The Last Post (at Tardun)

This is a very hurried touch base and maybe the last chance I get to write before leaving the school for good, and Oz (hopefully at the moment ) for the holidays. I want to finish off talking about Adelaide but have no time for pictures so will have to recap when back in NZ. Needless to say, it has been a crazy time since arriving back in WA. First challenge was racing from the plane when it landed at Perth to Sky West (luckily in same building) as I had 10 mins between flights in the end. Ran to the counter and the VERY helpful woman there sent someone to look for my bag while I shot through xray etc to get back to Geraldton. Zoomed along to departure lounge and straight to desk only to be told the plane to Gton had been delayed. Whew, someone up there was looking after me. Caught my breath, asked whether I should go back and look for bag but was assured all would be fine, so got out book to read, and waited. And waited. And waited. An hour and a half later, we finally boarded - apparently there was a medical emergency and the plane from Geraldton was needed to transport someone as flying drs were busy - hence the delay. Dozed all the way back but by then panicking somewhat on who would pick me up at the other end. All the staff had been in town for a farewell lunch with the Principal so arriving at the proper time was no problem. I sent txts as I could but of course, once on plane - for the hour flight - I was incommunicado. Got off the plane and saw no one, very sick feeling in pit of stomach and then as I was thinking what next, the office lady turned up - yay - as she had been doing extra jobs in town and was the last one heading back. The DP, WM & WMH and all gone on ahead, which were two respective rides that I missed. So as I was metaphorically kissing the pavement for being picked up, grabbed my bag and was off.

We had a pit stop at Janette's Mum's on the way back. She lives directly on the main road and we had a trailer of mulch to pick up from there. Coffee and bikkies, mmmmm, just the ticket, lol. Even though we were both talking flat tack catching up on all the news, I became aware that we were not leaving the airport by the usual road as we took a detour to get onto the main road. There is huge road works as a new bypass goes through from the main road at the old airport entrance, straight to the port, for mining and wheat trucks etc. It is a massive undertaking and will make a considerable difference once completed, but very confusing in the midst of it all. We were not long on the road again back to school, when the sky began to darken and there were some amazing cloud formations. We were thinking of taking some photos (which I did but a bit too late I think) when hello, forked lightening, and hello again, more. Well, for about 60ks we witnessed the most spectacular lightening show, it was like New Years off Sydney Harbour Bridge (not quite, lol, - slight exaggeration, but you get my drift). Sheet lightening went off behind a large cloud formation so it was like turning a light on and off behind a scarf type of thing, and them whammo, every now and then a ripper forked lightening would zap out towards the ground. If I tell you one of the ones looked as thick as my wrist and and we were miles away, it will give you some idea of how bright and awesome these lightening bolts were. There had also been torrential downpour, ouch, just what you need as you begin to harvest. Finally got back to school, noticing water running along side the road in some areas, and some decent puddles lying about. We went straight up to the dining room as there was a shared meal on for the DP's birthday and farewell as he was off to Sydney the following morning. How nice, I thought, they are having a candle lit dinner (it was around 7pm by now), only to get into the dining room to be told, the power was off. Fantastic. Ate a quick bite in the dark and another catch up, in between fending off a slew of insects that had arrived with the weather. There was a heap of beetles on the table, on the floor, everywhere, - ick. Got dropped back at my place, taking a largish candle borrowed from the Chapel as only had tea lights and not sure where to put my hand on them immediately. So much for catching up on laptop etc that evening, but thank god for gas (the only time I like gas stoves, lol). The DP put a pot on at his place so went and had coffee and catch up and then returned home with nothing for it but an early -ish night. Did try to read by torch light for awhile but tiredness did catch up with me, so all good.

