Off Again

Well, we are off again if all goes well.  I have chemo on Wednesday, and we will head off immediately afterwards.  Just going to Eden as we only have about 6 nights we can be away.  Staying at Asling's Beach Eden Tourist Park again.

Eden Trip - 21st to 26th November 2012

Will make this one a single post, as there wasn't a lot that happened.
We left home at 20 to 10 on Wednesday November.  Stopped at Cann River, Pelican cafe, for petrol and lunch.
Arrived Eden 2:40.  Approximatley 3 1/4 hours travel time.
Bill set up the van while I restred with my feet up as ankles had swelled a little.
Went to the Golf Club for dinner.  We shared a spring roll entree and a fried rice.  I had pork with plum sauce - yummy.  Bill had curried scallops.
Spent and lost a few dollars on the pokies.
Back to the van, where Bill had a fit of the coughs.
Thursday 22nd November:
Sat outside the van after breakfast.  Did some knitting.
Had an early lunch of sandwiches.  Went to the $2.00 shop and spent over $100.  Bought some acrylic paints and paper, brushes etc.  I feel the urge to paint.

Then went to Art on Imlay - was looking for a leather dog for John, but they had none left.  However, I did buy myself a lovely pendant - Titanium Crystal.  A bit like this, although mine is more blue in colouring.  Mine is set in silver, with a silver chain.  Only $24, so very reasonable price.
We went to the Great White Bite for coffee, lime spider and chips.  Then to Bi-Lo to get a few groceries.
Went to the Fisherman's Club for dinner.  Bill had fish and chips, I had smoke salmon salad again.
Didn't waste any money on the pokies.
Salty had the runs in the car again, another mess for poor Bill to clean up. (Seem to have forgotten to mention the first mess earler in the day.)

Friday 23rd November:
A beautiful day - we spent the whole day sitting outside the van - didn't want to risk taking Salty anywhere in the car.
Bill went down the street to get a pencil and some milk.  I knitted, read, and even painted.  Bill did a painting too - neither were very good!
We had tea in the van - fillet steak, colelsaw and mashed potato.  Bill tried out the new tabletop bbq.  Seems to be excellent.
Saturday 24th November:
I felt a bit off today - just a bit nauseaous.  Stayed on the bed after I got dressed and had breakfast.  Dozed, but didn't really sleep.  Had a couple of crackers and cream cheese for lunch.

Settler's Cottage as it was before sale to new owners

About 3:30 we went into Eden to get a drink - but everything was either shut or shutting.  So we decided to go for a drive to Pambula.  Stopped at Settler's Cottage which has re-opened.  The lady was very nice.  We shared a Devonshire Tea of scones, jam and cream.
We had baked beans and left over steak for tea in the van.  I still wasn't feeling 100%.
Sunday 25th November:
Not feeling at all well today.  Bill offered to go home, but I decided to stay.  Spent the day on the bed with a sick bag.  Also got a bit of diaorrhea.
It was Brittany's birthday today.  She had let us know that she wouldn't be home until after lunch, so we left it until then to ring her.  She had texted us on Thursday morning to say her parcel had arrived that morning.  Excellent service, since we only posted it on our way out on Wednesday.
Bill packed up as much  of the van as he could so we could get away early tomorrow.
Monday 26th November:
Left the park by about 9:30 I think.  I wasn't very well at all, in fact Bill said I was as white as a sheet for most of the trip.  We didn't stop anywhere for lunch, because we were home by about 12:30ish.

Saturday 20th October - Eden

Whale at Eden

Woke early, when Bill got up.  He went fishing, but was back within a few minutes - there were whales in the bay.  I dressed quickly and we went back.  Saw a number of them - visible, (just) withiiut binoculars, but binoculars made then easy to see.  Too far out to take good photos though, but Bill got a couple of reasonable shots.  There seemed to be quite a large group in different parts of the bay.  We watched them for over an hour.
We came back to the van - I went back to bed and didn't get up again until about 12:00!  Bill went fishing again, but didn't catch anything.

