TUESDAY 22 JUNE     PERTH

I felt a bit better today, at least in the morning.

We had to go back to the specialist in South Perth for test results and verdict.

The traffic seemed very heavy on the freeway. Maybe it just felt that way because of the heavy rain?

Perth in the rain

The doctor did not have the blood tests results back yet, but felt it was probably Sjoengrens. John was to get liquid tears for dry eyes and Biotene stuff to counteract a dry mouth – neither of which he had mentioned having! The specialist would send the results on to our doctor, but said there was nothing more he could do.

The good news was that he saw no reason why we could not continue with our travelling.

Drove back to camp with mixed feelings. It was not great that John appeared to have a chronic disease, but we decided to think as little as possible about that and just focus on enjoying the rest of this year’s travels.

Collected the library books and took them back. At Karrinyup shopping centre, we claimed the doctor’s bills refunds from Medicare. Bought the things required for John from a chemist. Had lunch at the shops and did a few more bits of shopping.

Refuelled at $1.02cpl.

In a sunny break back at camp, took down the annexe roof.

We went for a – hopefully last – walk around the gardens of the caravan park.

SUNDAY 20 JUNE     PERTH

We drove across to the coast, then followed that south, through Cottesloe and onto the Stirling Highway, where we cut back up and went to Kings Park. This is a large area of parkland, gardens and bush, in inner Perth.

We walked in the park for a while. There had been some impressive improvements and development of facilities since we were last here, in 93.

I did not feel very well, due to the cold.

We had to extend our original booking at the caravan park – operating on a day by day basis now. We had exceeded the discount allowable per stay, so were now paying the full $25 a night.

THURSDAY 17 JUNE    PERTH

Today was John’s specialist appointment.

We had an easy drive down the Mitchell Freeway, over the Swan River and to the South Perth Medical Centre on Mill Point Drive.

We saw, in passing, the place on Mill Point Drive, where daughter and husband had a flat for a few months, in ’98/’99,  whilst they were working in Perth on their extended trip.

Distant Mill Point Drive, and the Swan River

The doctor wanted a scan done, and blood tests. He was not sure of a diagnosis. It might be Sjoengrens Syndrome – which neither of us had ever heard of!

It was a bit of an anti-climax to still come away with no definitive answers.

I still had a sore throat!

On the way back to camp, collected our mail. Notes from L were interesting, but there was nothing else interesting or important.

WEDNESDAY 2 JUNE     PERTH

Pottered about through much of the morning, then set out to go to lunch with the parents-in-law at their home at Sorrento. It wasn’t far for us to drive. Stopped on the way and bought flowers and a nice Brown Brothers red wine.

We had a very pleasant time there, at L and F’s. They have great views from their place – across to Rottnest Island and can see south along the coast to Fremantle. It must look wonderful at night.

Mid-afternoon, made our farewells. Drove along the coast to the new Hillarys Marina, that F had mentioned. Parked and walked around there, looking at some very expensive boats.

Completed a round about drive through that part of the northern suburbs, following the coast up to Mullaloo, then across to Beldon and then back on the freeway to Balcatta. Stopped off at the shopping centre to collect my photos. I also bought an album to put them in.

Went for a short walk around the back part of the caravan park.