Around Australia with Mini Me

[Odyssey]

Sorry to hear about Graeme. I really hope he manages to beat his disease and complete the journey.

(The photos look amazing though)

[Bambi]

first of all I am loving the pictures. the Devil's marble are amazing! I have no words for the wall of bras

I then read your update about his platelets. That truly sucks. I hope that he responds well to treatment and is around for many many more years.
to you and your family!

[Mad Aussie]

Thanks Odyssey and Bambi. Seems like an ongoing battle for our family one way or another. We are yet to lose an immediate family member though so we must be grateful for that.

It's amazing country out there huh? I'm waking up to anything from 4 - 12 degrees C here and getting as high as 25 degrees. Graeme and co are waking to 22 degrees and anything to 35 C. That's winter in the outback and tropics where they are.

[Mad Aussie]

I just spent an hour on the phone with both Graeme and Mandy. Got some more accurate info on Graeme's condition at least.
As I've mentioned in the past, his Lymphoma is indolent, slow progress.
The average Platelet count for an adult is actually anywhere between about 160 - 180 through to around 400.
Graeme's test 2 weeks ago was 132 ... then a week ago 128. Stress and flu's etc can all cause a drop in platelets. With Buddy dying and a recent cold Graeme has had both of these possibilities so it's hopefully that at this point his recent count is not an indicator that his cancer has begun to progress. It expected that when it does, it will be aggressive and quick.
For the time being, it's business as usual!

After those last lot of photos, they have traveled from Darwin through the Kakadu National Park where there were so many Crocodiles they weren't able to enjoy too many sights with Dean in tow. Dean is so fast and hyper that he would be a croc's breakfast in the blink of an eye. A large wild Boar was menacing people in the area a few days back and ended up a croc's dinner here.

They've moved back down to the town of Katherine, famous for the Katherine Gorge, and soon will begin the journey westwards towards Western Australia.
This map shows the area they are in ...
Graeme-Mandy-Trip-2010

[QuietOne]

That's semi-good news about his platelet count, MA. I told Mike about your post this morning. He sat down today and looked through the entire thread. Like me, he thinks the photos and the trip are fantastic. We're both sending good wishes your brother's way.

[Mad Aussie]

Thank you Q1

[edG]

Wow, this thread is such a mirror of life - the highs, the lows, the beauty of nature, people's off the wall antics and everything in-between. Best wishes for your brother MA and thanks for sharing.

[Mad Aussie]

Thanks EdG. I'm really trying to include photos and info that help everyone 'experience' the journey with them in some way if possible.

[Mad Aussie]

Lots more photos in. Mandy spent most of yesterday catching up with them and adding comments to her facebook.

Katherine Gorge Breakfast Cruise

[Mad Aussie]

Edith Falls swimming hole .... you can see the lower falls in the background ...


A lizard at Edit Falls


Edith Falls Upper Pool






Look carefully and you see people in the shadows showing the size of these falls