Adelaide to Alice Springs - (Part 5 of Brisbane to Alice Springs)

Adelaide to Balaklava

04/12/2014

Today we head to Brahma Lodge near Salisbury to see my dear friends Rhys and Teresa, Rhys is part of our family he has done so much for the family over the years, we have been mates since I was fifteen. But we are going for a drive around before we do go there as they are working today.

After I joined the Navy he was always around home to help Mum and Dad.

We went out to dinner along with other good friends Mick and Lorna to the restaurant near the Para Hills Airport, it was great to catch up again and we will be seeing them in a few months.

It is true about good friends they are with you for life and it does not matter how long since you have seen them when you get together you just start talking as though it was only yesterday you saw them, it is like this with Rhys and Teresa and I am blessed with quite a few of friends like these.

 (Largs Pier Hotel, they have changed the lovely lounge into accommodation since my early days. I remember I was home on leave from the navy and with friends went to this hotel for a drink, drinking age was 21 those days and I was 19. The manager came over and asked if my friends were over the age of 21 years because the Police often called in the girl I was taking out at the time and my other two friends were 21 so I assured the manager that they were over 21 years of age, good job he didn't ask about me.)

 (Port Adelaide, don't know why but as a boy I barracked for Port footy team, 'The Magpies' and as a young teenager a mate and I would get dropped off or hitchhike and fish all day at the harbour)

(Some of the old places have closed down, the Port Admiral Hotel looks boarded up)

 (The Holden Factory at Elizabeth, it is a shame that we will lose this icon, however, as a boy I can remember the long strikes that the workers would go on for increased wages, it is that now that is the cause of many businesses closing down or moving overseas, photo by Nancy.)

(The Old Spot Hotel, this place has been modified and has grown in size from the days I had a few beers in the beer garden, photo by Nancy)

We went all over the place looking at places of my early days but we did not get photos as we were driving most of the time Nancy shot these photos as we went by. We went out to Smithfield and I was surprised to see Hazel's Antique and Second Hand Shop still going, course the old fellow would be long gone he was an old man when I was 13. Those days it was through his shop that migrants were able to get some furniture until they got jobs and got enough money to buy decent gear. Then across the road is the Smithfield Hotel, had a few beers in my time there too. Had some fun those days, and still having a good time.

05/12/2014

After breakfast we headed off to Kapunda and stayed at the Kapunda Tourist Park, I wanted to go to Kapunda for Nancy there is a lot of history there but some of the buildings make good photography and as Nancy is right into that I thought it would be a good place to go.

(This is the entrance to the Kapunda Tourist Park)

(Kapunda's Main Street)

The park is clean and tidy and has a nice setting next to a large pond, it is quiet and relaxing.

06/12/2014

We headed out after breakfast and went and found the dump point which is near the showground, having emptying the holding tank we went back to town and had a walk around and take some photos whilst it was quiet and we grabbed a coffee at a pleasant coffee shop.

(Great little coffee shop and sells all types of  gear)

(Just some of the old lovely buildings)

(Couple of friendly Staffy's waiting for the boss to come out of the general store, people are very friendly here)

(Sir Sidney Kidman, I read the book about him he was a very clever man and hard working)

Websites. 

 http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/kidman-sir-sidney-6948

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Kidman

After coffee we headed for Balaklava where stepson Steve and his wife Lisa lives with their lovely daughters Tanayah and Syjourn. They have bought and enervated this beautiful 1901 stone mansion. We had a great three days with them.

(Steve and Lisa's home)

(Looking into the second driveway)

(L-R, Lisa, John, Steve, Syjourn and Tenayah, photo by Nancy)

(Syjourn entertaining us on the piano)

(Tenayah's proud moment in getting her scholarship, she has just finished first year medical university both Tenayah and Syjourn have lovely singing voices.)

My cold had gone other than the cough but at times I felt a little light headed. One morning it was cool and I put my track suit on when it warmed up I was in the motorhome taking my track suit off and when taking the pants off the elastic caught around my ankle as I bent down and grabbed it I went dizzy and I think I blacked out for a millisecond, when I realised what had happened I told Nancy, she wanted to go back to Adelaide and I said that it is just the cold and I will be alright.

