how time flies

My goodness, how time flies. I've been having so much fun that I didn't realise that it's over a month since I wrote anything here.

Well, in a nutshell - life in Pottsville is almost over. I leave on Friday, stay the weekend in Coffs Harbour for a Teachers' College reunion and then drive back to the Gong.

I've been continuing to enjoy this northern New South Wales environment, meeting new people, soaking up the sun, playing tennis, riding my bike, catching up with friends and family members and - during the past 2 weeks - hosting some friends visiting from Wollongong. It's been great.

I've also had good news from blood tests - liver function and tumour markers are steady - so nothing's getting worse!Oscar with his Mum and his cake

My grandson, Oscar, has turned one; I've finally become an officially registered Civil Marriage Celebrant in Australia; I had a fun day at the Murwillumbah Races on Melbourne Cup Day (won nothing though) and I've managed to get many family members to commit to a family Christmas gathering on Christmas Eve at my father's home in Wollongong. Lots of you will know how hard that is to achieve with family spread all over the place and the families of partners/spouses also having to be considered.

And Yes, Linda and Michelle, I am the Mrs Eddy who taught PE at SCEGGS Gleniffer Brae in the 1970s. It's amazing that you found my blog!

Some pics of people here over the past few weeks.

10 days away from Pottsville

Yes, since I last wrote I've been back home in Sydney and the Gong for a variety of events. As I write this, however, I'm back in the calm beautiful Pottsville after a hectic 10 days.

While I was away I

1. Visited Dr Chen who was delighted with the state of my health and the fact that my wounds from the fall from my bike had healed very well

2. Did a bush walk with friends around Berry Island and Balls Point on Sydney Harbour

3. Had my annual precautionary colonoscopy - which was all clear!

4. Went to the wedding of dear friends of mine and caught up with lots of old friends from my 'raising children days'

5. Went to a friend's 70th birthday party

6. Helped to host a party at home for my father's 88th birthday - a very successful day

This pic is of the 88 year old birthday boy, my Dad Ron, and my brother, Scott. You can see they have some characteristics in common!

And now to some more R&R in Pottsville.

photos

The gorgeous Oscar, 11 months








650 new rain forest trees at Palm Vale





Sculptures at the SWELL Festival at Currumbin

Life in Pottsville

Well, it's more than 2 weeks since I arrived and life has been a real mixture - all good except for the fall from my bike which resulted in a lot of bruises and grazes but nothing serious. I look like a bit of a war casualty, but am still walking, riding, swimming as normal!

It was a loooooong drive to get here. Fortunately I had a friend for company who did all of the driving, so I was the navigator and the sightseer! We diverted from the Pacific Highway at Kempsey and came via Crescent Head, Hat Head and South West Rocks. What a pretty part of the world. I recommend the detour to anyone who has the time when they are driving north. We stayed at South West Rocks and had a magnificent breakfast at the cafe at the Trial Bay Gaol - which is no longer an operating gaol, but a tourist attraction.

My days since then in residence at Pottsville have been relaxing, warm and a nice balance between being eventful and quiet.

One day each week I've had a visit from my son Tim and his son, Oscar. Oscar is 11 months old and is just about ready to take his first steps. He stands up on his feet - far too wide apart, wobbles a bit and then plonks himself down on his bottom. But he crawls like a mad man! There's no stopping him once he sets his sights on where he's going and he thumps along at a pace. It's nice that Tim has the time to come down from the Gold Coast to visit me with Oscar once a week.

The first Saturday I was here I went to a planting day on the 100 acre property of friends who live at Palm Vale, near Murwillumbah. They called on all their friends and about 30 people turned up and planted 650 rain forest trees during the day. It was a sight to see. A bare hillside in the morning and covered with 650 little trees protected by 650 plastic sleeves by late afternoon. My job for the day was as a kitchen hand - don't laugh! My friend's 2 daughters were the cooks and we had to cater for the troops for lunch and dinner. They were well prepared, experienced, resourced and were very good at giving me specific instructions for my role. I was also the official photographer and will post some photos in the next post.

