Friday got up at 6!! We collected everyone and by about 7.30 we were heading down the freeway toward St George. I got my wish this weekend - the 2 other girls with me both have children and both of them came with us. I used the journey down to pick their brains about the whole process. It seems that you never know how it is going to go it's an adventure. I did get some pretty maternal feelings as the weekend went on but it was a rocky start.

By about midday we were on the outskirts of St George, I've driven past the place before on the way to Las Vegas. Once you get out of the city the scenery is stunning, but the city is a dump. Like a bad rip-off of Las Vegas without the casinos and Florida with all the old dudes and none of the partying plus the fact it was Spring Break and Easter weekend - reminded me of the M25 on a friday afternoon.

After lunch we hooked up with the others and went out to a couple of sites. It poured with rain the whole time and we got soaked - plus I got bitten by a barb-wire fence!

We've decided we'll go home Saturday afternoon rather than Sunday as the rest of the team are finishing their survey and heading back on Saturday.

Back at the hotel we had a swim and then ordered some pizza and bought beer from the local Supermarket. Now came the fun bit. No bottle openers, and the beers weren't twist-offs. We collectively cursed the mormons and began hunting for an alternative. I won't tell you what we used, but it worked!!

We called our other halves and only mine was happy we were coming back!

Saturday Met up for breakfast and headed into the desert. The patch we were surveying is State land and this means that you can encounter various hazards, from Tanks (!!) to He-men shooting dirt (what the heck??) to Off Road Vehicles. I found one population nestled inside a tank track (yeah that's going to survive!) I was pretty chuffed 'cos I'm not a botanist but I found 3 populations of this endangered species. Then from staring at my feet with a bunch of flags in one hand we were static for the next few hours on the journey home. Waved the others off and then went for a slap-up meal at Denny's (my hubbie knows how to show a girl a good time - but hey it's cheap and there's always plenty of privacy) Was really glad to be snuggled up in my own bed that night

Sunday Got up early - again!! Put on my biker gear and we were off. 5 People on three motorbikes (2, 2 and 1) We rode about 150 miles. What amazes me is the fact that you can see cloud shadows on the mountains and fields are you ride past. That never happens in England!

Ended up in Tooele (Two-wil-la) (I called it Tooley for the first 3 months we were here) Had lunch at Jim's Family Restaurant (yummy) and then rode home. My knees then got even more abuse as I weeded out yet more dandelions in the front garden. In the evening we watched the Grand Prix (Imola) Good race. We also had Easter Eggs, that himself brought from the English Store in town. He got a flake Egg which I coveted and I got a Malteasers Egg which was bigger than his so I could bargain for a bit of flake (god that tasted good!!)

So now it's Monday and I've got the car. Parked at the visitor centre and walked down. Better than having to rush out every hour to feed the meter. I was early (as usual) no sign of my friend and the guy I came to meet with was late but only 10 minutes or so. Then we couldn't get the damn computer to boot up. Server problems so no dice today. Am going to meet with him again tomorrow and hopefully I can see what I'm going to be doing.

Have arranged with my friend H to go for a walk this week either Thurs am or Fri pm. Was hoping to hear from my student but no sign of her so I've left a message on her machine.