Saturday, 30 January 2010

Sunday, 31st January 2010 - Laundrette

So today's shift was also canceled. I had expected as much. Shame though, Sundays on ICU are $80 per hour and it is an 11 ½ hour shift. So I think they have to pretty short staffed before they are going to pay that out for agency nursing staff. But I took the opportunity to catch up with some chores. Like laundry. I didn't want to use th laundrette facility at the hostel because last time left everything bobbles.

So I went to the laundrette at the end of the road. Anyway, why am I telling you this boring it of information, well because I though it was funny. You may travel to the opposite side of the world, but the people who use laundrettes are still really weird.

Saturday, 30th January 2010 - D&G

So my last pair of D&G sunglasses have done well. But in Cairns they pretty much died. But they had a fair innings and certainly worth there money. Well Since Cairns I have been looking for a new pair of sunnies. Now a few weeks ago Fraser found my much loved Prada sunnies and they are being sent out to me. But today I found the perfect pair of sunnies. I saw them, loved them, tried them on and thy fit great, so bought them. I manged to get 10% knocked off the asking price, so they cost me $250. Thats about £125. But they are definitely worth it.

They are a lot more fragile than my previous pairs. So I am going to have to take great care with them.

Saturday, 30th January 2010 - Surfer's Paradise

Matt (Plumber) suggested we goto the beach. So we all jumped into his Yute. (Yute: a car with an open boot in the back, hybrid between a car and a van). So we drove the 45 minute journey along some cazy stretch of highway to the coast. We passed all the major attraction parks on the way. Wet'n'Wild looked absolutely amazing.

Sadly it was a bit of a gloom day in the whole of Queensland. There was some rain and winds. For a short while we was all actually a little cold. But the weather soon passed and it was ok. Ok enough for us to venture onto the beach.

They were filming for an Australian TV documentary 'Bondi life Savers'. Although there was no one being saved while we was there. We only had time for about an hour at the beach because we had to get back to Brisbane as Matt was working.

Surfer's Paradise looks more like it belongs in Miami than Australia. But it looks 'heaps' of fun. Going back on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Thursday, 28th January 2010 - Happy Birthday David!

Thursday, 28th January 2010 - Day off

So I was supposed to be back on the ICU at Prince Charles but it was canceled. I was rather thankful however. Tomorrow is supposed to be stormy and today was really nice. So I got up early and decided to go into town for some retail therapy. After all it is pay day. Then headed to the South Bank to soak up the sun by the Lagoon.

I was planning of going for a swim, but I wanted to buy some new board shorts, but i could not find any, so I had to make do with just dipping my feet.

Wednesday, 27 January 2010

Wednesday, 27th January 2010 - Breach of Contract!




So after a hard days work, saving lives on the ICU at the Prince Charles I get home. What do i find posted under my door? A breach of contract note. Yeah thats right! The miserable woman, aka Sue, who is out land lady has accused of being in breach of contract for having a party with 'excess noise and mess'. Now everyone in the house went to the 'party' and we have tidied the mess up. She is such a miserable thing.


I think she thinks she is running some kind of Roman Catholic Nunnery or something, it is ridiculous. Anyway, there is no permanent damage done. Hopefully we will get no more notes posted under our doors.

Tuesday, 26th January - Australia day (Reference)



Australia Day (previously known as Anniversary Day, Foundation Day and ANA Day), and also referred to as Invasion Day by several groups within Australian society, is the official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, the day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, the hoisting of the British flag there, and the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia.


Australia Day is an official public holiday in every state and territory of Australia, and is marked by the Order of Australia and Australian of the Year awards, along with an address from the Prime Minister.


Although it was not known as Australia Day until over a century later, records of celebrations on 26 January date back to 1808, with Governor Lachlan Macquarie having held the first official celebration of the formation of New South Wales in 1818. In 2004, an estimated 7.5 million people attended Australia Day celebrations and functions across the country.


Australia Day is seen as controversial by some Australians, who see it as a celebration of the destruction of Indigenous culture by British colonialism. There have been significant protests from and on behalf of the Indigenous Australian community, including, since 1988, "Invasion Day" protests. In light of these concerns, proposals to change the date of Australia Day have been made. As the date also marks the anniversary of the Rum Rebellion in 1808, Australia Day may be viewed as a commemoration of the only military coup in Australian history.  This last view parallels a sort of Independence Day.


