28th January Journal

Well... I haven’t written my journal for ages. Lots of excuses...
My Dad in Adelaide has been, and still is, ill. He has cancer of the oesophagus. He now has a stomach feeder and has had some radiation. He is in hospital and will not be going home again. He is too frail. My Mum couldn’t look after him. I have been to Adelaide several times to visit my parents and will go again soon.
We finished our Lewisham house-sit on Monday 26th January. We enjoyed our 8 months there but are ready to move on and explore further. Thelma was thrilled with the garden. We were exhausted after we had scrubbed and cleaned the house thoroughly. It was sad to say Goodbye to the dogs and the neighbours.
Our plans are flexible and are at present relaxing in a caravan park near-by. Stu is seriously training for a long bike ride on his mistress starting on February 5th until February 11th. A group of 20 cyclists are riding 1000kms around Tasmania! I will follow in the caravan with a sign saying “Cyclists Ahead”.
My cough is still BLAH, and I have been seeing a lung specialist in Hobart. He has tried several “cures” with no luck yet. On 2/3rd Feb I have been booked in to Launceston to have an endoscopy. The Hobart machine has broken down. Fortunately Stu and I now have Health Care Cards and the costs are minimal! I have spent thousands over the years trying to stop that darn cough.
We got into a groove at Lewisham. Stu went driving as a volunteer for the local health centre on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. On Wednesdays he went bike riding with a group at Richmond. On Thursdays and Saturdays we went bushwalking and discovered many great places. And of course we walked the dogs every day for an hour. We were walking about 40kms a week!
Unfortunately I didn’t do much kayaking. I did find a partner but when we had time the wind was too strong. Early morning was best. I have left the kayak with my kayak partner while we zoom around Tasmania.
Our mail will still be sent to Thelma until February 23rd, then re-addressed to Adelaide as we intend wandering around Tasmania until May. There is still so much still to see and experience.