A bit of a resume of the year that was.

We here in Queensland were possibly amongst the luckiest of the states virus wise, I believe, possibly because of our geographic and climatic situation and a resulting lesser influenza season.  The closed border situation helped but then again, the economic repercussions of this situation will be felt for quite a while by those who relied on the interstate and international tourists. It is times like this that I realise just how lucky I am not to be still in the tourist coach business.

We feel for those in the Southern states, those who actually have a winter and a flu season, and realise how hard it must have been for those who suffered pretty severe lockdown situations.

But, Hey, its nearly Christmas and the worst of 2020 is behind us and life is starting out to feel a bit more normal than it has, so lets look ahead with added hope.

Very recently 87 lost another of its members, Jimmy Thomson. His funeral was at Redcliffe and he was sent off by a number of 87 members, ATA members and family members from near and far. The Rev Trevor Butler took the service, he was an ex RAASC member who served in a number of postings with Jim in Movements.

Since then we have received a bit of correspondence from a number of members that I will include in this post.

Jenny Pigeon writes:

Well this is 12 months JnJ will never forget…. beginning the end of Sept last year, 4 days before we returned from our 5months on the big island, our youngest son Simon was admitted to Launceston hospital with a terminal illness. After being stabilised he came home to be cared for in the family home by us. Sadly he succumbed on 9th Dec, 12 days before his 49th birthday.

Our plan was to go overseas in March 2020 and then travel up north in the van for our usual 5month sojourn, incorporating our 87 re-union……. well that didn’t happen!

As with you all we were locked down in Tas, 2 months not permitted out of our postcode.

Luckily we had stocked up, not with toilet paper but grog! Our shopping being done by our only visitor Shayne…. I also bought a WII Fit Sport console and JnJ had great fun with our competitive spirit to the fore.

Our socialising was reduced to phone conversations, speaking frequently to Blue Broomhall.

Finally we could visit the shack – snow and frozen pipes, not John’s favourite time!!

Over the last couple of months we have re-visited all Tassie’s tourist spots and of course the wonderful restaurants.

Next year its all systems go…. back in the van and up North and of course our much awaited

re-union ….. looking forward to seeing you all then.

Christmas greetings to you and yours……

JnJ Pidgeon

Bloo Dennis writes from Greenslopes Hospital. Bloo hasn’t had the best of years what with a bout of cancer causing a fair bit of discomfort and now his knee replacement is giving him curry once again. He was admitted to Greenslopes back in November for treatment for this ongoing knee problem and then was transferred by air to his local hospital where he was able to spend time with Wendy who was also abiding there, and now is back in Brisbane for further treatment.. He writes;

Well me old mates do you have a week to spare, kneemonia again/still, infection back on antibiotics through picline till Christmas as an inpatient in Jandowae horsepidal, then orals till?? The old chook’s going pretty well considering, the last breast cancer has mastercisised into the bone and is supposed to be a bit on the aggressive side. Jodi picks her up on the 20th and takes her back to Toowoomba as she has an appointment with the oncologist, so she’ll stay down there and I’ll go down and join them for Christmas/ new year. Now you know as much as me. So you have a good Christmas and hope for a brighter 2021. Take care 

And then:

Morning World, Well I suppose better late than never. Photo session done, a little nip and tuck and all’s good in those departments. New kid on the block is the endocrinologist trying to do some restoration work on the old belly while the infectious disease bloke is trying to get his bit done while the oncologist is keeping her eye on them all.

Petscan this arvo, apparently the most efficient way to keep an eye on whatever? In reality I’m going alright for an old fella getting young.

Now you all know as much as I do but he is still sounding bright and is still the same old Bloo regardless.

Jenny Morcom writes from Vic.:

Hi

I have just received an email from Jenny Pigeon asking me to send an update of Victorian activities to you for the blog.

Well……as you have most likely guessed not a lot has happened in our ‘fair city’ for the past 9 months besides being confined to one’s home and going out for essentials as per the instructions from our Government leaders.  With the restrictions eased now l guess you could say some of us are making up for lost time.  This last year has certainly given me something to think about and appreciate where l live. Especially having a garden.  Graham called it the Botanical Gardens at times especially when it came to mowing.  l reminded him frequently that he chose the home on a corner block but the garden has filled many an hour of a day for me during this pandemic and to sit on the deck at the back with a cuppa and newspaper and enjoy the greenery around me was some solace.  

However, l do know that everyone has got through this pandemic (so far) and there are some Victorians meeting at the Noble Park RSL on 16th December for dinner. The confirmed attendees are the Ralphs, Wilsons, Englunds, Rob Hanisch, Ralph’s friends, Kerryn and Nick and me.  The Gearys have family commitments and l am not sure if Jennie and Lyn will come as it is on the other side of the city to where they are. 

Health wise from my last conversation with Margaret those that have ongoing issues appear to be travelling well at this time. 

For the ladies we usually meet in the city at least a couple of times a year but of course with the ‘lockdown’ this has not been possible.  Hopefully we can arrange a suitable day to meet in the new year.  

So that is all from me.

Jenny

I caught up with Blue Hickey and John Hoare at Jim’s funeral and both seemed to be coping pretty well. We also received a message on the Blog that Cliff Hodgson couldn’t attend the funeral because his wife Shirley was in coronary care. I haven’t heard any more than those vague details so there is no more that I can pass on. I hear from Kingy every now and then and he seems to be battling along pretty well also.

No news from the Englands but they have forwarded the following:

To all 87 ad their families

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas

And a safe and happy New Year

Let everyone move on to a better 2021

Cheers from Brian, Yvonne, Michelle and the rest of the Englund family 

And from all, and to all members and families, have a joyous Christmas, great New Year and lets hope 2021 can easily outshine the year that was 2020.

PS I will be off air for a week or so but if anything important crops up I can still get Emails, just wont be able to post here.