Since 1988 participation in Australia Day has increased and in 1994 all States and Territories began to celebrate a unified public holiday on the actual day for the first time.  Civic celebrations such as the Order of Australia awards are a feature of the day around the country, and parades are common.  The Australia Day Achievement Medallion is awarded to citizens based on excellence in both government and non-government organisations. Air Force aerial displays are held in some capital cities, and firework displays occur each year in many Australian cities and towns. In Sydney, races are held, such as a ferry race, tall ships race and a surfing race across the harbour. Citizenship ceremonies are also commonly held on Australia Day. The Prime Minister also makes an address to the nation.


On the eve of Australia Day each year, the Prime Minister announces the winner of the Australian of the Year award, presented to an Australian citizen who has shown a "significant contribution to the Australian community and nation", and is an "inspirational role model for the Australian community". Subcategories of the award include Young and Senior Australian of the Year, and an award for Australia's Local Hero.

Various music festivals are held on Australia Day, such as the Big Day Out, the Triple J Hottest 100, and the Australia Day Live Concert. In the last ten years, a One Day International cricket match in the Australian Tri-Series has been held on Australia Day at the Adelaide Oval. Prior to that, a Test match usually started at the Adelaide Oval on Australia Day.

Tuesday, 26th January 2010 - Australia Day




So I woke up about 11 am, I need a big fat sleep in after all the shifts I have been pulling over the last week. Not that I am complaining, need the money. Emma was over and so was Matt, Katy's new man. We don't call him Matt though, 'cos that would be confusing, he is referred to as plumber. Jack and Claire join in some morning beers.


After a few we drive over to Emma's sisters, and say 'hi' to the kids who are playing in the pool. Then we head back for BBQ and more beers. We have a fair few beers and after a few party games I pass out in bed. Happy Australia day.

Monday, 18th January 2010 - Queenslander architecture



Queenslander (or Old Queenslander) architecture is an architectural style common throughout Queensland, Australia. It is also found in the northern parts of the adjacent state of New South Wales. The style was common from the 1840s through to the 1960s and used mainly for residential construction, although some commercial edifices such as hotels were also built in the similar Victorian Filigree style, found throughout Australia.

Queenslander buildings are identifiable by large verandahs and large double doors which open onto these verandahs. They are typically raised on vertical "stumps," made of timber or concrete. The use of timber stumps was banned in the mid 1950s and any replacements must now be steel or concrete. The stumps served two purposes, firstly to elevate the houses for ventilation and secondly to protect them from floodwaters, as well as termites and other pests. Queenslanders are always constructed of mostly wood, although some are restored with prefabricated plastic cladding. In the days before air-conditioning, it was designed to increase air-flow throughout the house by way of large doors and windows, which lined up internally. This is so that the air literally passes through the house, rather than entering through one window and stagnating in the room. Roofs are generally made of corrugated iron or tin, and external walls are sided with timber, often painted in mild pastel colours. Raising the house on stumps meant the under floor area could be used for an old form of refrigeration. A net would hang from under the house, away from the sun, drenched in water. Meats and milk could be stored there for short periods of time (up to a day or two) and kept relatively cool. Floors are generally wooden throughout the house, as is the rest of the construction. Windows are often louvred to allow for air circulation during Queensland's frequent rainstorms, frosted to diffuse and soften the harsh tropical sunlight, or both. Commercial buildings and houses built by wealthier people often feature elaborate wrought iron ornamentation such as balustrades.



Typically, this design is most suited to the sub-tropical climate of Queensland, an area with average temperatures in the range of 23-36 degrees Celsius, although it is not uncommon for the temperature to be much higher in the Summer.

Monday, 18th January 2010 - New House



So today I moved from the hostel to the shared house. Reunited again. The house is nice. It is quieter and cooler than the hostel. It has an American type fridge as well that i love. It is a Queenslander house. My room is nice. The fan is not raelly that effective so I am still using the on I bought for the place in Sherwood. We share the house with an Irish couple Jack and Claire who are really nice. Claire never stops swearin though and they drink like fish. But they are a good laugh. And Julia, a German, but we will let her off. LOL.

