Outback - 6. OB Chapter 6

We have to be very self-sufficient; the station has wind and solar generators for power with backup diesel generators when required. Additionally, we grow a lot of our own fruit and vegetables. We have dairy cows, goats and chickens (we call them chooks). We even have wild camels! My daily routine consists of very early morning starts, mostly at 5am, after feeding the animals including horses. I have breakfast and start school at 7am.

School on a cattle station is called 'School of the Air', because like other station children like me, we speak to a teacher by two-way radio, plus we use the fax and now internet do all our school work, it’s also known as home schooling. At noon, we have finished our school for the day. After lunch we have all afternoon to play or in my case to work on the station. I have always been very good with school and have spent the last three years doing a part time college diploma.

Recently my adopted father died from a car crash, my adopted mother was injured but she recovered, and recently returned to the station. For the past 6 months, I have been running the station mostly on my own with some assistance from the senior stockman and his wife, and my adopted mum, is very proud of what I have achieved in that time. I guess you are wondering who that young man was that made your mother faint in the café today. Why not go to the front window and see what’s out there......"

Natalia was laughing when she heard the last bit, Bas folded the letter and along with a recent photograph of him standing beside the Ute parked outside the homestead, with a dog on the back tray, and a horse standing next to him. He handed them to Natalia, who smiled and giving Bryce a huge hug, before leading the way outside, where a little car stood waiting. Natalia stopped at the farm boundary and Bryce stepped out, saying, “I’ll walk to the house from here.”

“It should take you about twenty minutes. Since it will be dark soon, I suggest staying on the driveway,” waving bye, she finished her drive home. Once in the house, Natalia announced to the children, “Children, I have another letter from Australia.”

The children cheered, “Read it now, mum,” Marcus’ voiced over the rest. “Children, children, set the table for dinner, then sit. I’ll put the kettle on for a cup of tea.” She laughed. The kids set out the plates and cutlery for dinner, while their mother puttered about the kitchen, putting the final touches on the dinner.

“Mum,” Christine urged “Dinner is almost done. Ten minutes at most. Come sit and read us the letter, please.” The last bit coming out a bit whiney. The rest of the children impatiently nodding in agreement.

After about ten minutes, Natalia, peeking out the window, turning on the porch light, and seeing that Bryce was approaching, “ok Children, let us see what big brother Bryce has to say,” she said, sitting down.

Natalia opened the letter, showed them the picture of Bryce, and then began reading. The three younger children giggled when they were referred as munchkins, while the older two groaned in protest. When Natalia came to the last sentence in the letter, all five children looked confused, Natalia laughed again, saying, “Why don’t you do what the letter says?”

Natalia silently directed Marcus to go to the front door. Nadia, peeking out the window, “That young man from the café is on our front porch, and he looks like the man in the photograph.” She said in a stage whisper.

When she said that, Marcus realised who was standing outside, and he quickly opened the door, to see Bryce standing there with a hand ready to knock, "Hello young man, you must be Marcus" Bas grinned, saying clearly in English, moving his hand in position to shake hands.

Marcus just rushed towards him, wrapping his arms around Bas’ waist, "Hello big brother, nice to meet you" he replied. Then grabbed his hand, dragging him inside, where the rest of the family was waiting. Bas was mobbed and knocked over from the sudden group hug.

Eventually Natalia told everyone, “Children, let Bryce up,” motioning them up. Once back on his feet, Natalia introduced Bas to each one, “My second oldest, Christine,” she, looking very much like her mother, gave Bryce a light hug then backed off.

“Next is Marcus,” Giving his brother another long embrace, telling him, “It’s so good to have an older brother. “Next are the twins - Amos and Jonah.” Both giving Bas a hug at the same time, “We are happy,” Amos started “To have an extra brother,” Jonah finished for the pair. Bas was a bit startled by the twin speech.

