Christmas in Port Fairy

This year the first for many years we had Christmas with our family in Port fairy,the weather was great to us and we all had a great Christmas day there was lots of food and drinks .Some of the family went fishing in the afternoon and caught a couple of fish but they were undersized so they went back in.

Set Back

Went up for chemo today and had a little setback as they don't work over Xmas or new year so I wont do my last chemo until Jan 25Th instead of finishing on the 12 Th but I have to take the good with the bad.
This will be the first Xmas in many years that I will be home and I am looking forward to it as the whole family will meet in beautiful Port Fairy and we will be with Chelsea and Emily our grandchildren this is what Christmas is all about to see two happy kids,then after Xmas Amanda our eldest daughter has shouted the whole family to hairspray in Melbourne so we will all meet up again in January for this show and then a week later we go to see the boy from oz so very busy January as you can see.

Aftrernoon Tea

Hi look at the great biscuits Glenda cooked for afternoon Tea I should resist them but they are just to nice.Having a break from painting as I just finished the hallway and on Monday we have a carpenter coming to put on a new sliding door to our bathroom and a new back door also getting some more lights put into two spare bedrooms and a couple of new light switches so it will be all go so long as the rain keeps away.

I am going well to as I do my last chemo on the 12 Jan that is five more weeks and then after that a colonascophy just to make sure everything is OK but I am sure it is as I am putting on weight all the time.

Still painting

Still painting finished the hallway yesterday and today went down to Ballarat to get new reading glasses the make a difference and tomorrow its back in for chemo as I said I will be glad when its all done then the joints should stop moaning.We have had a lot of rain and the creek is up down the back the gums are in the middle of the creek so I am waiting for one to fall over.

Slowly getting there

Well only 6 more weeks to go with the chemo boy am I counting them down as you well know that I hate the big needle they put into the back of my hand.just started working on our passage way filled all the holes and now I have to wait until it drys before I sand it down and put on the undercoat that will be Fridays job to start the undercoat and sanding.

On the Downward slide

Today means only 7 more treatments and boy am I counting them down this means I Finnish in the middle of January cant wait then I hope all the aches that I get from it will go.Just finished painting another bedroom and now it is being refurbished as we sold the big bunks in there and bought a new double bed and some bedside tables and new touch lamps,new curtains so it has all come together very well now its start all over again in another room but if it gets to hot I will wait untill it cools down.

Half Way Point You Beauty

Today was the half way point of my chemo ten weeks to go with those big needles and five more blood tests and today the Professor told me that I will have to do a Ultrasound to make sure the treatment is not affecting my liver.I have put back the weight so its now on a diet and to do a walk each morning and in the afternoon I use the walking machine and then the vibrating machine this helps the circulation and is supposed to take of weight.

The New Friend

I decided to have the weekend off so we went to Yarrawonga for a break away from the work at home the weather was perfect and it was the first time Glenda has had a stone grill it was yummy and then I won $88 in one drop of the machine I was only playing one coin as it was getting low should have been two never mind that's the luck of the draw.

When we arrived home our new friend was out to greet us and he is getting used to us as he no longer heads back into the drain just keeps an eye on us as we pass.

Nice Day

A great day again and today we lifted the carpet and found that it was on top of lino then when we got the lino out underneath was lots of 1959 sun newspaper boy did I have a ball reading the ads and some of the stories brought back memories even Prince Charles when he was a boy but the best part is it is imprinted onto the floor very strange.Then latter I went outside and here was this massive Lizard sunning on the grass I kept an eye on him and out popped a second one but I only got a photo of one.I found the roof has still got a drip as I could hear it so its of with the roof again as soon it gets fine its a real problem might have to replace a few sheets of iron but that's a summertime job.

Baby sitting at Port Fairy

Over the weekend we went down to Port fairy to Baby Sit Chelsea and Emily and as the weather was so good we met them in Warnnambool and enjoyed a bit of time at the Botanical gardens feeding the ducks this was on Saturday and on Sunday we took them to a school fair in Port Fairy it was here they had a great time but Glenda took of when the wildlife park man had a snake out and was showing everyone he also had lots of other young animals that the girls loved.

The Mighty River Murray

Hello we just came back from Echuca as I wanted to go and see the amount of water that is in the Murray and it has quite a bit but I have seen it much higher years ago,while we were there we went out to Turrumbury hotel and had the best steak ever it was just so tender and tasty then back to Echuca to play the machine and we started with $20 each I pulled the $40 I had won and put it back in my pocket and then went and had a coke but Glenda finished up with $145 so we are in front this is rare.The motel we stayed at was the Caddle on the Murray and yes it was right on the side of the Murray River and a comfortable room.

