Footy’s back

Hard to believe but Summer is over and the Footy season is back with us.  I say hard to believe because as I write this I sit in a pair of shorts with the AC on.  Being in Melbourne you know the hottest months are ahead of us.

The forecast of heat to come and the memory of the passing of my Dad this weekend two years ago, helps me remember those scorching summers back in Tamworth growing up. Over 40 during the day, dropping to the 30’s overnight, no Aircon then.  Wetter after drying yourself from a shower than when you stepped out, and trying to stay awake at school while your arms stuck to the desk with sweat.  No hats, Slip Slop Slap or even sunglasses then.  I remember waking up and the sheets had a wet imprint of you from sweating overnight.  Had the same experience on my first sea posting on HMAS Melbourne, the old Aircraft carrier.  Combined with the diesel that had had impregnated your skin, your sheets didn’t last long.  With very little water, though, they were only washed once a week.  We tried to stay hygenic but whilst in the tropics, room temps were not conducive to doonas and blankets.  Thought I would beat it after a visit to the Philippines.  I bought a hammock.  Thought I would sleep on the open deck area under the flight deck.  South China Sea, Tropical Islands left and right, glorious sunsets, cooling afternoon sea breeze.  Idyllic eh??  Forgot about night flying didn’t I.  Started at 10, launching aircraft by a steam catapult straight above my head.  First and Last night in that great spot.  Last time I didn’t read Daily Orders at sea.

Back to Tamworth and summers.  Without even daylight saving (can’t remember when that started), it was light relatively early and the sun didn’t go down until late.  I can hear people going Deerrrr!!  For a young kid growing up early was probably about 6.30 and late was after 8.  I started playing golf at a relatively early age and used to go to the cours on the way home from school to practice or just play a couple of holes until I thought I would have to walk home in the dark.  Summers and most holidays were spent at the course.  50 balls, 9 holes, 100 balls, 18 holes.  Every day except when it rained.  Wanted to be a Golf Pro, but discovered Alcohol, cigarettes and girls.  Basically in that order.  Golf wasn’t a great enticement for girls, so I tended to concentrate on the first two.

After my parents split, we spent the summer holidays going to our Grandparents place on the other side of the river.  Mum would drive us, or I would ride my bike.   Had a couple of good prangs when I was forced off the road by cars or trucks.  Still got some scars today.  Pa was offered a holiday shack over near Coffs Harbour, and found a great little hotel in Sawtell and that was where we spent a couple of weeks each summer.

Then I got a job that included weekends and that was the end of that.   I was never out of a job, but back then we had 6 day trading, with Retailers shutting at 12, yes 12 lunchtime on Saturdays.  I was on the tee by 1.

You would think that with all the exposure to golf I would be good.  Alas, as they say it is 75% in your mind, and mine was easily distracted.  When it’s on it is very good, but when it is off, ho boy, it is terrible.  I got down as low as 4 as a Junior and 9 as an Adult, but after I joined the RAN, my rounds of golf were sporadic and were driven by wanting to show everyone how good I was.  Could never repeat it, but started to show me how insecure and desperate for approval I was and to an extent still are.

I have always worked, since I was 12.  Paper runs from 12 – 15, Golf Caddy, Pulling petrol, Sales assistant at Big W, then the Navy.  Post Navy 1, I did Customer Service and Estimating, Storeman, Process Worker (Dog food), and then back for Navy 2.  Since then I have been a Manager, Trainer, Auditor in Australia and Overseas and all in the Fire and Emergency Response Industry.  As one of my old bosses said to me, it is not common to find your niche in life, but I think I have.  Having said that, I would love to work because I want to, not because I have to.

That might do for today.  I want to write a bit about my pets that I have had, but will keep that for another day.  Parky’s is starting to slow me down this afternoon, taking longer to type than I would like.  I hope you don’t mind reading a bit about my early life.   You won’t read much about my parents because I don’t have a lot of memories of them.

Go Roosters

Youngy

Author: youngysyak

I am ex Military, diagnosed with Parkinsons and use the Blog to "Cleanse" and try and get some of my old stories out. Too many to forget. View all posts by youngysyak