Banana Clocks and the Great Wait

So, my plans of regular posts has gone to pot somewhat, but that was always a risk. One major reason for this is that Bryony and I have secured temp positions working at a well known organic farm. The following post is a ramble about more preparations that we have undertaken since my last post.

Firstly, I would like to comment on my new job. My feelings are complex. The job itself is quite boring, the hours long and the task repetitive. I work on an assembly line filling crates (totes) with the correct items that will eventually form fruit and veg boxes. I do not wish to sound churlish, in fact I cannot praise the company highly enough. They pay well, have music, fantastic food and the bunch of people I work with are great salt of the earth people.

I had not originally envisioned having a job during this stop gap between graduating and traveling, but now that I have one I am very glad that I did. For that, I have to thank Bryony for her chivying and guilt trips. As one of my colleagues said recently in a thick west country accent "If you can breathe, you can work". Before starting this job I had not realized quite how lazy I had become.

Over the last four years I have battled with bouts of procrastination and laziness. It is a foible of my character and the holiday following my Masters was just the prompting that the old sloth needed to (albeit slowly) rear its ugly head. I was getting up later, pottering around and generally not doing the travel preparation that was the excuse for not working. After getting a job, I have felt more directed with more money in my pocket. Those few hours in the evening and two days off a week are now better spent and with a greater sense of urgency. For instance, we have finally sorted all vaccines and travel requirements, not a difficult job but one that I particularly had not been engaging. I also discussed a potential podcast with a friend that is now a step closer to becoming a reality. 

I would now like to take an aside now to talk about a certain peculiarity about my new job. On a normal day we start 'picking' at 8.30am and finish when all orders are complete. The only problem is that us foot soldiers do not know that number. Therefore, we try and predict the end time using the stock. However, we have hundreds of items which change depending on the seasons and are sold at different rates. Through trial and error it was deduced that the most stable and consistent item was the humble banana (800g). The interpretation of the banana clock has a certain arcane element with a portion of faith thrown in, roughly it translates as a pallet of twenty five totes equals an hour give or take 20 minutes. I am not fully schooled on its translation however, but it seems to work. The main thing I believe however is not that it works, but that it gives you something about which to think and lend hope near the end of a long shift.

Back to a more travel relevant topic.

Both Bryony and I will be using new bags on our upcoming expedition. Bryony has purchased the Osprey Fairview 40 and I will soon be purchasing the Osprey Farpoint 55. Both will be getting review blogs soon. Another, issue we have been facing is that of money and how to carry it safely. To start, we are following the tried and tested advice of keeping cash in several places and carrying a fake wallet. One new thing we are trying is setting up an account with Monzo. A sort of Indie bank that will allow us to draw money with no extra fees, this too will get a review.

Apart from those updates, we are just waiting and working. The new year can't around fast enough.

Till next time,

Greg