ARE THE 70s WORTH LOOKING FORWARD TO?

I'm trying to reflect back to what my parents were like in their 70s.When did they stop playing golf? When did they stop going out at night? When did they give up their subscription to symphony concerts and the theatre? What do the next 10 years look like? Alan's last trip was to Victoria in 1998, at 81, to visit Sebastian as a baby. Betty's last overseas trip was to Spain with me in 2004 at 83 (with walking stick and neck brace) and there was a final trip to Melbourne in a wheelchair a couple of years later. So there's still time to keep travelling.

1998 - Alan & Sebastian in Portsea

2004 - Betty in the Alhambra Palace, Granada

These thoughts crossed my mind as I enjoyed celebrating another friend's 70th birthday. Susan and I were honoured to be invited to a family lunch in Guildford for Barry Strickland's anniversary. Barry and I have known each other since 1973 and there's even a photo to prove it. Can you spot me in the crowd? He's the handsome young man in the second row from the front on the far left of the photo.

Although we've lived in different cities for most of the time, we've always stayed connected and had some memorable holidays in the Blue Mountains, Sydney, Melbourne, Far North Queensland, Malaysia and New York. One of my favourite photos is from that theatre filled NY trip in 1998, probably when we were at our prime!


Let's hope there'll be more enjoyable holidays and more birthday celebrations to come.

Oh youth, with slow relentless steps
You went and left me long ago
Your memory, though, still kisses me
And gives me strength when I am low.
Though all is past and life is sad
With hope for peace it's not too bad.
My running days are long gone by
But some lame dance I may still try.
"A Woman in Sardina" by Valerie Usala (2021, 116)









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