Good finish to 2008

I decided I would go to Queenscliff this year as they seem to have given the Festival a broader appeal this year.

• Queenscliff Music Festival 2008.
  

For the first time in our lives Lady Bear and myself were treated to Xmas dinner put on by our boys, Merlin and Somerled. As Lady said, "This was nice, perhaps we could do it again next year".

• Bluestone 2008
  

I did Bluestone 2008 from home this year. After being in and out of hospital with Eric since September I just did not feel up to camping so I went home in the wee hours of the New Year to recover then came back again mid morning for the next day's bands.

Lighthouses of Australia Reunion

In November (2008) we had a reunion with many of the foundation members of Lighthouses of Australia at Point Lonsdale.

This is the part of my life that I really miss now I am on dialysis, the adventures we had.
It was good to catch up after all these years, and this would be the last time we would be all together with Ed.

Eric, a short bout of freedom

• I felt the need to return to my own country.
  
• Catching up with Lady Bear and Maldon.
  
• Exit Bubbles, the dialysis machine.
  
• Apollo Bay Music Festival 2008.
  

Last night Ruth and I went to see Queensland Theatre Company's "Heroes", based on the hilarious French play of 3 old veterans trying to escape from a home for invalid soldiers in the late 1950s. The scary thing was that I actually knew some of the characters!

I have not felt like adding anything more as so much has been up in the air. There have been a few issues with Eric The Kidney and I have felt that I would rather say nothing for the moment until I have more of an idea how things are travelling.

It all came to a bit of a head with me ending up in St Vincents for around 6 weeks with no real outcome. It became quite frustrating as I semed to be in their too hard basket, but some respite came as I did make it away for a few days to get to Maldon.

• Maldon Folk Festival 2008.
  

I am now at home again. I went back for another 10 days and then we all agreed as we were going nowhere, and things seem to be stable, the best place for me was at home.

I am now going to Monash Medical Center under a different team and am much happier with how things are being handled. They feel I am stable and seem to be happier for me to be at home, only coming in when something needs to be done.

Eric the Kidney

I had a kidney transplant on Wed 12 Mar 2008 and came home on Fri (Good) 21 Mar 2008.

• Eric the Kidney has arrived!
  
• Eric the Kidney has his own MySpace page.
  

This year (2008) Ruth and I went to see Bell Shakespeare's "As You Like It". Despite being 3 hours it was good. I love the way John Bell presents Shakespeare. See it if you can!



I have been able to get away a bit now I am not tied to the dialysis machine.

Out and about 2007

I went to the Maldon Folk Festival again and got really bad food poisoning on the first day and went home early!!

But I made up for it with a few other activities to finish 2007.

Og enjoying the company of fellow blues fans at the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club in 2007.

Og Bear trying to get some relief from the heatwave New Years Eve at Bluestone 2007.

Big 52nd with bypass

I am a lot more philosophical than I used to be.



A very saintly Og celebrating 52nd birthday.



I am ready for the long awaited heart bypass.

All went well, I am recovering at home, truly on the mend and back where I can reminisce over past adventures and look forward to future ones.

• Thank you all for your support in May 2007
  
  

Australia Impressionist Exhibition, then MacBeth

I went to the Australia Impressionist Exhibition at the Ian Potter Centre for Australian Art with a new friend Susannah who I meet at the Blues Club camp.





I couldn't get over the excellent condition of the works displayed. I wished I had started in the morning then had a break for lunch and came back. It was too intense for just an afternoon.



The Bell Shakespeare's MacBeth was another highlight. I went with Ruth and we knew it would be good, but was just better!