The grand Dog

Hello today Amanda came up to see us as she is still on holidays and brought along our Grand dog PERRI she loved it here as there is lots of backyard to run around in so I have taken a few photos of her.Today was an easy day not much got done but we cant do much until the kitchen lino is laid on Tuesday then we can empty out the spare room and start painting again.

The creek

Her is the creek in flood and as it is today it was nice to see water in it as it has been many years since this has happened and it was great to see.Today I had to go and get my back put back as yesterday I laid a new floor in our kitchen as the old one had a bit of dry rot and had to be replaced so it took a full day and now we have to wait for new lino to be laid on Tuesday but it will look great once it is complete and the place looks so bright with all new lights and fresh paint so far we have done up the bathroom and the kitchen and the kitchenette its been a lot of hard work but well worth it.

Bit Slack

Hi I have been a bit slack as we have been very busy painting , plumbing , electrical work and pulling up old lino and a new one will be laid on Friday then once a week I visit the hospital to have chemo so time just fly's so quick and as the weather here is still cold I manage to split a bit of wood to burn in our fire.And with all the rain the creek came up and it looked like we had a lake out the back but it did look great,oh yes I am still doing the Build a Webb page course for three hours each week but as its school holiday here in Victoria I have two weeks break.

Still on the Roof

Well we thought we had fixed the leak and had to wait for it to rain but unfortunately
we found it still leaked when the rain came down again so today I pulled of some more sheets to try and find it still wont know until it rains again.In the meantime we are still painting this will take some time as we have to move furniture around and on Friday went down to Melbourne and bought a new vanity unit $200 cheaper than i could buy it up here so now I will have to install it.

Dont know where the time goes

Very busy painting and just replaced the inside of the kitchen roof only to find it leaked so I had to wait for the rain and wind to stop before I could go onto the roof to make a few repairs ,still not sure yet if that fixed it otherwise I will have to take some sheets of and find a trail to where it is from.
Every Wednesday is taken up by doing a coarse on how to build a webb site and boy do I have to use the old grey matter but I enjoy it and I find it interesting.

Hard Weekend

Boy what tired muscles we both have as we have been having a big clean up and many trips 22 klm into Ararat with the trailer full I did not realise that over the years the build up that had to be cleaned out I could not believe the amount of steal that I had built up you never know it might be handy and burnt a lot of rubbish in the hole down the back its very useful. Glenda now wants to start inside so it will be more trips to the tip and lots more sore body.

Escaped from Hospital

Hi I escaped out of hospital on Thursday as it was crazy sitting around waiting to be sick so I spoke to the doctor and he agreed to let me loose as long as I came back in each day to get a new Chemo bottle and this I have done and the last bottle was today so they take it off me tomorrow and then three weeks off with no more Chemo until the three weeks end and then one hour each week for twenty weeks.

In Hospital for Chemo

Hi yesterday Tuesday I came into hospital to start my coarse of Chemo and today Wednesday it is all going well no side affects and if I was going to get these side affects I would have got them over the last 24 hours so very happy .

A Great 2 Days

Hi Friday we went down to Ballarat and met up at Amanda's and Mats with Danielle and Paul and the two girls then stayed down overnight to spend the morning with them and have lunch it was a very cold day in Ballarat but it was nice and warm in Amanda's.

On the way to recovery

Hi today (Thursday) I went to see the surgeon who took out the stitches from my last operation and was very happy with the way it so I can now start the Chemo and get on my way to getting back to a normal life again after this but it will still take many weeks yet as I will do a week in hospital to start it of slow then after that have 3 weeks of with none and then go in for one hour a week over 20 weeks and after that I can then get back into what I love touring Glenda cant wait she is looking forward to this as well so now she wont have to dress the wound anymore as it needs the air to help seal it up.

Cake Day

Hi today( Friday) was so cold we stayed inside I looked after the fire while Glenda baked some cakes with her new cake tray that means you don't have to cut the cake as it is baked in its own small piece I must say I have been into them and they are lovely.

Another load of wood

Hi today (Thursday) we went up to Great Western to pick up another trailer load of dry firewood so its back on the splitter for Glenda as soon as it warms up as it is very cold here at this time I know she will get very warm cutting the wood up but at the moment we have enough to keep going.

