I tried to call Jim with no answer and then sent an e-mail inquiry as like many of you I was growing concerned having not heard anything for weeks. Fortunately I got a reply overnight.
Below is the update from Jim with full permission to share it with you.
Gil
Jim's update:
G’day Gil,
My apologies, our mobile towers still haven’t been repaired, so our phones are flaky. When I go into town (rarely) I get bombarded when I hit a working tower with bulk missed phone calls and SMS text messages, but to return your call it would be around 3.00am in the morning for you.
Jenny and I are doing sort of OK, we still have all our floors ripped up of coverings and waiting for the insurance builders to put in the new flooring, kitchen, bathroom, laundry and all the other 101 jobs they have listed to repair the flood damage…they also have to remove mould and replace doors etc etc ….they have been very good so far and have paid out our losses for all our possessions that we lost in full and now we are up to replacing/repairing.
Have the new Air Conditioners in and beds and fridges/freezers. Still cleaning mud and crap out of my workshops and garages and other outbuildings. I’m almost broken mate…theirs so much work to do!
Youngest son is getting married in 2 weeks, they were honeymooning in NZ, Fiji and Bora Bora, looks like the $25,000 prepaid holiday has been lost because of this bloody virus as the airlines and hotels aren’t doing refunds as it’s a pandemic and that’s their get out line.
To be honest, we’re crapping ourselves over the virus Gil. Its just getting worse and worse worldwide. It’s an horrific start to 2020. A Bushfire in January, Floods in February and a Plague in March…..bloody frightening stuff.
We have enough petrol and supplies now to hunker down for approx 3 months (hopefully).
I’m so worried about everyone worldwide that I have become friends with Gil, this plaque is something that I think is going to be dreadful looking at Europe and the death toll just over night.
Apologies once again for being incommunicado, I’ve never been through anything like this in my entire life what the last 10 weeks have been like (feels like 10 months, I can hardly believe its only been 10 weeks).
Thanks for caring Gil, its so very very much appreciated.
Please give my kindest to all and I hope to be back in the steam family fold as soon as practicable and I am soooo looking forward to that my friend.
Bless all of us through these times.
Kindest regards,
Jim
the ordeal they are going through would be overwhelming for most , I'm so sorry they are all going through this, what a horrific experience.
thanks for the update Jim/Gil.
Unbelievable misfortune stacked upon sheer terror and now coated over with deep concerns for health and welfare of all concerned!
You and yours are in our thoughts of course, but if there is anything I/we can do that would help in any way .... please do not hesitate to let us know!!!