When Rob brought me home, there in the front hall were my trekking poles which had supported me for many, many miles of walking. Now on crutches, I was grateful that they had been so strong.

After Rob got me settled, he had to go to work. So Jeanette and Christopher came and babysat me for the afternoon.

Part of this was to take me “home” to Zamia for afternoon tea. Jeanette laughed as we arrived, because another lady and I were wanting to walk on the same decking from opposite ends – her on a frame and me on crutches. Jeanette said we looked like 2 gladiators lining up for a fight! Actually we worked it out quite amicably:-)

Today, before Rob arrived to take me home from hospital, I took these images of the views from my bed;

1. *Grandma Bilby from Thea to keep me company as I get better.

2. *Flowers from Rob and Elly.

3. *A window to the south.

Today the bandaid came off my knee wound and this is what I saw. But after Tris, Blaine, Tom and Thea had been and Blaine painted my toe-nails with the nail polish that Thea had chosen, I had something prettier to look at than my wound!

And here is a close-up of my second hospital admittance tag for the year!

This painting is in my hospital room, as I commence the long and hard recovery from the replacement of my left knee joint. At least I can see why I am going through this!

Judy stayed with Elly for a couple of nights this week, and they put together this inspirational video for my journey:-)

Today Rob and I took my left knee out to the bush for the last time before it is replaced next week. I found that I can now walk hardly at all with either knee…

So I just enjoyed watching Rob take these lovely photos of Noble Falls after the rain:-)

In preparation for my post-knee-surgery convalescence at home, when we will have to sleep in the guest bedroom downstairs for a few weeks, Rob and I went to Ikea today to find a new mattress cover. Thea and Bunny came to help, after we bought Thea a new pink warm jacket and purple gloves:-)

Yesterday Rob was busy with his camera, taking amazing photos of Tom and Thea as well as this very healthy hakea in our back yard. Hakeas are native to WA, and to have this lovely big bush doing so well in our garden when so many other plants have died is a blissful gift indeed!

Tristan called last night and asked if they could stay the night, and today, and tonight. Of course we welcomed them!

We played cricket in the back yard (see Thea’s big hit), bought the kiddliwinks new pyjamas and dressing gowns (see Tom playing on the Wii in his new night clothes), and generally enjoyed each others’ company:-)

As I will be out of action and of contact for some time after my knee op on the 21st, this was a welcome gift.

It seemed sensible to me. Cleaning up the tea corner in our kitchen, I thought it was time to discard the many teabags that we no longer use. A friend had told me that burying them (wet) in the garden was party-time for the earthworms, so I packed all the teabags into bowls and poured hot water over them. Of course Rob came through the kitchen and spied them, and had to take a photo.

When I checked my email later I discovered that he had emailed the photo to our family with the caption “Sometimes I worry about your mother”. It certainly confused our children!