Bon Voyage John,

A rather melancholy feeling descends over Dammam as John has resigned and is leaving the Land of Sand. Saturday he boards the Saptco bus to Bahrain then fly's off to Melbourne via Abu Dhabi.

John has been the strength for a lot of us here. His Irish wit will be hard to top. He was the guide I needed on Day 2 after the meet and greet people dumped me on the door step of housing.

John introduced us to other Expats communities and helped build a social life. His acute understanding of the ways of shopping and his unique letter writing ability to get things changing. He holds the record for being introduced to the highest ranking executive at IABFH.

John was also the centre of entertainment with his guitar playing until 2 am, and around the pool to more social hours.

Other great accomplishments are his ability to wheedle SAR10,000 out of HR for compensation for poor living conditions, a fake Rolex from the Souk as part of a hair cut deal, the ever persistent search for Bose speakers for his computer and how can we forget the continuing up sizing of coffee mugs in his flat.

From all of us here, Good Luck in the outback with your job in, and out, of Alice Springs. If you get lonely think of us here doing laps with the locals in Abayas and joggers at Dhahran Mall, or dashing for Costa and Appleby's 5 times a day, trying to avoid the 'turbo lane' in a taxi, and punting the spontaneous canals created in bathrooms throughout the day. But we are sure you will have the time of your life and see your family. Keep in touch

You will be missed