• Cookie Cook
  • Cookie Cook

Cookie and Sandsy

Our First trip together. Australia-Africa-Australia. Read more
  • Trip start
    March 27, 2019

    Brisbane, Australia.

    March 27, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 20 °C

    Today I saw the travel Doctor, we discussed our trip and the immunisations needed. I have not yet had my immunisations as I got serology taken to determine my immunisation status. I did tell the RMO that I have had serology and immunisations over the years due to my nursing career, but I was comforted knowing that I am or may not need injections because I have had them in the past and have still seroconversion. Rabies is one scary course, and disease, should it be necessary. I guess if you stay away from any sort of animal in Africa you will be right!!!! But isn't that one reason you go to Africa, to see the most magnificent land animals the world has to offer but if you get that close to aminals in Africa worring about Rabies would be the one thing you wouldnt be worried about I imagine. Don't more people die in Africa from Hippopotamus attack than any other accident (I remember hearing about that somewhere once). I guess traffic accidents are not stastically kept!!!

    Also today was the first time I really sat down and read the itinerary at the RMO in the waiting room, as the RMO would want to know where I was going so he could educate me regarding what I did or didnt need in terms of injections. He seemed excited "a holiday of a lifetime" he said. To be truthful I am reluctant and hesitant. I have just come home off the back of a month away with the army on an army course which I did not enjoy. I "left" the boys at home on their own for a month. Wills had not yet started TAFE and it was a very stressful time for him, all this new language and timetabling and no one at home to share his worries with. Thomas had just come back from Mexico and started at the Police academy, although he was not stressed and was loving it I was still worried for him. I'm not so worried about him now as he is absolutely thriving and loving it. But it is Wills who I am worried about and I am worried about leaving him for another month on his own. So I should be so excited and I should be discussing the trip but I'm just not feeling it yet.

    I have Sandsy by my side. Although he doesnt know about my worries, he is the trip organiser. He organised my RMO appointment, he had a folder with everything from the itinary to the immunisations. He has his scripts filled, his first aid packed and his $US750. Me I went to the allocated appointment, I am thinking I should go and get my $US, I should read the e-mails from Nick and I should read the packing list. I feel I have four weeks....heaps of time right??? probably not. I still feel overwhelmed from my army time. But luckily I have the most wonderful man by my side, and soon I will be back on track and will be excited about the new beginnings of "Rachael's next life journey" (with my wonderful man right there, luckiest chick in the world).
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  • Immunisations.

    March 28, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    The Dr rang and my serology came back, all I needed was my Typhoid immunisations. He also recommended the flu vax which I will have at work when the new vax comes out at the end of April. See still have time!!! I spoke to Thomas about leaving him and Wills for another month, he is fine about it, I havent discussed it with Wills yet he is still a bit young to be sharing the concerns of a mum. So there we have it immunisations almost done!!Read more

  • Diggers Rest.

    April 19, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 22 °C

    Good Friday, we headed up to Diggers Rest for a working bee, Sandsy arrived first as I was doing the Easter Family thing a Kings Beach, the ocean was like a washing machine, the wind was blowing and watching 3 little kids was a little busy, it was also raining, a far cry from last year when the sun was burning and melthing all the eggs. Anyway back to Diggers Rest, we finished building the cages for the retaining wall. But we also had a lunch break where Nick gave a little insight to the security brief, knives, guns and staying where you are told to stay.... do not go....Then his and Karen's stories of survival and protection of property, overwheling to say the least (soemtimes funny). I looked at Sandsy he smiled shrugged his shoulders and contniued to listen intentsly. I had a partial smile with a partial mouth open wondering how on earth one lives like that. It is going to be one eye opening adventure. I went to tell Karen how Sandsy is ready to go, immunisations, $US, itenary, Wills and EPOA already delivered to Laura, he has a new packpack a new money wallet, has packed his torches, knife, binoculars, watch and raincoat (he has leant me one of his). Me on the other hand has had 1 immunisation and will wait a little longer to gather the rest, luckily Karens said that she leaves everything to the last minute too. So on that note I better have another look at the itenary. Ciao for now.Read more