Last night I spent the night in a town 180km north-east of Perth. It's name is Wongan Hills.
My work involves planting barley seeds, most of which happens in Perth (or within 30 minute's drive). Twice now I have gone away for the night, the first time being a trip south, staying in the very nice Pemberton Hotel, the other excursion being last night, to Wongan Hills.
It was not so much the trip that got to me. I get a $15 allowance for breakfast, same for lunch, and something in the region of $40 for dinner, plus an accomodation budget. Anything not spent goes in my pocket. The drive there is nice, and not too long, and the Bindoon bakery stops on the way there and back introduced me to my Favourite Bakery in Australia So Far.
Wongan itself however, well, sucks. It is a two road town, it was cold, it was wet, the soil was stony and full of doublegees that stick into your hand and leave nasty little splinters. But it was the hotel that dealt the biggest blow. My room was literally 3 metres by 4. It had a bed, a wardrobe and a little cradle to but my bag on. I got a towel and a soup. There was not heating and the door that led onto the shared balcony was letting a lovely draft in. My duvet was actually a duvet cover, and I was lucky enough to find a woollen blanket at the bottom of the old wardrobe. I fear my bed probably had bedbugs. The mattress felt more like springs that had a sheet wrapped round them. The 'facilities' were shared. Of the two showers, one's door didn't close, and the other's latch was broken. I got steak at the adjoining pub, thinking it was a fairly safe bet, but apparently 'medium-rare' in Wongan Hills is 'rare as ya can give me'. The only cider was Strongbow.
I was happy to get out of the hotel this morning. We waited 20 minutes for the bakery to open, only for me to have to buy 2 coffees, after managing to spill the first one all down the side of the ute. Probably my fault, I know, but I am happy to blame Wongan in this instance. More cold planting this morning, and the rain was more than happy to hang around.
I should rename this "Max's Rant Blog". Thanks for listening. Don't go to Wongan Hills. (I am, in three weeks)
