Dublin, Ireland - ´Tis Grand!

So after my 2nd week at the Whittington, I was off for a weekend mini-break to Dublin.

I left after work on Friday night to catch the flight at Stansted Airport, and just like my trip to Sweden, I cut it way too close. I just made it before check-in closed, but my bag was too big for the new hand luggage dimensions, and then it was madness. Had to pay for excess baggage and check it in, but eventually made it.

Met up with Ruth`s sister Lisa at O`Callahan`s Hotel, and we hit the town. And that basically consisted of Irish beverages, and that may or may not have included Guinness. They say the Guinness tastes better in Ireland, and they`re right - it`s the Irish water.

Lisa and I - "First drink of the day"

Went around Temple Bar and pubs in the area, then crossed the River Liffey to catch a bar called Sin-E, then had the good ´ol kebab/sandwich to close out the night.

Temple Bar (Famous Irish pub) by day - way too crowded at night

Day after we went sightseeing (including St. Patrick`s Cathedral) and saw a play called Stones in His Pockets, which was really, really good. It`s an Irish play that`s been on Broadway and the West End in London, and was back to Dublin. Funny and so clever.

The night consists of more Irish drinking, but this time more spirits (Jameson`s whiskey, Bailey`s, etc).

The next day sees me head down to the Guinness Storehouse solo. Nice place, really shows you how beer (in general) is made, including Guinness. Great views from the top of the Storehouse, too.

After that, it was time to check out and head home. Blessed with great weather the whole weekend. Friendly Irish folk everywhere. Nice one.

DN

Physio job 2: North London

After I finished my job in Bristol on Wed Aug 30, I only had to wait 2 days for more job offers - on Friday I got the call for the next job. My second locum position was an acute neuro/stroke position at the Whittington Hospital. Everything was falling into place - it meant that I could save up just enough to travel through Europe with just enough time to travel before going to New York in November.

The job was stable (5 weeks and could have worked more), but it highlighted the flaws of the English health system and how unorganised the system is. Without going into too much detail, I think the Australian system, though having its own issues, is pretty good in comparison.

Strange to be doing neuro work when I had always expected to work mainly in orthopaedics. Funny how things work out here in London...so instead of not finding any work (as I expected), I was getting steady work, good pay, and probably would`ve been able to get more work (I had another offer from a different agency as well).

But now the job is finished, and my career as a UK physio has probably come to an end for the near future...

DN