Got up the next day - to no power which out here means no phone, no nothing. Went up to the WM's place to hear it would not be on till later in the day, so there was nothing for it, but to play cards, lol for the rest of the afternoon. The power finally came on, about 4pm, 25 hours after it had gone off the day before!!!!!!. Apparently something like 18 poles had been affected by lightening strike (in the middle of nowhere) and it had taken ages to find and fix them all. Since then have had another 7 hour power cut Monday a week ago, and another 4 hour one on Saturday - all great fun indeed. Because the power was off for 24 hours, we are all entitled to claim $80 inconvenience money from power suppliers and also to claim for any food etc that was affected by it. Janette got us all forms to fill out for the claims so will have to wait and see how that all works.

As our time has been drawing to an end out here and there has been nothing but leave takings since I got back. First the Principal and DP a day apart, then my neighbours 10 days ago, the WM and family last Friday and now it is down to me and Br M who are leaving tomorrow for Perth after morning tea. There will be one couple, two other Brs and our cook left and only one Br and the Cook after Christmas until March next year when the place may be leased to a mining group.

Before the WM and family left, we went over to the office lady's farm the weekend before to take photos of them harvesting wheat. I got to ride in the header (think combine harvester type thingie) as her husband did a round of the wheat field. Firstly, I nearly needed crampons and a pick axe to get into the cab of this behemoth vehicle - (the first vehicle I have clambered into that you need not ask 'does this vehicle make my bum look big, lol). I sort of launched myself at the ladder on the side of the header and dragged myself into the vehicle that has enough bells and whistles to resemble a small flight deck (no coffee machine though, lol). Have taken photos which will upload next post. I did say paddock - it was bigger than our farm in Waiuku (60 acres), and the next door neighbours farm (80 acres) being around 100acres for the ONE paddock. The cutting end of the beast has a blade running horizontally about maybe 8 - 9 inches off the ground (so that the paddocks look as though they have had a no 2 haircut, lol) and then prongs that rotate, - (think croquet hoops or prongs on old fashioned tedders of yesteryear for haymaking in nz -) to scoop up cut wheat. Somehow the wheat is separated from the chaff (almost biblical sentence that, lol) and the wheat flows into the back of the header into a bin. Once that is filled, you then have a truck drive slowly to the side and just back of you, with a trailer and wheat is then transferred by a cylander type nozzle thingie into that bin, while you are both driving round the paddock side by side. The 12 yr old son was driving the truck and I was amazed at how he managed the massive vehicle (gotta love WA that you can stil do this, lol). Wheat is not as densley planted as hay with rows looking to be 3 or 4 inches apart if not more. Just to give you an idea, the school farm harvested 6,000 acres of wheat this year. The machinery is able to measure moisture content in the wheat as you cannot harvest below a certain point. Because the bins on the back are so high, there is actually an alarm that goes, when it needs to be feed off into the truck - I kid you not. The cab is airconditioned, and the view is magnificent as you look down onto the prongs rotating where the blade cuts. Chaff does not appear to be collected and is blown back on the paddock from what I could tell.

You can tell it is harvest time, because the roads are chocka block with wheat trucks and the silos are filling up at Mullewa again and the wheat train is running. Most of the trucks are two trailers big and so after having a brief respite from the terrorists (tourists, lol) and their caravans and winnebagos, you now have to contend with wheat trucks and mining trucks at the same time. It is a challenge on these narrow country dirt roads as these trucks do not give much quarter. You spend a good amount of time trying not to hit the markers on the side of the road as you have to move off (often at reasonable speed) to let them have the right of way. Also, at Mass (I went on Sunday in at Mullewa) there was a specific harvest prayer amongst all the others. For the heathens out there, it was the first Sunday in Advent so the Advent wreath was displayed and the first candle lit during the service. Father Morrissey mentioned he was out visiting local farms to wish them well for their harvests and called out here on Monday evening. Also mentioned it was 27 days to Christmas!!

In the midst of all the above, I have been applying for jobs with no luck as yet. Tried for one in Darwin after being alerted by the lecturer from one of my uni papers as there was a job came up at his school. He rang the WM and I to apply given what he had read in our papers which was a bit of a buzz. I also tried for one in Geraldton but think I have missed out on that as well. They wanted someone with a bus licence which I do not have so not to worry - I have the consultant who employed me for here beating the bushes to see what he can find as many schools are only just advertising now.

