Firstly health wise there is good news. It seems my issue was not COPD as such but asthma triggered by my allergy to cats. After a huge dose of steroids for a couple of weeks and ongoing twice daily steroids all seems to be sorting itself out. I need to take anti histamines when I'm in contact with cats but that's ok. I just need to concentrate on getting back to my normal physically fit self and get on with the rest of my life. It appears my return to Australia was the right decision because if I had gone to Chicago Hospital as planned, my insurance wouldn't have covered costs as my asthma was a pre existing condition. My previous trip to Chicago hospital in 2011 (which WAS covered by insurance) cost over US$12k for less than 24 hours so this has all worked out the way it should. Thank goodness.
My next decision was whether to return to USA to complete my travels but I decided to move on to Phase#2 of my retirement plan and to that end have purchased a VW Camper Van (Snowball).
My intention is to travel Australia and see as much as I can and assist friends by looking after their pets while they are on their own holidays. A win win situation for me and hopefully peace of mind for them.
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| Snowball |
This is Snowball....A converted VW Transporter. Brand new and the new love of my life.
I caught the bus to Ballina to pick her up...yes...she's a girl.....and immediately drove back to Brisbane and loaded her up so I could drive to Adelaide....2100 kms away. After a late start I finally reached Goondiwindi on the Qld/NSW border and camped for free at the BP station. Great stop with showers and toilets and food and...of course...fuel.
The next day I planned to get to West Wyalong but a strange thing happened. I was passing through Forbes NSW and the sun was shining right in my eyes. It was very late in the afternoon and I was passing a caravan park on my left .....and thats when the penny dropped. All became very clear and obvious and I realised.....I'm retired.....I don't have to rush anywhere. What a great feeling. I pulled into the park and stayed the night. A very pleasant place.
In response to my new revelation, I drove 600 kms the next day and stayed at the Apex Caravan Park in Mildura Vic for 2 nights. A nice park which I last visited when I was in my early teens. This camp was right on the banks of the River Murray and was just so peaceful. The kookaburras woke me up each morning with their laughter and the weather was perfect...fine and mild.
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| On the banks of the Murray River at Mildura |
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| Me and Snowball ...chilling |
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| A little river friend |
On the Friday I headed off to drive the last 400 kms to Adelaide where I met up with some old friends for a drink and got there with 5 minutes to spare lol.
I am currently at the home of old friends Kaye & Kelvin looking after their pets (a dog, 2 cats and some fish) while they travel to New Zealand on family business for 10 days. The weather at the moment is 31 C and an absolute ripper of a day.
I've spent the morning completing all the relevant paperwork/warranties/insurance etc relating to my van/contents/appliances and updating this blog. I will soon venture out to enjoy the day.
