So the locum adventures continue. I count myself very lucky to continue to have this opportunity and to work in Bermuda twice this year!
Not much more to add for the last 2 work days except that I had forgotten how boring it can be to listen to reps!!!!! It is very overcast and rainy and very much like Cape Town in July - so I feel at home.
Love to you all
News from home will be gratefully accepted and personally answered!!!
(Don't try to post to the blogging site but send to doc.mss@gmail.com)
Although everything stays the same, there are still differences.
The first one was that BA has introduced a direct flight between Gatwick and Cape Town and I booked on it, not realising that I was on only the 2nd flight! I was also lucky enough to get 3 middle seats to myself and was able to stretch out and sleep! The other bonus is that I didn't have to schlepp across London dragging my suitcase as it now went straight through.
Unfortunately there is always a small downside, and that was, that the transit time at Gatwick ended up being 9hrs!!!!! as the flight arrived at 5:00 and the next one was 14:00! It was such a long wait that I was almost not allowed through into the departure area! But they relented as I wasn't keen to go into London at that time and that temperature , -6C! I had pre-booked a place in 'My Lounge' and I was allowed to enter as they opened at 6:00. I was quite amazed at how many people were drinking beer and wine from very early on!!!!!
Landed at sunset on Wednesday, just after 5pm and was met by the usual taxi and taken to my accommodation on the hill, via the shops which enabled me to buy some bottled water - the local water is collected on the lime-painted roofs and causes much gastric unpleasantness!!! - and some food.
After unpacking, I slept quite well.
On Thursday 1st, I walked down to Hamilton, about 2km. It was great to stretch the legs and get some fresh air. The weather is overcast, humid and in the late teens, so very pleasant. I popped into the bank, as I needed to open a new account - the one I have used was closed as the new banking regulations about money laundering are applicable - even if you are coming back, but don't yet have a work permit - sigh!!!!!!! I discovered that I can only open an account if I have made an appointment and there are no appointments available at the main branch until after the 12th!!!!!!! But, luckily the other branch can give me one on Monday!!! I was very well-behaved!!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of my work day was spent catching up on the old procedures and learning the new ones, so the day passed relatively quickly.
Friday
Dawned sunny, but it unfortunately degenerated into wall-to-wall cloud with some rain. Spent the day, finding my feet, consulting on a few patients, which resulted in the booking of a bone marrow for Tuesday and learning how to use the dictation system - which is done into the phone!!!!!
I was invited to join Helen and Alick and a friend Chris, on the St George's National Trust Walkabout - this involved catching the ferry to the eastern side of the island, in the rain, but luckily we were undercover, being welcomed with a map and then wandering round various of the houses, banks, halls, freemason lodge etc which are usually closed to the public.
St George's is a heritage site as it was the place of the first settlements on the island and also the first parliament so the buildings are well preserved. No photos as it was bit of a bunfight, especially as many of the establishments were serving mulled wine or eggnog with rum etc etc. (Will be going down next Saturday, so will try for a few photos). It was very festive as many places had Christmas lights and there were numerous dancing exhibitions. The ferry ride back was serenaded with 'the 12 days of Christmas'!!!!!
Saturday
I slept late which was great. And then did my obligatory shopping - first at the Red X thrift shop where I got a couple of items and then to the wool shop!!!!! I bought a ball of festive wool and am trying out some Christmas trees, but don't really have any other projects, so was very restrained!!!!
Also walked through some of the other shops, but apart from finding a possible christmas present - which is still under the 24hr rule!!! - didn't indulge too much. I am trying out different restaurants, so had lunch of red snapper - which was very tasty, with my first Rum swizzle - to make sure it was still nice!!!!
TV here, if anything seems to be worse than when I was last here with very little to watch. What Golf there is, is all about Tiger Woods' return and they covered his play, ad nauseum. I have managed to stream FMR so am enjoying that, though it sounds a little strange to be listening to midday concert when I wake up!