So, the house is a tip, I have mice running rampant through the place as there is a mini plague of them happening around here. I have had "one feed kills mice and rats stone dead" bait out for a week - four boxes of it (trying for overkill, lol) and to date, one dead mouse, three playing tag in the lounge the other night and cavorting through the rest of the house as well (the whole other two rooms, lol) with no sign of impending demise. Had a very slow day yesterday and did not sight one at all and was just talking to a friend on line mentioning the same when "MOUSE", one shot out from behind the pantry and then a mate a little later, so am not well impressed. I am only loosely packing and cleaning as I go as the packers are coming in on the 6th of Jan to do it properly. The challenge will be to have a destination for them by that date - no pressure, lol. I leave Perth on Thursday night for Sydney and have several hours stop over there before arriving back in Auckland around 8pm. I am 17 hours in transit from memory.

So I need to get cracking and empty the fridge - I have had some very curious and unusual things to eat over the past week as I try to get through things without wasting food etc. Those of us who are left except the Brs are going to the local pub tonight for dinner so once I do dishes and clean up, that will be it for here. Will have bfast/morning tea up at school tomorrow before we leave.

It all feels a bit surreal (I know, thorougly overused word, lol) as on one level, it is like leaving on any other holiday, and it has not really hit home, this may be the last time I see this place. Too busy to process that bit at the moment however. The WM and family left to go back East for a family wedding and for Christmas and they are back on the 4th to move to their new house in Geraldton. Most of the others are moving there or are already there. So, this just might be me, signing off my aussi adventure until back in NZ as I have just 24 hours left here. It is fitting that it is a full moon, and will try to get some last moon photos tonight, weather permitting. It is overcaste and blowing outside today. The temps have been pretty good - mainly in the 30's with a couple of 40's. Have only had the air con on a couple of times this week mainly towards the middle of the day, and am sitting here with a jumper on this morning,as it is only 22o outside.

Will put some photos of harvest on next post plus some more of Adelaide. Until then catch ya later. :)

Like Arnie - I Have Returned :) Pt 1

Firstly thank you to those who have rung, emailed and checked to see if I am still alive, lol. I am. It has been awhile, possibly a record, so will try and catch you all up with my great Oz adventure....

After the flurry with finishing all university papers that seemed to swamp my creative juices, I then had my CV updated and applied for a job in Geraldton. To date, as I dropped my CV in myself, they have received it but I have had not further contact. Other people have applied for jobs at the same school and have heard nothing either so am not feeling spectacularly left out.

I have been to ADELAIDE whilst I have been in blog wilderness, which is partly why I have been missing in action. But, what, you say, you have always managed to post whilst away before - and yes I have. However, due to certain amounts of partying for a whole week, thinking and writing ability were somewhat comprimised, lol.

Just for your information, getting anywhere from here when you do not have a vehicle of your own is worthy of an army manouver. I had a date for the party awhile back - this was the 50th birthday celebrations of one of our next door neighbours from Waiuku, which once I heard about it, cheekily wangled an invitation - as you do. So planning to get there - looked at a bus from Tardun to Perth, bus from Geraldton to Perth, train from Perth to Adelaide (takes something like three days and only leaves twice a week), flying from Geraldton to Perth and then Perth to Adelaide. This was complicated by the fact that the WM, the WMH and the DP were all in Queensland on a fact finding mission for a new learning centre, thus options to get off site were extremely limited. Fortunately, at the last moment, the Principal said he was going down on the Monday to Perth (a week before party) and I could catch a ride with him. Zoomed to computer and managed to book a flight at 6.30am on the Tues which arrived mid morning in Adelaide. Phew, it was probably easier to put man on the moon. At that stage all I booked for a return was the flight back to Perth to co-incide with departures with family from NZ several days after the party. Was frazzled by then and was prepared to hitch back if necessary, lol.

