More Gibbs' abroad

Gibbs child number three - young Nath arrives back from Los Angeles tomorrow. He was over there pitching TV shows as part of his new job working in Development for Fox TV. Next Monday Nath, Tash and gorgeous Otto travel to Perth to spend a month waiting for the imminent birth of grandchild number two. This has been a rather hasty plan, spurred on by Dad's news but I think both sets of grandparents are excited about having time with Tash and Otto. Nath will be commuting as much as he can. East coast aunts are going to miss their favourite nephew who turns two on July 12 but we know he will be great medicine for Dad.

Speaking of which, Dad is going great guns. The chemotherapy has done little to slow him down. In fact, he is quite manic - sweeping the backyard, taking Buddy for 4km walks, churning out blog entries faster than you can say "Oh my God, we're still in the States, how many more countries is Geoff going to tour us through?" Still it's keeping him busy and the man I talked to a week ago who was shutting down his computer and closing up shop has been replaced by the rambunctious, ebullient, focused Geoff Gibbs that we all know so well. The fight is back and we know what a punch Dad can pack.

Welcome

This blog has been set up to keep people informed of Dad's progress. One of the various Gibbs' will attempt to update this site on a daily basis so those who care will know how the old boy is doing. He may even make a guest appearance or two - once he understands what a blog is!

This week has seen a flurry of activity at Chez Gibbs. Paul and I flew in on Friday to spend a week with Dad. I was full of trepidation getting off the plane but thankfully Dad was at the airport looking much the same as I remembered him and sporting a big grin. Ash got in at 2am that night for the weekend. We are all astounded by the number of friends who have called visited and dropped off goodies. Dad's averaging about 5 visitors a day, which he is loving! I have never drunk so much tea in my life!

Yesterday, Dad agreed to go and see a Professor who is an expert in Melanoma management. The Professor was shocked at how fast Dad's cancer had spread - given that he got the all clear in March. The sad news is that he has a number of lesions on his liver and lungs and the cancer is too advanced for surgery. The good news is that the initial 4 to 8 weeks prognosis is now more like 3 to 6 months. This may be extended if chemotherapy is used. Whilst Dad was against this procedure, the type of chemo used is designed so that he won't have too many drastic side effects - no hair loss, weight loss - perhaps a bit of nausea. This treatment has shown good results in 20% of those who have tried it. Not a grand number, but thankfully Dad agreed to try it and had his first dose yesterday. No side effects so far, in fact he is his usual rambunctious self.

He has asked that I post his travel diary on this site - talk about War and Peace but between all of us - we'll add a bit here and there for those who get a thrill out of Geoffrey's global jaunts.

Please feel free to post a comment to this site or come back as often as you like.

Zombie Brigade - the film that will not die!

Dad's good friends and Buddy's devoted dog walkers Abbie and Michael transformed the lounge room into a cinema on Sunday night for a private screening of Zombie Brigade - the schlock horror film Dad 'starred' in some 20 years ago. Don't know what was funnier - Dad's shower scene or Lisle Jones in the back of a station wagon with one of the town's ladies of the night.

Although the film was big in Ecuador, we didn't think it made a blimp on the global critics' radars until Ashleigh informed us that the New York Times rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars. See for yourself http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/movie.html?v_id=119803.

Geoff and Carole's Global Jaunts - Hong Kong Part 1

Tuesday 16th May. Departed from Perth International - Rolf, Jacqueline, Trish, Carole and I at 1.05 am. Uneventful flight to Singapore on which Carole at last saw the conclusion of 'match Point" - a film we had seen 'bits' of in Bali on a cheap DVD we purchased for the usual $1.10.

On route, we had to divert around the volcano Merapati. in Singapore we lounged and ate in the SIA Business Class area. Off then at 8:30am to Hong Kong. On route we had to divert around a typhoon which was heading our way to the tip of China. Arrived unscathed. Got into transfer bus and arrived at the Marco Polo Prince Hotel around 2pm. Nice rooms and the hotel is near the Star Ferry Terminal.

Ruth Gee - head of the British Council in Hong Kong - met us at 3pm and spirited us to the island to ride the peak tram to the top and to her spectacular apartment in Magazine Gap Road. Two bottles of vintage Moet and Chandon 1998 and we were ready to race back to Kowloon to dress for dinner at the remarkable China Club.

The Club in the old Bank of China building is an arte deco delight and boasts one of the most significant collection of Chinese contemporary art. The meal was a delight - Peking Duck as the main attraction. Great evening and a category three typhoon to boot. The air was electric with the promise of some great turbulent weather. Fears that we may not be able to leave the island if it progressed as it was expected to increase to a Category 8. It didn't but it did clear the atmosphere and the views of Hong Kong were spectacular.

Ruth Gee is a marvelous host and seeing HK through her eyes and connections was like seeing it for the first time.

Ferry back to Kowloon side and a short walk through the shopping arcades to the Marco Polo Prince.