Ahhhhh, a whole big bed to myself...

WOW.....Townsville...

Hi Everyone,
Here I am, finally in Townsville- but only for a night. I feel like I have been travelling all day, a 1 hr drive to Newcastle airport, a tiny de havilland aircraft to Brisbane and then a bigger plane to Townsville. The dash 8 aircraft seemed to take forever and the second plane could not be quick enough. The reason being was that i was in a 3 seat row- in the aisle- next to a mother and daughter who would have to have been the dirtiest grubs I've ever seen. So much so i was tempted to ask if she had nits! From the minute she got on she was scratching and rubbing her nose right up her arm,,,the little girl was the same. Needless to say i have a stiff sore neck from trying to keep bent out into the aisle! Anyway, apart from that it was a safe and uneventful trip. Straight out to the balmy tropical weather of Townsville that instantly took me back to New Guinea. Oh how i love this environment. Jumped into a taxi and direct to the Mecure Inn, only about 5 minutes away and even they had me all booked and done- no problems!
Tomorrow is another adventure, I am off in a tiny little plane to a tiny little place- Richmond QLD. I shall be there for 6 weeks and cant wait to look around at the kronosaurus exhibits, the beautiful man made recreational lake, Lake Tritton and to discover what sort of accommodation i shall have as my home. So much to see and do...take care all, Love Colleen

Christmas Time and a new Job in the works.

Well, its a rainy, cold and dismal day here in NSW. I returned last week to have Christmas with my family and although it has been warm enough today is freezing and reminds me of why Id rather be north! Not long to wait though as my next post is supposedly at a place called Richmond (QLD). A small town east of Mt Isa and west of Townsville. In a few words- the middle of nowhere! I am really looking forward to the next adventure and strangely, cannot wait to be on the road again. At the moment it does not seem like I will be driving anywhere due to the heavy rains and flood situation all over Qld so I am patiently awaiting news from my agency to see if I am to fly up on the 31st. If this happens Ill be flying to Townsville and then by a small plane into Richmond---on NYE! Could be fun and certainly on my adventure list- but i do hope the cyclone has passed through by then :)
My new job is bound to provide me with blogg updates as it is a post where the RN role is varied and includes duties such as driving the ambulance, a tiny 10 bed hospital and no doctor- gulp! It's all terrific experience and I am careful to make sure the agency knows my limitations etc.
One real good thing about this year is that I am starting my Masters degree and more importantly majoring in remote and isolated practice. Woo hoooooo, by mid year I should be able to suture and manage in an outback emergency....hopefully. For this reason I have chosen to try and get a short 3 month contract at Charters Towers Hospital so I can work in a rural ED dept and gain some helpful experience.

Heres to an exciting and safe 2011....and many more stories/ pictures to blog about...

I hope the Christmas period has been kind to you and your families, Take care, Colleen xox