Was up at 6.30am on the Monday (had given KJ a good news/bad news ph call on the Sunday to say hi, yes I am coming, and oops, it has to be Tuesday to fit with rides, which he took very well) packing and doing last minute jobs to leave here after lunch for the 5 hour trip to Perth. Got away and did two side trips to Wandalgu (boys boarding) and Old Camp (where school began) to check on a few things and had a good trip down. Stopped at one point in the middle of nowhere on dusk as there was a huge full moon rising on one side of the road with a windmill in the foreground, and on the other side of the road, was the setting sun. I was so keen to get photos, as was the Principal, we leapt out of the car leaving hazard lights on and doors open, only to find car full of flipping mozzies on our return. Buggar!!!. Spent the rest of the trip trying to squash mozzies as they came anywhere near me, lol. A lesson well learned - will never leave car doors open on dusk again.



Moonrise and Sunset


Got to Perth about 9ish and got dropped off at the airport front door. It wasn't worth going to a motel for the few hours before flight, so armed with laptop to play games, and a good book, found an electrical plug and set myself up. Unfortuately they close the domestic airport lounge around 3am, so had to decamp to the International lounge, fortunately next door, found another plug and stayed there until 5.30am and time to check in and board plane.
I do not remember the flight attendants doing their safety talk, I was already asleep, and woke just in time for breakfast and landing. So 24 hours awake that segment.

KJ was at airport to pick me up and drove especially through Adelaide city so I could see something of it. I was surprised how dry it was expecting lush vegetation after WA. I loved the architecture of Adelaide, what I managed to see. Lots of gothic buildings mixed with more modern skyscrapers that feature in most cities. Adelaide was designed by the same bloke who designed Christchurch (South Island, NZ for those who are not kiwis/aussis) so has some spacious streets, a river running through and pretty much all in squares for roads. Lots of green in the city with parks and open spaces. This is all impressions as mostly seen by driving to and fro over the next 10 days.

KJ and family live in Enfield so that afternoon went to some of the local shops - went into sensory overload in Foodlands - which appeared like an Aladdins Cave of interesting foodstuffs. Within the mall that housed Foodlands was a delicatessian where we bought cheeses and stuffed peppers, and then a butchers for chops for the barbie, fruit and veg shop, and then asian shop in another block for some other ingredients. Mangoes $2 each woohoo- which was my favourite find. Back to KJ's where it was 'beer o'clock' and a continued catch up before rest of family got home from school and work.

My abode for the next 10 days was a caravan built by KJ's father in law, back in the day, nicknamed the Tardis. It was like something out of a Noddy book and just perfect - had power and all. Finally got to bed at around 1am Wed morning so was running on adrenalin I think by then. Needless to say, slept the sleep of the dead.

The Tardis

Wednesday was taken up with organisation for party, and then Thursday the troops arrived from NZ - three of KJ's sisters and a nephew (waves to Viv,Tim, Michelle, and Denise ) I do not think I stopped laughing the entire 10 days I was there and it was wonderful to catch up with everyone. So another shopping expedition for food and lots of food prep began for party. Friday did a trip into the Central Market in Adelaide - Alladins Cave Mk II. You have to love the diversity of people who make up cities and the food etc they bring with them. It reminded me a little of the markets in Suva with foodstuffs everywhere with smells and sights assaulting the senses. We had a coffee and a pastry tube filled with vanilla custard at one end and chocolate custard in the other for morning tea. I found quince jelly in a slab the size of a wedge of brie cheese (to actually go with cheese) for $2.50 when you ususally buy it in a small jar the size of an eye wash for about $9. Also bought some dutch cumin cheese, dukka, and turkish bread. The food stalls were interspersed with clothing stalls and aussi souveniers and the usual asian type goods found in such places. A stop at the bottle shop on the way home and we were stocked for the next 24 hours, lol. Got back and wandered out on the back lawn to find KJ's brother had arrived as a surprise from Tasmania, so the day and night continued with much catching up all round. (Blood was now running diluted with an amount of red wine, lol).

