Well I am now at the end of my first week on Kings Creek Station and so far things are going well.

I need to explain what's going on ( for those who don't already know). Basically when I returned to Adelaide I found out that my job in the Lipson St Café was gone, as the café unfortunately was having to close down. It was such a shame, because I had just got settled in the café and was really enjoying it, also the news couldn't have come at a worse time as I has hoped to get some serious work done in the coming months in order to re-coup my rather sad bank balance. Never mind as Sarah said everything happens for a reason. I did spend a week or so trying to find another job in Adelaide, but when I found myself applying for jobs I didn't even want I had to question myself. I decided that there was no point me just staying in Adelaide and working in a job that a) I could do back in the UK and b) I wouldn't be happy doing. The sad truth is that despite Adelaide still being my favourite City in Australia, and that I loved living with Mark and Mel, it was time to leave.

I got my idea to come and work here, when I travelled through on my Alice Springs tour a few weeks ago. I had spoken on the tour to a few people who had done some amazing things with their gap years, and I felt a bit jealous that I hadn't done anything out of the ordinary. Don't get me wrong I think that what I have done had helped me to change in so many positive ways and I have had amazing experiences, but I hadn't done anything truly Aussie. So I basically wrote to Kings Creek and asked about any jobs, then about 24hours later I am booked on a flight back up to Alice Springs from where I would hitch a ride to the station and start work immediately. It was all a bit rushed which is good because I didn't have a huge amount of time to question what I was doing. I did have a few moments of panic however, especially as I lay in my hostel in Alice Springs the night before being picked up- this wasn't helped by the mega snorer in my room. My biggest worry was that I would be unhappy out here. It is so isolated, you have no mobile phone signal, the mail comes just once a week by plane etc. It is actually so lovely when the mail does come everyone gets so excited, I feel like I am back in the twentys or something like one of the war women waiting for news from the war. anyway I think if I was unhappy it would be awful, but fortunately so far all is going well.

The station in a working station about 3 hours from Alice Springs, just 40km from Kings Canyon. It is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, relies on generators for electricity and uses bore water. The most difficult thing for me was the lack of mobile phone signal, and only temporary internet access ahh. .If you want to have a look then google the station. I went to the "Stock Camp" show yesterday and found out a lot about the station so I will now bore you all with it. Basically it is owned by Ian and Lyn Conway, who built the station from scratch. Its amazing really to think they moved out here with their children ( who now run the station) to an area where they literally had nothing, no water, electricity not even a roof over there head. Ian was inspired to do this by his ancestors who were some of the first cattle men to venture into the NT. From just a small hut the station grew to what it is today.Anyway the station is still a working one, in fact they are mustering camels this week, but is also a very thriving homestead where many visitors come to camp, take tours on quad bikes, helicopters or camels or just re fuel.. There have been heaps of documentaries madeabout the place, including one by Michael Palin in fact I think another doco is being made this week. Not only did Ian and Lynn build a successful business they are also heavily involved in helping the local Aboriginal communities who regularly come down to the station. They have set up a charity called Conways Kids which basically works to send local aboriginal children to schools where they can achieve a higher standard of education than their ancestors.- I have to say the Conway's are really inspiring, hard working people. This week is particularly exciting because they are actually out mustering cattle - which is a big thing out here. We now have about 20 cowboys ( hats and all) who all go out in the morning onto the ranch, we also have a film crew here filming so we are all busy. It is exciting to be part of something like that even if I only make sure they get nice pies for lunch J

Anyway my role on the station is basically in the café and gift shop, and although the work is very tiring and long hours ( especially when it is busy as it is just now) I am enjoying it.The people I work with are all lovely, and make you feel very welcome. The job definitely has its perks though. For example on my day off this week, I jumped along with Helicopter Max for a 30min helicopter ride over Kings Canyon which was amazing, and something I never thought I would do.

There are about 20 staff, some of whom have been year a few years there is a real camaraderie between all the staff and everyone helps out doing everything which is great. We all live in what is like a staff village with people having little houses. I am in the girls house, which is basically where the temporary female staff live. The house is big, and had a tv and dvd player ( no dvds though). I have my own little room which is my little sanctuary now. Most evening we all knock off between 6-8pm depending on the day, and all have dinner, which is surprisingly good ( I didn't thinking I would get prawns etc in the middle of the outback). Speaking of food, everything we buy comes in once a week on a huge truck from Alice Springs, it is so odd not being able to just pop to the shop for milk etc. Also I forgot to mention that the café prides itself on our camel meat, which I have tried and can confirm is very nice and really good for you. Anyway most evenings there is usually something going on maybe a dvd being watched/ few drink etc and so there is always company. However to be honest a lot of the time people are tired and so I haven't got to know everybody too well yet, but there is plenty of time for that. It is a bit frustrating because last night there seems to have been a bit of a social gathering in one of the houses, but I was sleeping - SODS LAW again coming into play on my social life.

So basically so far so good. I think as the weeks go on it will get easier in some ways, as I will feel more part of the crowd and get into a little routine. However I think that as the novelty of helicopter rides wears off I may get a bit restless and my days off may drag. However it is definitely one of the best experiences I think I could have out here, I am learning lots every day, and the opportunity to live in such isolation in real ranch man territory is amazing. Not just that but I am also learning every day about Aboriginal culture, first hand which is something I would never have has the opportunity to do.

Anyway I will keep you posted when I can.

Love to all xxxxxx

PS I spell checked this so hopefully it will contain fewer mistakes. J