The best laid plans

For anyone who has not heard by other means, our flight with Singapore Airlines was delayed and we eventually arrived in Perth late on 12th July to be met by our very good friend, Len Stewart. Just after midnight, I had taken the luggage trolley to the trolley park then walked back towards Judith and Len between two cars. I didn't see the concrete block jutting out beyond one car wheel, tripped and fell heavily on my hip. Judith was able to help me up and get me to Len's car but when we arrived in Joondalup and I tried to stand, my leg collapsed - I had a fracture of the neck of femur! Len called an ambulance and I was ferried to Joondalup Health Campus, vastly grown since we were last here.

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Steve sitting in car waiting for stretcher

- stretcher ready for loading

I was very well looked after in the Emergency Department before being transferred to a room on the orthopaedic wing. I had to wait for the effects of my blood thinners (from old PEs) to wear off before an operation could happen and on Saturday morning (15 July) I had a total hip replacement. Meanwhile, Judith had found that our unit had 13 steep steps and if we didn't find somewhere different, my discharge would be delayed and, probably, recovery affected. She duly found the lovely chalet that we are in now at Burns Beach.

I was discharged 20 July and we have since been cancelling some bookings and trying to sell the trailer and work out what Plan F entails by way of seeing more of Australia, if not quite as much as we had originally planned.

Meanwhile, I have lovely areas to walk to get exercise up and down the coast on a path above low cliffs.

Our friends Tony & Stella joined us on my second outing

Today has been too stormy to venture out so I have had to exercise indoors while Judith is busy around the chalet. No plans have yet been formed, so watch this space - but don't expect too much in a hurry!