Remission and escape to Sydney and the Blue Mountains in NSW


We are blessed to have such wonderful friends all over the word and were lucky enough to visit several during a cram-packed visit to Sydney and the Blue Mountains in the last week, in between hospital appointments.

Great news is that I feel relatively normal now; apart from having baby hair and baby gut issues.

I can taste wine and most foods again; I can cycle and walk and golf without feeling too much like a wet dish rag afterwards (but still way behind Sarah!) Feeling good will only last another 3 weeks so we are trying to fit in as much activity in this short period as we can.

I am officially in remission from myeloma, which means that I have low levels of paraprotein in my blood now (2ml per litre of blood; before the treatment started I had 37ml). I still must have another 25 weeks of consolidation chemo starting on 7 December, plus the regular monthly Zometa (bone strengthener) infusion and anti pneumonia infusion.
The Australian escape was the last time I was able to travel until June 2018.

The majority of this blog is to commemorate the visit with friends, the gorgeous scenery of Sydney and the Blue mountains and to remind me, when I am sick for the next 6 months, of what there is to look forward to when I am well again.

A big thank you to everyone for their hospitality and kindness.

On arrival in Sydney we headed straight for the ferry to Mosman and experimented with the Samantha (the wig) disguise and Sarah managed to slip past Bev without being recognised.

A cultural weekend followed with sculpture by the sea along the coast from Bondi beach with Jessica and family.

Sarah led with her guidebook, reading all the blurb.

The rest of us, were not quite as focused.

Here are some of our favourites sculptures and views from the walk





Sarah has threatened to get out a red spray paint and try this on our shingle at home...



The rest of the weekend was spent dodging rain clouds, visiting a national geographic photo comp

(4 in the blog)
and taking the Spit to manly walk with Bev and Simon, which required a sit down for me (park benches are friendly welcome places)

Simon decided to do some modelling

and after a wee bit too much wine (or perhaps not enough), Bev Sarah and I decided to enter the Noosa triathlon in Nov 2018 as a team. Must be mad...

Visited the fish marketwise for an overdose of Oysters and sashimi before a picnic in the park with Jessica and theatre at the Opera House

Lovely breakfast with Annie and Keith, family dinner with Carolyn, Mark, Tom and Nick and birthday breakfast with Bev, all occasions where I forgot to take a photo..before heading up to Katoomba.

The Blue Mountains is a spectacular place. We visited our old home, staying close by with Linda.

delightful dinner with Stephen, Nick and Linda at Camilla's.

Golf at Blackheath was followed by a 24km walk along the cliff tops from Katoomba to Wentworth Falls. admiring both scenery and flora.























Finally after a thoroughly enjoyable few days, back to Sydney to another favourite spot on Cremorne Point to stay with Deb and Pete and meet up with Liz , Bev and Antoni at La Dispensa (new Tapas about to open in Neutral Bay.. well worth a visit)

The Jacaranda in Sydney were out in force. 
 In Botanical gardens and all over the North shore

 Plus gorgeous red trees.. not sure of the name (sorry!)



One street near Kirribilli was full of tourist taking photos much to the annoyance of the locals. 
We could not resist the photo opportunity either.

The trip was topped off by a sail around Cottage Point



A great holiday..
Thank you to all.

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