Sitting outside the van knitting, Bill saw a Blue Tongued Lizard.  We watched him for ages.  Bill threw out some bread.  The lizard must have been abke to smell it because he walked straight over to it and carried it off.  Over the road he did battle with an entire slice!
We went for a drive down the street.  Had coffee and fish cakes / chips (Bill) and lime spider and lemon tart (me).
We went up the hill to the lookout and saw a few whales, but just in front of the whale museum we saw some tell-tale splashes.  Went to look fir a vantage point and ended up opposite the museum.  We'd been watching numerous whales flipping and flapping for a good half hour before the whale siren went off.  We watched them for an hour all up.  Bill took a few photos.  Went back to the lookout, and Bill took another couple of photos.
Back to the van, where I had a rest.
We had tea in the van tonight as I didn't feel like going out.
All in all we spent a good two hours watching whales today.
Home tomorrow - via Lakes Entrance to pick up the furred and feathered ones.

Friday 19th October - Bateman's Bay - Eden

Nia's Birthday today. Rang, but she was asleep after a week away at camp.
Up fairly early (8:30) so we could pack up.  Left park about 9:30.
Petrol at Bodalla - cheaper, AND ordinary unleaded.  Not E10 like everywhere else.
We had an early lunch at Narooma - a fairly dry carrot cake for me, and a pear and raspberry loaf that Bill said was  more like a golden syrup loaf.  This was at the Ice Creamery again.
Arrived at Eden Tourist Park about 2:30.  Karen rang just before Pambula - we wished Nia a Happy Birthday, then Karen was on for a chat.
Went down the street after we got settled to buy a few bits and pieces.  Bought a new chair for me - a Coleman, $69, but very comfortable and nice wide seat and high back.  Not too high though.
Went to Fisherman's Club for dinner.  I had a nice smoked salmon salad.  Bill had roast lamb.
Bill won $25 on pokies and I got back my $10 stake.

Thursday 18th October - Bateman's Bay

Jan nursing Lulu

We went to Birdland today.  We've been before, but it is worht a repeat visit.  We saw koalas, deer, emu, ostrich, peacocks, cockies, corellas, rainbow lorikeets, cockateils, ducks, wombats, snakes, alpacas among other things.  Watched the snake / wombat show, and I got to cuddle Lulu the baby wombat.  She was so cute.  Ran round the enclosure like a little puppy dog.  We declined the offer to hold or even touch the python!

Arthur the bag eating deer

We fed Arthur, the Farrow Deer who, as the sign warned, ate the bag and the contents.  Apparently the orphaned Arthur was reared with an orphaned kangaroo so he prefers the company of kangaroo to deer.

 We went out to the Botanic Gardens for lunch.  I decided on a Ploughman's Lunch.  I really enjoyed it.  There was marinated beef, ham, grapes, cucumber, several different cheeses, lettuce, a dry bread (not the nicest part of the lunch).  Bill had a pastie (I think).

We had a short walk to the lake, then headed back to the van.  We returned the walker oin the way.   Also went to the little beach across the road from the caravan park.

I had a lie down as I was rather tired.

We went to the Catalina Club again for dinner.  I had veal medallions with roast vegies on a rosti.  veal was more like a steak.not a medallion and wasn't wrapped in proscuitto as described.  The vegies seemed tobe diced vegies out of a tin.  The rosti was Ok.  Spinach was nice.  I was a bit disappointed on the whole.  Bill had Barramundi again, and enjoyed it.  However, instead of no dressing on the salad (as requested on both noghts, and ignored) there was no tartare sauce.  We got back another $50 on the pokies.

Wednesday 17th October - Bateman's Bay, Nelligen

Escapade on Clyde River

It was a lovely day today.  We went on our boat trip on the Escapade to Nelligen.  There was a magician on board for a group going on an outing to celebrate Carers' Week.  He was quite clever, considering the restrictions imposed by where he was working.  His name was Patch the Pirate.  I found him on YouTube - We had lovely fish and chips for lunch.  It was quite windy, and the wind was cool, so we stayed inside for the duration.  When we got to Nelligen I decided I'd like an icecream, so we walked up to the shop in the half hour stop-over.
We did a bit of shopping when the cruise was finished.  Bill bought a new towball that would fit his Couple-Mate guide that he bought the other day.
I had a rest in the afternoon.
For tea we had sandwiches in the van because we'd had a big lunch.

