Jim Down Under...

2004-01-18T05:26:00.000+10:00

Look, I know it's been about six months, but to celebrate my acquisition of a new copy of Photoshop I've popped a few new photos on the JANDU site. There. Dynamic change.

2003-08-11T06:13:00.000+10:00

Chose a good day to pick up baggage from Heathrow, which was the hottest place in Britain ever. Briefly.

2003-08-05T18:04:00.000+10:00

We're safely home, so I suppose that's that, really.

Thanks to our army of loyal fans.

Maybe more photos at some point, depending on what the JANDU code monkeys are up to.

2003-08-02T08:50:00.000+10:00

Jim Half Way Back

Back in the famous Changi International Airport (Terminal 2). Nobody wearing SARS masks, everyone looking healthy. Flight to UK in 2 hours - should be long enough to browse my internet habit into submission.

Might recreate Singapore Jungle Adventure if time and filming conditions allow.

2003-08-01T18:38:00.001+10:00

Forgot to mention - Jim And Natalie Down Under registered a respectable (but unsatisfying) 753 hits for the month of July. Must try harder...

2003-08-01T18:33:00.000+10:00

Ok, I'll bow to popular demand and keep spewing forth for a few more days. Flight out in 4 1/2h. We've bribed our way into the business lounge post checkin - will the suits just laugh at my crumbly laptop?

2003-07-31T19:16:00.000+10:00

Home tomorrow. That means an end to incessant blog updates soon, don't worry.

2003-07-28T17:26:00.000+10:00

Almost the end of our pre-coming home holiday. We fly back to Brisbane (via Sydney, where we'll try and recapture all those key sights during our 2 hour stopover) and then only a couple of days tidying before coming home to our cash strapped trust. Hopefully Rutter will stop following us round like a bad puppy and go to rainy Melbourne at some point in the morning.

2003-07-27T18:25:00.000+10:00

Now in "Alice Springs Fastest Internet Cafe".

Since our last Global Gossip session, we've flown to Alice and not looked round it yet. For a town of only 35,000 has a very fast internet cafe, however.

From there, into a camper van to Ayres "Uluru" rock, which in keeping with the wishes of the local indiginous folk and prevailing gradient we didn't climb, instead navigating the base using Tom Rutter and his handy waterproof GPS toy. Nice. Also looked at it, at both sunset and sunrise, so as not to offend the rainbow serpent. It was quite popular.

Then on to the Olgas, also known as Kata Tjuta or Bastard Big Red Rocks, and looked at them during sunset too.

Now back in Alice, stocked up with meat and ready to barbie.

Home in 6 days, apparently.

2003-07-26T20:28:00.000+10:00

Climbed Ayres Rock. It was rubbish.

I'm enjoying the camper van thing more than I thought possible, though. It's like a car, only with a fridge. And a bed.

Oh, and Rutter is here.

2003-07-23T22:57:00.000+10:00

Back to Darwin, after yet another day of Kakadu action. This time we went up in a little plane with a couple of 84 year olds, who seemed genuinely pleased to discover we're doctors. They're currently driving round Australia (Lismore - Townsville - Mount Isa - Darwin - Alice) to piss their children / grandchildren off. They insisted on taking a photo of us but claim not to have a website.

Also saw more rock art, crocs, etc.

Off to Alice and all the camper vans that entails tomorrow.

2003-07-22T19:09:00.000+10:00

Brilliant day in Arnhem National Park, of which you can read a full account in Natalie's Blog. Went to some fantastic sites with our professional Dig player / artist / author / photographer guide, and saw some unbelievable old drawings. The other members of the group (maverick inventor, shrink) topped the whole experience off nicely.

2003-07-22T19:03:00.000+10:00

It turns out we have another fansite - you can still find the original here

2003-07-21T18:29:00.000+10:00

We're now in the famous Crocodile Hotel in the heart of Kakadu National Park, having seen more crocs and plenty of cave paintings, indiginous culture and stuff. Although the hotel itself is lovely, the internet kiosk won't let me just cut and paste Google searches at will, so less links than of late. Sorry.

2003-07-20T21:29:00.000+10:00

Exciting day out to Lichfield National Park, home of the Leaping Crocodiles.

On a more riviting note, Australia won the cricket. Go, Aussie, Go!

2003-07-19T23:10:00.000+10:00

Suncream sucessfully stopped me burning, but wasn't enough to stop me becoming anuric.