After having a great time with family we headed north for Alice Springs.

(Steve in the doorway and his friend Steve with their Harley's waiting for Nancy to get ready to go for a ride.)

(Get on Nancy)

(I am not a big fan of riding on motorbikes, I think it stems from when I was young I saw a motorbike club go passed and then we passed them after they had a pile-up, not a pretty sight.)

Balaklava to Port Augusta

09/12/2014

Leaving Balaklava we headed for Port August, we are just planning overnight stays with the main aim to get to the Alice to spend time with the family. However, we are not breaking our necks we are sitting on 90kms and will just drive until we need a break. Although we are calling in at Woomera as it is the only place I have never visited on this track.

(Photo by Nancy)

(There are great numbers of these across the skyline, wind generation is very popular around near coastlines and on hillsides , photo by nancy)

(Lochiel have their own Nessy, photos by nancy)

 (An old stone well, photo by Nancy)

 (Old settlers cottage, photo by Nancy)

(Water pipeline, not sure how many kilomtres it goes for, I think the end of the line is Woomera and it starts somewhere in Adelaide, the pipeline used to pass near where I lived in my teens and the diameter is roughly 3-4 times this pipeline here, the reason for that is friction loss and maintaining pressure. photo by Nancy)

(Shoreline Caravan Park, photo by Nancy)

(Maggie, Magpie the SA states emblem)

(Sunrise at the shoreline, photo by Nancy)

We stay at the Shoreline Caravan Park which is near the water it is a bay that is fed by Spencers Gulf, quite a nice caravan park, plenty of space and some shade from trees and clean amenities.

Port Augusta to Woomera

10/12/2014

We got underway after breakfast and headed into town and did a little shopping before heading to Pimba then Woomera. This is where fuel prices start increasing as you head north comes down to supply and demand, you want fuel you have to pay the price. It makes one wonder though how a place like Pimba that is closer to Adelaide than Coober Pedy yet Pimba diesel is $1.87 and Coober Pedy $1.59 same fuel companies but I guess it is no different in the cities and other country areas.

 (Roadtrains are regular along this road, photo by Nancy)

 (There are a number of cyclists that travel this highway many are Japanese, photo by Nancy)

 (Wide open spaces, photo by Nancy)

 (Many long straight sections on this road, photo by Nancy)

 (The turn off, photo by Nancy)

 ('Spud's Place' Pimba, photo by Nancy)

(Road to Woomera, 7kms, photo by Nancy)

We arrived at the Woomera's Travellers Village, it is spacious but no shade, the grounds are open gravel base ground which is to be expected as this place does not see much rain. The facilities are demountable showers and toilets which are fine, they have a small social bar that opens at 1700 hours. We will find most caravan parks quiet because most sensible people are not heading into the hot country during these summer months. However, what we are finding are people escaping from the colder climates in Europe travelling the hot areas in hired campervans, motorhomes or in tents, I am not sure they realised what heat we have out here.

(Woomera Tourist Park, photo by Nancy)

(Sunset, photo by Nancy)

Looking outside it looks like the place is about to get some rain, thunderstorms are forming around us and the lightening show has started we got a good downpour of rain and a lightening show with a lot of noise but it was all over by 1700 hours so we thought we would be social and go and meet people at the bar, there were the managers and a few staff members there but we had a good chat and I think they liked us being there as well.

Woomera to Coober Pedy

11/12/2014

After breakfast we headed into the township of Woomera and parked the unit in a caravan parking area near the information centre and had a walk around the park displays of the weapons/missiles and aircraft that was tested at Woomera. We were too early for the museum but we did talk to someone there and they said that there may be some future activity with the Government spending $30m on an upgrade of the airport. There is a supermarket that was open and we went in and got a couple of items before we headed out for Coober Pedy.

(Memorial made in 1967 for the founding of Woomera in 1947)

 (Old Canberra Bomber)

 (An array of missiles)

 (Woomera Village Store)

 (Displays that include the Meteor Plane and the radio controller Jindavik used for towing targets for target practice)

The run north is long and straight roads with a few highlights along the way such as the salt lakes and a few lookouts with some great views.