Cold Week

Hi Everyone
Its been a very wet and cold week in our region so I have spent most of it looking after the lounge room fire,Monday I went to the chiropractors with my neck out and back to him today (Wednesday) he said my neck was put out of place when the transferred from the operating table to the bed and while I was in Ararat it was a good chance to get the ford dealer to do a small repair to my power steering that had a leak hell they know how to charge might have to go back to work early no I don't think the Doctor would be to happy with that as I still have Chemo to start yet on the 12 July.

Surprise Visit

Hello today (sunday) we had a surprise visit from Amanda and Mat and there Staffy Peri it was nice to see them and they brought up lunch with them.Peri had a great time exploring and eating the grass outside then Glenda and Amanda took Peri down to see the animals the only animal she did not like was the Alpacka.

Overnight in Hospital

Hi Folks
I have just spent Tuesday night in hospital to find out why my wound would not heal so as you will see in the photo there was a stitch left in when I was transferred from Horsham hospital to Stawell so now I am hoping that all will go well from now on

WOOD

Well another trailer load of firewood so the time was spent by the both of us cutting and stacking this wood and as it was a very cold day it kept us very warm.

Cold Day

Not much happened today as it was so cold here I did a little bit of painting and we had a trip into Ararat but most of the day was looking after the wood heater and keeping it topped up when I looked at the weather forecast at 4 pm it was 4 deg and another frost on the way.

BEAUTIFUL DAY

What a great day so we got a lot done today first I stained around the new window sills when I was in hospital the new windows were fitted and this is the first chance I had to do them.
Glenda was on the Ride on mower and also using the hand mower to cut the grass although it was wet it still cut very well then she found time to talk to the people who have a holiday house next door as it was a perfect day but tomorrow (Tuesday) it is expected to be minus 2 in the morning with another nice day after the frost.

The Pile

Firewood

I have placed on the blog our small firewood pile and the splitter that Glenda has mastered we have cut up a lot of wood but still have to get more loads to get through winter so we will pick up another load next week before I have to go back into hospital the following week to get a stitch out that is causing my wound not to heal.

A Couple of great Days

Yesterday we had a visit from Danielle and Paul and little Emily who was just a joy to have fun with unfortunately Chelsea was at school and then went to a sleepover.
Emily went down with her Nana and with a bag full of carrots fed the animals she was so excited and when it was time to head home to Port Fairy she did not want to go.
The today Saturday Amanda and Matt came up for lunch and Glenda prepared a nice Roast but as it was very cold we spent most of the time in by the fire but they did not bring Peri there Staffy as we had a mice problem awhile ago and had a lot of baits so they left her home but now the mice have gone the next time they can bring her to enjoy country life life but I think she would have stayed inside to as it was so cold.

A Few Days Away

Hello on the weekend we went down to Rosebud to Glenda's sisters house it was a good chance to have my first break since my operation and also to see how I could handle a long drive and I did.It was good to be able to go to the indoor shopping centre down there and just browse for awhile.
Then today (Tuesday( we went to Great Western twice to get two trailer loads of split wood and when we got home we split a few of the bigger ones with our hydraulic splitter so it will fit into the heater this filled in our day.

Wood Cutting Today

HI today (WEDNESDAY) was such a nice day we went down the back and I supervised Glenda while she split some of the firewood but it was not to hard for her a we have a 40 Ton splitter but it still takes a bit as you have to do a lot of handling of the wood so it was a very productive day and plenty of split wood for the heater.

Things must go my way soon

Hello again today Tuesday I went to see the surgeon at Stawell and he said that he will have do an exploritry in about 3 weeks as he thinks that the first stitch that they tied up from is still there and is causing the wound to ooze pus out the operation was done by specialists in Horsham and the Stawell surgeon is looking after me and he is sure that this will fix the problem and give the wound a chance to fill in and heal as it should.

A DAY OUT

Hi Folks a bit of a trying week with my wound starting to ooze a bit of pus and a trip to see the Surgeon but we had a nice day out on Saturday with Amanda and Mat as we went to lunch at a beautiful old hotel just out of Ballarat at Smythsdale and I had a 300 gm Steak it was just perfect.
Today Sunday we are expecting a good friend from Tasmania who will be calling in on the way to Adelaide for a break we are looking forward to catching up with her.

On the Road again

Well once more into Ararat to have a blood test and also get the District Nurse to have a look and redress the wound so no rest but it has to be done and I am thank full for all the help that they give us.

Strang

Hi Yesterday Monday we had a day in Ballarat and it was the first time that I have driven the car since my operation it felt good then today being Tuesday we normally go to Stawell to see the surgeon but he doesn't want to see us untill next week and this feels strange not going to Stawell and enjoying my morning tea sitting out the front of the Bakery and looking out towards the beautiful Grampians perhaps its not so bad after all as it is very cold here.

