What a week. We knew life would be different here. We knew that both working full time would be a challenge for us and the kids. We knew that we would be on a steep learning curve. But this week has thrown more than a few curve balls our way!!! When we lived in outback Quilpie, we quickly learned that news travels fast in a small town. Here, the population is about half the size of Quilpie and not much stays private. As part of the health care team, this can be very important, patient confidentiality is part of our responsibility as health care providers. Debriefing really has to take place at home....and it feel like work comes with us, and stays with us. This week we have had to helicopter 3 people out with an assortment of ailments. We have seen scabies, boils, lots of "coldsick", bellyrun, domestic violence, and the result of a dog attack which was not nice. From my clean, non clinical role at St Andrews, this is a stark contrast!! It couldn't be more different really. But at least Vince the air con man arrived yesterday and fixed the air conditioners. My new best friend!!!
This photo is taken from on top of Lullawa Hill. Its the highest point on Darnley and I am trying to find out what the elevation is but the view is truly impressive. You have a 360 degree view of the island and on a clear day the ocean is like a palette of blues and greens. This view is looking toward the south of the island where the air strip is. Its a rocky island and at the moment you can find an assortment of mango, frangipani and hibiscus trees popping up everywhere.Its very pretty. Dotted in amongst this is homes where 16 inhabitants in a four bedroom house is not usual. Its a stark contrast of beauty and chaos......
Today we had a run to the airport in the middle of the day for one of our medivacs. The tide was out, and the views were just stunning. Its only 5km to the airport but the roads are a combination of dirt and bitumen, mostly one lane, and windy, hilly tracks. So the trip takse about 10 minutes. On the way home today, I couldn't help but take this photo. It shows the beautiful colours of the water, the contrast between deep water, shallow sandy bottom and reef, as well as the fish traps. These are very ingenious and were built a long time ago.
After work today we decided to make the most of the sunlight and have a swim at a place called Sardi ( like Sardine without the ne ) Its a pretty spot. Pumice rock and coral litter the beach along with ting shells and dark sand. There was a big school of sardines in the shallows being chased by bigger fish and we could see them jumping occassionally. The water was just lovely, the right temperature and its crystal clear. We all cooled off and relaxed for a while until the sandflies won. But it was a great way to wind down. The sunset wasn't bad either. Good night Darnley. Please sleep well.....Lucy and I are on call.........Yawo
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