As our visit to Nhulunbuy drew to an end, we started to pack up to leave. I finished relief teaching at the local school and we went shopping for supplies we’d need on the track. There aren’t that many shops in town – there’s mainly Woolworths, the newsagent, chemist, tackle shop and butcher.

But there was still fun to be had. Kyran insisted I have a go on his quad bike. I didn’t go very far, mainly because Skylar kept running in front of me .

We still walked the beaches with Tommy and Skylar although the stingers had moved in and we kept further away from water.

Gove Airport had an open day and John, Kyran, Tommy and I went along. They had a couple of small aeroplanes open for us to check out. They also demonstrated how they load patients on stretchers into the plane as part of Care Flight which services the small aboriginal communities in the Top End and is responsible for transferring patients from Gove Hospital to Darwin. It was a really interesting morning. Tommy had fun making paper aeroplanes, then we finished off by having a hot doģ and cold drink to support their cause.

Glen called around the day before we left to tell us the best spots to visit in Lichfield and Kakadu as that’s where we are off to next and he and his family had just come back. Later on Sam, Drew, Talei and Lincoln arrived, followed by Matty, Kylie, Evie and Billy. We ordered pizzas, lit a campfire and had a few drinks to say au revoir. It was a lovely way to end a fantastic stay in Nhulunbuy and typical of Kyran, Vanessa and their friends who have all been so generous with their time and their knowledge since we arrived at the beginning of July.

We left the next morning amidst cuddles and kisses from Tommy. We were excited to head off to new places but so sad to leave Kyran, Vanessa and Tommy, who have been wonderful hosts.