This is so weird, I’m sitting looking out of the window at
the tropical bush and sunshine whilst behind me is my Christmas
tree! I’m going to decorate it today but
it feels very, very odd. I’ve not always
appreciated the dark days and cold nights which lead us into Christmas in the
UK, but now I can see how this English climate provides an almost magically
environment for Christmas which only when it is absent, you can truly understand.
Not that I’m complaining about the
sunshine.
Dan and I had the most fabulous weekend just gone. On Saturday we (I) got up late, did all those
must do chores and then we headed to Punakaiki.
It’s a beautiful drive along the coast about 30-40 minutes north of
Greymouth. As we approached the car park
I turned to Dan and stated how busy it was!
He laughed, there were about ten cars in the car park. It’s official: I’ve slipped into west coast
life, I’m practically a ‘coaster’! We
saw the Pancake rocks, an amazing formation which literally looks liked stacked
pancakes, and then decided to walk the two km to the start of the next walk we
wanted to do. This distance in the UK
would be a very innocuous twenty minute wander. Add to that the hair pin bends on the coastal
road, the caves to explore, the beach, the river and the secret bush walk to the
deserted lagoon and an hour and a half later we reached our second walk.
Amazing!
Sunday was very wet.
It was Sunday that made us realise really quite how small Greymouth is. In the morning we went to church, which was
very friendly, and Dan saw a patient’s relative. Thankfully it was a pleasant encounter. Then we decided to go and watch Skyfall as
the rain was of British standards. As we
arrived I saw one of my consultants walking up the road, he was also going to
the cinema. This caused a minor dilemma in
my mind. This particular consultant is
an old American Surgeon. He is kind and
very friendly. Should you engage in a
conversation about a topic of his particular interest it has been known for
people to become fossilised before they get a chance escape. I jest.
However enjoying a weekend with my husband, in my mind at least, didn’t
involve my boss. We kept our distance
(we are British after all so this comes very naturally) and watched Bond do his
thing on the big screen. Crisis averted. You may not have realised this if you watched
Bond in the UK, but being in NZ highlighted to us how fantastically British the
film is; M, London, Daniel Craig even the china bulldog with the union jack on
its back! Very exciting. I spoke especially loud in my British accent
the rest of the day- proud to be British.
Dan worked on Monday but for me it was a bank holiday. Holly and I went back to lake Brunner with
kite surfing equipment filling the back of the car. The wind wasn’t consistent enough to actually
use said equipment however we did have a lovely walk.
On Wednesday Dan was invited to go sailing with another one
of my bosses. Again this was a little
odd and would not happen in the UK. Dan
was a little torn as he felt exhausted from two long days at work. However this seemed like one of those pivotal
invites; you accept and become sailing buddies for life, or decline and never
get invited again. So Dan went and he
had a great time. I stayed at home, ate
avocado, strawberries and chocolate and drank red wine. Hard life!
As for work, what can I say.
On Tuesday I was the gynae/ ortho/ gen surgery/ urology RMO (SHO) on for
the day. Four jobs in one- why not! There
are massive changes happening in the service here. It seems where ever you are in the world medical
politics and service provisions have a dynamic relationship; they both know
what their aim and desire is yet neither quite knows how to get there or care
about the collateral damage along the way.
Perhaps that’s a little unfair.
Generally work is good. Being a
doctor anywhere is time consuming and challenging, but it’s what we trained to
do so we will continue to persevere and smile.
People of England- embrace your winter and enjoy it. Drink hot chocolate and mulled wine, wear
thick socks and onesies and enjoy watching all those Christmas movies. Christmas is coming...
Hugs
S x
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