Tuesday 16th October - Bateman's Bay

The day didn't look too good for boating, so we decided to wait.
Went to the chemist to get a couple of scripts filled, but also needed some Caltrate.  The chemist heard me ask the girl for Caltrate and told me I was just as well off eating a box of chalk - he said Citracal was far better than Caltrate, more readily absorbed.  He suggested I take three Citracal. It will be interesting to see what my next blood tests show re my calcium level.
We did a bit of shopping, then bought some lunch and ate it at Casey's Beach.
Back to the van where I had an afternoon nap.
We went to the Catlina Club for dinner.  I had pumpkin soup, which was quite nice, but had a citrusy bite to it.  I asked the waiter and he came back to say it had lime and orange juice in it.  Bill had Barramundi.
We had a play on the pokies, and won $50 between us.

Monday 15th October - Mogo Zoo

Feeding the deer at Mogo Zoo

A lovely day today.  We went to Mogo Zoo once again.  It is always nice wandering around looking at the animals.  We saw Tamarins, Lemurs, Red Panda, fed the deer, white lions, giraffe, zebra, otters, tigers, siamang, ostrich, meerkats and probably others I've forgotten.  It was very enjoyable, but I was buggered by the time we had a sandwich (me) and pie (Bill) for lunch.
We decided to go to the RSL for dinner, so we could have Chinese at the restaurant.  Guess what - not open, only the Bistro.  So I had wedges which were very nice.  Bill had Beef and Black Bean sauce with fried rice.  Although I had wanted Chinese I didn't fancy the limited offerings from the Bistro.

Sunday 14th October - Bateman's Bay

Another nice day again, after last night's rain.
Late start to the day for me, 10 to 10 before I got up.  Bill was up much earlier.  It's a man thing - walking up and down the road talking to the other men who are out "fiddling" around their vans.  triking up a conversation to compare travel / van stories.
I didn't see (or hear) it, but apparently a van came off a car as they were leaving the park.  Seems the man hadn't hooked it all up properly.  Came off - KERASH!  They had to jack it up so they could reconnect it.
This afternoon we went for a drive to the Water Gardens - a fairly big garden around a large wetland.  Lots of ducks, swamp hens and a black swan.  Fed them some bread we had in the car.

Back deck at "On The Pier"

Then drove over the bridge to "On The Pier" - had a coffee on the lovely back deck.  Saw the bridge open to let the cruise boat through.
We went to find out times for the boat cruise to Nelligen and checked out a few restaurants.  I had a lovely lemon gelato from an ice cream shop.
Back the the van.  I knitted some more and then had a lie down.
Bill made an omelette for tea tonight.

Saturday 13th October - Bateman's Bay

A nice day today, but it looked like it might rain so we didn't do much.  I knitted and rested, actually had a sleep in the afternoon.
We went to the RSL for dinner.  It started to rain as we arrived, and rained quite heavily during the night.  Both Bill and I had roast pork - mine was supposedly a small, but seemed to have nearly as much as Bill's large roast.
Had a go on the pokies - put in $15, came home with $10.  Not too bad.
Bill's heart started playing up tonight.
Pouring rain when we got back to the park - and we were locked out.  The gate started to lift when Bill entered the code number, but then dropped down.  he tried and tried again, but it just wouldn't work.  Another car went through OK, so Bill tried again.  Still no go.  Eventually he had to ring the night bell and get someone to come down.  Seems that because it had tried to work it thiught we were in the oark, and so wouldn't let us come in again.  If we had entered the code on the 'out' buttons it probably would have then let us go in again.  Apart from getting wet, all was well.