Everyone pitched in over the next 24 hours with food prep, setting up tables, chairs, putting up balloons etc and then Saturday night it all came together for a brilliant night. Note to those wanting to host a party for over 50 people (head count at this one was 64) a bain marie and a portable chiller fridge are wonderful additions. The chiller fridge especially was marvellous, as it held as much as three or four fridges - woohoo. One of the lovely thing about the party was everyone had a part in getting it ready with the kids all pitching in with cooking various dishes as well. Dinner was a bit of a continuous feast and did kitchen duty until it was all finished and then it was out to the shed (which is soundproofed) as KJ and his band ripped it up for the rest of the evening. I finally called it a night at 6.30am the following day .

KJ - with guitar and the doowop team lol.


Sunday was a slow day funnily enough and evolved into a Monty Python fest with a couple of DVD's back to back. More hilarity and fun watching another generation enjoying the timeless Monty Python humour.

Monday we set forth to buy the offical family birthday present as with careful and cunning questioning we ascertained that a new coffee machine would be icing on the cake for the birthday boy. What an interesting experience that proved to be. We went to a local shop first that rents and sells a range of products that you would find in a Bond and Bond or Noel Leeming. We lurched towards the coffee machines and saw the one that KJ wanted. The salesman was an interesting individual to say the least. Once he knew we wanted to buy a machine and not rent one, he voiced the opinion that they were all much of a muchness regarding reliablity. He was not interested in any discount for cash (even though we were going to purchase three items from the shop) and then said there was no box for the one we wanted to purchase it would just have to be taken as is off the shelf. Now, what he failed to realise was he was dealing with some serious shoppers, one could even say gold medallists in shopping all round. So with this less than enthusiastic and underwhelming display of salesmanship, we stalked out of the shop (think pursed lips and sucked in breaths, lol, then merciless character assassination once we got into the car, heh heh- theraputic of course). Then from the rediculous to the sublime - we went and found an outlet of the "Good Guys" ( think Bond and Bond again) - "where everyone gets a bargain", and bingo - I found a young lad behind the counter who came over and discussed the finer points of the brand we were looking at. So skillful was he, he set about and showed us the next one up in the range that we were looking at, that came with a free coffee grinder (worth $200). It was the one he was saving for himself, and one that several workmates had already got. Discussion about steam pressure etc and internal workings and the decision was made to go for that one, spending slightly more than planned though within budget and what a difference in approach. The general consensus was that we had been well sold, and there was also a discount on the special price that the machine was going for - our hardended shoppers heart's were overcome at being so well sold, lol. Nicknamed 'the beast' the machine did sterling service over the next few days as KJ road tested short blacks, cappucinos and latte`s.

The next few days zoomed past with more shopping as we found a mall the size of a small district to browse about, with a trip to the Museum on the afternoon before we left. Will follow up with the next installment hopefully tomorrow. I have promised that this will be ready to be read at breakfast Sydney time by dear friend (waves to Val, lol) who has emailed twice and rung to see that I am still above ground, lol. So come back y'all for the next installment. Cheers.

News Flash: Stan has won Australian Idol - have to admit to watching this from the beginning and he was my pick. Another Kiwi taking it to the Aussies, lol.

Summertime again

Here is me thinking it was only a few days since I did a post and 10 days have shot past again. All I can put in down to, is that most days I have been involved in the never ending assignment round - never ending because facebook games, and real life sometimes get in the road, lol. Aslo forgot to mention funniest saying of the weekend at the campdraft, when the announcer said, *name was as busy as a one legged duck in a snake pit"..... am stealing that one for future use, lol.