Despite this, have achieved the following;

- Attended an open air cinema

- Went to the NT cultural museum thing

- Saw day 2 of the first ever test match at Darwin

- Saw Steve Waugh become the second man to complete centuries against the other nine test playing countries

- Bumped into Big Merv Hughes, who was drinking a beer

2003-07-18T13:15:00.000+10:00

We've made the break to the NT's cosmopolitan capital, Darwin. Jetlagged by the 1/2 hour time difference, but I've managed to drag myself out of bed and into the nearest internet cafe - the very orange and blue Global Gossip.

Future plans - do some Croc Baiting, go to the the Cricket, buy some Indiginous Art, oooh, lots more, too.

Suncream applied.

2003-07-16T22:10:00.000+10:00

Finished work.

Now have time on my hands.

Which leads neatly into story of the week

2003-07-13T21:04:00.000+10:00

I have discovered the finest website in the history of the universe here.

We get shot of Rutter tomorrow.

Still three days work to go.

2003-07-12T18:00:00.000+10:00

Only three days of work left.

Lisa from Flight Centre was once again extremely helpful in sorting us out with a holiday - this time to Darwin (for the cricket, mostly) and the famous Ayres "Uluru" Rock, where eco warrior Tom Rutter will be joining us.

2003-07-06T16:08:00.000+10:00

No posting for a week while we frantically prepare the house for the arrival of Tom "I Can't Believe It's Not" Rutter, who will be gutted to arrive the day after the Gold Coast Marathon.

2003-07-01T20:26:00.000+10:00

Jim And Natalie Down Under Site Stats Update

I am privileged to announce that June first knocked May into a cocked hat, then poked it in the eye and stole its dinner money, with a spellbinding 882 hits.

One month to go - can this ever be beaten?

2003-07-01T20:20:00.000+10:00

As always, couldn't sleep properly after doing nights, and wound up watching the tennis until about, ooooh, 6am or so. Don't even like tennis, and especially not La Henman. Come on Greg!

2003-06-28T00:30:00.000+10:00

Back in ICU, complete with internet. Currently hatching crazy "see all of Oz in 10 days at the end of the job" plan. Qantas website offered me a flight from Darwin to Alice Springs via Melbourne. If you don't find this uproariously funny, look at a map.

2003-06-26T01:33:00.000+10:00

Finally getting to spend some quality time with my laptop. Mmmmm.

2003-06-24T16:36:00.000+10:00

"Rekindling of driving ability" soon wore off when I grounded the aforementioned Jeep on some of the aforementioned sands and had to enlist the help of four cardiac rehab / unstable angina types to push it free. Thanks, lads.

2003-06-23T18:25:00.000+10:00

Nothing but sand for as far as the eye can see here on sunny Fraser Island. Sand and rainforest.

Picking up a nice big 4x4 seems to have rekindled my ability to drive.

Haven't spotted any dingoes yet, but there seem to be a hell of a lot of distressed mothers wandering about.

Today is the 3rd anniversary of the Backpacker Hostel Fire Disaster.

2003-06-22T12:16:00.000+10:00

Had a very pleasant trip up to the Fraser Coast, even though Natalie wouldn't let me drive. We're about a month too early for whale watching, but we do get to be eviscerated by Dingoes on Fraser Island from tomorrow onwards. Meanwhile, there's nothing to do except email and make trivial website adjustments. Yay!

2003-06-18T23:52:00.000+10:00

I've been alerted that I haven't updated in a week, so here goes.

- Headhunted by Japanese tourist to be new face of arcade favourite Puzzle Bubble
- Went to Byron Bay, spotted 2 whales, 9 VW camper vans and numerous hippies
- Later that night had a very odd dream about whales
- Put dishwasher on
- Looked on in awe as Jim And Natalie Down Under weighed in with a jawdropping 70 hits on 17th June
- Going back to ICU for nocturnal website action next week
- That is all

2003-06-11T17:26:00.000+10:00

This is one animal who was too depressed to go to Australia Zoo.

Skippy

2003-06-10T17:28:00.000+10:00

Crikey!

Went to Australia Zoo.

What was that!

Saw Steve Irwin. In his native environment.

Have a look at those beauts!

Bought a top of the range stubby holder and came home.

Blimey!