Friday 12th October - Bateman's Bay

Georg Golly

No rain!  But I still had a fairly late start to the day, not as late as yesterday.
We went into town - bought a golly and a glass owl at Gifts On The Bay.  Think I'll call the Golly Georg Golly.
We picked up the wheelie walker we hired - $35 for a week.  Very reasonable.  Nice big wheels, wide seat, and a little basket that actually lifts out with handles so you don't have to get everything out of it when you fold it up.
Got some sandwiches for lunch and ate them on the foreshore.
We went back to the van after lunch.  I was in a bad way in the plumbing department.  I decided I needed help, so off to the Casualty Department of the hospital.  The doctor gave me 'laughing gas' to relax me, then "assisted" me to get things moving.  Not a really pleasant experience, quite painful at times.  Then he gave me an enema to keep things happening.
Went back to the van, and I spent much of the afternoon and evening on the loo.  Felt much better though.
I didn't want to go anywhere for tea in case I needed the loo in a hurry, so we had take-away fish and chips from "Scrumptious".  I didn't eat very much, still feeling a bit ragged from the day's experience.

Thursday 11th October - Bateman's Bay

It's raining, it's pouring.................
All night, all day!
The park was awash.  Even our concrete slab had a build up of water in spots.  I took the opportunity to have a very late start to the day.  I didn't get out of bed until lunch time.  We didn't go anywhere, except to the supermarket for a few supplies.
Rang up Mobility Matters because we had left my wheelie walker at home, and I'd need it if we were to do any sightseeing. 
Too wet to go anywhere for tea too, so we had toasted sandwiches in the van.

Wednesady 10th October - Bruthen to Batehaven

Didn't think we were going to get away for a while.  John Scarlett changed my treatment yesterday, and originally said it would start next Tuesday.  When I mentioned to Bill he would have to unpack the caravan John asked what we had been going to do, so he postponed the satrt to the following week so we could still go away.  Just had to be back in time to get a CT scan before I began the new treatment.
We left home at about 8:30 am, a bit earlier than we usually get away.  That's because we were doing the whole trip in one go this time.
Arrived at Cann River about 10:30 am.  Only stopped for petrol at Lob's garage this time - too early for lunch.
We arrived at Narooma about 1:00.  Had lunch at the ice-creamery.  I had a nice egg and lettuce sandwich and a proper lime-spider.  Bill had a pie.
There was quite a bit of road works on the way, and a fair bit of traffic going both ways.  We got more petrol at Narooma.
Arrived at Pleasurelea Caravan Park, Batehaven, at about 3:30 pm.  We had an en suite site at the end of a row.  Lots of vans in the park.

Scrumptious restaurant

We had dinner at "Scrumptious" - the restaurant in the park.  We both had fish and chips - the chips came in a metal bucket and were as nice as we remembered them from last time.  Fish was nice too - flathead fillets.

Bruthen to Bateman's Bay

Preparations are in train for our holiday to Bateman's Bay.  Clothes are in the van, things to go in the car are ready and waiting.  Still have to pack food.  This afternoon we will take the dog and the bird to Mum and Jim's.  We've decided to leave them at home this trip as it makes it easier to do things like go on a boat ride to Nelligan which we hope to do.  The site is booked at Pleasurelea Caravan Park.
Of course all of this is dependant on what John says tomorrow.  If he decides to change my treatment immediately we won't be able to go.  I explained the situation to the lady at the park when I booked the site.  I will ring her again tomorrow to either confirm or cancel.

Merimbula - August 22nd to August 30th

Just going to make this a one-post entry, summarising what we did on this rather eventful holiday.

We stayed at the Sapphire Valley Caravan Park this time. A really nice park, very spacious sites, nice roomy en suites, and good amenities, camp kitchen etc.

Simone Bear for Abbey

Bermagui

One of the first things we had to do was buy a gift for Abbey Rose Morgan, and post it to her so she could get something in the mail.  We chose a gorgeous teddy bear from the newsagents.

Similar shell art panel - ours is horizontal

We didn't  do a lot of driving around this holiday, but on the Sunday we did go to Bermagui for the market.  A bit disappointing, although I did get an Eye of Horus card game for Janine. We had a coffee, then we went to a little 60s Retro shop and bought a beautiful Chinese shell art picture of two pheasants.  Perfect condition.  From Bermagui we went to Cobargo and then Bega.  In Cobargo at Bangles Gallery we bought a birthday present for Rick, a Christmas present for Mark, and a lovely little brass owl for me.

