Melon picking is quite simply the hardest thing I have ever had to do and every part of my body aches. Melons, of course, grow on the ground. Now I wasn't aware of this fact when I signed up. OK so I should probably have done some research but I didn't .... I was obviously far to eager I reckon. So I have spent the past week bent double from seven in the morning till five at night picking melons. Now I can at least spot a ripe melon from 10 metres and am aware if a melon is sunburnt or ripe (Obviously these things will come in handy later in life!). I'm picking both water melons and cantaloupe melons, which are called rock melons over here for the reason there skin is very rough to the touch. I have to say that whilst I previously loved melons and it was a bit of treat to have them at home, I have now had my fill and pretty much wish never to see one again! But it has been an experience and although I complain about the aching bones and having to camp (which I have never done before no I was never the girl guide type and as for pitching a tent well it's a good job some of the people I'm travelling with have done Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards because I has no idea where to begin!) I have actually enjoyed living in the out back of Australia and sleeping under the stars. We are three hours drive away from Darwin and because there is no artificial light, the stars are magnificent.  | | Claire and her melon picking colleagues |
But as for the bugs and Freddie the frog who lived in the girls toilet, well I can't say I'll miss them. Oh and the basic facilities - think corrugated iron shed with a gas barbecue for a cooker and a mangle for a washer and no I'm not joking this really was back to basic's. But I survived and now have a few dollars in my pocket to spend on seeing some more of Australia. I've seen Sydney, the big city and now the outback so where to next, I'm not sure, but first of all a bath and cold drink will do nicely!
Claire M Could you be a student diarist?
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