Hi Everyone

Well we’ve just woken up on our last morning in Aussie after a great week’s training from the great man himself Kip McGrath. It’s been invaluable, learnt so much and feeling ready to go now with new vigour! The weather has been perfect 30c + everyday and we’ve made the most of the beautiful Newcastle beach right outside our hotel after work. Kip, Storm and Dug McGrath have been great hosts, and it’s been fantastic to get to know them better.

The last scan result is just in and is fine. The oncologist is happy; I am described as ‘stable’. We assume this means nothing is on the move; the main tumour is still there but not growing or spreading, in fact still ‘dormant’. Thanks Lord!

We so couldn’t stand the thought of ‘cattle class’ on the way home that we’ve paid for an upgrade to ‘Business Class’ ourselves, decadent I know but after last year we promised ourselves we’d not scrimp, live for the moment, and enjoy some of that insurance claim! A few quid on moving from self catering and economy to sea view hotel and business class is well worth it when you’ve spent a year with a chemo drip in your arm and honking in a bucket!

The lifestyle here is amazing, we love the heat, the beach, the beautiful people but, worry not, the UK is home despite the awful weather and recession. We’re not about to move out here but might relocate the holiday place to somewhere hotter! Brittany is beautiful but a bit wet.
In our absence Chloe has passed her driving test – WELL DONE! My mum and dad have done a great job looking after the kids (with Chloe) and Amy has been an absolute hero keeping the office going. Thanks all! We couldn’t have done the trip without you.

Been able to read a bit whilst away and would recommend both books. ‘Dear Fatty’ which is Dawn French’s autobiography and ‘It’s Not About The Bike’ by Lance Armstrong and his fight with cancer. The Lance Armstrong book is particularly poignant for me; his prognosis was serious but actually better than mine – he got angry, not really felt angry myself but understand.

Well we don’t leave here until this afternoon at 5.00 so have a day on the beach (hard life); we get back home on Sunday afternoon at about 2.00.

See you all.

Dave xxxxx