Friday, 15 January 2010

Saturday, 16th January 2010 - The Backpacker Murders



The Backpacker Murders is a name given to serial killings that occurred in New South Wales, Australia during the 1990s. The bodies of seven missing young people were discovered partly buried in the Belanglo State Forest, 15 kilometres south west of the town of Berrima, New South Wales. Five of the victims were international backpackers visiting Australia, and two were Australian travellers from Melbourne. Ivan Milat was convicted of the murders and is serving seven consecutive life sentences plus 18 years.

The term Backpacker murders specifically refers to the seven murders for which Ivan Milat was convicted. There is speculation that he may not have been alone when committing the murders, and that he could have committed up to a total of thirty-seven murders; if the latter is proven, Milat would become the most prolific killer in Australian history (ahead of Martin Bryant, who shot dead 35 people in the Port Arthur Massacre) and one of the most prolific serial killers ever.


The events depicted in the 2005 Australian horror film Wolf Creek were loosely based upon his crimes

Saturday, 16th January - Wolf Creek (2005)


Two English tourists, Liz Hunter (Magrath) and Kristy Earl (Morassi), meet with an Australian man, Ben Mitchell (Phillips), at a party, and they decide to spend the rest of their holiday with him. The young trio plans to drive to Wolf Creek, a large crater formed by a 50000 ton meteorite, and explore the area.

Upon returning to their car after hiking down to the crater, the group discovers that the car won't start and, unable to discover the problem, prepare themselves to sit out the night. After dark, a "Crocodile Dundee"-like character named Mick Taylor (John Jarratt) comes upon them and offers to show them to his camp to repair the car. The group allows Mick to take them to his place, a spot which is apparently an abandoned mining site. Mick regales them with tall stories of his past while making a show of fixing the car. His manner unsettles Liz and Kristy, although Ben is less impressed.

Liz awakens to find herself tied up in a shed late the next afternoon. She manages to escape and as night falls she discovers Mick torturing Kristy by shooting at her, tormenting her and sexually abusing her. She sets the group's car alight to cause a distraction and, as Mick is busy putting out the fire, goes to help Kristy. Liz then attempts to shoot Mick with one of his own guns, but the bullet merely grazes his neck and leaves him unconscious. The women flee the camp with Mick's truck, as they do so the two realize he is alive after all. After narrowly avoiding Mick, who is now out searching for them, the women return to the camp to steal another car. Liz leaves the hysterical Kristy outside the gates, telling her to escape on foot if she does not return in five minutes.

Liz enters a garage and discovers Mick's large stock of cars as well as an organized array of travellers’ possessions, including video cameras. She watches the playback on one of them and is horrified to see Mick "rescuing" other travellers stranded at Wolf Creek in almost identical circumstances to her own. She then picks up another camera which turns out to be Ben's. She gets into a car and attempts to start it but Mick shows up in the back seat, announces himself with a haunting chuckle, and stabs her through the driver's seat with a huge bowie knife. He then lops off the index finger, middle finger and ring finger on Liz's left hand in one swipe. While Liz slowly dies from blood loss, Mick uses the opportunity to sever her spinal cord in order to temporarily paralyze her to prevent her from escaping. He then tortures her into revealing the location of her surviving friends.

By dawn, Kristy has reached a tarred highway and is found by a passing motorist. He goes to grab a blanket from the boot but is distracted by a bullet hole in his flask, then he is subsequently shot dead (a bullet though the head/eye) from an impressive distance by Mick. Kristy attempts to escape in the motorist's car, but unfortunately for her the chase is short. The action now cuts to Ben, whose fate until now was not revealed. He awakens to find himself nailed to a mock crucifix in a mine shaft. He manages to extract himself and enters the camp in early daylight. From this it could be assumed that the scene is taking place at approximately the same time as Mick is away from the camp chasing Kristy, but the time line of the film is never clear. Ben escapes into the desert, eventually passing out beside a dirt road where he is rescued by two Swedish travelers and taken to safety.

