This is too scary for words! If you are sick whilst in Strahan you’ve got a major problem! Let me explain: A couple of days ago I’ve started having a rather familiar ache in one of my ears. Today I am aware that unless I get ahold of special eardrops and, unfortunately, at least one course of antibiotics I’ll soon be in big trouble. Having been in this predicament a number of times before, I thankfully recognize the signs before I get to the screaming-in-agony point. I need to find a GP, and need to find him quickly! When I enquire at the Information Centre as to where I might find a doctor in this town, I am informed that it only has a visiting doctor on Tuesdays and Thursdays. That’s scary (what if you were really, really sick on any of the other days??) but I am grateful because tomorrow is Tuesday and I’m pretty sure that I’ll survive another night. When I arrive at the doctor’s surgery on Tuesday I am informed that it is impossible to get an appointment because he is booked out until mid-April. I can barely believe what I am hearing! Then I am told that the next closest GP is at Queenstown, a 50 km drive from Strahan, and that he is booked out until the end of April. I am floored! What, in heaven’s name, do people do around here when they need medical help in a hurry?
Thankfully I am extremely fortunate and, on said Tuesday, manage to squeeze into a spot that is unexpectedly left vacant by a patient who doesn’t show up. Perhaps he died whilst waiting for Tuesday?! In any case, I am lucky and get the prescription I need. All the same, I am horrified to come that up close and personal with the reality that living in a civilized country still doesn’t guarantee medical treatment and I must tell you that I consider this to be a VERY frightening state of affairs.
Unfortunately feeling unwell during our stay in Strahan also means that I am not in the mood to go do anything much. Not that there seems to be all that much to be done at this time of year in this quaint and lovely place – it’s practically deserted! (see picture). We have been told, however, that the Gordon River Cruise is a great experience and I am sorry that we’ve missed out on it. Oh well, perhaps another time….
PS We did, however, end up having THE BEST meal experience at Strahan. Whilst I’ve forgotten the name of the rather lovely restaurant in which we had this memorable feast, I’ve not forgotten how much we enjoyed it.
(Because we’ve been unable to connect to the internet in quite a few places I’ve fallen way behind in my blogging, so am only making this blog entry a week after the event. Today we have arrived at a place that has great internet reception and as we’ll be staying here for a couple of days I’m hopeful that I’ll manage to catch up.)
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