Can't shake the routine, wherever you are

Have found it quite difficult of late to know quite what to put in the Blog. After 9 months here now, we seem to have settled into what you might call a routine. Of course we have been out and doing things and have had some fun, but I think in this last month, both Debi and I have had some moments of sadness, bordering on regret, but even twangs of loneliness.

My last blog kind of brought it home about the distance we are from our old home and our good friends and family. Next weekend my Brother Mark gets married in Devon and I'm not going to be there to support him. Debi's sister Wendy gave birth to a little boy called Harvey a few weeks ago, and I know she would love a cuddle and to hold both him and her sister. All we can see are photos of the wee man.

What have we done this last month? My work has been full on as deadlines arrive to deliver the Cruise Website. I'm coaching Jamie's school under 9 football team and we have lost one, drawn two to date. Jamie being particularly upset one week when I subbed him for the 2nd time to rotate the players, the next week it was 'cause I asked him to go in goal. This week it was because I didn't allow him to take a penalty...

Last weekend both Georgia and Jamie went off to a Cub camp 40 mins south of Adelaide in a place called Douglas Scrub. Gilwell Park in Oz... They had a ball and were cream crackered on their return. Debi and I nipped out for a meal during their overnight, with Hazel and Hayden in the City. Watched the FA Cup final last night at a friends house round the Corner (Everton Fans). Thought of Clarky, Gordon, Graeme Goodwin and Phil Beard wondering which, if not all of them would have been there.

As your Sunshine returns for your summer in Blighty, our winter is settling in. The fields have turned green, from the brown dusty bowls they were before. We have had quite a lot of rain which is encouraging, (not the Storms of Queensland and NSW though). The winds have died, down, there are little if not any flies about and when the Sun shines it really is a nice time of the year. We have not experienced their Autumn before, so its a novel experience.

We're off for a curry at the Golf Club tonight as part of a themed night. Not expecting it to be a patch on the Raj or Methi, but hey ho, when in Adelaide... It's my big 50th tomorrow. I'm taking the day off, will play golf with Debi and we are off for a romantic meal overlooking the City at a restaurant called Windy Point, with the bright lights of the city spreading out and glimmering below us. Must go, curry calls.

Beverley Nash

I am so sad to report the loss last week of a very special lady, Beverley, wife to my best mate Robin (AKA Nobby), and mother to my god daughter Heather. Bev died after a long battle with cancer. I write these notes tonight as my own way of passing my respects to a dear friend, as the funeral service is today back in England. It really brings home the distance we are away as normally I would have been at the service in person. I know my Dad will be there on my behalf.

I have many great memories of Bev and Nobby. From our days as neighbours living in South Tottenham, indeed I think Nobby was lodging with me when he started going out with Bev after they met as work mates at Barclays in Wood Green. We also became close neighbours in Barnet for several years after that. We went on several Ski holidays together, and I particularly picture Bev in a pristine white ski suit in Avoriaz, until a pearler rendered her a muddy wreck. Bev also
on this trip astounded us with her body dexterity as she bent in half at the waist, legs dead straight and picked up an object lying flat on the floor with her mouth (you had to be there).

Bev was also an avid supporter of Nobby and Brookmans Park FC in its heyday. Rain or shine, she was always there supporting Nobby and the rest of us in the team. How she could manage to wash and clean Nobby's sports kit (Bill Grundies in particular) is still a source of amazement to this day...

I know my mate Nobby, their family and all their close friends will be hurting today. I know Debi and I are, here in Oz. We will miss you Bev, but will never forget you.

May you rest in peace.