2 days of rain, then everything clears. Like nothing happened.. Except......

Unseasonal rain....
200mm of rain in 24 hours, 80% of the annual rainfall.. Just for me.
This will push the job back as all the electrical switch boxes, electric motors and cabling will need to be replaced.

The light tower is revealed. As are generators, the huge pump
that couldn't, and directly under me, 2 scissor lifts
and a boom lift.

As soon as the rain passed, I could wear thongs again.. So I am happy.....
As the water was pumped out all sorts of things turned up.

Flooded basement.

Lucky they moved their crane.

Uh-oh. A brand new Tadano 70 tonne
crane emerges.  Approx $800+K
These machines are full of electronics
so it is knackered. 
 Back to Perth it goes...

Wet, wet, wet. Unseasonal rain.....

  Unseasonal rain.... What a surprise... Mud everywhere.... Big coaches, mini-buses and work utes loaded with workers spray muddy water as we track into our work areas. Yesterday it was dust with water tankers spraying the ground trying to control it. Apparently in the Pilbara it would only rain once during winter and the daytime temperatures would be warm to hot. This year it is different... Maximum of 18 degrees and overnight lows of 16. Should be in shoes I guess but thongs will do...
  Never get comfortable in this game. The only thing that is guaranteed in this line of work is that things will change.... constantly. From accommodation, workgroups, workfronts. Our smoko huts slowly reduce in number as the workforce becomes smaller. So you will be moved from smoko room to smoko room. The main downside is that it is not really possible to lock in holidays or breaks. If you wish to take the family on a long holiday, it is easiest to ask, then expect to resign, hoping that you will be picked up again afterwards.
 With the 2 large contracts on this site getting closer to completion, I keep anticipating the "tap on the shoulder". I have been here on site for 5 months and have been waiting to be de-mobilised for the past 3 months...... It can be draining and all consuming sometimes, but there is a promise that other work is available on other sites. Or, the possibilty of being a part of the commissioning  crew who get involved with firing up everything and make sure it works before it is handed over to the client. Or the punchlist crew (defects), who can remain for a while fixing and modifying even after hand-over. These blokes are usually distinctive. They come home everyday covered in red iron ore dust. There clothing and boots are permanently stained browny-red.
I am almost keen to go, rather than wait and see the workings of another site. Apparently this site is the best because it is close to civilisation. Most are in the middle of nowhere..... Remote and desolate.
  Finally, Toyotas everywhere.... Everywhere......!!
Land Cruisers, Prados, Hi-Ace vans, Coaster buses and Utes.
Every model and every configuration. All with Bull bars, Flashing beacons, Roll bars, Noisy reversing alarms, whip aerials with a light on the top and one colour only. White..... and latest models.
And I forgot. Reflective Yellow tape and Bold numbers on the side and back.
Parking is always reverse to the kerb. Safety First....

Car park in Camp. 100+ Toyotas.

Land Cruiser.





Unusual Ute. Single cab...!

Prado.

Moved camp..

Just moved to another camp. All 15 blokes in Searipple Camp were advised that we were moving the next day. Rio Tinto decision...
We moved to "Gap Ridge Village". One of the largest camps in the Pilbara, 8km out of town.

Gap Ridge: Central Dry Mess. Wet Mess and Gym at either end.
Indoor Boot camp, Cycle and Boxing Gym on the left.
 4 Basketball, tennis and soccer courts. Security gates
and on-camp Medics.

It has 2100 beds. Built 5 years ago for $212 Million and is so large that it has 3 separate gyms and 2 Wet Messes. It is very organised and a little sterile but comfortable and clean with Category 4 rated Dongas. There are many rules here and we have to tolerate a 15 minute video/induction before signing a document agreeing to all the terms and conditions. There are "Golden rules" which cannot be broken. No fighting, no explosives and yep, urinating and defecating in public. There would have been a reason behind this rule being included. Charming.... Usual rules in the Food Mess. Minimum dress standard is thongs, and a shirt with sleeves. Anyway, the food is fresher and appetising. Packing up to move in 2 hours was challenging but I have settled in. I need to cull some stuff in case I need to pack up quickly. I am close to the Laundry, Gym and Wet Mess. What more can I want....
In the FIFO world there is something called "erms". Electronic Recruitment Management System..
It is a blacklist that all companies and accommodation suppliers use. If you muck up especially in camp, you will be blacklisted and not be able to get accommodation. All FIFO workers need accommodation.. So we are warned by our respective employers to not muck up as they cannot save us once we are listed...

My New Donga

 

4 Dongas in 1 Cabin. Another cabin behind.


 

Out door Wet Mess. Under cover with
Big fans and Plasmas playing sport.

My desk.

My bed. Door is open to the ensuite
Toilet is 2 steps from the bed. Perfect

Typical Laundry. Plenty of machines.