I just got off the phone from talking with Dutchie. For the whole time that we have been away up north I have had no word about his condition and I really didn’t know what to expect, so to be able to talk with him was an unexpected bonus.

He is weak and has lost 15 kilos and tells me that he can hardly pick up a bottle of coke, but he is attending a gym program 3 times a week working out on the bike and walking machine and lifting light weights. He is also determined to complete his English Teaching course and has deferred it for 3 months.

All things considered all this is great news and I can’t wait to give him a hug when I’m back in Australia next February.