2025 Jul-Dec Australia
Back in Australia, we also caught up with other cruising friends, Roz & Kevin from Darwin, at Carnarvon Gorge. About 780km by road north-west of the Sunshine Coast, Carnarvon Gorge features towering sandstone cliffs, vibrantly coloured side gorges, diverse flora and fauna and Aboriginal rock art. With Gail & Garry and Lyn & Bob we all enjoyed some hikes.
Keith and I also spent a lovely few days at the Kingfisher Resort on K’gari (Fraser Island) – feeling the need for some real R&R and pampering. It was the tail end of the Humpback Whale migration (excuse the pun), so we went out on a whale watching trip – as always, it seems impossible to get good photos!
Upon our return, Keith was back in the hospital system for more scans and ultimately surgery in September to remove his prostate. The three-month recovery period just about drove us mad, but he made a good recovery from the surgery – and was finally given the go-ahead to resume his daily cycle rides. Unfortunately, the surgeon had been unable to get clear margins with the removal of the prostate and there is some residual cancer. The medical team seem confident that a course of radiation therapy would achieve complete success.
In September Emily came to stay as she had entered the Sunshine Coast Ironman 70.3 event – 1.9km ocean swim, followed by a 90km bike ride and finishing with a 21.1km run. She must be mad! She did really well – and we were both proud and amazed by her achievement!
In October, we were delighted that Rob, Jas and their girls came all the way from the UK to visit us during their half-term break. We were pleased that they could see our home and lifestyle – and understand why we’d chosen to move to Australia. We had a great time showing them the Sunshine Coast and its highlights – including a day at Australia Zoo. Keith even managed a couple of games of golf with Rob. One day was particularly hot – about 37° – and Jas and the girls were booked in for haircuts with my hairdresser. She works from home and has a lovely swimming pool, so between cuts they were able to enjoy a swim with Molly, her labradoodle. The girls reckoned it was the best ever hair cut! Then we all flew down to Sydney for three days as they’d never been there before. We had booked a house down at the Rocks (the historic part of Sydney, close to Circular Quay and the Opera House), which was really convenient to visit the Botanic Gardens and its views over the Harbour. We took a Sydney ferry out to Manly one day, but unfortunately it was cold and rainy, so we came back and explored the Rocks area. Luckily the next day was fine again, and we took the train out to Bondi Beach, and they were able to enjoy a swim. They decided to do the 6km walk from Bondi to Coogee – Keith and I took a bus and enjoyed a drink at the pub while we waited for them! Then it was time to say goodbye – really hard. They were flying back to the UK, and Keith and I stayed on a few extra days to visit my niece Pippa, and then Carol & Trevor, my sister and her husband.
Due to Keith’s health, we haven’t been able to make any travel plans for 2026. We’re beginning to go ‘stir crazy’ and considered a short break over Christmas – but decided that our home is the perfect holiday destination, so we are going to enjoy a ‘stay-cation’ this Christmas/New Year.
“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life—and travel—leaves marks on you.” – Anthony Bourdain