Between Pimba and Coober Pedy is Glendambo, this place came to being when the new highway was constructed in the 80's, the original south road used to go through Kingoonya where the roadhouse then was run by Foxy. Foxy was a big red headed bloke and when the new highway was established he was offered one of the roadhouses at Glendambo he ran it for a few years and rumours said that he retired. Prior to Foxy being at Kingoonya he had a roadhouse on the Nullarbor  when it was a dirt road, he left there after they put the highway through and came to Kingoonya, he used to say there is money on dirt roads and not much on bitumen roads. Naturally there are more punctures and breakdowns on dirt roads and the old south road used to be 700 miles of dirt. I used to like the old south road you would meet a lot of characters on the road stopping to help some that had broken down, stopping for a chat at the different stops which were totally run by locals these days the places are more impersonal and the counter service are backpackers that know nothing of the area, not saying they are not nice and friendly, they are very friendly and like to hear your stories. That's progress .

(Lake Hart, one of the salt lakes)

 (Above and below is Glendambo)

 (They put a bend in the road now and again just to see if your paying attention)

 (At a roadside stop there were these little finches, we topped the water up for them before we left)

(Nancy behind the wheel giving me a rest)

(One of the two roads that go under the highway for Arrium mining)

(You know when you are getting close to Coober Pedy when you see one of these signs)

We pulled up at Glendambo and had morning tea at the first service station, there are two service stations and a hotel/motel/caravan park. The water  all along the south road between Pimba north and  Alice Springs is bore water, not good for drinking without boiling have a beer instead. So those travelling in caravans and motorhomes fill up at Woomera or Pimba to get you through to the Alice. Most places out in the bush only have bore water, we topped our tank up at Woomera and the next time was Alice and that got us through to Ipswich where we topped up again. If you are not sure what the water is like in places you travel you do not have to taste it to find out what it is like. If you get to a roadhouse go to the toilets and look at the taps, bore water is full of minerals and will leave hard calcium type stains around taps, sinks and toilets. If there is no signs of this turn the hot water tap on and smell the water, if you don't like the smell you sure won't like the taste. If you are in dire need of water boil it before drinking and put it on the boil a long time if you can.

Leaving Glendambo we headed for Coober Pedy along the way I was surprised to see some diggings well south of Coober Pedy and first thought the opal mining had come further south but as we neared the area it was a larger development  it was called Arrium, Southern Iron Operations, this had two roadways passing under the Stuart Highway a very large operation by the looks of things. also close to Coober Pedy was another mine Prominent Hill Mine started in 2009, mines copper, silver and gold

Other websites

http://www.smh.com.au/news/south-australia/coober-pedy/2005/02/17/1108500204208.html

http://traveloutbackaustralia.com/driving-from-adelaide-to-alice-springs.html/

http://www.ritas-outback-guide.com/stuart-highway.html

https://www.cooberpedy.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/Coober_Pedy_2010.pdf

As we neared Coober Pedy the diggings this time of year appeared to be quiet, this is the time of year that people in the hot country take holidays away from the heat. Along the roadsides there are warnings about venturing passed the fence line depicting a man falling down a hole. There are many diggings that are very deep and open, the fact is that if you go snooping around the diggings which a peoples claims you may fall down a hole with or without help. Although I must admit that the place has tamed down some since the 70's, but I still would not go around any of the diggings without permission. The town has cleaned up and is more tourist orientated today like most places in Australia.

(The sign, photo by Nancy)

 (The opal diggings, photos by Nancy)

Be warned though if you are approached on the street to buy cheap opals, don't buy them, they are opal chips and con men will sell them for around $20, they are not worth that. If you want opals look around first before buying.

Coober Pedy had the cheapest fuel between Port August and Alice Springs, Shell was $1.64 and BP $1.59 per litre of diesel at the time of our visit. Prices of fuel on the track when we travelled is as follows:

Pimba (Spuds) $1.87 per litre diesel, Marla $2.04, Kulgera $1.99, Erldunda $1.89. Expect a lot higher prices out towards Ayers Rock and further north of the Alice, north of Alice Tennant Creek is your cheapest fuel.