Saturday, 16th January 2010 - The Story Bridge




The Story Bridge is a cantilever bridge spanning the Brisbane River. Part of Bradfield Highway, it connects Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. Before the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 the Government of Queensland asked John Bradfield to design a new bridge in Brisbane. The bridge is named for John Douglas Story.



A bridge downstream of the Victoria Bridge was part of a larger plan, devised by Professor Roger Hawken of the University of Queensland in the 1920s, for a series of bridges over the Brisbane River to alleviate congestion on Victoria Bridge and to divert traffic away from the Brisbane central business district. The William Jolly Bridge was the first of the Hawken Plan bridges to be constructed. Lack of funds precluded the construction of the downstream bridge at that time. Initially plans called for a transporter bridge further downstream near New Farm.



In 1926 Kangaroo Point was recommended by the Brisbane City Council's Cross River Commission.  Subsequently the bridge was constructed as a public works program during the Great Depression. A contract was awarded to Evans Deakin-Hornibrook Constructions Limited on 30 April 1935.  The cost was to be no more than ₤1.6 million.


Construction on the bridge began on 24 May 1935,  with the first sod being turned by the then Premier of Queensland, William Forgan Smith. Work sometimes continued 24 hours per day.  On the 28 October 1939 the gap between the two sides was closed.  Until it was completed the bridge was known as the Jubilee Bridge in honour of King George V.  It was opened on 6 July 1940 by Sir Leslie Orme Wilson, Governor of Queensland and named for John Douglas Story, a senior and influential public servant who had advocated strongly for the bridge's construction.

The design for the bridge was based heavily on that of the Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montreal, completed in 1930.  The Story Bridge features prominently in the annual Riverfire display and is illuminated at night. In 1990 road traffic was halted so pedestrians could celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bridge's construction.  Bridge climbs began in 2005 and are becoming a major tourist attraction.

Saturday, 16th January 2010- My walk over the Story Bridge


I went for a little walk this afternoon. The Story Bridge was calling me after we drove over it yesterday. So I thought I would just walk the 200 m from house to get some good shots of it. Well I did and then I thought why don't I walk ½ way across the bridge and get some good shots of the CDB. So I did. Then I decided to walk the whole length of the bridge, cross over and walk back again. It was a really nice walk and got some good view of the city. My feet was killing afterwards. So I decided to go back and chill and watch Wolf Creek from the DVD library in the house.

Saturday, 16th January 2010 - Lifeline Bookfest – The Biggest Secondhand Book Sale in the Universe



Considering the prices of books in Australia it is no surprise that a bookfest and second hand book sale is not only going to be popular but a great fund raising idea. Everyone in Australia reads. People are reading everywhere you look. On the train, buses, parks, Boats, blah blah blah. I certainly took advantage and got there pretty early. It was manic. Talk about overload. I managed get a few books though. Some more on Bill Bryson's books and another fictional read.

What: The universe’s largest second-hand book sale, now in its 20th year.
Why: The Lifeline Bookfest raises much-needed funds for Lifeline Brisbane's free 24-hour Crisis Counselling Telephone Line, free face-to-face counselling services, and support programs for women, children and families.

January 16th - 24th January 2010

Where: The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Merivale St, South Brisbane


Where the funds go
Apart from giving people the opportunity to grab a great book from as little as 20 cents, the Lifeline Bookfest also raises much-needed funds for Lifeline Brisbane's free counselling services.

From humble beginnings, the event now brings in around one-third of Lifeline Brisbane's self-funded income (the majority of profits coming from the sale of second-hand clothes in Lifeline Shops).

These funds help Lifeline Brisbane enhance the lives of children, families and individuals in our community by delivering relevant, accessible counselling and support programs. Some of the support services we provide are:

Telephone Counselling – 24 Hour Crisis Line, 13 11 14

Free face-to-face Counselling

School-based Counselling

Financial Counselling

Suicide Bereavement Programs

Child Therapy

Refugee support through the Refugee Claimant Support Centre

Domestic Violence groups for women and children

History
To space and back…

For 20 years, human bargain hunters have traversed Queensland to attend the bi-annual phenomenon known as Bookfest.

