“IT’S been a long eight weeks,” was how David Pahlke described the months since his car accident.

Determined to regain full mobility, he is attending rehab sessions twice a day.

“Every day I am a little bit better,” was his comment to our query.

He remains an inpatient at St Andrew’s Hospital in Ipswich.

David talks of the boredom of his situation while recognising that he is lucky to be alive.

And there’s a decided lift in his voice as he talks of the visitors he’s received during his two month stay.

“They’ve been wonderful … just wonderful.”

He still has hopes he can go on the cruise from Sydney to Perth he booked with his partner Carol.

“I think it is in doubt though,” said David.

“We’d booked the cruise to go and visit with Carol’s sister and brother-in-law but it leaves on October 26, so I’m really not sure at this stage.

“But the doctors and nurses say I’m making good progress … my hips, shoulder, ribs and wrist are healing well and I exercise every day … it’s just my leg now.”