I got into Cairns at about 8am yesterday morning and went for a coffee, changed clothes and had a coffee. The flight was OK although I did not sleep much. The food was passable but not the best I’ve had while travelling. I asked for a window seat but got the aisle, but at least there were only two seats. My fellow passenger was older than me and had the stench of fresh nicotine oozing from every pore and the clothes that looked like they had not been washed in a while and so the nicotine had an aged smell to it too for added flavour. This is way more disgusting because it has had the time to mix with the natural body odours and in turn it creates an overwhelming smell worthy of a vomit.

Anyway that was all behind me now and I was on my way to the Domestic Terminal to get my flight to Brisbane. I saw a Jetstar rep and asked her if I could get an earlier flight rather wait till 4.40pm and she said yes and so I got my new boarding pass and went to the gate.

When I arrived in Brisbane I got the train to Ipswich to where I will stay with Danny and Maria. They have been very good to put me up for about 2 weeks. They also have helped me a lot over the years and Danny will help me to check my PO Box and collect my mail. He’s also quite a good cook but don’t tell him I said that.

Today I went to see my Skin Cancer Doctor and I was still feeling anxious up until he checked the mole on my skin. He quickly said “it’s OK, nothing to worry about” I was so relieved to hear that, mind you be did freeze a few potential problem spots on me skull. It’s a very strange feeling indeed, a bit like my brain was on fire.

So I left there with my spirits higher than they were when I arrived and so I decided to go for a wee walk through Ipswich and to breathe in the fresh air, something that has been in short supply in recent months. The pollution in Suzhou is about 16 more than here. Ipswich has also many lovely old houses and everywhere is so green and lush. I was woken up at the crack of dawn this morning by the parrots feasting on next doors mango tree. What a racket they make.

I went for some retail therapy and then headed home for lunch. I have 23kg of booty to buy to take back to China. I have maybe spent 5kg today and so I have plenty more to do.