Nurse Glenda

Today Glenda dressed my wound and did a terrific job it was the first time that she has had to do it then after that we both went down the back and I tried to light up the grass but it was to wet and Glenda cleaned up around the big hole that we burn all our leaves and branches in both of us got very sore mussels and are both aching so tonight Glenda had a hot deep bath but I could not cant wait until the day I can.Tomorrow the District nurse comes out and if we had been in Ararat we could have had daily service

Back to the District Nurse

Hi today we went back to Ararat as the cover on the wound leaked again so we try something else and hope it will hold as tomorrow Glenda has to dress the wound for the first time and the nurse said if there is any problems to go back in and they will sort it out.We are hoping that we can get it right by our self as this will save us a lot of traveling back and forth to Ararat so today when we got home Glenda got on the ride on mower and cut our block but this morning she cut back a large cactus that is growing over our fence from the next door neighbor and as it is only a holiday house they don't do much around it and are rarely there

Had to go for repairs

Hi had to go into Ararat to the District Nurse as the dressing they put on at the Hospital yesterday did not hold so they had to work out the best way for it to hold and not let anything come out so we will see how it works and go back in tomorrow to the District Nurse to see if it is right or weather to change to something else she seams to think that the way the wound is going it should be nearly filled out by the time I go back to Stawell but only time will tell.

Hooray its Gone

Went to see the surgeon today and he was very happy still with the way the wound is healing and said that I no longer have to have the suction machine attached to me and this was the best news I have had for a while the only thing is Glenda has to dress the hole each morning with the district nurse coming out once a week to check and we still have to go back to the surgeon every two weeks.It feels strange without the suction machine and all the plastic film I had on my belly,it still will take some time but I am well on the way(Hooray)

Lawn Mower problems

Saturday was a nice day so Glenda decided to cut the grass and as she got to the tap out the front she hit it a bit hard and we had a fountain out the front so the water was turned on of and I made a phone call to a Plumber in Beaufort who over the years has done a bit of work for me he said he could not get up until Sunday morning so on Sunday he was true to his word at 9am he fixed the problem and turned the water back on.
We are lucky in that we still have water tanks so we filled buckets to use in the toilet and we still had water from the tanks for cooking if we filled the hot water jug from the tank I am glad I did not pull the tanks out when the town water was put on.During the week we got in 4 meters of firewood as Gas is getting to dear at $105 a bottle and I am hoping that it will get us thru the winter and the best part it was split and dry and mostly red gum with a bit of yellow box so it will be a warm winter for us.

Still Going

Hi Everyone Today I went back to see the surgeon and he is once more very happy with the way my wound is filling out and said that he wont have to stitch me up and he will let it grow back naturally I was a bit disappointed as I don't get the chance to pick the shape of my belly button where he had to open the wound in the first place so its still means regular trips back to see him but at least I don't have to go into the Theatre again and that's a bonus so now its just get on my exercise bike and the machine that shakes the hell out of me but it improves my circulation and I think this is what is helping it heal.

Stawell Again

Hi Folks I went back to Stawell to see the Surgeon today (Tuesday) and he was happy with my progress but I still have to go back in two weeks as he is going to a conference in Perth and wont be there I am hoping by then it will be ready to be sewn up as it is filling out as it should.

Still Going to Stawell

Hello I went to Stawell to see the surgeon on Tuesday and he was happy with my progress as I have put on 6 kl but I still have to have the suction machine on and go back again next week

Day Out

Today I went down to Ballarat to see Amanda,Matt and Peri it was good to go out to there house for a BBQ lunch and then go out to a antique sale at the old Shearing shed,it was a big day and I was tired so when I got home I had a bit of a sleep and it did me the world of good as I woke up fit again just in time for Dinner as this was my first day out apart from going to the hospital in Stawell and I enjoyed it but it was a bit of a drive for Glenda as she has to go back to Ballarat tomorrow Monday to see her hairdresser but I wont be going as it will be a bit to much for me as I have to go to Stawell on Tuesday.

Sunny Days

Hi
I meant to tell you Amanda and Matt came up last weekend and helped Glenda burn up five big piles of leaves and bark as usual I supervised them on Wednesday Carmel Glenda's sister and her husband John and there daughter Sharon came up for two days to see me so its been a busy week with Tuesday at the surgeons and then Wednesday morning to see my normal doctor both of these visits were in Stawell so it was a bit of traveling of fifty minutes each way.I spent as much time as I could outside in the sun as the weather was kind and I took in as much vitamin B as I could as I also weighed myself and found that I have put back on 5 kilos this is great.

