Surfers - 21 June 2009

G'day

This week's picture is of me and Sean Khoury as we are about to enter the surf ( a bit flat )at North Avoca yesterday. And if you believe that.................

It was taken at North Avoca but Sean was standing right next to me on the beach. As I took this photo I wondered whether it might be used as a " last seen entering the big surf " picture and whether Sean and I would be calling whatever rescuers we could think of. Anyway, we got distracted and I honestly can't tell you what happened to them.

Sean is a Radiologist who started Medical School with me and via rather a tortuous route, he and his lovely wife Carolina find themselves living 200m back from the beach at North Avoca. They have three beautiful and talented daughters and most of Sean's family including his parents live nearby. North Avoca is about 40km North of Sydney as the coastal seagull flies but a bit further by road. Whenever we have driven past on our way to Sydney, we have been tempted to drop in but our opportunity came when Matt had a Regional Hockey Tournament in Wyong today. By Aussie standards Wyong is very close to North Avoca ( 40 minutes ). When I asked Sean about nearby B&B's he would have none of it and we spent the night at their home ( next door to their newly built home which is not quite ready - complicated I know ). We had a great evening which included boerewors, Sean's mum's homemade hamburger patties and lots of rugby watching.

Matt played hockey against doctor's but not dad's orders and had 2 storming games against Newcastle and Central Coast - the 2 strongest teams ( both nil all draws ) but then ran out of wheels. We have 2 weeks to get him fit for State Champs.

Whilst driving down to the Central Coast late yesterday morning ( 3 and a half hours ) and back this afternoon ( 3 hours ) I was reminded of my patients who would drive from Underberg, Bergville and Winterton to see me. I could never understand it but I have realised that travelling just has to become a way of life if you live rurally. This becomes more and more applicable with every person who reminds me that given my Paediatric " recognition ", we don't need to stay in Taree anymore. Besides the debt of grattitude I feel I owe the hospital and the committment I have made to my new patients and colleagues, we are enjoying our " country cosiness ". We are happy in Taree and enjoyed arriving home this evening.

Have a great week.

Dyl, Bron, Matt, Jen