2003-06-02T20:24:00.000+10:00

Jim And Natalie Down Under Site Stats Update

I am delighted to announce that May has ripped the still-beating heart from April and feasted upon its entrails with a monstrous 544 hits.

2003-06-01T11:28:00.000+10:00

Back in the Gold Coast, where there isn't a cloud in the sky, the temp is a pleasant 25c and we can come and go as we please without being dependent on emergency airlifts.

Flight home was made that little bit more exciting by the attempted hijacking of another domestic Qantas flight a few hours before we left. Apparently the guy tried to take down the pilot with a couple of wooden stakes. Nice.

2003-05-29T20:01:00.000+10:00

Daydream Island still cut off from the mainland owing to extreme weather conditions. Unable to hire any sort of boat, and tomorrow's Seaplane action is looking a bit dodgy too. On the positive side, there are a number of fully stocked bars, three restaurants, a 19 hole Crazy Golf course (got round in 63 today but looking to improve) and a Trivial Pursuit set that is free (free!) to borrow.

Congratulations to Ruth and Stephen

2003-05-27T10:25:00.000+10:00

Now sucessfully ensconced in the Daydream Island resort, which is empty, and all activities cancelled due to high winds.

2003-05-24T17:18:00.000+10:00

Finally made it to the bush.

Great couple of flights out. First with the ever professional Qantas, who went throught the safety talk and operation of lifejackets, even though there is no body of water between Brisbane and Longreach.

Next, on to (probably) the worlds smallest plane. Safety briefing went "G'day. I'm Al, this is Murpho. Read the safety instructions? Who wants earplugs". The plane would have seated 19 if half the seats hadn't been missing. Didn't ask why.

Now in Winton. Done the famous Walzing Matilda museum, done the famous wall, been to the famous pub (as not featured in Crocodile Dundee), won the raffle (more beer). Ready for home. Weather's lovely, mind.

2003-05-16T20:24:00.000+10:00

Thanks to Lisa at Flight Centre I get to escape the SE Queensland coast (scene of much flash-flooding and aborted jet landings) and head straight for the bush next week. This will hopefully be followed by a week of doing nothing on or around a beach, quite possibly in the notorious drug ravaged urban wasteland of the Daydream Islands.

And I'm going to see The Matrix.

On my own.

Nice.

2003-05-10T18:13:00.000+10:00

Still staring at machines. Very theraputic. Shiny.

Due to pressure of work had to turn down a "Buck's Night"* invite. The planned itinery was meet for beers at 6, followed by a strip bar crawl, finishing up in the Gold Coast's friendliest brothel. Might do it on my own next Saturday anyway.

*Australian variant of "Stag Night", apparently.

2003-05-03T21:15:00.000+10:00

Three months in and finally, finally, I get to update the website from work. I'm currently looking after my own ICU. The technology is amazing here, I tell you. Hope this isn't interfering with the machines.

2003-05-01T03:42:00.000+10:00

I'm delighted to announce that April has been the busiest month in Jim And Natalie Down Under's short history, with a staggering 502 hits. This beats February 2003 (476 hits) into a bloody pulp. Ahahahahahah!

2003-04-28T16:07:00.000+10:00

Natalie's gone bush, and I'm currently consoling myself by cleaning the flat from top to bottom. Anyone in the Gold Coast / SE QLD area looking for no strings attached friendship lasting no more than one month drop me a line here.

2003-04-22T16:50:00.000+10:00

I'm out shopping for plane tickets. I'm going to suprise Natalie in the bush, but it's a secret. Keep it quiet.

If you're one of our adoring fans, you'll have noticed the new chatroom. Join us for a live and interactive "Web Chat" soon, unless you're under 16.

2003-04-19T18:00:00.000+10:00

It's good to have the whole long weekend off. Plenty of time to come up with new and exciting website features for the adoring army of fans back home. There is a financial downside, I suppose, in that the Australians have this crazy system whereby if you work on a public holiday, you end up being payed more money than you would for working a normal day! No wonder they still have a primative economy based on barter, slavery and kangaroo flesh.

Mmmm. Kangaroo flesh.

2003-04-16T22:44:00.000+10:00

Gold Coast is only 1 deg C warmer than Bristol today. Suppose it is the middle of winter here.

2003-04-15T17:45:00.000+10:00

This is an exciting new link

http://www.politicalcompass.org/

I am sunburnt.