Stll have machine

Hi
I went back today to see the surgeon and he is happy with the way the wound is slowly filling up inside and wont close it until it fills a lot more so I still have the machine on me for sometime yet as it must fill in a fair bit before he closes it so I must be patient as after all this time I want it to go right.

Good Results

Hi Folks
I went back to see the surgeon and he is very happy with the cleanup but I still have to go back and see him next week and perhaps then he might give me a date to close the section of the wound up and that will mean I can then get rid of the machine that I carry around with me 24 hours a day that sucks out the wound and keeps it clear.But day by day I am getting stronger and can walk without the aid of a walker I and am eating well.
It rained here with 19 mil so this morning I went down with Glenda while she lit up one pile of leaves and bark to see how it would burn and it went well so we will do the rest on the weekend when it really dries out.

Getting Stronger

Hi Everyone
I just used the scales and found that I have now put on 4 kg this is good news but I have to go back to see the surgeon on Tuesday as he has to see how the wound is going as there is a small part of it still open with the machine doing its job and still removing all the fluid.
As we live on 1 acre Glenda is still very busy cleaning up the leaves and bark from the trees and there is a lot of it,she has 5 large heaps but it cant be burnt until Wednesday when the fire ban is lifted and then she will set it alight.

Getting Stronger

Hi Folks
I just came out of hospital again I had to go in for 2 days to get the wound cleaned up and once more have a special machine that I have to carry around with me 24 hours a day it sucks out the gunk so I came home a bit tired but day be day I am getting stronger and have put on nearly 2 kg in weight after loosing 16 kg.
Glenda is still kept busy looking after me and cleaning up leaves and bark outside she has about 5 large piles waiting for the fire period to Finnish so she can burn and this will happen just after Easter so as you can imagine what with me and all the extra work placed on her she is very tired and run down.

A Bit of shock

Hi Everyone its been a bit of a shock that I had to go into Hospital for a major operation I have spent 3 weeks in Hospital in Horsham where the specialist was and then back closer to home another 2 weeks in the Stawell hospital and I am now home to recuperate but it will take some time before I get back into touring again but Glenda has been looking after me very well and she was very tired having to go up and down to Stawell each day a total of 50 mi nuts each way but now I am home the pressure of driving is of and that means she is not as tired

Quite Time

Hi Folk sorry we have nothing to report as its a very quite time but I have been enjoying the break getting some work done at home like sanding down the rest of the house and as soon as the weather cools down a bit I will then start painting and I also bought a cement mixer and will make use of it as soon as the weather gets a bit cooler as I have a lot of projects to do but as I said the weather is to hot to be out in the sun its around the 38 Deg everyday and that is very hot for our region.
But we are of again to Tasmania this month but only for the one tour so when I come back I am hoping that it will be cool enough to get stuck into the work I have to do before we get to busy again and wont be able to find the time.
We are looking forward to this tour as it has changed in so many ways and an extra two days have been added so it will be a new challenge as it stays at motels that we have not stayed at before and takes in some more of this wonderfull Tasmania that we love.

Opera in the Alps

Hi folks we just came back from doing opera in the alps at Beechwoth and it was real a great show with Marina Prior and David Hobson and we could not have planned a better night as the weather was perfect everyone who had a drink sat in there chairs and really took in the night with at first the artists competing against the cockys who came home to roost but could not as the opera was louder than them and as the night went on we enjoyed many forms of song and music this everyone enjoyed and talked about how good it was.
The tour lasted 5 days and we climbed over Mt Hotham in the coach with some beautiful scenery on our way to Lakes Entrance for three wonderful days of touring taking in the Buchan caves and a historic homestead as`well as four hour cruise on the lake system the water was a bit rough but we still had a great time.All good things come to an end and everyone was` sad that it went so fast but all had a wonderful time.

Sorry I did not take any photos this time
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Beutifull Xmas in Tasmania 2009

Hi everyone we just had a great xmas in Tasmania with a group of wonderful people and boy did we enjoy xmas day with so much food on on offer and so much to choose from it was a day for all to remember with just the best 2 hosts at the motel that we had our meals on xmas day everyone was just so full it was hard to move but some of us went to the Botanical gardens after lunch for a while to walk the lunch off and some were just so full they stayed at the motel to have a sleep.
On this tour we went to Cradle Mountain on the last day and it was clear enough to get a photo this is very rare as most days it has a lot of cloud over it and as well as this we did a Gordon river 6 hour cruise and then a railway trip it was a great and memorable xmas tour that was enjoyed by everyone