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Power LinePart OneGoing Camping but things take an expected turn from being out of work togetting a good job and fitting in with the crew very wellJohn my mate came over to see me and since it was nice and warm withtemperature outside around 85oF. I grabbed two beers and we went outsideand sat under the trees where there was a nice breeze.John said he had just been laid off similar to me however we both do havereasonable funds so he is suggesting we head out into the desert take ourswags so we can sleep under the stars but at the same time we can alwayssleep in the back of the truck if needed.I get the map out and within 100 miles there are lots of tracks throughoutthe countryside; now my truck has lots of ground clearance and it is alsofour wheel drive, the truck box has a good canopy.We decided to get our grub on route and anything else we may need, ourcamping gear was also stowed including our portable 12 volt frig which runson a solar panel and battery for overnight. Although we will be travelingin sandals we also have our work boots, coveralls and hard hats all stowedbehind the bench seat.When we leave we are both dressed in camouflage gear as it good hardwearing does not show and dirt hence very practical.We are now in the general area where we want to start exploring, suddenlyJohn says hey Roger stop please I think we have just gone past a track onmy side. I back up and we see a power line running along the track. We lookat each other John says lets do it so I turn onto the track and we start toclimb fairly steeply and then the track levels out. About ten miles wesuddenly came across a bunch of power line workers sitting in acircle. They wave us down and once we stop and get out of the truck andthey are asking what the heck you are guys doing up here. We tell them thathad been laid off so we were asked what work we were doing, I said I was anindustrial electrician and said John he had worked for a tree topingoutfit.These guys said interesting and where do you plan to camp over night? Wellactually we wanted to find a small lake so we could have a swim and campthere.One of the power line workers said go up the track about ½ mile and thereis a turning to the left, the track a little rough but along a short wayyou will see our trailers so please go out there and make yourself athome. Because we are out here for six weeks straight we have Peter our bullcook who looks after us make contact with him and let him know you havebeen talking to the crew and say George told you to come out to camp and wewill see you both in about two hours till then enjoy your selves and don'tcamp to far away from us either. Thanks so much we both look forward tomeeting up when you get in.We soon find the site and Peter is sitting outside sunning himself fullystripped off and doesn't hear us arrive. Suddenly he see us and covers up,we call out hi Peter; George told us to come up here to camp and afterabout 10 minutes chatting and then ask where do you suggest we setupcamp. Peter stands up and points to a level area over by the lake and saysthat's a good location and the only guys you will see is the crew going into freshen up after scrubbing in the showers, thanks Peter we will go overthere and can see we are fairly close but far enough away to be private.We have a good sized ground sheet made out of thick rubber and is largeenough to fold right over us in the event of rain. We stripped off and goballs to the breeze into the lake and find it fairly deep but veryrefreshing, after about 15 minutes we get out and lie out in the sun to dryoff.John suddenly asks did you bring any shaving gear with you, sure did why? Ineed my privates cleaning up no problem and then you can do my head please.It doesn't take me long to get setup, I'm working on John's privates whensuddenly we hear George's voice you doing a great job there and I'm suremost of my crew would welcome a similar job if you are willing -- I startlaughing saying we will have to think about that as John is doing my headnext, fair enough.George then says I didn't come down to spy on you but to talk to you andthe work you both did before getting laid off.After a lot of questions George suddenly says I can offer you both a job onmy crew, now we are out in the bush for six weeks at a time and then goback home for five days and then return. You guys please come and havesupper with us and meet the crew in a non working atmosphere.Buy the way everyone is gay and I'm pretty sure you two are also both thesame -- we smile and said, we sure are and proud of it. George also saysdon't be surprised if the guys are dressed the same as you are at presentas it is far more comfortable in this warm weather but it does cool downover night. Well I'll leave you now supper will be at 7:30 this eveninglook forward to your company.Well we both complete our shaving and I also got my privates cleaned rightoff, then after putting the gear away. We looked at each other sayingalmost together I wonder what the work will be. Well we will find out afterhaving a talk with George before accepting, I look at this way anythingearned helps our bank balance.We head over for supper George sees us come and join us please and we getintroduced to all the crew and made most welcome. Peter the Bull Cook haddone BBQ ribs with corn on the cob and made several cakes for desert withice cream.After supper some of the guys go for a swim however George discusses withboth of us the work we were expected to do. It turns out they need John toget the rigging set up on the transmission poles and I was to help withgetting the new power lines put into place and secured. John said he didn'thave any spurs for pole climbing but did have suitable boots in ourtruck. No problem we do have several sets of spurs so you have choice.Then we ask how come you are short of crew? Well these young guys don'tlike getting bushed and if they would only give a try I believe they wouldenjoy the experience.This is the first time that we have had visitor show up out of the bluelike you guys and for me says George here are two guys that appear to enjoythe bush and when I realized you could replace the two guys