It was one of those blustering cyclonic weather mornings. No one had slept much during the night as winds alternatively sucked at house moorings then dropped in a fit of rage finding the home securely riveted to the ground. Roofing strained to hang on tightly, watching anxiously as sheet iron from neighbouring house roofs whizzed through the air like gigantic ancient weapons of war. Branches … Continue reading The Flood

It was in first year of High School I met Les. Actually his name was Brian, but for some strange reason I’ve never been able to understand his whole family called him Les. He was a quiet boy; one you’d never suspect of any mischievous intent. He wore his halo with the cool air of the innocent, but lurking deep inside was a hidden well … Continue reading My Friend Les

November 1953 I wrote my last High School tests, cleared my desk and headed home to await results published February 1954 by Queensland University, Brisbane, Australia. I can still remember rushing to the corner grocery store to purchase the Courier Mail newspaper and scan insert lists for results. I’d passed! My Father Eric who loved formality made an official presentation to me as soon as … Continue reading My First Job

There’s no greater feeling than having your parent say, “You don’t have to come shopping with us today.”  To a teenage boy there’s nothing more humiliating than going to a department store to join the family in line behind Mom lingering in the lingerie department while the rest of the brood watch Dad fidget and cast furtive glances around to see if friends are gleefully … Continue reading Home Alone

Above image copyright to Free Horse Graphics http://www.cartoonclipartworld.com We’d been back in town for a couple of years when Ben asked if I’d like to spend the weekend at his place. I’d known Ben but a short while, but had noted he had a very cute sister. Even before I’d had time to think about it I blurted out a quick “yes!” Ben dropped by … Continue reading Bareback Riding

At the age of fifteen I was beginning to realize I’d accumulated great wisdom on entering the terrible teenage years. It was quite apparent parents in general needed counsel from those of us young and intelligent, so they’d be more in tune with the way things should be done in the ‘now” generation. It was only at a much later age I noted with satisfaction … Continue reading That First Kiss!

The above image copyrighted to © Christian Lagereek #6530323 One of the vivid memories of our house in Gympie Australia after we’d moved from Macintosh Creek farm in the early 50’s was an assortment of vehicles parked in the adjacent lot we owned next door. Eric had supplemented his interest in rural properties with his newest acquisition, a timber business. Somehow in trading out of … Continue reading Brush with Death

It was early 1950’s and my Father Eric had decided to sell his Macintosh Creek property and move back to outskirts of Gympie city where he could more conveniently store trucks and tree harvesting equipment as he concentrated energy on his newly acquired timber hauling business. The other farm, a pineapple plantation at the rural community Kin Kin was leased to an English migrant family … Continue reading Adrenalin Rush

The Mooloo farming experience (see previous blog) turned out to be a disaster for our family. Eric had purchased the farm believing a rural atmosphere would assist in recovery of his health. After all he’d engaged share croppers to do the hard yards during his recovery period. But the army still had to be fully demobilized in the late 40’s and there was an acute … Continue reading Macintosh Creek

                                  Above image copyrighted to pimpmyspace.org “What on earth happened to your bikes?” Eric studied the crumpled mudguards on the bikes and glanced with a puzzled look at Ian who looked around quickly for something to divert his Father’s attention. Nothing came immediately to view, so he began to fidget. Now in those days it was a source of amazement to this eldest son when … Continue reading Calamity on the Mountain