The event has become decidedly more space-age since its origins in 1989, where books were laid out across hay bales covered with blankets at the old Lifeline warehouse at Bowen Hills.

After a stint at the RNA showgrounds, Bookfest moved to its current home at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in 1997 where it has grown into one of Brisbane’s most anticipated annual events.

Lifeline staff work all year round to make the Lifeline Bookfest happen. Dedicated staff and volunteers sort through around 25 000 books each week to prepare stock for the event. The event now offers more affordable earth knowledge than ever before, with over 2 million books for sale across two giant halls.

And this year, two extra-terrestrial book nerds plan to make the ultimate purchase: World domination!

Friday, 15th January 2010 - Move Day



So we packed up all our things and piled them into Claire and Phil's car. Lucky everything fit in, just. The hangover was a killer. We had forgot how painful it was to pack a life away into a back pack. But we battled on.

Phil drove us to New Farm to our new house. It is like a boarding house for long term placements. Seems nice. The place is run by Sue, who is a biggish lady, nice enough though. Would not like to get on the wring side of her. LOL

On the drive over Phil took us over the Story Bridge. It looked great. Amazing views of the City, I plan to walk over the bridge soon. Seen as it is only minutes away.

Thursday, 14th January 2010 - Last Supper (well in a way)



So it was our last night in the apartment in Sherwood. We all had the night off so decided that a few drinks were in order and cook up a meal. Claire offered to have us over once the children where in bed. So we all had a nice meal together. I started off the meal with my signature dish, Brucheta Con Funghi. It went down well. So did the beer and wine.

Later on the Wii Fit came out and we all had a good laugh. Retiring to bed a little merry. Was really nice last meal. Claire gave us all a little gift as well. Cheers x

Tuesday, 12 January 2010

Monday, 11th January 2010 - New Home


So we have been staying at Emma's sisters spare apartment.  But the lease runs out on friday.  So we have to give up our lovely apartment and pool and gym.  Gutted.  We search around trying to find somewhere similar but everyhwere wanted a term of 6 months at least.  So we could not commit. 

Becky and Katy however found a cute Hostel.  Now when I heard about it, well heard the words 'Hostel' I was not keen to say the least.  But I gave it a go and went to look at it and it is really nice.  Affordable to.  So we move on Friday to the new pad in New Farm, next door to Fortitude Valley.

Not doing much this week, working 3 nights on one off and then 3 nights on.  That is if they don't cancel them! 

Saturday, 9 January 2010

Sunday, 10th January 2010 - Russell Specht in face-off with shark 'like a submarine'



VETERAN surfer Russell Specht has survived a terrifying face-to-face encounter with a monster great white shark stalking North Stradbroke Island.



The 52-year-old surfer, local lifesavers and island boardriders fear the huge man-eater was responsible for the horrifying shark-on-shark attack off the island, east of Brisbane, which The Sunday Mail featured in graphic photographs in late October.

The smaller 3m white pointer, snared on a baited drumline set off North Stradbroke's busy Cylinder Beach, was almost bitten in half by the bigger shark.

Mr Specht, who has surfed for more than four decades on the island, said he and fellow surfers who were used to swimming with sharks had switched to predator alert.

"It was frightening. It was like a submarine heading towards me. I didn't expect to live," Mr Specht said.

He and several mates were surfing more than 100m off Main Beach when a younger boardrider shouted to them about the approaching monster.

"This thing came at me from behind. The other four guys with me, they took off to the beach and left me," Mr Specht said.

"My first instinct was to paddle out to sea. Then I thought that this is not right, this is exactly what he wants me to do."

Mr Specht bravely chose to sit quietly on his board and "eyeball" the shark - at least 4m long - as it came close enough to touch.

"He veered off, then he did a U-turn 10m away from me.

"I'm on a six foot three inch board. I'm thinking if he's going to have a go at me he will eat me. But I thought you're going to have to eat this board first," Mr Specht said.

The champion surfer and Point Lookout Boardriders Club life member sat motionless on the board as the shark went directly under him, just 1m below, on its second pass.

Fellow surfers believe the same shark was hooked on a drum line off the beach later that day. The drumline "exploded" as the great white managed to free itself.

