after a stint in local lock up for a few months apparently);  met a few local folks – a older couple Hersey and Kenlocke, who are great friends of the Jawun team.  We had them over for dinner tonight and heard lots of stories of their time whilst the McKenzies (the missionaries) ran the town.   They are taking us fishing after work tomorrow.  Live bait.  Hmmm.  I did say I would learn to fish! 

Today, we visited the Aurukun Sewing Centre, and whilst waiting for our Balkanu boss to arrive, we help Jeanette at the Centre sew up a few curtains which they make for donga’s (accommodation made out of shipping containers)…Daniel took a little while to learn to sew a straight line, I took two goes at counting 8cm – yep, I know.  We did a little unpicking of seams – but hopefully not more trouble than it was worth.  We eventually made three curtains which can be sold locally. It’s a really well equipped centre.

Detailed brief on projects (we only have a few weeks and loads to do) today with Greg once he got here.  Our key project is APN Cape York.  Our key contact is delayed in Cairns with car troubles so we have tomorrow to work on the other 6 or 7 projects - it all looks really promising.

Day two in Aurukun, now complete. 

 Appow! (Goodbye in Wik mungkan language which is the primary language here in Aurukun)

S