 (Coober Pedy sign, photo by Nancy)

 (Coober Pedy main street)

 (There are different inventions in the opal mining game, many an old truck or car was made into a opal mining machine)

(Website.  http://ashet.org.au/lightning-ridge-project/processing/

 (The Big Winch, has a good shop and museum pieces website below)

 (Mural on shop wall)

(Underground accommodation)

We stayed at the Opal Inn Caravan Park which is also a Hotel/Motel next to the Shell service station as it is closer to town , as we booked in it looked like the roof off the reception area was missing on the second floor. I asked the receptionist and she told me that a couple of  months ago they had  a storm that had small tornados and it ripped the roof off. That was the storm that started in Perth and went right through to the east coast causing lots of damage along its path.

The caravan park is quite nice, it is not a large park but plenty of room for large units, there are drains for grey water and water taps at each site, however, again it is bore water. After setting up we had a walk around town and it was quite hot, the town was quiet so we headed back to the Opal Inn to sample a couple of beers. When we booked in they gave us discount vouchers for meals in the restaurant so we decided to have a shower and return for dinner and it was well worth it.

Coober Pedy to Erldunda

12/12/2014

We hit the road early , again we are not sure how far we will travel today it depends on how I feel, I still have an annoying cough and feel tired after a while, I am still having the occasional dizzy spell if I bend down which I have put down to the affects of the cold I had.

The sun had just risen and the sunlight across the white sands of the diggings is quite pretty. The diggings are around 50kms each side of Coober Pedy then the land form changes. We sat on around 90kms and when I saw road-trains coming up behind me I would give them room to pass if we were not on a straight section of road.

(Early start leaving Coober Pedy)

On the way to Marla we spotted a wedge-tail eagle, the first we had seen on this highway which is not a good sign, we used to see many in groups, this one was by itself so whether it is nesting time and that is why we are not seeing them I am not sure let us hope that is the case. We did see a group of around eight further north but that is all we saw the hole trip including back to Brisbane via the Barley Highway. There were plenty of hawks/kites all along the highways mainly in the NT and Qld.

(As we pulled up the eagle left it's tucker and basically did the Eagle Rock (dance) it was funny seeing it for the first time in reality)

 (I moved over for the wide load, the roadtrain had plenty of room to pass on this straight road, photos by Nancy)

(This bloke came out of a side road a few kilometres back, he is filling the 1,200 litre tanker and going back to camp.

(The old days on the dirt road there were many of these signs as there was no fencing, the signs were painted on old bonnets of cars that had fallen apart or broke down and left. There was a small sign some motorist had put up after this sign that stated "Plenty Cows")

 (Signs of previous rain, photo by Nancy)

 (Very large parking area at the NT border with toilets and seating in the shade)

 (Yes the NT, red dirt)

We arrived at Marla and had a feed which was breakfast and fuelled up and decided to keep going on to Kulgera. We stopped at the border which has also changed since my last visit through here. The border has a great roadside stop with toilets and plenty of parking with information on South Australia and NT. After a short stop we headed into Kulgera and had lunch, they have a small caravan park there but it looked very dry, hot and dusty so we went onto Erldunda.

(Kulgera Pub, nice young couple now own it food id good)

Erldunda is on the intersection where you can head out to Ayres Rock, we arrived there and fuelled up being 10 cents a litre cheaper than Kulgera then we booked into their caravan park which is quite nice, they have grass around each site and some trees for shade.

 (At Erldunda Roadhouse caravan park, good sites and amenities) 

(The birds very active just before sunset)

After settling in we went to the bar and sampled the amber liquid as one does on a hot day, it's the Australian thing to do. We only had the one beer and returned to our unit. Just before sunset we were entertained by some cockatoos in the trees nearby.

Erldunda to Alice Springs

 

13/12/2014

Another early start and heading for the Alice and we called into Jim's Place near Orange Creek and the Noel Fulleton's Camel Farm and we had breakfast, Jim is no longer there a bloke by the name of Spud was running the place, quite a character. After breakfast we said goodbye and headed onto Alice. On arriving in the Alice the first stop was to a truck wash to give the vehicle a good clean before heading into the caravan park. There are two that I know of in town, one behind Kittle's Holden and the other on Gap Road next to the Shell service station which is the one we used a little tight but we got our truck and trailer in and drove out easily.