After spotting between 10 and 15 sharks off Main Beach in the past week, Mr Specht said he and other surfers were taking extra precautions and not surfing alone.

He said it was important to report his encounter just three weeks ago to warn holidaymakers that a dangerous great white shark was in local waters.

Surf Life Saving Queensland Gold Coast services co-ordinator Stuart Hogben, who has been on recent flights by the Westpac helicopter to North Stradbroke Island, supports Mr Specht's suspicions about the great white being responsible for the attack on the other shark.

Mr Hogben saw several 2-3m sharks about 200-300m offshore along the island's surf side during a flight last weekend. Other sightings were made off the Gold Coast.

Friday, 8 January 2010

Saturday, 9th January 2010 - The weather here & at home


Weather for Leeds, UK
-2°C
Current: Light snow
Wind: NE at 8 km/h
Humidity: 98%



Weather for Brisbane, QLD
27°C
Current: Partly Cloudy
Wind: SE at 14 km/h
Humidity: 70%

Tuesday, 5th January 2010 - CCU (again)



So today I was back on CCU. Easy, yeah. So there are some differences in nursing. Most obvious is they call the drugs by their brand name not their generic names which makes it really hard. Like paracetamol is Panadol. Diazepam is Valium. There are loads. So there is a slight barrier there.

Well all was going well. Until a relative asked me to look at a patient. Hasten to add was not my patient. So off I went to the bedside, where I was confronted with a very sick individual. I had to take too looks to check he was still with us (ie alive). So any way, in nursing people know when things are going wrong by what and how you say something. For example when you hear a colleague saying a patient's name about three times and the voice gets louder and louder each time, you know something is wrong, and you instinctively go to see if they need any help. And when a nurse shouts 'can I have some help in here' you know by the tone that they mean now.

Australia does not grasp this! So I goto the man who is barely with us. And I am saying his name about three times, each time my voice is louder and you can make out the subtle panic in my tone. So thinking my colleagues will be here by now, seen as there are about 9 nurses around, I take a look, nothing. So I shout (and we all know I aint quiet) 'Can I have some help!'. And nothing. So I shout again. Thinking maybe someone else ha arrested somewhere else. Nope.

So I have to leave the guy and physically go grab some help. Shouting for Crash Trolley and more help. There are no emergency buzzers on the unit. Well they look at me with blank expressions, then see the poorly man and get the Code Cart and put out a Code Blue.

So know I have learnt the hard way that it is pointless shouting for help and to just shout 'Code Blue'. Anyway all ended well. It is amazing what some adrenaline, atropine and fluids do for you. Missed me evening tea break though.

Monday, 4 January 2010

Monday, 4th January 2010 - The Princess Alexandra



Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) is one of three tertiary level facilities in Queensland, providing care in all major adult specialties, with the exception of obstetrics. It is one of Australia’s leading teaching and research hospitals.


Services we provide
The PAH provides acute medical, surgical, mental health, cancer, rehabilitation and allied health services as well as statewide services - including the Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Service, Queensland Amputee Limb Service, Spinal Outreach Team and the Transitional Rehabilitation Program.

The PAH is nationally recognised for its expertise in spinal injury management and is a major transplantation centre for livers, kidneys, bone, cartilage, and corneas.

Ancillary services includes pastoral care, hospital auxiliary and volunteer services.

The hospital has responsibility for the management of the Queensland Liver Transplant Service, Queensland Eye Bank and the Queensland Bone Bank.
It also houses one of the major Pathology Queensland services.
The PAH has an aeromedical retrieval service transporting patients to hospital via helicopter or fixed wing aircraft, a road accident response service and a major trauma retrieval service managed by the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit.

Health research
The PAH plays a lead role in medical research, undertaking research programs with affiliated universities.

The PA Foundation, which is situated on the hospital campus, is dedicated to fundraising to support PAH research activities.

Annual activity profile
   - Over 74,000 admissions to the hospital
   - 46,479 admissions to the emergency department
   - 459,153 outpatient appointments
   - 830,300 patient meals prepared

The annual budget for the hospital is approximately $650 million

Monday, 4th January 2010 - Princess Alexandra CCU




So today was my first shift. I was supposed to be on an early but at 04:45 they rang and changed it to a late. So my first assignment was on the Coronary Care Unit. 12:30-21:00.

