Time To Face Reality

Well after 12 wonderful years of owning my bulletproof Patrol, today I waved goodbye to it. I’ll admit it I’m really going to miss it. Although its new home is in Adelaide it’s still in the family as my daughter is the new owner ( I’m welcome to come and visit it anytime).

Hard as it is to admit but age has caught up with us and the last 18 months or so have been fairly rough. We probably never really recovered from the pandemic. Our last trip was in 2022 and never really got into 4WD. My wife has a chronic illness and is unable to climb into the Patrol without assistance.

I (like most males) thought I was invincible but for the last 18 moths I’ve been bought back to reality. Started with a shoulder reconstruction which in turn lead to a frozen shoulder, finally on the improve but will take up to 18 months to resolve ( and I religiously do my rehab and physio daily). The operation was the most painful experience I’ve ever endured and the six week immobilisation was terrible.

After I was able to drive we tried getting away and not only did my wife have a fall but I caught some type of bug that caused me to lose over 10kg in a week. I’ve never been so crook in my life and we were away from home at the time. No fun in a van in nearly 40c heat and then towing it home.

After numerous blood tests, X-rays, two CT scans and an MRI the cause is still unresolved and it’s possibly left me with a couple of issues. I’ve been eating like a horse and am nearly back to my previous weight. To top that off I’ve had cataract surgery on both eyes, very successful and for the first time in over 55 years I don’t need glasses for distance vision.

I haven’t given up yet and I’m finally back in the pool on a limited basis and still hopefully will complete my postponed 20th Pier to Pub ocean swim in January.

For the first time I’m many years we don’t own a Nissan (having owned 4) we traded the Xtrail on new Isuzu MUX.
I plan to stick around here as it stills feels like I belong. The knowledge I’ve gained from here has been invaluable and I’ve met some wonderful people who made me feel very welcome.

On a more sombre note, I attended a double funeral on Thursday. The sister and her partner of a very dear friend were killed in a triple fatality south of Darwin on 16/7. They were coming home to Ballarat from a holiday in Darwin with their new car and caravan. Some here may know them from running the Cameron Corner Hotel for about 10 years some years ago. Billy Mitchell and his partner Chris, if you’ve met them you wouldn’t forget them.

Just a plea to drive safely and look after each other. In May I had a collision in the Patrol when the oncoming driver did a right turn in front of me. Luckily for my upgraded brakes the impact speed didn’t cause any injuries but was enough to write off the other car. Minimal damage to the Patrol as the impact was absorbed by the bullbar. It could have been so much worse and happened in a split second.

Good on you Jack. Wishing you both all the best health wise in the future. And of course you need to hang around here mate, you are an important part of this place!

I've been wondering what's been happening with you, Jack. Very sorry to read of your troubles. I hope you both recover, quickly and get to enjoy the MUX.

Yeah time catches up too quick Jack, take care mate

Wishing you all the very best on your future endeavours and life Jack. You're a top fella. Look forward to that swim mate!!!

I hope we still get to meet up at some NP events Jack, you are great company.

You are a part of the fabric of this place mate, all the best with your health, it ain't over till it's over and it sounds like yoy still have some living to do mate.

JackStar [emoji3590][emoji3590]


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All the best for you and your wife mate. I'm glad to have met you, and caught up with you on multiple occasions. You are part of the furniture here, the reclining lounge in the NP.com.au lounge, very laid back and relaxed...

Cheers.

All the best with the future mate! Glad the daughter got a good handed down item :)