G'day again, Haven't written for a while so shall fill u on on the last few days!! On Saturday we travelled up 2 the gold coast to surfers paradise, we chilled on the beach which was very nice we watched people surfing and got ourselves a lil tan. After beach we checked ourselves into our hotel which was really posh neither of us have stayed anywhere like it, the room was so nice both got a double bed and the views were amazing could see the ocean, mountains and the town!! We spent the rest of the afternoon relxing by the 3 pools and went in the heated jacuzzi. In the evening we went for dinner at a seafood restaurant where we both really enjoyed our meal. The shops were open late so we had a look around them then retired to the comfort of our hotel room. On the Sunday we enjoyed a lay in and had breakfast in the hotel, we had planned to have a surfing lesson but we decided to do that some other time and instead we went to Seaworld!! We saw sharks, polar bears, fish, watched a dolphin show, sealion show, went on some rides- swinging ship, log flume and a rollercoaster, then came back to Brisbane.

On Monday we started our placements at the hospital, the hospital is massive and really nice and the staff are all nice too, there are alot of english and irish people over here already, one australian nurse said "pommes are invading this place!" haha. Claire is in the childrens emergency department and I (charlotte) am on a general medical ward. Enjoying it so far, there is a baby bay on my ward so i've worked with them the most so far. Was hard on the first day to get used to the differences and their way of doing things and remember all that i had learn at home but by the end of the shift it was all good and i was giving cuddles to all the little babies!!awww. will keep you upd8d.

The emergency department is much bigger than the one at Barnet, it has 30 beds, treatment room and small theatre, x-ray, plaster room and a short stay ward. I have already had the chance to scrub up and assist with 2 lumbar punctures. I passed my first nasogastric tube on a small baby on my first day and have done 2 npa's. On this placement we are given opportunitites to practice more skills and do things that we aren't allowed to do in u.k such as setting up and connecting i.v's, this shall give us a headstart when we work back in the u.k. Along with those skills i have beencarrying out basic observations and assisting with other nursing procedures. We both feel so happy to have got such good placements in the areas that are of keen interest to us.

Shall keep you all updated hope you are all well lots of love Claire and Charlotte xxxx