Passion for Cruising

Wow, what a time this has been, some real down times followed by excitement and good progress.
I shall start with the most important news on Stuart, we have now had three lots of chemo, and yesterday had a review of treatment so far. Stuart had a full CT scan and blood tests and the report from his oncologist was positive. The lymphs have decreased slightly in size and the awful nodules have not grown bigger at this stage, so a huge sigh of relief and may it long continue like that!
The chemo hits him very hard for about 7or 8 days, then, slowly he is back to his old self by the end of the twenty one days cycle which is so good to see.
Now, back to other news, the unit in Sydney was put on the market on a Friday evening it was on the net, and, open for sale on Saturday morning. Then by lunch time we had three offers, Stuart said OK tell the highest to come up a bit, which he did, and as he is an investor it was over and out and contracts exchanged by the Monday.
Meanwhile we went up to Mooloolaba to look at retirement units, preferably with easy access to the Marina where TP will be very soon. Yes, we found the perfect one, and could not believe our luck as it was the last available before the next, and final block is ready next April. We are on the canal river waterfront with a wide open view and not overlooked at all, there is a jetty where we can tie the dinghy and it is only about 10 minutes back to the marina, where TP is kept.
The unit is bright and spacious with 2 bedrooms, 2 ensuites, a study, open living area and 2 balconies which are big enough for outdoor living etc, and sunny for winter. The village also has one indoor swimming pool, one outdoors, there is a bowling green, tennis court, woodworking room, fully equipped with the lot, gym, library, craft room, cinema, theatre or ballroom, billiards and club lounge, and a huge bar and entertaining room overlooking the water!! It is ideal for us, and we have already met a few owners who are very friendly and welcoming, I must say that we were both very excited to find something so nice. With Sydney selling so fast it meant that we could go straight ahead and we settle on 29th November.
Of course the next problem was furniture, neither of us having any since we went sailing three years ago, well, what fun it was, everything new and we both have the same taste which made it even better. Friends, Sue and David, put us up while we spent the days shopping, poor Stuart was totally exhausted by evening, and sadly we could not go out to celebrate my birthday, but David took on cooking duty and came up with a feast which we all enjoyed very much.
Now Truest Passion, amazingly is coming down the East coast and as I write she is near Lizard Island. In one month they have covered 2400miles which is fantastic going. The strong S Easterlies are slowing progress now, but they will press on as soon as possible. Our admiration is total for what they are doing for us, we will never be able to thank them enough.
We miss our friends very much, and cannot believe that we are not up there with them all, but when any come back this way , please come and visit us ,the Aussie phone number on our card will still find us.
I will report further in a few more weeks.