Thursday – Kangaroo Hunting

It was another scorcher. The radio mentioned something about the 40's, and I don't think that they are talking about how old I will be in about 6 years, or about the war. Anyway I didn't get much rest, so I thought, I'll cool off in the mall, so I jumped into my car (remember, not much change out of £750).

I was trundling off to the mall, and came upon the 300 sets of traffic lights (2 actually, but they both seem to last red for about 5 minutes) in the ½ mile between my house and the mall. I thought, "the car in front it really blowing a lot of smoke." Then I went to park in the car park, and saw that the smoke was coming from under the bonnet of my car. "ARRGGGHHHHH" was my first thought.

I looked under the bonnet, and there was smoke and small flames pouring out the air conditioning compressor. After a dose of fire extinguisher, do I need to say that I no longer have air conditioning in my car? I'll take it out, and get another compressor when I can get around to; in the meantime, no relief in the car anymore.

After a much needed long cold drink (a litre of iced coffee) and an ice cream, I went home and back to work for the next night. I delayed my shower until at the ambulance station, because that is got air con. I am also left my work shirts all there, and so I ironed one of them, and got ready in the cool. There is a lot to be said for air conditioning in doors. I'm definitely going to look for a house that has it.

Not much occurred during the night. We weren't as quiet as the night before, but we did get a long time on base (3 am until home time 8 am). That was excellent, and very relaxing. I wasn't tired up until about 3 anyway, as the jet lag from the UK is still rearing its large ugly head. Great if you are doing night shifts, but no fun most other times. At least from West to East is staying up late, not getting up early.

I saw my first wild Kangaroo during the night (and second one, and third one, and fourth, and fifth, and maybe my sixth one). You ask "How have you not seen any before and so many now?" Well that is a very good question. Although a lot of the signs on the road warn of kangaroos, they aren't often nearby.

This evening we got a call about 50 miles north of the city outskirts, and while we were going up there (out in the real bush) that is where we saw them, bouncing along, playing with traffic.

"What would warrant driving 50 miles in an ambulance to attend?" I hear you ask. Another good question, it was a lady how had been bitten (maybe, I'm not convinced) by an insect (not a red back spider) and she had a small red mark on her arm. Anyway $500 and another 50 miles later, she was happily ensconced in hospital.

I don't know how she is going to get back home, but that isn't really my problem. I hope that the bus that she will be travelling back on has air con, because it is going to be as hot again on Friday, and that the bus doesn't hit a kangaroo on the way home.