After leaving Armidale we decided to head to Inverell.
With Tori's passion for fossicking for all kinds of precious rocks and gems growing with every unique rock she finds, we couldn't let this little gem along the well known "Fossickers Way," pass us by!
We headed out to a place called "Billabong Blue."
We headed out to a place called "Billabong Blue."
For a small fee we were supplied with the tools we needed to hunt for our own Sapphires to keep.
The caretaker was just lovely and gave us plenty of helpful tips and fun facts!
By the end of the day we were thrilled with all the different coloured small Sapphires we had found to add to Tori's collection!
Tori, she has a eye for spotting Sapphires
Tori and Gary 
Our find for the day! Plenty of pretty Sapphires!!
Our favourite find of the day!
Unfortunately the next morning Tori woke with some servere pain in her hip, which throughout the day, grew progressively worse. Along with high temperatures it was soon apparent that she was in need of a trip to hospital.
Arriving at the local hospital in Inverell, the doctors were not sure what was wrong with her. But with her pain growing more rapidly by the moment, a Care Flight was soon arranged for us to fly to The John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
The caretaker was just lovely and gave us plenty of helpful tips and fun facts!
By the end of the day we were thrilled with all the different coloured small Sapphires we had found to add to Tori's collection!
Billabong Blue
Gary and Ella sifting through the rubble
Arriving at the local hospital in Inverell, the doctors were not sure what was wrong with her. But with her pain growing more rapidly by the moment, a Care Flight was soon arranged for us to fly to The John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.
With Gary and Ella jumping in the car to make the long drive down, Tori and I soon found ourselves in Newscastle slightly earlier than we had planned!
After Bone Scans, Blood Tests and a MRI, it was soon apparent that Tori had a nasty staph infection in her left hip.
With this being the case, Tori and I spent the next 11 days in hospital whilst Gary and Ella checked into a nearby Caravan Park.
Lucky for both Tori and Ella the John Hunter Hospital has plenty to keep sick kids and their sisters busy. Between visits to the school room, the Starlight room and fun nights with the Livewire team, their was always plenty of fun things to do!
Lucky for both Tori and Ella the John Hunter Hospital has plenty to keep sick kids and their sisters busy. Between visits to the school room, the Starlight room and fun nights with the Livewire team, their was always plenty of fun things to do!
Being spooky with a gift from Liz
Tori and her room we spent hours decorating with out various art projects
Finally the time came where the doctors considered Tori well enough to be discharged. I must admit that I was a little nervous as she still was not quite able to walk unaided, but with a 3 week course of antibiotics to still complete, I just hoped she would continue to improve.
With Tori still in some degree of pain, we decided to stay in Newcastle for the next week so that we could be close to The John Hunter Hospital.
We didn't do a lot, but went for some nice drives around the area to see the sights and just took it easy.
Celebrating Tori's discharge from hospital
Me! Finally able to get out and enjoy some fresh air!!
The old Surf Lifesavers watchtower in Newcastle
One of the many caves at Caves Beach.
Inside the cave looking out
Arriving in Tamworth we set up at the Showgrounds and were thrilled to see that there was a large Rodeo event being held there over the entire weekend! Perfect! With Tori still not being able to walk much, this was the perfect way to spend the weekend.
So for the next two nights we watched everything from Bull Riding, Bucking Broncos, Calf Lassoing, Barrel Races and plenty more!
So for the next two nights we watched everything from Bull Riding, Bucking Broncos, Calf Lassoing, Barrel Races and plenty more!
Ella playing her guitar at the Golden Guitar
Tori at the Golden Guitar
Heading back down from Tamworth we stopped in at Nundle to check out The Old Woollen Mill.
Quite a interesting place, we learnt all about the art of turning sheep's wool from a bundle of fleece, to the coloured ball of wool you buy in the shops!
Ella at the Woollen Mill
From here we headed just south of Newcastle to stay with some friends we had met whilst traveling the Cape.
We had a great two nights catching up over dinner with their beautiful family.
Enjoying a delicious dinner with Therese, Darren, Mitch Jade and Tara!
Unfortunately Tori still wasn't walking any better, and was still reliant on her crutches and pain relief.. Worried that the antibiotics she was given on discharge from hospital weren't fighting the infection like they should, I soon booked in to see her Pediatrician to voice my concerns.
After her appointment, that lasted well over an hour, he confirmed what I had suspected. The antibiotics were not working, and she needed to be readmitted to hospital immediately.
So as I write this post, I am laying yet again on a surprisingly comfortable fold out bed alongside Tori in hospital.
Tori is doing ok, and in good spirits, but it looks like we may have a long road ahead of us as her staph infection has spread to her joints.
Lucky the team here at The John Hunter Hospital are amazing, and we are all being well looked after.
We don't know if she will require surgery just yet, or whether she hopefully just needs a longer course of stronger antibiotics.
But either way we are making the best of a bad situation! The girls both love attending the school in the hospital here, and it gives me (their usual teacher) a break! The Starlight room has plenty of fun activities for the girls to join in with also, and various charities drop by frequently to deliver free craft packs for the kids (and myself ;)) to keep entertained!
With saying that, I'm signing off for now! I have some colouring and craft to do!!
Xx
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