Summer is on the way, how do I know?? First clue is the temperatures - three days last week at 40oCel - woohoo. I actually have had ceiling fans on most days for the past week and even went so far last weekend as to put the aircon on. However, after some time I realised that it was blowing WARM air into the house. Went and had chat to DP who came over and removed cover to aircon outside (I did not go near it, dark spaces, possable spider retreat) to find that the vital ingredient, being water, was absent. What to do, the tap to the aircon made no difference on or off, so got a hose from inside (as you do, brand new and bought in my gardening phase) and got it fixed to the outside tap. Have to admit to a bit of girlie helplessness as to affix it to taps meant brushing under bush, possibly home to icky things again, so DP dutifully affixed hose to tap and promptly broke something when he went to turn it on, however what ever was broken did not stop hose filling up base of aircon and wetting panels on the side. Went in an gingerly switched the beast on and lo and behold, within two mins, had cold air circulating - bliss, except also had a smell of swamp permeating the place as the water and dust combined was interesting to say the least. Wasn't my weekend for things of a technological nature. Went to light element to cook veg for tea and phtttttt - small amount of flame and nothing. Buggary bollocks was the thought that went through my mind. To give the long suffering DP a break, I walked instead up to the WM's place and the WMH and two boys kindly got a new gas tank, bought it down and connected it for me. They also gave me a hand to fix my bed ...... (Just remembered that bit). Earlier in the week, during the night I rolled over and heard a couple of bits of wood drop to the floor, followed by a change in the feel of the mattress. Could not be bothered waking up properly, so gingerly placed myself in the most comfortable spot carefully, and went back to sleep. On investigation the next morning, I found three slats on the ground. Oh well time to change sheets and tidy room so heaved the mattress up of the base and rested it perpendicular against the window, whilst replacing said boards back in their slots. Tipped the mattress back and made bed. All went well except during the night, another two slats dropped out underneath me. It transpired that the bed had become loose and so after the WMH managed to screw the middle slat at each end to the base, so far, so good.

Second clue was when I opened pantry door the day after the first 40o and wondered what all the yellow stuff sliding down the inside of the door was and why was there an empty butter wrapper sitting on top of the golden syrup jar. The butter had not only almost entirely slid out of the wrapper, but the remainder was almost clarified in look and texture. Not impressed at all. Thirdly and my particular favourite was that during one of my lazier days I did the washing after lunch, finally hanging out the towels about 3.30pm to go back an hour later .... and they were dry. Now that is more like it.

Had a trip to Geraldton on Tuesday to take the ute in for a new windscreen and to get a new piece of exhaust - missing since the Mt Augustus expedition, lol. It involved much toing and froing across town with the office lady also getting her car fixed, so it was a weary me that finally got back here about 6pm. Luckily, got a second wind as it was a neighbours 40th birthday dinner which ended up by being a pot luck up at the WM's and a nice relax after a hectic day. Zoomed into Mullewa to post off assignment the following day and was taking photos on the side of the road by my favourite duck pond that has now dried out to a large puddle (as you do), when one of the neighbours pulled up and invited me back to theirs for a cup of coffee. Had to wait while she went and picked up her daughter from the bus, so took more photos. Noticed one of the other neighbours had started to harvest their wheat that afternoon and there are fields the size of small districts on the way into Geralton full of large round hay bales and huge square ones as well.Harvesting should start in earnest in the next two weeks.