Sunday
I went across to the Dockyard which is a main tourist attraction but found it extremely quiet. The weather wasn't marvellous. I had planned to stay till the last ferry and then take photos of Hamilton with the Christmas lights but I gave up mid-afternoon and will have to wander downtown after work for a sunset visit (about 17h30). Have seen some over-the-top decorations but not as many as I expected, but think people are starting to put more up! We will see and take photos!!!!!
Monday
I made my way to the bank and waited while the account was opened and should have card and internet access by Thursday.........
The first one was that BA has introduced a direct flight between Gatwick and Cape Town and I booked on it, not realising that I was on only the 2nd flight! I was also lucky enough to get 3 middle seats to myself and was able to stretch out and sleep! The other bonus is that I didn't have to schlepp across London dragging my suitcase as it now went straight through.
Unfortunately there is always a small downside, and that was, that the transit time at Gatwick ended up being 9hrs!!!!! as the flight arrived at 5:00 and the next one was 14:00! It was such a long wait that I was almost not allowed through into the departure area! But they relented as I wasn't keen to go into London at that time and that temperature , -6C! I had pre-booked a place in 'My Lounge' and I was allowed to enter as they opened at 6:00. I was quite amazed at how many people were drinking beer and wine from very early on!!!!!
 |
| Sunrise |
After unpacking, I slept quite well.
On Thursday 1st, I walked down to Hamilton, about 2km. It was great to stretch the legs and get some fresh air. The weather is overcast, humid and in the late teens, so very pleasant. I popped into the bank, as I needed to open a new account - the one I have used was closed as the new banking regulations about money laundering are applicable - even if you are coming back, but don't yet have a work permit - sigh!!!!!!! I discovered that I can only open an account if I have made an appointment and there are no appointments available at the main branch until after the 12th!!!!!!! But, luckily the other branch can give me one on Monday!!! I was very well-behaved!!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of my work day was spent catching up on the old procedures and learning the new ones, so the day passed relatively quickly.
Friday
Dawned sunny, but it unfortunately degenerated into wall-to-wall cloud with some rain. Spent the day, finding my feet, consulting on a few patients, which resulted in the booking of a bone marrow for Tuesday and learning how to use the dictation system - which is done into the phone!!!!!
I was invited to join Helen and Alick and a friend Chris, on the St George's National Trust Walkabout - this involved catching the ferry to the eastern side of the island, in the rain, but luckily we were undercover, being welcomed with a map and then wandering round various of the houses, banks, halls, freemason lodge etc which are usually closed to the public.
 |
| My most recent project which must still be finished |
Saturday
I slept late which was great. And then did my obligatory shopping - first at the Red X thrift shop where I got a couple of items and then to the wool shop!!!!! I bought a ball of festive wool and am trying out some Christmas trees, but don't really have any other projects, so was very restrained!!!!
Also walked through some of the other shops, but apart from finding a possible christmas present - which is still under the 24hr rule!!! - didn't indulge too much. I am trying out different restaurants, so had lunch of red snapper - which was very tasty, with my first Rum swizzle - to make sure it was still nice!!!!
TV here, if anything seems to be worse than when I was last here with very little to watch. What Golf there is, is all about Tiger Woods' return and they covered his play, ad nauseum. I have managed to stream FMR so am enjoying that, though it sounds a little strange to be listening to midday concert when I wake up!
Sunday
I went across to the Dockyard which is a main tourist attraction but found it extremely quiet. The weather wasn't marvellous. I had planned to stay till the last ferry and then take photos of Hamilton with the Christmas lights but I gave up mid-afternoon and will have to wander downtown after work for a sunset visit (about 17h30). Have seen some over-the-top decorations but not as many as I expected, but think people are starting to put more up! We will see and take photos!!!!!
 |
| My favourite Bermuda artist with her quirky installations |
Monday
I made my way to the bank and waited while the account was opened and should have card and internet access by Thursday.........
 |
| Not too much to photograph - so here are some interesting trees |
Not much more to add for the last 2 work days except that I had forgotten how boring it can be to listen to reps!!!!! It is very overcast and rainy and very much like Cape Town in July - so I feel at home.
Love to you all
News from home will be gratefully accepted and personally answered!!!
(Don't try to post to the blogging site but send to doc.mss@gmail.com)
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