78

Today I turned 78 years of age. I have had a fortunate life and hope to have a few more years without losing much more of my mind.

Papua New Guinea expats gathering.

On Friday I attended a Xmas gathering of Papua New Guinea expats.  There were 20 of us who had worked and lived in PNG pre independence...teachers, public servants, Patrol Officers, commercial people and plantation people.

This is a pic of we oldies, minus me; as I took the snap.

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The angry orchid

Getting a bit lazy...this is from my Facebook post

This lovely orchid in my garden gets angry when I get close.
crucifix orchard....Epidendrum ibaguense

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Willetton SHS 20th year reunion Class of '97

This last Friday night I attended a reunion of the class of ’97 from Willetton SHS.  WSHS is the largest Government HS in Western Australia and rides high on its reputation.  Many families have bought houses in its catchment area to have their children attend the school.  I was privileged to have taught there for some 14 years.

I have been to five reunions from my time as a teacher there and each one has been wonderful seeing ex-students as successful adults.   This latest reunion had just two ex-teachers attending; that year’s Year Person and me.

A few Pics of attendees.

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These 'kids' are 37 and I'm 78 next week

A wonderful night. Looking forward to the 30th.

Teaching in Papua New Guinea in the early '60s

Going on leave from the Papuan Gulf in a Catalina to Port Moresby, then by DC6B to Brisbane, Sydney and Perth, 1963.

The engine noise was so loud that a pilot wrote on a small blackboard with chalk to point out places along the coast. The blackboard was passed back to each passenger.

A wonderful aircraft I was fortunate to have three trips in.

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