I was very surprised, my uniform is just a T-Shirt, everyone looks professional and casual. It really makes for a relaxed atmosphere. The hospital was massive and looked so clean. It was like something off Grey's Anatomy. Claire would love it here. The ward was well stocked, really well staffed and looked great.

It is fair to say that Australia is leaps ahead of us in the UK with regards patient safety and pretty much everything. Apart from the work culture and relaxed atmosphere nursing in Australia is not very much different. There is a hell of a lot less paperwork. An NO pushy bed managers. I really enjoyed it, for $50/per hour you can't complain.

Sunday, 3 January 2010

Sunday, 3rd January 2010 - The News Today



Wild weather lashes across two states - AN ESTIMATED 2673 Brisbane homes have lost power as a severe thunderstorm brings damaging winds, very heavy rain and flash flooding to the south east.


Energex estimates storms have cut power to 2741 homes in Brisbane's south, 684 in the east, 868 on the Sunshine Coast and 21 on the northside, the Courier-Mail reports.

A Department of Community Safety spokeswoman said several leaking roofs had been patched up.

The Bureau of Meteorology has already recorded 17mm rain in the City and 16.4mm at Archerfield.

The latest bureau forecast says the storms will hit Cleveland, Esk and northern Lake Wivenhoe by 1:05 pm and Nudgee, Somerset Dam and Toogoolawah by 1:35 pm.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Geoff Doueal said: "We've got a southerly wind change moving up the coast, a very unstable atmosphere and an upper level trough coming over us."

"We're already had a shower over the airport and the first line of storms is almost at Ipswich.''


He said there was the potential for hail, local flash flooding and damaging wind gusts.

"We'll see quite a large squall pretty much everywhere (in the south-east).''

Residents evacuated in Northern NSW
Meanwhile, flood waters have forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes in northern inland NSW, as severe thunderstorms hit parts of the Northern Tablelands and North West Slopes.
Around 420 people were told to leave their homes in parts of north and east Coonamble this afternoon because of rising flood levels, State Emergency Service spokesman Phil Campbell said.
They cannot leave the town because it is cut off by flood waters, Mr Campbell said, but were seeking nearby alternative accommmodation.
"The majority will stay with friends and family in town," he said.
The Department of Community Services was arranging for others to be put up in motels, while some people were sleeping on mattresses at the local high school.
Pets are being looked after at the local greyhound track.
"It certainly is an inconvenience," Mr Campbell said.

Sunday, 3rd January 2010 - Monopoly




Emma helped her sister out by taking the three children for a few hours. Her initial plan was to go take them to the park. Well poor Emma. Shortly after we waved at her from our balcony the day turned from be glorious to massive terrential downpour. Poor Emma got soaked. Joseph went back to his dads but Matthew and Daniel stayed and we played a marathon game on Monopoly. Which incidentally is one of my favorite games of all time.

I played a good strategic game. Daniel and Katy took an early lead with loads of money and property, but the slow hand prevailed. Katy went bust first and shortly followed by Daniel. I managed to go from having no property and no money to having it all. LOL.

I just love Monopoly.

Friday, 1st January 2010 - Curry



Claire cooked a massive feast of a meal. She made curry for us all. It took us a few hours to wake up and come round. But once we did we jumped back on the beers. Claire lent me her car so we went to pick up a slab of beer from the liquor store. We drank and ate to excess before passing out.

Thursday, 31st December 2009 - New Years Eve



We had arranged to meet Laura, another traveler who we met at Noosa. We planned on going to Southbank with our booze and spending the night there. Drinking and watching the fire works. Only we were denied. It turns out that no alcohol was allowed to be taken into South bank, you had to buy it there. We had already bought our booze and been on a budget we decided on going back to Laura's hostel and drinking there before going to see the fireworks.

We all got a little merry, Becky was slightly merrier than the rest of us but she pulled round. We walked down to the bridge and perched ourselves in a good spot for the fireworks. The fireworks where really good and we all made the obligitory “awwww”, “wooooow”, etc.

After this we jogged home.

Happy New Year