Bangles Gallery at Cobargo

The only other shopping we did was in Merimbula were we went to a little market in the Twyford Hall.  I bought a card for Susan's birthday, a dragonfly scarf ring, and we bought a lovely gold metal lighthouse (originally retailed for $98!), a small glass swan that matches a larger one I bought in Milton some years ago, and a small pottery owl.  Bought Janine's birthday prsent too, at Everything Earthy.
We looked for whales a couple of times, but didn't find any.
Then came the bad news - we were walking down the main street of Merimbula when John rang to say that our uncle Bob (Robert Henry SULLIVAN) had died.  I burst into tears - I had so wanted to go to Melbourne to see him before this day came, and we were planning a visit when we got back from this holiday.  Sadly we left it too late.  That news caused a quandry, because later in the week John rang to say that the funeral was on Friday, and we weren't due to come home until Saturday.  But I desperately wanted to be at the funeral.  Let's just say we were at odds.
This was further complicated by the fact that we ended up at Pambula Hospital for 5 hours on what became our last day.  I woke during the night with bad pains in my side.  When I got up at 7:30 to go to the loo I was dry retching badly.  I went back to bed, but the pain didn't ease, and although I didn't feel as nauseous I didn't feel well.  At 9:30 we decided to go to the hospital.  I was a little worried about apendicitis.  Turned out I had a temperature as well, and as their protocol is the same as Bairnsdale's (temp + chemo = blood tests) I had to have those, provide a urine sample, had x-rays of my abdomen - all of which didn't show any cause for alarm.  The doctor even rang John Scarlett to talk to him, and basically the conclusion was - take two aspirin (panadeine actually) and call me in the morning if it is no better.  The pain, and the temperature, eased after the panadeine and I was basically pain free for the rest of the day, although they did return that night.  No more nausea though.  Still don't know what caused it, but it wasn't the best way to spend the last day of our already shortened holiday.
We travelled home on the Thursday.

Wednesday 25th July 2012 - Eden to Bruthen

I was up just after 8 this morning (Bill had been up a while by then).  Had breakfast, and then we packed the van and got ready to depart.  We left the park about 10:10am in beautiful weather.  The weather has been quite good the whole time we've been here.

Cann River Bakery

An uneventful trip home.  We stopped at Cann River again for petrol at Lob's Garage - the lady remembered us again.  Had lunch at the Bakery instead of the Pelican.  My salad roll was very nice, although it was tending to the soggy side as it was pre-made.  Bill had a pie.  Wish I'd had the camera with me, because they have got a lovely display of dolls houses and fairies and things, and old mother hubbard shoes made of lollies.  Photos were welcome for a gold coin donation to the SES.  I should have got Bill to go back to the car to get the camera.  Next time.
We arrived home about 2:15.  Bill unpacked most of the van, except for the clothes I think.
A nice relaxing holiday again.  Verdict re the caravan?  Money well spent.  I slept well every night.  The extra length in the bed, thanks to the extension and the bolster, plus the inner-spring mattress (which we kept out of the Roadstar since we had only just bought it) meant my legs weren't always cramped up.  The couch is comfortable to sit on, esecially with the addition of the firm chair pad / cushions we bought (ended up with three altogether) as it makes the seats just a little bit higher.  We are thinking of getting a quote to have the foam in the seats replaced - will depend on how much it is going to cost whether we do it or not.  Bill is going to repaint the trims on the cupboards, because they are showing a little bit if wear, and he will modify how the pop-top vinyl is attached to the roof because it appears to be coming away in some places.  All in all we are very pleased with our purchase.

