Well clear of the house.

After a few weeks there were two.

And then one day none.

A minor disaster, I spent some time in hospital letting surgeon perform a double by-pass. The better alternative to re-stenting where previous stent had scar tissue.

After 12 weeks all good. At 14 weeks I thought I should do "something easy" like clean the pools (not recovered since 2011 flood). The brown stuff was crystalline, thoroughly stuck to the tiles. Three days of an hour a day "gentle rubbing" with scouring pad and Jif proved a bit much. So lots of resting, and persistent pain, which is lessening but still persisting in December.

I used various mechanical devices to finish. A finishing sander with scouring pad for the brown stuff. An angle grinder with diamond wheel to remove old paint in main pool.

The first efforts at holding the angle grinder at shoulder height were a struggle. But slowly and steadily, an hour a day, the paint was removed.

I guess if I spent more time doing nothing I would have fewer aches and pains. But muscles already seem to have lost a lot of strength. A rock and a hard place so to speak.

Physio was good humoured when I described the requirement for a minor miracle.

This, and the electronics for the truck bed and roof lift actuators, means less strain on chest muscles while keeping the mind active.

No silver lining. More like six of one half dozen of other. Hunched over the keyboard meant standing up was a slow uncoiling as the scar stretched and caused an uncomfortable burning sensation. Paw paw ointment massaged into the scar, and stretching exercises, have helped.

I'd bought enough paint for two top coats, but it went further than I expected. About an hour and a half each coat, the last coats easier.

I cleaned the stonework around the edge of the pool with a new, higher pressure, water blaster thingo. Which coincidentally worked very well at cleaning the outside of truck - better than hand polishing.

The two variable speed pumps from China arrived, but have software problems (just communications, the pump works well as a pump).

It will be after Christmas before we fill the pools.

Feeling much better after stopping the precautionary blood pressure tablets which left me dizzy when standing up. After stopping taking them (cardiologist made the expected suggestion) I realised I had lots of side effects that had been stopping me recovering my fitness. Muscle aches were but one. I can now walk up the hill from the pool at a rapid pace and still have enough energy to climb steps into house two at a time. A new lease of life, like turning a switch. Frequent walks of 5km with a hill at about 5.5km/hr. Still fatigued and can't put in a full day of effort.

Physio seemed pleased I've finished the hard part of pool reno. I can't imagine why .....!

Seems to be working well, the four actuators are synchronised.

The seat back is laying flat on the seat, ready for gluing back in after a few modifications to accommodate actuators being different to bed lift legs.

The bottoms of the actuators covered with spare fibreglass panel to keep dust out.

The actuators are slower and quieter than the bed lift. They can also be operated independently so bed can be levelled if floor is not.

Still pain in chest wall. Physio has helped.

Time will tell how far I can drive truck in a day. And the next day.

Christmas in Canberra.