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Ok so I am finally getting around to writing a blog. I have been meaning to do it for a while but it just hasn't happened. It hasn't helped that we have been having a few stormy days lately - I have never seen such strong winds- so the internet has been down. I have loved the rain though as it makes everything smell so nice.

Well firstly I am very pleased to report that Mr Moo is doing very well- he is certainly going to be a big fat cheeky bull and if all goes to plan star of the Kings Creek Station Stock Camp Show. He is now living down I the stock camp yard next to the horses where he likes to laze around and hide in the bushes, but at night he has to be lead from th yard to his little cage by the girls house- this is so the dingos don't get him. He is a clever little b***** and knows that at night he is going to his cage so quite often refuses to move an inch and stands firm right in the middle of the road, normally just as a tour bus arrives. As you know I am not an animal person and it is for reason such as this, and him deciding to poo all over the front path to the shop that I can say I will not be buying a cow when I return home. That said I do have a very strong motherly connection to my little cow and will be very worried about him when I leave.

So life on the station, well the girls have left. The leaving party was really good fun, I won the fancy dress J. It was nice to have everyone together that night to watch the Australian Story documentary that was being screened on TV which was all about the Station and the Conways. For those who are interested you can watch the documentary online, just go to ABC Australia and then to Australian Story and it will be there. When the girls left we had a week lapse before the new staff arrived. During this week we were busy which was good as the days went quickly but meant we were all a bit warn out. The new guys have arrived are all really nice and I think they will be a good crew but I feel a bit reluctant to get to know them that well as I leave in just a few days.

I have had two really cool nights this week. Firstly on Tuesday I went for a ride with the Head Yardie Chris just as he did his nightly bore checks. For ages I have been saying that I wanted to see more of the station than just the tank hill, so as he saw me lazing around that night he dragged me along with him which I really appreciate as I am sure I slowed him down heaps. Anyway he let me ride down the middle of the airstrip on my quad which was cool and I felt like one of the trucks of that stupid Cadburys chocolate advert where the little trucks drive along. Then we went out to the stock yards to check the bore there which was good as hiding there was Milo and his mummy. Milo looked so healthy and it was nice to see him and his Mother together for myself. The highlight however was as we rode back. The sun was setting and it was a beautiful sunset, and as we drove along I looked to my side and saw four wild camels trotting along it was a bit of a " far out" moment.

Then the next night Gus ( a yeardie who leaves on Sunday) and I were invited to dinner at the Wilderness lodge. This is a more exclusive outback experience that is on the Kings Creek Property. It offers safari cabins to those travellers lucky enough to afford the £200.00 a night cost. There are only a few of the cabins so it's a very small place. Anyway we get on well with the few staff there and so were invited over for dinner. You have no idea what a treat this was, we had a four course dinner including barramundi and my favourite pudding ever ( poached pear and figs) for just a £5.00 and it was delicious. I had such a nice relaxing evening not even the huge lightening storm could spoil it.

So now I just have one full day of work remaining. It is hard to say how I feel, I have really enjoyed my time here especially the last month or so.I have learnt so much and experienced so many things that I would otherwise never have, but I think it is time to go. It has been an absolute honour to work and help the Conway family who really are doing wonders for the people up here and I am sad to leave them behind. I had been worried that these last few weeks would drag and I would be counting the days to leave but instead the opposite has happened and if I was told I had to stay another month I would happily do so.One thing I know is that I will always look upon my time here fondly and will never forget it.

2 days later……

I am now on the bus back to Alice Springs after having the usual farewell ceremony., I feel much more scared about leaving than I did about coming out here. Its odd because for the last 3 months or so I have known nothing about the outside world- I am sure nothing has changed but it is is a very uneasy feeling. Last night I kept waking up and I was really filled with sadness to think I would be leaving, the last few weeks have been some of the best of my life I have been very happy. Honestly if I hadn't already got flights booked to Adelaide I would have stayed- who knows I may come back…. Watch out Symon.

As a farewell the other night Simon invited everyone over to his house for a BBQ which was amazing… my tummy was very happy. It was so relaxed and just sitting and chatting to everyone was a perfect way to end my time here.

I will never forget the time I spent at Kings Creek and the people I met here, by the way I will put up a mass of pictures tonight when I get to Annies Hostel in Alice. Here I plan to meet Gus and go for 5 dollar food followed by a marathon internet session. Then tomorrow home to Adelaide for tim tam time with Mel and Mark J