Breaking the Drought

One of my favourite pastimes is heading to bed early with a good book.

Although I was confined to bed I just didn't feel like reading when I was in hospital for 24 long days in October. I didn't manage to read many books and thus fell behind in my Goodreads Reading Challenge. While in hospital my head was woozy from the pain medications and, with canulas in each arm so I couldn't hold a book,  conditions for reading were a challenge.

I only managed to read four books in October (two of them before I was admitted to hospital.)

	The Lost Jewels	Manning, Kirsty *	3.87	1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars[ 4 of 5 stars ]5 of 5 stars
	The Accidental Duchess: From Farmer's Daughter to Belvoir Castle	Manners, Duchess of Rutland, Em	4.09	1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars[ 3 of 5 stars ]4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars
	The Paris Mystery (Charlotte 'Charlie' James, #1)	Manning, Kirsty *	3.48	1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars[ 4 of 5 stars ]5 of 5 stars
	French Exit	deWitt, Patrick	3.55	1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars[ 3 of 5 stars ]4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

As a result I adjusted my reading goal of 120 titles in 2023 down to 110 titles. 

After leaving hospital on 30 October I found myself in an environment that was conducive to breaking the reading drought. With little else to do I have read 12 titles in November and am on track to complete the reading challenge by the end of 2023. 

From Goodreads:

You have read 106 of 110 books in 2023.

MY NOVEMBER BOOKS

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A Break between Cutlets

One of the few meals that my mother cooked well was crumbed lamb cutlets which she regularly prepared for us. My kids loved these and now my grandchildren who have developed a taste for them often request when coming to our home for dinner.

Back on 6th October Robert and I prepared some cutlets for dinner with a daughter and her daughters. I had been feeling a little unwell during the day but I still managed to put three cutlets away. 

Four weeks later our other daughter and her family visited for a cutlet dinner. On this occasion Robert prepared the meal and I exercised restraint by devouring only one cutlet. 

Crumbed Cutlets - a family favourite

The four weeks between these two cutlet meals proved to be rather eventful for me.

I had a most uncomfortable night on the 6th October with sharp abdominal pain. On being woken by me early on the 7th Robert said "I'm taking you to hospital". 

By 6:30 am I had been delivered to Lake Macquarie Private Hospital Emergency Department where I was given some welcome pain relief and had blood tests and a CT scan. I was made comfortable and had to wait for the pathology and CT results. It didn't look good. I had diverticulitis, a perforated bowel and an abscess in my colon. The consultant on call wanted me transferred to the large public hospital nearby where I could have emergency surgery immediately if necessary.

So this reluctant patient was popped into an ambulance for her ride to John Hunter Hospital. On arrival I was assessed by the surgical team who, because I had other medical issues, decided to treat my condition conservatively with IV antibiotics and other mysterious potions. For nearly two weeks and after daily blood tests and two CT scans it was noted that the IV treatment wasn't doing its job and that the abscess was growing.

At this time I was tired of the public hospital and felt like a ping pong ball being bounced from one doctor to another. I finally demanded a change to a surgeon (nominated by me) and a transfer to the private hospital down the road. At last I got some action. I was transferred and scheduled for surgery on 20th August. 

Off to surgery at last

The surgeon was able to remove a couple of sections of my bowel and drain my abscess without the need for a colostomy. I spent the next 12 days (5 in ICU) in the private hospital with regular visits from my surgeon before being sent home under the care of supernurse Robert.

While I'm not eating much I am so grateful that just four weeks after that first cutlet meal I am on the road to recovery and was able to celebrate with one crumbed cutlet.

Thanks to all my family, friends and genimates who have followed my journey via Facebook. Social Media and other means. Your support is much appreciated. 

Welcome back Saracen

One of the delights of living on the water is being able to watch the movements of the boats that are moored in our backyard at Carey Bay in Lake Macquarie.

Boats in the Backyard 9 March 2023

There are only a few boats moored close to our home, some rarely move, some go out regularly and some like the catamaran, Saracen, disappear for months at a time. Saracen was bobbing around in March this year but disappeared some time after that. Each year when she disappears (perhaps for a warmer climate) we wonder if she will return. 

On looking out our window this morning my husband spotted Saracen back at her mooring. I grabbed my phone and snapped a few happy shots to record the occasion. 

Boats in the Backyard 8/11/2023

Disembarking

Land Ahoy

Welcome back Saracen. We've missed you. 

Saracen

Outback Welcomes

We had a super time on our recent adventure from Cairns to Darwin with Outback Spirit and we were made welcome in many of the localities we visited. 

I managed to snap a few decent welcome images when we were stationary but had difficulty when I tried to take photos of some we spotted as we drove along. It was hard to capture these from a bumpy 4WD bus on dirt roads. 

Outback Spirit 4WD Coach

Yungaburra, Queensland

Hells Gate Roadhouse, Queensland

Pungalina, NT

Borroloola, NT

Borroloola, NT

Lorella Springs, NT -not my idea of Paradise!

Mataranka, NT

Katherine, NT

Katherine, NT

Edith Falls, NT

Camp 119, NT

Queensland-NT Border

Queensland-NT Border

Queensland-NT Border

Queensland-NT Border

Mataranka, NT

Pine Creek, NT

Adelaide River, NT

Undara, Queensland

Normanton, Queenslaand

Doomadgee, Queensland

Croydon, Queensland

Yungaburra, Queensland

Ravenshoe, Queensland

Mount Garnet, Queensland

Booklovers' Quiz

I found this in my memories today and decided to devote a few minutes to a self assessment. 

Prior to commencing I visited the compiler's website and discovered that she is an American author.

I'm typing out the questions so, I invite YOU, my bookaholic friends to copy them and play along. Please let me know if you do.

Here's my self-assessment

1. Read the first chapter of a book in a bookstore

More than once.

2. Bought a book in a bookstore

Getting out without buying a book is a challenge.

3. Stayed up all night to finish a book

Not as often as I did when I was younger.

4. Bought a book you already owned

In the olden days, yes. Now I check Goodreads or Librarything accounts to make sure I haven't read it.

5. Keep track of the books you've read

Goodreads or Librarything.

6. Read more than 20 hours per week

Yes, when I am home. Sometimes travelling gets in the way of my reading habit.

7. Used a receipt as a bookmark

Tickets, Tissues, Receipts, Brochures - whatever is at hand.

8. Follow more than ten authors on social media

Nope.

9. A dog-eared book page makes you cringe

Yes, I can always find a bookmark.

10. Own more than 300 books

Too frightened to count

11. Sniffed a new book before reading

Part of the reading ritual, one of my fave smells

12. Bought a new book without reading the description

Rarely judge a book by its cover.

13.  Cried due to the death of a fictional character

I'm a hard nut but have been driven to tears.

14. Would rather read than go to a party

Depends on the party.

15. Own a piece of clothing declaring your love of reading

Nope.

And off we go

 After a comfortable night and welcome dinner at  Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns. we set off  off on our outback adventure this morning.

Here I am boarding our 4WD bus/truck

 This is the route we'll be following from Cairns to Darwin.

Itinerary for our trip