The findings

Day: 21

Goomalling-Perth – 01.06.2000

After a soothing hot shower in Jo and Tom’s little house, I drive to Perth with mixed feelings. I am surprised at the distance we have already covered despite the many initial problems. Sometimes the tracks cross the road and I can remember exactly what I thought days or weeks ago when we also crossed the asphalt strip with our caravan at this point. Before I go to the skin specialist, I get a few little things that Tanja gave me.

At 2 p.m. the time has come. Dr. Molton shakes my hand, invites me into his office and briefly explains the course of the mini-procedure. “I don’t think it’s skin cancer,” he says, “but we have to send in a skin sample. If the results are positive, you will have a crooked nose after the operation. The area is right next to the cartilage and we have to cut deeply. If I then sew up the wound, your nostril will most likely pull upwards!” Somewhat shocked, I accept his words and pray to be spared. After he has processed the spot with a laser and shows me the small culprit, which is now floating in a liquid, I say goodbye to the friendly expert.

A little later, I’m sitting in our Holden again. The spot on my nose burns imperceptibly. I look at myself skeptically in the rear-view mirror, only to realize with relief that I look the same. I’ll know what the pathologist has found by tomorrow lunchtime. Claudia and Angelika, who take me in for a few days, give me a very warm welcome. I am pampered like a prince with delicious meals, take a bath and sleep in a wonderful bed. Although we’ve only been on the road for three weeks, I’m already enjoying the luxury of civilization again.