They say time flies when you are having fun – so I must be! Its now 4 weeks since I landed here in Australia and it feels just like 5 minutes.
I have been to Australia a few times before, I certainly did my research before I arrived, and I have always enjoyed my time here. Being here this time is different, as I don’t have a return ticket. However, I keep thinking that I am on holiday, taking to the beach, swimming in pools and enjoying the sunshine – but this time – someone is making me go to work too!
Its alot to take on when you move home, when you change areas, when you take a new job – and I have done all of these in one go. I may be in an English speaking country, but there are many differences, which I will expand on as I continue my blog over the coming months.
The first thing I needed to do was buy a car. Its difficult traveling around without one, as there is so much space and everything is spread out, and public transport is minimal. So, my car of choice was a Subaru Impreza which was all wrapped up for me when I picked it up
This is the first time in my life I have bought a new car, and I had to take a deep breath before buying it. I was concerned about buying a used car here – remember the news earlier this year of all the floods, then the cyclone – the last thing I wanted was one which had been sat in that, so I bit the bullet and bought one. Well, not that I had the money to buy one outright of course, but I discovered how easy it is to get into debt in a country which has only been your home for less than a fortnight.
My first trip in the car was with Francesca as we headed north to Mission Beach
Our road trip on - "The Bruce Highway"!
Mission Beach is a piece of paradise between Townsville and Cairns in North Queensland and, now feeling poor, didnt head to the local hotel, but checked into the local backpacker hostel aptly named “Mission Beach Retreat”
A lovely little hostel and we immediately warmed to the lovely atmosphere in this chilled out part of the world.
Suddenly forgetting my recently acquired debt, I treated us both to a lovely meal in a restaurant called Shrubbery, right on the beach
Yes - those are real coconuts - photo taken from our table at the restaurant
And we tucked into the oysters, freshly brought in from Tasmania just 3,000 km away!
Its hard to look gorgeous when you are eating oysters!
But somehow Francesca manages to!
After a good nights sleep in our cosy little twin room, we headed to the beach
Paradise!
Paradise indeed. The sea was so warm and a relief to enter after a few minutes lying on the beach (are you feeling just a little jealous now?)
So, you can see why I feel like I am on holiday all the time!
I had such a lovely weekend in Mission Beach, and felt sad driving back to Townsville, not just because a lovely weekend was over and I had to go to work the following day, but because I had left my baby behind!
She is now having the time of her life, working in the hostel to gain free board (and internet!) and waiting on at tables in the local restaurant. She has an instant new group of friends and is certainly living the dream!
The journey home was so beautiful, and I took a few photos along the way
Its called "The Cassowary Coast" so you won't be surprised to find road signs like this along the way!
I returned back to my apartment feeling a bit down in the dumps, and discovered a little friend waiting on my bed
A Special Little Bear!
If you don’t already know this character – this is “Berry Bear” he is the cherished teddy given to Francesca at birth by her great grandma. He has been her constant companion in her 23 and a bit years and now he has been entrusted to me, as she didnt think he would like staying in a hostel!!
Townsville is a gorgeous place, and an ideal setting, close to some picturesque areas – opposite Magnetic Island, close to lovely reefs, wreck dives and rainforests and it boasts 300 days of sunshine every year!
This is the river which my current apartment backs onto
you will find public barbecues in most public areas
Townsville boats a stunning coastline, beautiful riversides and mountain backdrops
So far I’m loving the weather, which has ranged between 29-30oC during the day and 22-24 during the night. People here talk about “when it gets hot” so it will be interesting to see just how hot it will get. So far I havent seen any rain – it has a little, but only at night, and its not too humid, but I think that will soon change – so watch this space!
When I came over here last year in November to research where I wanted to live, then returned to the UK to announce it to everyone – the rains came here which led to severe floods, then one of the worst cyclones in living history – Cyclone Yasi – my friends and family asked me if I really wanted to live in such a godforsaken place!
Cyclone yasi - one of the worst cyclones in recorded history - and it arrived in Australia before me thank goodness!
Looking at that map above, it is difficult to appreciate the scale of it – maybe this map will help…..
The UK would fit inside Yasi!
Certainly, the effects of Cyclone Yasi are still felt here – the beach is being rebuilt here, and many buidings were damaged – certainly in Mission Beach which was in the eye of the cyclone
This storm stricken home is up for sale - fabulous views, from inside that is!
But I feel reassured that what is now standing, managed to survive one of the worst ever cyclones so must be made of something very sturdy!
I would rather live in an area where you get fair warnings of severe weather rather than a place with sudden tornadoes and earthquakes with no notice whatsoever! If you look at the map charting the progress of Yasi – the population knew it was coming, but it built from a category 3 on 31st Jan to a 5 (top of the scale!) by the time it hit the coastline (Mission Beach) on 2nd Feb. But if you know its coming, where do you run to with such a vast scale. Locals here tell me the army evacuated many areas, so often the people were not left with a choice about it!
Phew! At least I work in a very safe building in the town – somewhere most head when a cyclone is coming – Townsville Hospital! I’m settling into work here now in Townsville, and amazed at how friendly everyone is and already feel part of the team. I will write more about midwifery in Australia in another blog.
I’m now on a mission to find somewhere permanent to live, and its not an easy task – subject of yet another blog methinks!
I’m very grateful to Townsville yacht club for making me feel so welcome too. Val and Mick have quickly become really good friends and I love meeting up with them each week and feel proud to be part of their crew – especially when they picked up most of the awards on Saturdays presentation night!
One of the many awards given to "Panacea"
Val and Mick collected a lot of silver!
which served as a great wine glass for all!
Meet Paul - a guy with a fabulous sense of humour!
and Anna and Kirsten
I have a day off, and will continue my mission to find suitable accomodation, as I am on nights starting tomorrow – so my body will soon be back on UK time – cheers!