 (You just know your in the NT with the type of country)

 (Pulled over for the roadtrain, he has a quid to earn I have all day photo by Nancy)

 (photo by Nancy

(Coffee and breakfast at Jim's Place near Orange Creek,photo by Nancy)

 (Speaks for itself, photo by Nancy)

 (The Old Ghan, this is opposite the roadway to the museum,photo by Nancy )

 (Driving through The Gap, photo by Nancy)

(Giving the girl a well earned wash, photo by Nancy)

 (Stuart Hwy and Larapinta Drive intersection, these were the very first set of traffic lights in the Alice,photo by Nancy )

(Mt Gillen,photo by Nancy) 

After cleaning we headed for the Macdonald Ranges Caravan Park which is on the south side of the Gap. What a lovely park it is, it is a four star, it has the standard park areas and ones with ensuites, it also has cabins and camping areas. The staff are friendly and helpful. The owner Brendan Heenan  I knew in the days I lived in the Alice, he is a gentleman an all round good bloke, he had a garden nursery in those days and started the caravan park a few years before I moved away from the Alice. The amenities room also is equipped with a full size bath which came in handy for me in the weeks to come. There is a swimming pool area with three pools which are being replaced in January with larger pools.

Once settled in we called my sister Jeanne who lives close by and they came and picked us up and we went to their place and we picked up my dear Mother on the way. I had not seen them since January 2013. Mum is nearly 93 and is quite frail these days, her body is breaking down but her mind is as sharp as a tack, the poor thing is on pain management being morphine patches but still suffers pain. The main reason for the Alice visit is to spend time with family over Christmas, it is too hot to go out touring.

Sunday mornings at the caravan park the owner Brendan and one of his staff cook a pancake breakfast for all those that wish to attend, he has this large trailer that is all BBQ plate and he has the buckets of mix and starts cooking until everyone has had their fill. Naturally this is not the tourist season, but in the height of the season he cooks a lot of pancakes. He has a sign by the BBQ that shows the record, one bloke ate 13 pancakes, a female 9 and the most amount of cooked pancakes on the one day was 1.209 pancakes. I had four one Sunday and I should have stopped at two or three, that is how big they are.

(Sunday morning pancakes, Brendan on the right)

Web site.  http://www.macrange.com.au/

Alice Springs and my medical incident

Wednesday 17/12/2014

I had been having a few dizzy spells over the past week which I put down to the heavy head cold I had, now the head cold had abated I suffered a dizzy spell yesterday. At 0130 hours this morning I woke and things did not appear to be right with me, my chest felt a little tight and my heart beat was pounding on the chest although when I checked my blood pressure which read 195/95 my heart rate was 32bpm. End result I asked Nancy to call for an ambulance. This must have been frightening for her. I continued to check my pulse rate because I thought whilst I can do that and there is a pulse I am alright.

I had gotten dressed with shirt and shorts and sat on the bed waiting, I said to Nancy she would have to go and open the security boom gate for the ambos to enter the caravan park and soon after they arrived. A paramedic entered the unit and asked me a few questions whilst checking my blood pressure and heart rate, obviously making sure I was coherent . He asked if I could stand and I assured him that I could and could walk. He walked backwards slowly in front of me and I climbed onto the stretch. My heart rate was still 32bpm, he said to me, "John it is a good job you are talking to me otherwise I would be doing chest compressions on you". He said he had not experience a conscious patient with such a low blood pressure.

We chatted all the way to the hospital and found out he was ex-navy like myself, but he was a lot younger. They delivered me to Emergency and they soon got to work  in an excellent professional manner, I told them my history and allergies etc. As the ambo's were leaving they popped their heads in looked at the monitor and shook their heads and wished me all the best. The medical staff were great.  The doctors and nursing staff kept a good eye on my and also looked after Nancy making sure she was well informed and comfortable.