Everyone giggled at his expression, “They do that frequently. And finally, my youngest, Nadia,” who runs up to Bryce and gives him a squeeze, before hiding behind her sister. Christine chuckled. “Nadia is shy with new people.” After dinner, Bryce announced “I will return to his hotel, but I will see you all tomorrow, at church.”

Marcus was very upset and begged, “I want to stay over at the hotel with you. Bryce sadly replied, “Marcus, I’m sorry, but I need some rest from all the traveling but, I promise to spend time with each of you, during his stay.”

Natalia drove Bryce back to his hotel, said good night and drove back home. The next day the whole family sat together, with Marcus squeezed close on one side and Christine snuggled on the other. The minister smiled when he saw this, and continued with the service in German.

Near the end of the service the minister announced that as Natalia Murchison and her family are much loved members of the church, he wanted to welcome Natalia's oldest, son Bryce who has come all the way from Australia, to meet and be with his family. Everyone applauded, and turned to see who the minister was referring too.

At the end of the service, Bryce greeted most of the people that were in the church. He had sore hands from all the handshakes and sore ribs from all the hugs that he received. Once back at the house, the family had a light lunch, and once again Marcus sat next to his big brother.

While eating lunch Bryce asks, “How are things are going with the farm?” She apprised Bryce, “I suffer from arthritis, so I depend on the children great deal, but we’re just keeping ahead with living costs. Speaking of relying on children, could manage the farm and house for a day tomorrow? I have a number of doctor appointments to look at my arthritis condition.”

Bryce said, “I would be honoured to do that, I’ll just go back to the hotel for some overnight gear so I can stay night at the farm house,” Natalia interrupted, “I insist you check out of the hotel and stay with us? You can share a room with Marcus.” Marcus jumped in with. “That is a great idea!”

Natalia drove him to the hotel and back. When they arrived back at the farm house, Marcus showed his big brother the bedroom he would be sharing. The bedroom was fairly small, with twin bunk beds, a desk with chair, dresser and a wardrobe. Marcus said. “I sleep on the top bed, mum told me to make the bottom bed up for our “special guest.”

After settling in, changing into to work clothes, Marcus and Christine showed their big brother around the farm, describing the daily chores that are to be completed. In the mid afternoon, after a cup of tea and biscuit, Bryce said, “I suggest we start the evening chores, so we can relax more this evening.”

Without hesitation, both Christine and Marcus agreed, which a surprised Natalia said, “It is difficult at times, to get them motivated for chores.” In less than two hours all the chores where completed, and they could smell the evening meal cooking as they approached the house. Natalia prompted, “You children go have your showers before dinner.”

Bryce said, “Christine ladies first.” Smiling, “Thanks, big brother,” stopping to hug him as she went off to the bathroom.

Once she was finished Marcus had a shower. Bryce assisted with setting the table, and then he went to Marcus' room, to get ready for his shower. After a bit, Marcus walked in with just a towel around his waist, he closed the door and dropped the towel on the floor, not caring that his older brother saw him naked. With the beginnings of puberty clearly visible, as he found his boxer shorts, tee shirt and a pair of cargo shorts to wear. Before Marcus had finished dressing Bryce had made his way to the bathroom to shower and change.

During dinner, the twins asked, “Bas, tell us more,” from Amos and Jonah continued “About the farm you live on.” Bas responded, “First it’s called a station, not a farm. Recently, I purchased the 4 neighbouring properties, making the station now 6.4 million acres in size, of mostly beef cattle farm, with lots and lots of space, and easy to get lost in.”

After dinner, Bryce helped Christine and Marcus straighten up after dinner, while Natalia went to supervise the younger kids with their showers. Afterwards, the three younger munchkins demanded a story before bed, so Bryce made one up about a faraway land called Kanga-bunny. At this faraway place was a huge farm a long, long way from the nearest town, and..... By the time the story was over, the three younger siblings were almost asleep, “off to bed with you lot” Bryce said.