2003-04-13T14:16:00.000+10:00

As expected, the trip to Sea World and the famous Gold Coast polar bears was the highlight of the trip so far. Good to hear that in the wild, polar bears regularly experience Arctic temperatures of up to 35 deg C, so the subtropical Gold Coast is no challenge at all.

After the 400lb man eating bears, the rest of the park was a bit of a letdown. Even Penguins on Parade, believe it or not.

Polar bear pics here.

2003-04-12T18:06:00.000+10:00

Exciting Polar Bear news soon. But first, have a look at this.

2003-04-10T17:31:00.000+10:00

Keeping a low profile at work this week due to lack of a well defined role. This also means a lack of any real work to do, leaving lots of time to plan a trip to Seaworld and the Gold Coast's famous polar bears at the weekend.

2003-04-05T17:13:00.000+10:00

Haven't slept for ages, had a beer and some sunshine, and I'm now in the Gold Coast's biggest shopping mall. With hilarious consequences, hopefully. What I really want to buy is a wireless network, but Natalie won't let me, especially as we only have a single aging laptop.

Speaking of Natalie, it was our 5y anniversary the other day, and she forgot. Here you can find a list of things i'd have got less for...

2003-04-05T07:48:00.000+10:00

Finished my week of nights! Hurrah! No more excuses to stay indoors during the hours of sunlight! Boo!

Expect to see some excitiing new photos of me sunburnt / me in the burns unit / me and my new skin graft any time soon.

2003-03-28T14:34:00.000+10:00

Just a few days off before starting a week of nights. Trying to undo the shock of venturing outdoors in Sydney by avoiding direct sunlight and keeping all interior lights as dim as possible.

Did have a brief wander down to Surfers Paradise to find the place completely deserted. Apparently tourist season finishes around mid-March, despite there being no change whatsoever to atmospheric and/or water conditions. Expecting to see a lot of real hungry sharks any time now.

Off to get a bigger boat.

2003-03-25T21:41:00.000+10:00

Back from a great couple of days in sunny Sydney, where we didn't climb the bridge, go to the opera, check out the surf at Bondi or get caught up in any anti-war demos. We did go to the Zoo, and (later) met up with Doug Isles, which more than made up for things.

2003-03-22T17:45:00.000+10:00

There was no opera on at the opera house on Monday (designated Opera Day), and that's the only reason we're not going to the opera.

2003-03-22T17:17:00.000+10:00

I'm in Sydney, and even 12000 miles from Bristol it's possible to get on the internet. I've got some lovely pictures of us both dressed as penguins, but they'll have to wait until I can hook the camera up to the laptop.

2003-03-20T17:01:00.000+10:00

I tried to ensure Natalie had a stinking hangover to welcome her into her 27th year, but she seemed to make it to work OK this morning.

Off to Sydney this weekend...

2003-03-14T22:51:00.000+10:00

Avid readers and fans from around the globe will be delighted to know that I haven't been doing anything interesting for the last 2 weeks, I've simply been planning a new and radical overhaul to the website and have been too excited to post stuff. Anyway, we can't go anywhere because Natalie's passport has disappeared down the back of the sofa. Or somewhere.

2003-02-28T13:38:00.000+10:00

Thanks to Natalie and her poor sense of balance, I now get to bunk off work to be a responsible adult. Thank the Lord for vagal stimulation.

Will we do something interesting this weekend? Find out here...

2003-02-27T17:52:00.000+10:00

It's Here.

The all important digital camera cable has arrived, meaning the website can now become even more fantastically self indulgent.

2003-02-26T22:08:00.000+10:00

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Dr N H Whitton on her election the Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (Part One).

2003-02-24T19:32:00.000+10:00

It's been raining continuously for 24 hours, and in this time I've been asked if it's making me homesick a total of 37 times. That's an average of 1.54 times per hour, or once every 39 minutes.

Rain is expected to last for 4 or 5 days, giving me an ideal opportunity to prepare for the PACES exam, endlessly tweak the website for both my own twisted pleasure and that of the viewing public, and watch cricket. And Buffy.

2003-02-23T23:48:00.000+10:00

During the day,failed to go to exciting SeaWorld, featuring the famous Gold Coast Polar Bears. Good excuse to fail to go out this evening as subtropical storms lash the east coast of Oz, leaving me plenty of time give both Blog and website a lavish redesign.You hadn't noticed, had you.