Wired for sound)

Then a female doctor , Lucy came to see me, that's when I realised my heart rate was not going to change, she should make any man's heart rate lift. She said she would now be looking after me and be taking me up to ICU but first they wanted to install a drip that had to be close to the heart, they said that they can go in under the arm although difficult they wanted to leave the groin area clear just in case they needed to do an angiogram when I get to Adelaide as they would be transferring me there via the Royal Flying Doctor Service.  The fact is I have good stand up veins but they are tough to penetrate and they move about a bit. Two doctors worked hard with scan and needles to pick up a vein in the right arm, four failures so try the left arm so they said they were sorry and would let me rest and try the groin once I got to ICU. I told them not to be upset about it many people doctors and nurses have had a hard time getting into my veins.

(Trying to get that vein)

They moved me to ICU and Lucy came in with another doctor and they started work on getting into a groin vein and got in straight away. The drip they started is quite powerful and that is why they wanted to get as close to the heart. This drip stimulates the heart and lifts the pulse rate, when it first kicked in my heart pounded through my chest and they backed off the rate.

(Thanks to the great staff at Alice Springs Hospital)

Thursday - 18/12/2014

The Flying Doctor Dan and male nurse Alistair (Al) came to check me out and rig me up for the flight, two very nice blokes. Nancy was hoping to come to Adelaide with me but unfortunately it was not to be as there was another patient being transported with me. She was going to book a flight but I asked her to wait until I got down there and see what was planned for me.

Loaded up we took off in the single engine turbo prop plane, it was about three quarters the way to Adelaide my blood pressure started to climb up to 212, Al said not to worry and put a patch on my shoulder that would help bring it down. He said it is quite normal  as being in the plane the plane movement shakes the blood in the veins increasing pressure. We landed in Adelaide and two ambo's were there to take us to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Emma and Shane, both a couple of characters slinging off at each other, Emma like the doctor Lucy was very kind to the eyes, see I wasn't that sick.

Arriving at the hospital and everything was ready for us, Doctor Dan had warned me that although they had organised everything to run smoothly it does not always happened that way. However, all was good and they moved me to a room by myself that was waiting for me.

I was blessed with another pretty female doctor, again they run some tests but basically ran with what Alice Springs people had supplied them, the next hurdle was that this hospital was fully booked for operations on the Friday and I could not be fitted in and may not be until after Christmas. The lovely doctor was trying very hard to find somewhere that I could get the operation and be back in the Alice for Christmas. Next thing she popped in and asked if I had private health insurance, I explained I was DVA gold card and she said good and did I mind being transferred to a private hospital for the operation. Naturally I did not care where the op was done as long as I could be home for Christmas. She came back and said that I would be transferred on the night to Ashford hospital  and would have the operation at 0700 hours Friday being the next day. Then another hurdle, the doctor came in with another doctor, he stated that Alice Springs had contacted them and one of the blood tests I had taken they have found a viral infection and they are not sure whether I have it or if it was introduced in the process. He did say that I looked too well for me to be infected but it would be too dangerous to take the chance of installing a pacemaker if there was any doubt, they said they would take some more blood and keep in contact with the Alice as they were checking the blood sample growing cultures to find where it came from.

So I stayed at the Royal Adelaide Hospital with the cloud over us thinking I may be here until after Christmas.

Friday - 19/12/2014

Morning came I had some sleep between blood pressure checks and alarms going off on my monitoring equipment. Breakfast came in but I was not to eat it until the doctors had visited. A number of doctors came in one being Doctor Dennis Lau, he explained again the dangers of infection and was waiting for more results from the Alice. But he did say for me to eat breakfast and fast after that he would book me in for the operation at 1630 hours and if we get the all clear the operation would go ahead.

Around 1100 hours the lovely doctor came in all smiles and she said that Alice had confirmed the infection was not from me it must have been contaminated on handling. This surprised me because watching the procedures in the Alice in both Emergency and ICU they took more care of washing, gloving up and covering than the other two hospitals I had been in.

The Ashford had a bed booked for me at 1400 hours and so was the ambulance. The ambulance arrived and I slid across onto the stretcher. Right throughout moving from one bed or stretcher to another most were surprised that I could do this myself rather than they manhandle me across. The nurse that was looking after me also travelled in the ambulance to monitor the machines and do a hand over to my new careers at Ashford.

