Sydney November/December 2022.
Our previous post of September/October probably didn’t reach you by email, as we were busy migrating our website from a UK host to an Australian host. That post is on our main page, if you want to catch up with our earlier news.
November and December will go down as my left knee month. After surviving 75 years of use and abuse playing squash, climbing, walking, sailing and tearing ligaments in the process, it finally gave notice. Slowly but surely, walking to the local shops, gardening and house chores became very painful.
Karen suggested I have X-rays taken and as she is not allowed to treat her family, referred me to her colleague, Matthew Jones at Westmead Hospital. A MRI scan confirmed loose fragments, very little cartilage and arthritis. He said an arthroscopy would be pointless and suggested a total knee replacement asap.
The “Conformis” customised knee implant is being manufactured in the US as we speak and the knee replacement is scheduled for the 12 th January 2023. In the meantime, anti-inflammatories helps a bit. Quite a busy medical year!
Word from Fiji is that Michelle has settled into her new apartment and bought a small Suzuki 4WD, with which she is bashing the bundu. She is enjoying her new job and apart from Fiji, is also serving eight other Pacific nations in her role. Kristian her beau, visits frequently from his base in Singapore.
Karen and fiancé Evan announced their wedding for the 1st April 2023. Apart from seven family members from each side, the rest of their guests are friends and colleagues. They have decided on a low key affair in a Newcastle art studio with catering by a food truck from OzHarvest, a charity that collects food for homeless people. The proceeds go towards providing meals for the homeless. Cocktails and desserts, will also be provided by food trucks for the event.
During the month of November, I had a vaccination against shingles and another against pneumonia, provided free of charge for old farts like me, by the NSW Government Health Department. Annie’s garden in the meantime, has gone from strength to strength. We are eating lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes from her garden every evening at dinner.
We will be flying to New Zealand on the 18 th of December to visit family and friends and will be back in Sydney on the 9 th January 2023. So, here’s wishing you a merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! Cheers for now.
