As many of my kind viewers know, I spent Christmas and New Year grappling with a severe asthma flare. I am pleased to say that thanks to persistent investigation…medical and intuitive, and the wonderful prayers of my viewers, my breathing issues have improved and I now have more asthma free days than not.
I consider myself very lucky and blessed to have found a way through illness and, as with most challenges, I’ve become wiser in hindsight. I know that my asthma and allergies were not adequately controlled and we’ve made changes that probably should have been made a few years ago. However it is often difficult to see the woods for the trees, especially when the right treatment is elusive. Thanks to my regular doctor who returned from leave, who was prepared to ask and, importantly, listen, we trialled new medication and switched the timing of my allergy medication around. Both steps, some 30 days later, have meant I am feeling more like my old self.
Before Christmas, and in the middle of an asthma flare, I went cruising to Tasmania on the Queen Elizabeth II. It was meant to be a restful break and a treat which had been planned mid year. Looking back on it, even though I was on a fair whack of prednisone, the cruise was exactly what was needed. The sea air meant my allergies calmed and the gentle motion of the big ocean liner, soothed me into deep sleep. At one point, I slept for 24 hours, only stirring for room service meals. When I awoke, I felt renewed…rest and sea air…and I was ready to get on with my cruise.
One of the highlights of our trip was a visit to the Royal Tasmania Botanical Gardens. What a treasure of a place. As soon as we disembarked in Hobart enroute to the gardens, I knew we were in crystal clean air and, mostly, untouched land. For those who don’t know Tasmania it is a small state of Australia off our mainland. It is known for its stunning wilderness, its pristine environment and its laid back cities, towns and villages. Its largest city is Hobart with a population of around 247,000. Forty four percent of Tasmanians live in this city, with the state’s population is 572,800 as of June 2023.
You get the picture. I could not have gone to a better place to rest and recuperate…away from regional NSW’s wind and electrical storms which stirred dust and pollen almost daily to exacerbate my allergic asthma. But back to the gardens…
As soon as I stepped inside this magical place, I felt the healing balm of nature. Everywhere I looked, I saw green. It’s difficult to explain the sense of living heritage within the walls of the gardens and so I will let you look for yourself:
Although steep in places, the gardens left me wanting more of Tasmania’s pristine, ancient habitats and nature. When I returned to the ship, and we headed back to Sydney, I realised there was so much of Australia and New Zealand I hadn’t yet seen.
As my health began to return, so did my wanderlust. As someone with a stellium in Sagittarius (multiple planets), it was time to dust off my walking boots and perhaps my sea legs also. Life waits for no one and exploring new places always stirs my soul.