Arriving at the Ashford I was speedily moved to Room 4 where a bunch of nurses organised me into a new bed and took details, the nurse that had come with me handed me over telling them all about me and my condition. One bit of information that came out was that I was on this pump that was on the drip that was keeping my heart rate up a little. This ward was a cardiac ward, what I needed was a cardiac care ward so I could be constantly monitored. So I was on the move again to the Cardiac Care Unit where I was made comfortable and prepared for the operation, all the staff were great.

I was then on the move to the theatre where the operating team transferred me gently to the operating table and started setting me up with some very warm blankets, Dr Lau explained the process once again and said that I would be covered over with a light blue sheet so I could not see out, they place an oxygen mask on me then a nurse gave me an injection stating it would help me with the pain. Dr Lau placed the operation cover over the area of work, (linen with a rectangle hole where he will operate. He then warned me that the preparation fluid would be could and then followed by the local anaesthetic needles. The operation is conducted under local anaesthetic.

Then a cut was made where they would first install the two wires, this is the dangerous part, the wires go upwards from the cut near the left shoulder then across the chest finding veins to go into the heart. These wires have like small cork screws at the ends that they screw in to anchor the wires. Once all in place I am not sure whether they connect the pacemaker or connect the wires to a control unit, but they carry out tests on each wire slowing the heart right down and then speeding up. I know when then took the speed right down my heart actually stopped and then started again, Dr Lau called out to me "John are you still there" I said I was, I wasn't ready to go anywhere yet. The next was to fit the pacemaker into the cut he had made, the doctor said I would feel some pain, I did but not too bad as he pushed the pacemaker in under the skin, he then stitched me up.

Dr Lau wished me a very good Christmas and thanked me for not causing any problems on the table, he could now catch the plane he was booked on rather than a later flight. This doctor actually stayed back to fit me in so I could be home for Christmas knowing that if there had been complications he would miss his flight. Thanks Doc. I did thank him and all the staff and they just said that's OK it's what we do.

The fact was that the biggest pain came from my previously injured shoulder which is right next to where the pacemaker is fitted. As you as readers know I have to give sailing away due to torn ligaments in the left should, so you can imagine the pushing and prodding  was doing to the shoulder. Operation over they transferred me to the bed and then wheeled me out into the theatre ward where they kept an eye on me, one of the male nurses stayed by me talking and had a sandwich for me and a drink, he said there will be more when I get back to the ward but he always keeps some in the fridge because he knows what would be waiting for would not be enough.

When all looked good they said let's take you back to the ward, I asked if they were going to do that and they replied, "yes you are our last patient for the day you get the royal treatment, however, we do not have a licence to drive these so it could be bumpy".

Back at the Cardiac Care unit they all wished me the best for Christmas and there was food waiting for me and a nice cup of tea. I wanted to sleep afterwards but my shoulder was letting me know all about it. The nurse gave me some Panadol and I finally nodded off. I woke at 0130 hours and my shoulder was screaming, the injected pain killers had worn off. I called the nurse and asked her for some pain killers, she asked if I wanted Panadol  and I said I think I need something stronger and explained what my problem was, she called the doctor and she prescribed something a little stronger. I slept to 0500 hours and had the pain once again, the nurse gave me more of the heavy stuff and I slept a while longer.

20/12/2014

Breakfast arrived and I sat up and had that then an attractive lady came to me, she was from the pacemaker people, she supplied me with all the information regarding the pacemaker and how to care for myself and it. Then she placed a unit over the pacemaker and said she is going to conduct tests, slowing the heart rate down a speeding it up. Whilst she was conducting the tests her phone received text messages and she kept looking and smiling. I asked if it was a loved one sending the messages. She said no it is Dennis, Dr Lau, he was in Melbourne waiting to catch a passenger liner to go to Fiji for Christmas and was watching the tests on his laptop and giving her directions saying she did not slow the heart rate down enough.

A little later one of Dr Lau's associates came to see me to check all was good then said I could go home.

