Strahan Welcome (ssh, not too loud, my head hurts!)

Well, I finally got the 'Strahan Welcome' I've been promised by various locals during conversations last night. Phew, did I get it at that. It may not have been long - I think I slurred a goodbye and stumbled out of the 'staff room' at around 10.30, but 3 pale ales, 2 drafts, and a tequila slammer in two hours will definitely do it for u - or at least, it will for me, little (and generally sober) gal that I am. My days of drinking like a fish and not feeling it are definitely over.

Nigel, as promised, introduced me around - I met Guy (who owns the red boats with his brother Troy) and Stu, both institutions in the town; the second Nigel (not as cool, apparently ;); Greta who works at the school I think; Tim (the wood-turner) and Cassie, who's just come back from a holiday in King Island and is red-cheeked and sunburnt; Andy, the captain of the fancy ship "The Discovery", which does 3-day luxury tours of the Harbour for $3000 a head (!!); and machine-gun Dave (head chef at Risby Cove, where I went to dinner with Richard and Kiah - called so because of his laugh, which he good-humouredly persists in) and his new apprentice; as well as several others (I think)... it was a fun night out, bigger than I'd certainly thought it would be, although fairly low-key. Seems I made a good impression, by Nigel's report on the boat today though, so am glad I did it. It'll be a fine balance I think, going for drinks often enough to appear friendly - but not so often that I wipe myself out for work consistently! It is interesting to note that while Nigel can be cynical and rather barbed, he did make a much-appreciated effort to introduce me to everyone; whereas Kiah, while lovely, tends to flaunt her 'wing-in and know everyone status', and made a rather paltry effort at introducing me to her friends the other night at dinner. Admittedly, I also felt out of place and didn't actaully bowl over and introduce myself...

So today was a fairly rough day - after all, not only did I get home hammered last night; I then chatted to D-boy (yay!!) til 1am, thinking I'd have the day off. But at 10 past 8, as predicted (most annoyingly, althought I did ask for it) by Nigel AFTER I'd had the slammer last night, John rang and said the white boat was at 161 (!!) - that's 1 passenger over the 2 guide cut-off. So I struggled against the urge to go back to sleep, rolled out of bed and into the shower, and was on the boat half an hour later. It did mean that I had the morning off, as was only needed for 1 tour; so took the opportunity to again resist the urge to crash on one of the hut beds, and scramble over and have another look at the back half of the island.

Fought my way through the overgrown first bit of the back track, and managed to climb / slip down into one of the little coves, which has an amazing rock cliff-face; and these caramel rocks, whipped and burnt by the sea - and lots of drifters, huon pine, beached on the sand. Spent a time exploring there (am hoping to get a little camera to start taking some shots); and then scrambled back up and over. Visited the hospital site again, which was quite spooky alone - the hairs on the back of my neck were up; the trees were cracking and moaning; and you can really feel the history there. I almost thought I heard a cry - it may have been a tourist over the other side of the island, or the water in a hollow rock, but I can understand why some of the locals feel the island is haunted.

I finished my ramble by following the old track up over the edge of the island closest to Grummet Rock; going past the stone chimney from the gardener's cottage (there is a Parks and Wildlife sign there; it's quite bizarre to see it there in what appears to be a deserted or now-unused part of the island) and scrambling down the high edge of the island to the burnt-toffee rocks below. I'd love to have a look out on Grummet Rock one day, perhaps if I borrow Rick's sea kayak he's mentioned he might lend to me; as it'd be fascinating to discover how big it actually is (it looks tiny! And yet was supposed to have housed up to 100 'out and outers', I think). I found, on one of the rocks, a tiny plaque cemented there - "Lands and Survey Dept". Another slightly bizarre thing - it feels as if you are standing in this wild and deserted landscape; and there's this tiny stamp, as if the land has actually been man-made. I felt for a moment as if I was in some kind of virtual reality landscape; where if I pulled the little labelled 'plug' it would all disappear down the hole created. Hmm, maybe that's the hang-over talking!

The tour was a quick one, and I didn't have a great rapport with the tourists, as was concentrating on getting through alive. Still, many seemed appreciative. John and I were both on time (I was 'wedge', in the middle, the hardest position - trying to keep up and stave off the last group who's generally breathing down your neck) but Nigel trailed behind due to questions, late by almost 10 mins. The skipper was not happy! This is worth noting for busier periods - it seems very important to keep ontime, or the boat crew (who feel pressure from both their bosses and those tourists needing to get back) are not happy. The job, during the busy periods, apparently becomes a time-juggling act.

Was very glad to have the night off the play though! Am going to use it now to start rehearsing Porter; and to sleep!!