2003-02-22T18:06:00.000+10:00

It stopped raining, so we went out on the Adventure Duck which is, as it's name suggests, a giant amphibious duck taking people on tours of the Gold Coast. Interestingly, whilst other Gold Coast tours use converted former US military amphibious assault vehicles, Adventure Duck uses custom made ducks, meaning better suspension and faster speeds on the road.

2003-02-22T11:00:00.000+10:00

It's raining out, so we're spending the day watching the surfing on the telly.

2003-02-19T23:43:00.000+10:00

Wondering why I don't update my blog thrice daily in an attempt to keep up with Dr Whitton?

It's because I've been WORKING LIKE A DOG.

And hence earning a small Australian fortune, equivalent to just over twelve English Pounds.

Maybe there'll be some interesting news after I spend the weekend "sitting on the beach and surfing"*

Did we gloss over the fact that Natalie was my house officer for the day?

* sleeping

2003-02-17T21:02:00.000+10:00

Got home after a hard day's Australian Work to find Natalie trying to blow the flat up. Main item on Aussie news (apart from the war) - the first day of the new London congestion charge. England winning a game of cricket relegated to the "and finally" slot.

When I say blow up, I mean in the explosive sense, obviously.

2003-02-13T23:14:00.000+10:00

Finally got bored of sitting around in the pissing Australian rain waiting for something to happen, so I've spent the evening applying for a job in subtropical paradise Bristol, just a short drive from the famous Weston Super Mare surfing resort. You know. The one with the shark attacks.

Evil Eye feedback mostly positive.

Make your own Evil Eye Effect with Webmonkey.

2003-02-12T22:47:00.000+10:00

First On Call. Had a social worker review a punter at 8pm. In A+E. Went home a happy man, leaving her to it.

Support the Evil Eye Effect.

2003-02-11T17:12:00.000+10:00

First day at work, and I'm moderately surprised to discover I'm the neurology registrar. "The neurosurgeons have seen this guy, and would value your expert opinion, mate". No worries - I'm the haematology reg in a fortnight.

I thought the "evil eye" effect was funny even if nobody else does.

2003-02-10T13:26:00.000+10:00

Did I mention the Krankies were on our flight on the way out?

2003-02-10T12:11:00.000+10:00

Not allowed to start work yet due to lack of Queensland Medical Registration, so spent a productive morning shopping for sunglasses and suncream, and developing an "evil eye" effect for the main site. It is VERY AMUSING.

2003-02-09T14:09:00.000+10:00

This country's great. It turns out it's possible to have the internet, in your own rented flat, in exchange for money. Have some of that, you English pig dogs.

Currently wrestling with the dilemma of leaving house to buy sunscreen, risking full-thickness sunburn, vs. staying indoors for 6 months watching telly.

Feed back any thoughts...

2003-02-07T16:00:00.000+10:00

Jim Fully Down Under

In the famous "Gold Coast", where the beach truly is paved with gold.

Could the man we're renting the house from possbily have been a Friend of Natalie? Sketchy evidence so far, including a picture for a half naked man in the en-suite. And a biography of Rudolph Nuryev. And a full set of Ab Fab videos, with the occasional Audience with Kenneth Williams. And a Celine Dion / Barbara Streisand duet left casually in the CD player.

2003-02-06T10:53:00.000+10:00

Jim 1/2 way under.

Currently passing time in Singapore International Airport, which unsurprisingly has some quality broadband terminals, most of which are free at 7am.

2003-02-02T09:24:00.000+10:00

Visa arrived
House sort of packed up
JimAndNatalieDownUnder.com has exciting guestbook
All well in world

2003-01-30T22:43:00.000+10:00

No visa yet. Flight in 6 days.

2003-01-29T03:37:00.000+10:00

Still not in Australia. Two new things happening:

1. Website purchased - www.JimAndNatalieDownUnder.com
2. Luxury beachside apartment sorted, photos of both this and original owner available...

2003-01-21T11:29:00.000+10:00

This is Jim's exciting trip to Australia Blog. And I haven't gone yet, which is why content is, as yet, minimal.

Future exciting developments will include

- Leaving on 6th Feb
- Flying in a plane to Brisbane
- Working as a "Doctor" at Gold Coast Hospital for 6 months
- Returning home in August to unemployment and a freshly burgled house
- Much musing on differences in healthcare provision
- Hidden section for poetry and secret innermost desires

Actually, unlikely ever to be updated.