Month: May 2022

I think I have only written once since we came back from Adelaide. There has been no news since then – well not from Adelaide anyway. On the home front, Annabell has been slightly unwell, member of the congregation died, I have two funerals – one Wednesday and one Thursday., Friday doctor and Saturday the General Election. So all in all, it’s been a sort of hectic time. Still I  have coped  with each crisis and I am still on my feet. but most important, I sleep at night.

I have still managed to get out with Benji and I have to tell you of my crazy stunt. I woke up and for some reason I was convinced that my wrist alarm had gone off. I got up,  dressed and got Benji ready to go out. I had a quick glance at the clock and I swear that  the hands were straight up and down — I.E.  6am. So off we went. Had a look and the moon

seemed to be in the right place so I continued with our walk. Then I kind of started to notice the lack of the cars I generally see in the morning and the place, I felt was a bit quieter than usual. Still on we walked and finally we finished and I  got back into the house. That is when I discovered that the actual time was not 6am but rather 2:45am which means I had left the house to start our walk at 2am. I have heard that men in white coats have been looking for me but I have managed to avoid them them   :o) One person I cannot avoid and  when Annabell found out what I had done, she was less than amused. Ah well- – these  brain storms .happen.

Annabell is well. The hospital sent her a letter this  week regarding her last examination and they will telephone her on the 17th June to discuss issues with her. Can’t see why they could not have included the information in the letter or simply telephoned her rather than mail her. Adelaide hospitals do strange things. I can’t remember if I  said that the treatment  after two years is not working, so I don’t know where we go from here. I dare say we will find out “in the fulness of time” – as the saying goes.  I take copies of all the mail and the information she  receives from the local hospital, Flinders or  doctors. There is no sinister motive, I just want to have a record of what has been happening.   The cats have gone but they have left a calling card that my doctor and I are presently dealing with. I never knew but it turns out that I am allergic to cats.  I have a rash and the doctor and I have been trying to work out what is causing it. We did believe it was an allergy of some kind and  have been treating that but it was only yesterday that I  mentioned cats and alarm bells went off. Turns out I am allergic to cats and I have developed an annoying rash which is being treated with medication and  cream. I am not in any way confined since the rash is not contagious -however, it is very annoying!!

Currently there is a new tearoom – Cafe Hub – being built  at the Foreshore next to the current Cafe.  Can’t think why we should need two beside each other – unless there is something Council are not sharing  :o)  Every year, starting in early June though to August, the Giant Cuttlefish arrive for the breeding season. What has happened is that people have come from all over, donned  wetsuits and braved the cold waters to  observe a rare sight. After all the years that this has happened 2022 will be somewhat different with the arrival of a Glass bottom boat. Now you can have the pleasure of viewing the Giant Cuttlefish without getting wet or cold.

I have a new 18-55mm lens for my camera – now I just have to save my pennies for an 18-140mm.  I am not too happy atthe Photography Group. They are lovely, friendly people and I feel very welcome, but, really, I am not learning anything. It’s more of a social group for people who are interested in photography.

The journey down to Adelaide was not all that different from the last two trips, roadworks, delays, constant changes of speed limits, all making

the trip  very much longer than it should be. Still it was fine weather and being a Sunday, not too much traffic, so the convoys were not too large. The new overpass and bridge at Port Wakefield are almost completed so that’s a great improvement to time and safety.  We reached Flinders lodge early afternoon and once  we were booked in and  I had her settled, we were able to relax.  In the evening after I cooked dinner, I managed to watch my Lego Masters program on TV. Early bed and  a rise  at 05;00, washed and showered and a taxi ordered for 06;00 to be at the hospital for 06;30. I stayed with her until she was taken at 08;20 then made my way back into town.  Had brought my camera with me and wanted to see if I could get it checked. I thought it had been damaged after being knocked off the table by the grandson. Anyway, it was checked and I am thankful to say that the camera itself was fine—no concerns there.  However, the lens was a different matter.  That required a minor repair to fix but it was that  which was causing the photographs to be fuzzy. I was also told that the lens (Nikon 18-55mm) was on its way out and it  should be replaced in the not too distant future.  I also found out that the 18-55mm lens is no longer made by Nikon  but I could still get a replacement if I look hard enough. The Camera Shop didn’t have one or I would have bought it then.  I did some other shopping and made my way back to the hospital to wait and collect Annabell.

Sad to say that we were told at the hospital  that the  treatment does not appear to be working so they may not continue with it after this three month period.

The cancer

has not grown nor has it moved, BUT  it has not shrunk either and after nearly two years of this treatment there should have been some movement but there is not.  Don’t know where we go from here but at least we have  three months to think about it. I suspect the  Innovations in Cancer Clinic will call us before it’s time to go back down again.  Actually, we will have to go back down again anyway to have the units removed, regardless of what happens from here.

The weather, as I said was great on the Sunday travel. We had good weather both Monday and Tuesday. On Tuesday I went into town and  out to the hospital since they had not signed the forms that Annabell needs. That took me a couple of hours.

From town I  went directly to Norwood and did some shopping for her there.

On Monday evening I fed the birds—four of them. On Tuesday I counted 25 Cockatoos around the railings with more on the roof. I don’t know what will happen once this place closes down in September.  On Tuesday night I packed the car with most things and on the Wednesday after we  finished packing and tidied up the room, we were on our way by 6am. We had breakfast at Port Wakefield. From there until almost ten minutes from the house, Annabell slept. She does not even remember me stopping at Port Augusta to go into Big W to check out their Lego kits. I guess she needed the sleep – it has been a busy,  and at times, stressful two days for her.  I did say good weather Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, but I drove home mostly in the rain on Wednesday – mainly showers and rain-bands but some were quite heavy. Less that an hour from home and the rain

had gone and the remainder of the journey was with sunshine and bright blue skies.  To say that Benji was happy to see his peepel home is an understament. Took him ages to settle down and I had difficulty unloading the car. As soon as I moved towards the door he was at my heel. I wasn’t going out that door without him.  It was good to be home again and I miss him.