Discovering the M2 bus

It was over 40 degrees on Sunday and we decided to take the bus down the M2 to the City to attend the Wesley Mission Volunteer's dinner instead of driving in. This was our first time on the bus although some years back I used to catch the M2 bus to Epping sometimes when I worked there. This was Tony's first trip and he was kind of excited. Being so hot, we drove to the bus store but of course it is within walking distance. As we are now "seniors" the fare is only $2.50 and we were a bit nervous as we had not purchased one of these tickets on the bus before and were unsure of what to do and how they worked. Tony pushed me in first to ask for the tickets and then we took a seat at the back of the bus. It was one of those new buses where there are different floor levels but you have to be careful that you don't pick the seats that sit over the wheels. The trip took about 40 mins and we disembarked at the back of the QVB. We had borrowed a timetable from Rolf and Christa who catch the buses all the time and were able to see when the return buses left which was about every half hour and this would be in front of the QVB. There are 3 buses you can get 610 (which does not go through the Lane Cove tunnel by via Lane Cove) 610X (which does go through the Lane Cove tunnel) and the 619 (which goes via Macquarie Uni). So all in all it doesn't take much time this way to get into the City and we have decided to take this mode of transport in future. In fact I went in by bus this morning to go to the Conference Centre at Darling Harbour where Felise's Variety Christmas Party was held. After getting off at QVB it was only a short walk down the street and across the Pyrmont Bridge and you were there.

Some good news at last

Tony had a CT Scan and a bone scan during the last week and we went to see the Specialist this afternoon to find out how far the cancer had gone. Luckily it is contained in the prostate and Tony will be having a radical prostatectomy operation (ie is removal of the prostate) on the 11th January. So that is a relief and Tony will now be able to enjoy Christmas.

On Wednesday we were setting off to have lunch with some friends at The Entrance. We were just about to go onto the M2 when the car began acting up. We called the NRMA and they told us to take it to an auto electrician which we did. The auto electrician checked it out and said it was the automatic transmission and we would have to take it to an automatic transmission place as it was a specialised trade. We picked the car up today and it cost a total of $2200 to fix. Any other time Tony would be pulling his hair out over this but after what he has been through lately this was just another thing that had to be done.

Michael had a father's retreat last weekend so Kerry-Ann and the children came over on Saturday and stayed the night. Then on Sunday we looked after Felise and Jake while Kerry went to work. We took them to the park but it was rather hot so we didn't stay that long. We then went to McDonalds for lunch and after brought them one of those soft service ice creams each. You can just image how much mess they got into. I had to wash Felise's clothes out when we got home.

I won't be going to Tebbut Lodge this week as Felise's Christmas party is on at Darling Harbour and when I told Shirlee she was disappointed as she is beginning to rely on me now. The residents certainly enjoy their Trivia with me and have a good laugh. Even the gardening group has started to expand. Shirlee has been showing me some new programs she has in mind for me to do with the residents. I even got an invite to the residents Christmas dinner on the 6th Dec.

Also Tony and I are going to a volunteer's thankyou dinner at Wesley Mission on Sunday.

I'm having problems with Farmville again!!!!!! I am about to lose a whole crop of Sunflowers as I am unable to access my farm. Help..........

Shame to spoil a beautiful day.

Raymond Terrace - 31st October

It was such a beautiful day today you wouldn't want anything to spoil it. However that was not the case. The pest man came this morning to get rid of all those nasties that lurk in our back yard. After he finished Tony had an appointment with the specialist as he had a biopsy last week on his prostrate and we were going to get the results. It turns out Tony has prostrate cancer. The doctor said it seems to be contained in the prostrate but he made an appointment for Tony to go for a CT Scan tomorrow and a bone scan next week to make sure. If it is contained then he will have surgery to remove the prostrate altogether and that should be the end of it. Except of course for his recovery which will take up to at least six week or more.

Any other result we will deal with if it happens. It was all a bit of a shock as we were expecting it to be the same result as he had previously when his PSA reading was high.

Carol's husband Malcolm ( this is the couple who live at the back of us and I used to work with Carol) had his prostrate removed a couple of months ago and this has been helpful for Tony as he knows what to expect and is able to talk to Malcolm.

I have been a bit slack lately with my blogging but have had a lot on the calendar and looking after 2 farms and a cafe doesn't give you much time.

Back to the real world.......... Re the volunteer job at the fertility clinic I applied for. Out of the blue I got an email from them inviting me to a morning tea to meet the Manager etc and to explain what was involved. It said they were still sorting through the applications. So I will go along and see what it is all about. At least I will get a cup of tea and its only in Parramatta.

We are going for dinner with our New Zealand coach friends, Peter and Gina at the Ibis hotel

at Thornleigh tomorrow night. Then back to their place for coffee. They are still trying to be

matchmaker between Edwina and their son.

News on Tebbut next blog.