Then I was blessed with a visit from stepson Steve and one of his lovely daughters Tanayah, who has just completed her first year of Medical University. We sat and had coffee then my dear friend Rhys arrived to take me to his place and then deliver me to the airport the following day as he is the closest to the airport.

21/12/2014

 I stayed with Rhys and Teresa on Saturday and they took me to the airport on Sunday to go back to the Alice, however, I nearly did not get on the plane. Because my shoulder was tender from one the shoulder injury and two the pacemaker operation is right next to it I decided to ask the courtesy desk if the seat I was allocated if there was a vacant seat next to me or could I relocate to somewhere else. I explained the reason then she asked if I had a medical clearance to fly. Me and my big mouth. She called someone up who I had to talk to, people started boarding the plane, I said to this official I have to get on that plane then he is talking to someone on the phone, he then asked how long ago did I have the operation and I told him five days ago and he said alright you can board the plane, (oops did I say five days ago, I meant two days, oh well too late now I am on the plane).

I would have had the medical clearance along with a free Qantas air ticket if I had lived in the NT but being a visitor I did not qualify for a return flight which the Hospital would have organised and because I organised my own ticket I missed out on the medical clearance papers.

Back in the Alice Nancy, Jeanne and Johnno was at the airport to meet me and I landed in time to go to lunch with them and Mum at the Gillen Club.

At the club I went to help to pick up the lunches from the counter when they were ready and a bloke nodded to me as I passed and I nodded back not knowing who he was. A little later he came over to our table and as soon as I saw him smile I knew it was Clary Cox, I had not seen him for nearly 28 years, he worked at the power station with me when I lived in the Alice.

I caught up with a couple of people whilst in Alice, Steve Edwards came around to say g'day and I went and saw Richard and Caroline Spencer who had invited us for lunch which was very nice and one day we went to the movies and I bumped into Debbie Pepper, Debbie was a good neighbour of mine in Spicer Crescent,  Debbie and then husband used to have a lot of fun those days.

We had a good Christmas with family, Mum really enjoyed it and that's what mattered most,

(My lovely Mother looks so tiny, she is only 4'10, or was before her bones and back started giving way but she has hardly any weight on her)

 (The lovely tough Joan Jenks)

 (Yours truly and my Nancy)

(Nephew David, Mum and I)

New Years we had at Jeanne and Johnno's although we did not stay there till midnight, but we did see the New Year in back on our unit. We had more time in the Alice than we planned, originally we were going to leave on the 27/12/2014, but due to my operation I was not allowed to drive for two weeks so we left on 06/01/2015.

 (The Gap store and Tavern)

 (Alice Springs from the top of Anzac Hill)

 (This was taken standing in the middle of The Gap causeway looking up the Todd River towards The Gap)

 (Rail through The Gap)

(Todd River from The Gap)

 (Flynn Church)

 (Todd Street and the start of the Todd Mall)

 (Adelaide House)

 (Now Target was the Ford Plaza in earlier days)

(Mt Gillen from Bradshaw Drive)

 (Photo of the 1988 Flood, when I was trying to leave Alice)

 (Mt Gillen from another angle)

(Mt Gillen from Anzac Hill)

 (Only in the Alice, not sure of the occasion in pith helmet and off on a penny farthing bike from The Gap Markets)

 (This is one of those giant moths)

 (I can understand that jack)

 (Todd Mall)

 (Does anyone remember Melanka Hostel, its gone)

 (Parked near the memo Club, baby Austin 7, they were simple)

(The Memo Club, re-opened but I hear that there are a few problems with patrons fighting and police attending, we had a lovely lunch there, it was quite nice)

Then it was time to say our goodbyes, it is always hard saying goodbye to Mum and it is probably harder for her because we both know that saying goodbye could be the last time we both hear it and it has been that way for a number of years and more so now with Mum being quite frail. The fact is she has not got quality of life and she has said this on many occasions over the years that she wish was not on the planet, I only hope she does not outlive one of us no parent should see their child die.

PS. I have tried to identify the photos Nancy has taken because she should have the credit for the photos she takes, besides she is a better photographer than I. it makes it hard to take photos when your driving a vehicle it was alright on the boat to do it.

Cheers