Friday went into Geraldton again to get a hair cut. My quarterly treat to myself as I have averaged a cut a term so far this year. Have had a fairly radical shearing, and had a straightener used to give elegant sort of bob look and then a savaging with the thinning scissors so have a chomped bob look for summer. Looks better than it sounds I think, lol. Had gone in with the DP so as we had started off early (7.30am for appointment at 9.15am) we decided to have lunch in town and went and tried a new restaurant called altitude 28 I think. It is down one end of town (or perhaps up, still do not have directions entirely down pat, lol) overlooking the port and ocean. I was a bit suspicious as there seemed to be only one other patron, but nothing ventured. The other clue was OMG, what the waitresses were wearing and I can only say, it looked like a bunch of Heidie's had escaped the Swiss Alps!!!!!! Can't remember the shoes but think they were black, then white stockings to the knee or just above (wanted to ask if they were the ones you wear when flying long distance, lol), then a blue flared short skirt with gimp along the bottom. Now for those not familiar with sewing bits and pieces, gimp is the sort of edge, fringe stuff that goes along the edge of piano stools or lamp stands. This was sort of dangly stuff in white along the hem of the skirt. Next was a white blouse with black waistcoat thing- the blouse had a gathered neckline and puffed sleeves, almost expected to hear yodelling in the background. Almost enough to put you off your food, .... almost, lol. The food was not cheap but mine was very nice. Salmon on garlic crostini with several prawns and a creamy sauce all over it. Had very attentive service but do not think it will be on my hit list to return.

Have had nose in books most of the weekend, except for this afternoon when there was a knock at the door and the WM had popped in to tell me her boys had gone hunting with one of the neighbours and they had killed to bungarras (goannas). The neighbour was digging a fire pit as I went to look at the dead creatures and about an hour later, I went back out to try eating some. Have to say, it did taste exactly like chicken, lol. I ate some from the tail and then some from around the ribs. It was a little disconcerting to see a barbequed head lying on the ground and some of the claws attached to legs, still in the coals, lol. So can tick another wild animal I have eaten of the list!!!

I started writing this over an hour ago but nearly had a heart attack half way through when I saw something run across the floor under the table, that almost looked like a mouse out of the corner of my eye. However as I was processing what was moving at the speed of light, it was a SPIDER. Am surprised I didnt waken the neighbours with the scream that came from within. I moved at the speed of light abandoning the laptop, and leapt onto the couch to watch where the beast was lurking - got some shoes on and VERY gingerly slithered around the edge of the pantry to the laundry to try and find fly spray. Every sodding tin of what ever was in the cupboard, but no spray. There is a can in the ute but very dark and pouring with rain outside so not sure other spiders are not lurking where I cannot see them. Was envisioning a LOOOOONG night sitting up with eyes firmly fixed on bedroom door (did contemplate shutting myself in and putting a towel along the door so nothing could get in), when I espied a can of spray above the kitchen cupboards (thank you god). The can said surface spray, but would it kill something instantly - yes it would and anything else for up to 6 months where you spray - be still my beating heart. I slithered back into the lounge and back onto the couch and gave a blast of spray (almost a minutes worth) under the kitchen table where the multi legged thing was sitting. Nothing happened but other small insects and moths were beginning to go into death throes. I gave another blast and was lucky not to flip onto my back spinning with legs in the air, the smell was so noxious- lips started to tingle, could well be affected, lol. With the second blast, all was still and then zoom up it the leg of the table it shot. Laptop so close and yet so far away. Moved as close to table while still on the couch, after turning the overhead fan off and gave two more blasts of spray aimed under the table, hoping that it would not cause electrical combustion of laptop as spray is flammable (still spider/ melted laptop, hmmmmm, can replace laptop, lol). By now had shirt over my head so I wasn't inhaling anymore noxious fumes, peering through gap in neck, waiting, waiting, and after half an hour from the beginning of the spraying, the damn spider finally dropped from underneath the table with all 8 legs curled up underneath it. It was now hopefully an ex spider. Not trusting too much that it was totally dead, I got the vaccum cleaner out and sucked it up from a distance and yay, access to the laptop again. During this process I became aware that the slider door was open about 2inches which must have happened when the WM called round this afternoon, hence the reason there were so many insects inside. Was nearly ill at the thought at what else may have got in this afternoon as it is pouring with rain outside for several hours now and the sodding things are probably seeking shelter from the storm. I usually live with the place hermetically sealed and the continuous flyspray thing going continuously just in case anything does get in as I go in and out. At least I will be able to go to sleep now I know the damn thing is properly dead. Just another week in the outback, lol.