Wonga /Gold Coast Again.

Had a week off from work when I returned from the Gold Coast...to 'resettle' and relax.

Did manage in that time also to lay a 'new floor' in Millie the caravan and it came up a treat!..Not easy though working in a confined space of 18 foot by 7 foot on your hands and knees, moving things around to give you clear space to manouvre but so worth the effort!

Unfortunately, a couple staying in the camp, were robbed of a large amount of money from the ladies handbag one night whilst they were away from their caravan and money was also taken from the camp office.

The next night Lyn observed a person lurking around another residents caravan annex and raised the alarm but the offender got away.

Lyn was then named Miss Security and just for fun an 'artist' in the camp made up signs to display around the camp in honour of her new role!

At this time of year we also 'endure' the raining of the 'Wonga Nuts' as they are known...they are actually the nuts that fall from great heights from the Callophyllum trees above...onto the rooves of the caravans, vehicles, annexes etc...When they hit you sure know about it!

'Wonga Nuts'

Residents and campers staying at Wonga Beach Caravan Park, protect their caravan rooves and cars to prevent dents.

People who come for short periods of time are issued with old dunars on entry and those that have been before come well equipped with covers etc.

You walk around the camp and all the cars have 'Coats' on!

Was keeping in daily communication with my Dad and his health status...

Went back to work....

My brother John came over for another week to be with my parents a week after I left.In the first days of his visit Dad ended up being taken to hospital with increasing shortness of breath.

X rays showed on admission showed absolutely no growth in the lung tumour (a testimony to the regime we had him on) but he had developed pneumonia, heart failure and resulting fluid on his lungs.

Due to the fact my brother had to go home again, I made the decision to fly back down so I could 'take over' driving my Mum to and from hospital and to be there to look after him when he comes home.

At this stage it will probably be well into next week before that can happen...His condition needs to be stablised before we can bring him home.

My Dad has never been in hospital before and he is Not enjoying the experience!

He sooo wants to come home.

So that's where I am at the moment!

A rainbow just before dark tonight...

Certainly missing the beautiful warm temperatures of Far North Queensland!Its cold down here!

Hans sent through a pic of Bob's "Catch of the Day"...a 38kg Spanish Mackerel! Held up here in the photo by Bob (left) and Jimmy Bull...

So tonight in the camp I believe its Fish n Chips night...thats the great thing about the people in the camp...everyone shares and cares!

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The One thing in Life that is Constant is Change.

Its been awhile!...but I am back!
Six weeks after the joyous occasion of my sons wedding, came the news my fathers diagnosis of Lung Cancer.

My Dad
My Mum

So I gave notice at work, asked and was given an undetermined amount of leave without pay and flew down to the Gold Coast to be with my parents.
The doctors gave 'life sentences'...3 months without the chemotherapy and 6 months with...The chemo would not 'cure' the cancer but would prolong his living.

The question that came into my mind straight away was "But what quality of life?"
Having nursed those with cancer and those who had had chemotherapy, the outlook wasn't good.
Understandably the medical profession pushed the chemo treatment because they have nothing else in their 'arsenal' to offer and sorry to be cynical, but cancer is Big business.(I read an article recently that quoted $50,000 for one person to undergo chemotherapy treatment)...

But aside from that, to me there seems absolutely no logic in putting excessively toxic chemicals into an already ailing body in the 'hope' that it might 'make it better'.
Having discussed in depth with my dad and mum, both sides of what may lay ahead...my dad made the decision to refuse the chemotherapy and live his life out with as much quality and dignity as is possible.(His 'treating' doctors were not impressed...but it is his decsion).
But rather than 'lay down and die' we (Dad, Mum and I) have worked to radically change his diet (mum and I are also eating the 'diet' to support him) and lifestyle to build up his immune system and give his body the ammunition to heal itself.
Contrary to the medical opinion, the body is an amazing machine that if given the right 'ingredients' nutritionally can heal and defend itself admirably.
So over the last month, my Dads health has improved...he is eating well, has lost no weight and is exercising daily...building up his strength and oxygen intake, his immune system has been boosted and he is feeling and looking well...We think, a better alternative to the side effects of chemotherapy ie nausea, vomiting, weight loss and strength, a wiped out immune system etc and having to spend precious days of his life (which for all of us is finite ) going to hospital, being amongst unwell and dying people.


During my time on the Gold Coast my 'little brother' John came over from New Zealand also.

Hadn't seen him in 9 years so also an opportunity to 'catch up'.Actually it was some research he sent me previous to his visit that inspired the 'regime' Dad is now on.
To add variety to the days whilst down there, I took them all out for drives in the countryside..I was having 'withdrawls' from the trees and bush! and it was an opportunity for them to see parts of 'their own backyard' they had never ventured to...

The Natural Arch

Lake Moogerah at Boonah

A watchful Kookaburra at a picnic area where we had lunch.

I drove Mum and Dad down to NSW to Kyogle via the scenic route for lunch one day...a 7 hour round trip but so much more peaceful and beautiful than the highways!


Jacobs Well foreshore...another picnic spot I love.

On one of his days off Ben (my son) took us out on his boat in and around the waterways between Northand South Strabroke Islands. Mum and Dad thoroughly enjoyed it!

Meanwhile back at Wonga...

Millie (our caravan) had to be moved to another site...

Each year many of the more 'mature generation' of Victorians move north for their winter...

There is a community of them that choose Wonga Beach as their favourite place to come and one of those couples has the site we are on each year...hence the move.

Hans did a wonderful job moving Millie with the help of Bill and his 4wd together with our 'transportable garden' before I returned.We have moved directly opposite to where we were.

She is now 'insitu' and the place looks grand...the plants have grown heaps in the 5 weeks Ive been away...thanks to the tender loving care of Hans.

The camp is bulging at the seams and its the first time Ive seen the No Vacancy sign up at the office!

Theres a warm and wonderful atmosphere here.

My neighbour Terry ( a fellow ex kiwi!)...goes around the camp gardens each night and lights the hundreds of tea candles (shielded from the wind in old glasses) and it adds such a magical atmosphere to the camp in the dark...

It is soooooo good to be home...

The Gold Coast is ok for a visit, but the pace of life, the population, the traffic, the impatience of people is not for me anymore....this is my Home now...

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