Managed to sort my malarial tablets out now. I ended up going for Malarone, and following some advice, got it from Superdrug for near trade price. Buying it from the Liverpool Institute for tropical medicine would have cost £160 odd quid, but instead, got it for £70. I'm all set now. Armed with a mosquito net, repellant, and a laptop, I leave early Friday morning for Amsterdam and then onto Entebbe. One last day in the UK!

Well, sat my last exam yesterday and passed all the stations with no bother. I guess thats that then! The end of student life and the start to the big wide world. It's mad to think that four years have gone by so quickly.

Another jab today, Rabies. In my right arm again. Damn, any more of these and it's gonna render them useless. I'll not be able to use them when I get there! Still trying to decide which malaria tablets to get, its either Malarone or Doxycycline. Malarone costs a bomb, and Doxycyclines cheap as chips. Ive got until the 27th when I'm getting I'm second rabies jab to decide though, decisions.....

Got my Hep A and Typhoid vaccinations today. One in the right arm, one in the left. Was hoping that I would get my malaria prescription too, but since the appointment was so late, the nurse said that the pharmacy would be closed by the time it was all written out. Gotta go to the Liverpool institute for tropical medicine tomorrow morning instead now, and just beg that they give me a slot to get them. If they turn me away, then I'll have to get them in Glasgow some time before or after my exam.. don't really want to have to do that. Still, at least I can discuss if I need Cholera and Rabies with them then.

My visa came back today too! All printed, and everythings fine. Oooooonly thing is, when I opened my passport to see it, some random lady's photograph fell out! I dunno who she is, but when I tried to call the embassy to let them know, they'd all gone home. Mrs X will have to wait 'til monday when there back in office before she can be returned. Otherwise I might just take here with me. She can be my accomplice!

Just been to the clinic today to get my yellow fever vaccination. Such a small needle! I was expecting something more dramatic than that. I guess I'll find out later on or tomorrow if its going to put me out for a bit, although I feel fine just now. Whats all the fuss about? I got a bunch of info on the different malarial tablets you can take too, so need to give that a read.

I've also got an appointment on friday to sort out any other jabs like Hep A, Typhoid etc... Although, I'm pretty sure that I had those last year when traveling to China. I phoned up my GP in Glasgow but they were pretty disorganised, and couldnt find most of the vaccinations that I'd had. Still, better safe than sorry I guess, and I'm sure the doctors here will put the record straight.

My visa is being processed today too apparently (phoned them up to see whats taking so long). According to them I should have it and my passport back by the end of the week. After that, I'm pretty much good to go! Only the mosquito net and repellant to get now!

So, a little update so far...

This week I've finished my second placement, studying prosthetics in Fazakerley hospital. It seems pretty crazy that this year is almost over and that it's nearly time for the very final exam on Sept 15th. Its been great fun at the prosthetics centre and the final night out was brilliant, with a meal at the top of the West Tower in the panoramic restaurant. Steve's jacket was pretty mental.

Ive also met up with a family friend - Helen Jordan, who works for the Teso Educational Support Scheme (TESS) in Uganda. She's given me plenty of advice on how to get around and places to see. Overall it was great to get a feel of what it might be like, and I'm really looking forward to the trip now.
26 days to go!