that took offlast week saying they could not stand the isolation. So guys are youinterest in working for our company.We both said yes, great come with me please and we were issued Hi-Visoveralls hard hats and work gloves. John made his selection of a set ofspurs and also a safety belt, George said Roger you need a safety belt alsothat was soon sorted out.Our next question was what time do we start, breakfast is at 7:00 am anddon't forget you eat on the company, now do you have any grub you want toput in the freezer if so just see Peter.Well the first day on the job went well other than my feet; mainly thearches were aching a lot, I guess my boots are not designed for this typeof work; however John was OK as he was used to this type of pole climbingand he had the right type of boots. After the first two days George askedhow you guys are getting on OK said John but Roger won't tell you but hisboots lack arch support.No problem guys the chopper will be in on Saturday morning and is doingfour trips to town, I'll arrange for you to fly in and get new boots --now go to JJWork-Gear on Main Street they will get you fixed up and youneed this card and you will get a good discount -- Oh Thanks very much.John said to me get my a half dozen pairs of heavy work socks, that means adozen pairs of socks as I will need some too please no problem at all.Well Saturday morning early I went out on the first flight and we landed atthe companies yard about 9:30 am, a guy came over to me and said you mustbe Roger I said yes, great -- that pickup over there is for use that it'sabout a mile into town so here are the keys -- please lock it up afterparking -- no problems.Well I head into town not only do I get the socks I see some wellventilated blaze orange Hi-Vis loose fitting shirts that more like a sportsshirts as they are very well ventilated so I get four shirts two for eachof us.I return back to the camp on the last but one chopper flight. This chopperfirstly brings out what grub Peter needs for the next two weeks plus mail,then following flights brings gas and diesel fuel for the generator,equipment needed for the project.On return I find John is doing hair cuts including all the private parts,after each guy is fixed up he simply goes into the lake and rinses off allthe hair clippings.So eventually everyone has a good hair cuts and an even better clean up inthe private areas.I look around for George to thank him for the arrangements that were madeon our behalf.Saturday evening was party time then George brought out the beer; we saidwe would like to contribute to this as we have two flats of beer in ourcooler.We had a great evening with the crew and were now felt part of the crewsince we both sucked everyone there. Needless to say we were also wellfucked by all the crew and we welcome this intrusion.That night was very warm and everyone slept on our thick rubber groundsheet. I roused around 5:00 am and needed a good pee finally I had drainedmyself and it sure felt better. Party started again before breakfast --what the hell we will have our own style of church service all totallyconnected.One of the crew hears this comment and calls out "bloody Right Mate" wewill all be connected now our crew is up to strength.Between John and me we have kept the crew well shaved and all looking verytidy but with the heat it's a welcome relief to all our crew so we all getbetter ventilation.Although this work was different to what we had done before despitesimilarities in many areas for both of us, this coming weekend is the startof a few days off. We decided that we needed to go home and check on thingsplus deal with any bills outstanding.Well the first full day home that evening we went tour local for a coupleof beers, of course we had caught the sun and wind hence we were both welltanned.Several of our mates were there so they are asking where have we been, ouranswer was out in the bush and we are going back again in 5 days time. Thenthe comments from several of them was that's not a holiday being isolatedlike that, can't understand you two because you both like to party.Well we changed the tone of conversation and asked our mates how they weredoing; six of them had long faces saying we got laid off this week andreally don't know what we will do, then the others said it looks as if mayalso join the un-employment folk.That's not good, look guys as you know we were laid off some 8 weeks agohowever our trip into the bush has brought us a lot of luck. Whiletravelling along a track following a power line but also looking for asuitable lake for camping for a few days; when suddenly we came across apower line crew who were taking a coffee break they waved us down and wejoined the crew and they were asking where we going, well ultimately a guyintroduced himself as George told us where there was lake and also they hadtrailer bunkhouse there. He told us Peter our Bull Cook is there just tellhim that I told you it was OK to camp.Cut a long story short, George came over to talk with us when the crewreturned from there work. He wanted to know what sort of work do we do, ouranswer was we are laid off and decided to get away. Well I can understandthat said George; we were quizzed a lot about our working experiences thenGeorge said come on over and have supper with the crew and meet everyone.The end result we were offered work and we accepted, it's a great job witha good crew and you look after each other so everyone is much safer on theworking site plus we are getting paid a reasonable wage.We work six weeks in the bush then a week out, we have no idea how long wewill be employed only time will tell, and basically we have to setupsomeone we can trust to look after our homes while we are away.Since we are both working we would like to buy you all a good stiff drinkso what will it be.The barman took all the orders and I whispered in his ear please make themtriples and it's on me.After a great evening two of mates said could we meet up them in themorning for coffee John said fine by me, why don't you come to my house andI'll make the coffee lets say 9:30 am, great we will see you both, and sowe all went our own way.Next morning we all meet at Johns home and Keith