Life is so interesting!

Life continues to amaze me. Having the best time down here in Esperance with friends Kathy and Terry.
Yesterday I went with them to Norseman (about 180 km away)…the place you always reach when coming this way across The Nullarbor. Have not been back there since Eric died and it was great to see the place again…not that there is much to see in Norseman…but lots of memories. And even some wildflowers to see on the way.

This morning I went to the hydrotherapy pool to try and continue building up the muscles in my leg prior to surgery…the fitter you go in, the easier it is to recover. Well came across 2 ladeis there who were very chatty and one was 3 months post-op from a hip replacement. I had been very worried about how I was going to manage on my own when I came out of hospital. Well these ladies totally reassured me and I now know I can and will manage…and they gave me some very helpful hints. So bonus no.1.
Then I got a phone call from Veterans Affairs and they reassured me that they will make all sorts of aids and assistance available. Bonus No.2.

Whoops, wrong order…bonus no.1 should have been the time with Kathy and Terry…reliving past times and Terry feeling rather badly done by when he had both me and Kathy ganging up on him…we figured Eric would be up there laughing that it was not him getting a hard time!!

Then this afternoon had the best time. Went to see my elderly Uncle (Dad’s brother) who lives here in Esperance and he had organised for his daughter (my cousin) to come around. Now Debbie and I have not seen one another since childhood (both unsure if we even saw one another then!) so it was so amazing to catch up and learn all about each others’ lives. We both agree that as we get older, family becomes even more important. 3 1/2 hrs later I left….much richer for the experience.

Another wonderful experience since being here has been to daily watch a Willy Wagtail’s nest in a tree outside their back window. The parents are continually busy catching insects to return to the nest to feed their voracious 3 babies. Have got some great photos…yep, will get some on here soon….and has been great to see the babies grow in my time here. They now fill the nest so totally that it is almost impossible for the parent to sit on top and protect them. The wind has just started to blow quite strongly and Terry even went down and stabilised the branch the nest is on so that they aren’t blown out! Suspect the babies are about ready to fly off on their own very soon anyway.

And finally I have had a great time sharing quilting with Kathy. When I made Jacki’s totally amazing Japanese quilt several years ago, I started a carry bag for myself from the left over fabric. Got it all completed and just ready to complete the final construction….and just COULD NOT follow the instructions to complete……so in great frustration put it away. Brought it down with me and lo and behold….Kathy has made many bags and was able to show me how to get it together. So I now have the most beautiful Japanese bag to use…..will also add a photo in the next few days.

Jacki returned from her trip to Japan today and a phone call confirmed what a fantastic, enjoyable time she had. so good when a trip works out even better than anticipated.

Back home tomorrow and then just 2 weeks till a new hip…yee haa.

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