Tuesday 24th July 2012 - Eden - Merimbula

Bill Roberts and Tony Sullivan 'chatting'

I knitted, and we chatted to Tony and Shirl till about 11:30.  We then drove to Merimbula.  We had lunch beside the bridge, watching the workers strengthening the bridge supports.  I had left-over poizza from last night, Bill had a pie and bread roll from the bakery.  He also had an applae and cream pie, while I had a vanilla slice.
We went down to Short Point to see if we could spot a whale, but no such luck.  Although I did say to Bill we would be sure to spot one today because we had left the camera in the van!  Didn't though.
Decided against going to look at Everything Earthy again because I would probably want to spend more money!
Back to Eden and the van.
Went back to the Fisherman's Club for dinner tonight.  Bill had a whole John Dory, I had roast lamb.  Both very nice.
Spent a few dollars on the pokies again.  I won back the $10 I had put in.  Bill lost his.

Monday 23rd July 2012 - Eden

mini washing machine

Another lazy start - that's the point of these holidays Bill tells me.  But then again, I usually have lazy starts to the day at home too.

Portable clothes line

I knitted and stitched some more.  Bill tried out the new washing machine.  He set it up in the en suite so he could run the outlet hose into the shower drain.  It worked a treat - he is so pleased with himself for buying it.  We first saw one in Aussie Disposals in Sale, on sale for $199.  Bill liked the idea of it then, but I wasn't so enthusiastic, so he didn't buy it.  But he kept thinking about it, and finally looked them up on the internet.  He found this one for $104, with free delivery.  (Have since seen the same one for $86 with free delivery!)  So we ordered it, and it arrived quite promptly.  In the meantime we had asked about them at Aussie Disposals in Bairnsdale, and were told the rice was $199.  The man photocopied the page out of the Companion Catalogue for us.  Bill was convinced they were exactly the same machine.  When ours arrived, the instructions were in Chinglish - very funny and very confusing.  So Bill downloaded the instruction manual for the companion washer  and he is even more convinced they are one and the same machine.  Bill washed a shirt, several pairs of undies, a pair of pants and a t-shirt in one load - washed everything beautifully.  He had to spin in two loads, but the clothes were very dry after the spin.  Silly man hadn't brought our portable clothes line, so he had to go over to the laundry to hang out the clothes.  His reasoning behind buying the washer is that it costs up to $10 a time to wash and dry a load in the park laundry - OK, he could hang clothes out instead of using the drier, but it would still be $6 or $7 dollars to wash.  In a few trips the washer will have paid for itself.

We had rolls agin for lunch. Then we went down the street to go to Art on Imlay.  I bought another leather sculpture - a boy and a girl with a dog.  Quite expensive at $80, but very clever and exquisitely done by Sue Spink.  We also bought a dog coat for Salty for $18 - it is a lovely thick (two layers of polar fleece) with a tiger stripes print on it.
For dinner tonight I had a lovely Hawaiian Pizza and Bill had a Baked Spud.  We bought them in the town, and took them back to the van to eat.  Also had a herb Pizza Bread between us - very nice also.

Sunday 22nd July 2012

Another lazy start to the day.  I knitted and stitched bears.
Made rolls for lunch at the van.

Wrapped scarf

Unwrapped scarf

Went down the street again to have a sticky - looked at the ethnic shop (can't remember the name) - some lovely, but expensive, pottery and bead work items.  Bought a silk scarf made in India.  it is bright tie-dye colours - wrapped into a rope-like bundle.  It took quite a while to unwrap, but looked very pretty when it was unwrapped.

Great Southern Inn

Went to Essentially Eden at the Great Southern pub for dinner.  Bill had fish and chips again.  I had crumbed prawn cutlets.  Both were very nice.  No luck on the pokies, although the lady next to me had nearly $700 up when we left.

Saturday 21st July 2012 - Eden

Great White Bite cafe

A late start to the day (for me anyway).  We went down the street and had lunch at the Great White Bite - food lovely as usual.  I had wedges with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce. Yum!  Bill had fish and chips.
Went to the $2 shop again.  Bought a square cushion for the seats in the van, and a few other things - as usual.  We always manage to find something in this shop, no matter how many times we go.
I knitted, Bill pottered around the van to see if anything needed doing or changing.
We went to the Golden Ocean Chinese restaurant for dinner.  Yummy spring Rolls, so-so Thai Noodles.  Bill's T-bone steak was good.