The next morning, Bryce was woken by twin little terrors jumping on his bed, climbing all over him, giggling and wrestling amongst each other. Marcus told them to get out so they could get dressed. Bryce slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom, grabbing his toiletry bag and trousers as he passed the desk. Once refreshed, Bryce made his way to the kitchen, where a hot cup of tea was waiting for him.

After the cuppa, he followed Christine and Marcus out the front door to do the morning chores before breakfast. Natalia served a nice full cooked breakfast for all, before getting ready to go into town for her appointments. Bryce supervised the younger three doing the dishes, while Christine and Marcus prepared for the full day of farm work. At lunch time Christine and Nadia prepare meat and salad sandwiches. Bryce asked, “While the older two and I are out in the paddocks, the three of you” looking at the younger children, “Please, tidy your bedrooms, sweep and mop the hard floors, and vacuum the lounge room floor.”

After a chorus of yeses, they all set out to do their respective chores. About mid-afternoon, all three munchkins came running up the paddock, tears in their eyes and puffed out from running so far from the house. Eventually Bryce got them to calm down enough to learn that they answered the telephone when it rang and it was the hospital saying their mother was sick. Bryce piggy-backed one of the twins and Marcus the other, while Christine carried Nadia, as they hurried back to the house.

Bryce insisted that everyone go to the loo, wash their hands and faces and change into some clean casual clothes, asking Christine to call for a taxi to collect them. Once at the hospital, Bryce found out that their mother was in intensive care after having a mild heart attack. He managed to speak to the attending doctor, to find out how bad it is. He persuaded the doctor to let him visit her for a few minutes.

When he saw her attached to a number of machines he gasped loudly, this brought his mother out of a doze. He reassured her that the others where fine and are outside in the hall but not allowed to see her. Bryce told her that the doctor explained to him that she had to have complete rest for three months, but she would be out of hospital in a week at the most.

Bryce suggested that he take her and the children back to Australia to live, where she can be looked after. She would not have to worry about anything. He was well off financially and could look after them all. Natalia smiled and drifted off to sleep.

Over the next few days, Bryce visited his mother in hospital, and when she was feeling significantly better after three days’ rest, she told Bryce that she would like to return to Australia, so go ahead and start plans to sell the farm and travel to Australia. The following day Bryce brought all his siblings with him for their first visit since their mother entered hospital.

Natalia was so happy to see them all. She announced to them that they will soon be selling the farm and moving to Australia to live with Bryce on the big cattle station. Christine was not sure about this news, but the others were thrilled, especially after hearing the bed time stories.

Two days later Bryce collected their mother from hospital and they went to a real estate agent to begin proceedings to sell the farm. Next, they collected application forms for passports for Christine and Marcus, while the others would travel on their mother’s passport.

Back at home Christine helped their mother to settle in bed, to get some rest, while the younger four were outside doing evening chores, which Marcus and Christine had been teaching them to do, saying that when they are on the station they would have to do chores every day.

Over the next few days, Marcus had everyone into a routine of farm duties. While they were doing the chores, Bryce was busy organising the big journey. Already there was keen interest to buy the farm as a walk in, walk out, meaning the farm complete with all stock and machinery, plus most of the furniture in the house.

The passport applications had been completed and sent off. Bryce had been in contact with the Australian embassy regarding visas and applications for permanent residency, for his mother, a former resident, and the five children. Bryce and the family were just waiting on approval notifications.

The children had been told to select a small number of toys and favourite belongings to take to Australia. A sturdy plastic container was issued to each child to place their favourite belongings in, these were sealed and sent ahead while the rest would be donated to charity.

Bryce bought suitcases for everyone to pack all their clothes they were taking. Due to the different climate in Australia, all winter clothing would be given to charity just before they left. Christine helped their mother to pack all of her precious belongings, including antiques, and precious inherited items from previous generations of the family, and they, too, were sent ahead.