I've joined up with the local tennis club and am now playing tennis 3 times a week. Two mornings with the ladies and in a mixed group on Tuesday evenings. Am also cycling and walking and swimming from time to time. Lots of outdoor activity, so the sun tan is improving.

The local farmers' markets are full of delicious fresh organic produce and I'm enjoying going to different markets on different days of the week to stock up my fridge. I've also made friends with the local "What's Good for You" shop, fish shop and baker, and am picking up nice fresh supplies from them regularly. I also get my daily vegie juice at a cafe next to the paper shop - so sit and start the crossword while I'm having my juice.

Yesterday (Sunday 27th Sept) I joined the Bikes to Brunz ride for National Bike Week, and rode my bike with a group from Billinudgel (where there's a famous pie shop) into Brunswick Heads. The ride took about an hour and finished in a park with riders who had come from about 7 other directions. The town put on entertainment, food and lots of info and support for bike riders. They also launched a new booklet with information about cycle paths in the Byron Shire. It was a beautiful sunny day and a great day was had by all.

Oh! and in the first week I was here I visited the SWELL Festival at Currumbin Beach, near Coolangatta, where they had a whole lot of sculptures along the beach. It's a similar concept to the one held in November each year along the Bondi to Coogee walking path. Will also post some photos of those next time.

Well. There you are. That's life at Pottsville for the moment.

Heading North Again

Hi everyone. Tomorrow - Wed 10 Sept - I'm heading north again to warmer climes. I'll be spending the next 3 months in a small place called Pottsville. It's on the Tweed Coast, in northern New South Wales, not far north of Byron Bay. My cousin and her husband have headed to Western Australia for 3 months in their caravan and they have entrusted me with their house and garden.

I'm taking my bicycle, golf clubs, tennis racquet and swimmers and am expecting to live a warm, outdoor existence while I'm there getting to know the area and the people. Some friends are planning to come and spend a few days with me from time to time. The invitation is there - if you would like a few days on the Tweed Coast, you're most welcome to join me. Fly into Coolangatta and I'll pick you up.

I'll be returning to the Gong on a couple of occasions for special events during October, but expect to be leading the simple coastal life in Pottsville and surrounds for the rest of the time. I can still be contacted on my mobile phone and by email.

Talk again soon

Mumma (that's me) and her brood - July 2008



5 year old, Zeke, who started school last week in Hong Kong. The thing he liked most was going to the playground! The thing he liked least was waiting for the teacher - it was boring!

2 year old Willow, who can't quite swim yet but still jumps in with all the big kids and waits for someone to pull her out.









9 month old, Oscar, who has just moved
with his Mum and Dad to live on the Gold Coast.

The good news continues

Yes! Yesterday I had the blood test and today went to the oncologist for the results. And they were all good! What a relief. Liver function readings have all improved, tumour marker is steady and platelet count is back to normal. Wow - I must be doing something right. Everyone kept telling me that I look well and that my colour is good - and now I believe it.

Tomorrow I see the Chinese herbalist, who will be just as pleased and positive, I'm sure.

My time on the Gold Coast is finished. The last two weeks were wonderfully warm and I spent a great deal of time just sitting in the sun and walking on the beach letting the warmth soak into my bones. It felt so good. Back home in Wollongong now - it's cold and windy with a wintry sun. Not quite the same as up north.

So normal life resumes - whatever 'normal' is. Actually I don't really think it's quite normal for me to be watching so much television - but the performance of the Olympians is so compelling that I am spending quite a bit of time out of the cold wind and in front of the television. It's so inspirational to see the efforts and achievements of the young and not-so-young athletes. Of course I'm cheering for the Aussies, but they are all so impressive - striving so hard and elated with their victories. It's exhausting - and I've only just recovered from Wimbledon tennis and the Tour de France with Cadell Evans! What a feast of sporting excellence right in my own lounge room!

Hope you're enjoying it all too. Talk again soon.