Author: youngysyak

Just over a year since I last ventured my ideas on this page. And what has happened. A lot and a little. So many days in lockdown that I couldn’t pretend to know how many, changes in the political environment throughout the world, WA wanting to become an independant state. At least thats what it looks like to the outsider, and the world continues to be gripped by the Covid virus. 90 % of the Australian Population want and have been vaccinated, but the vocal minority still believe it is a Conspiracy Theory and that we will all have QR codes on the back of our necks soon and microbots in our bloodstream giving off vital information to the highest bidder.

Personally, I want to travel, and considering the jabs i got during my service in the RAN, you could inject me with Tomato sauce if it stopped me from getting sick. It amazes me that people will inject themselves with Botox, smoke dope, Meth and all other kinds of popular adventures but get one from the Authorities – NO…..

This period has also been testing with a long running court battle nearly coming to an end. 3 days in the witness box and a day of closing for a win was mentally and emotionally draining. Now I just have to wait for the settlement. I also had a couple of wins with the Service departments of government. Once again, just waiting for finalisation

We have seen a few sides to people over the course of the pandemic, and some people are not who we thought they were. New friendships have been formed. TV is not as popular as it once was. New areas of enjoyment have been found. People talk to each other more. Dogs are getting walked EVERY day and me, I discovered Lego. A very frustrating, at times expensive but always rewarding hobby. Bit like Golf I suppose.

I hope we all come out of this on the other side, still liking each other and understanding that things change, especially after periods like we have had. People have evolved into another personality, and sometime things can never go back to what was once the norm. Be Kind to each other and understanding.

Until the next time.

Youngy Out…………………………..

Oxford Dictionary

Every year I am surprised by the new words that are added to the Oxford Dictionary. This year is surely Covid. Can’t be Corona because that is already there. Hasn’t our world changed due to this Pandemic.

No matter if you are a disbeliever, Conspiracy Theorist, believer or a DILL
IGAF kind of person, this word has affected us. Our business life, sporting life, social life and even to a large extent our home life. Here in Melbourne moreso than anywhere else in Australia. We have found out who our friends are, how strong our family relationships are, and how working from home is not always as good as we thought it would be.

I have read with increasing concern the words from friends and colleagues and the despair they are starting to feel as this pandemic shows no signs of abating and our world is changing not for the better. Life as we know it or knew it I believe has changed forever. It will be accepted now that people will wear masks, particularly on Public Transport, sneezing or coughing in public will be shamed and we may never see 100,000 at the MCG again.

I don’t think I am alone when I see I have felt the hopelessness of Lockdown, curfew, 5km limits, and the loss of what we call privileges or rights. Funny to think that in some parts of the world, this is considerd normal. That is why we live here. Or in any “developed” country I suppose. We have all had some pretty radical thoughts over the period. I have often contemplated just running away. Trying to start again somewhere. Scotland has been high on my list. Close the loop so to speak on my heritage. Found a place, affordable, on the coast, golf course, small town, 3 or 4 pubs. Thought it was ideal. The wife wouldn’t come with me, so that threw me in another direction. I would have to give up everything. Everything I have achieved over this lifetime, personally, professionally and financially. I’ve come close to saying f#@^ it, lets go but at the end of the day, is it worth it.

Depression is hard to describe. That is why I have this blog, to vent, to get it out of my system and hopefully cleanse. Doesn’t always work. I keep syaing I should be happy, but at the same time I keep asking, Why???? Why do we go to work, why do we wake up, why do we do home improvements, Why??? Lockdown is the reason behind it this year. My poor daughter has worked just 12 weeks this year. We have been basically locked up since March. The year didn’t start very well for me. I had just secured the job that I had been waiting for, good salary, working for a friend again, and in an Industry I enjoyed. After 12 weeks I had a mental breakdown, didn’t know what to do, say, how to do it, talk to people. It was terrible. I was acccused of things I didn’t do and when proven, no apology was offered. It was a Dog eat Dog working environment with no team cohesion creating a toxic atmosphere which I was glad my Doctor advised me to get out of. To this day, no-one from the company has contacted me to see how I am going.!! So much for friendships.

I have a small group of friends around me, including some health professionals, who in the course of providing medical assistance have become good friends. Their support and care has assisted me greatly this year. I know I have a loving family but sometimes you need to have someone outside your 4 walls to assist. I know I still have family passed looking over me. I talk to them often and hope I am not letting them down.

I know the world will get through this, we will get through this. How we come out the other side is anyone’s guess. Psychologists talk about Mindfulness and somewhere to escape. This year had been looking promising. I was just down to single figures golf handicap (a long term goal) and my good lady wife and I were celebrating 30 years married. Lots planned, lots cancelled. Shows, night away, overseas travel. All gone. We shared a sausage roll on a park bench together, hoping the Police didn’t fine us.

Thanks for reading my ranting and raving. As I said it helps me focus and remove some of the blocks in my life. Getting my first tattoo started me on the journey. Now I have 4. Maybe I need to focus more. Writing my book Youngy’s Yak and publishing on Amazon was a great cleansing experience as well. I want to start on the next one and include Manus Island in this one.

Take care of each other and I will try and not take so long for one of these next time.

Hey,

Here is the link to my Book.  Number 1 and I hope I will try and write a few more..

I just found it really cleansing and refreshing to put down into words my experiences and progress as I fight Parkinson’s and PTSD.  Plus I wouldn’t be half the person I am today without the experiences and directions given to me by various people over the years.  Particularly the 21 years in the RAN and the adventures that a few “Leaders” took me on.  It gave me a worldly view on life and other people’s cultures.  A view that could be used by some who attempt to sway our way of thinking today.

The protesters who want to change the way other countries live and work need to sometimes visit before they speak.  Other cultures work, in their countries.  Not all agree to this, and they have the right to protest and leave.  I can’t listen to a 20 something University Student tell me that the way of the world in >>@@$#%^ is not right.  If you haven’t been there and learnt and lived with them – Do not comment.

Back to the Book.  A collection of memories from when it all began to now.  A lot has been forgotten or missed, but from a very private person, this is a big step.  I want to do it again, but focus on Parky’s and PTSD.

Youngy’s Yak – Episode 2 to be continued.

Please look at it as an E-book as 1/2 of all proceeds will go to Parkinson’s Research.

Thanks for your time, and thanks for reading…

The peacefulness of the first snow, the quiet of a small English Market town awakening to the first snow of the season.  A Christmas tree covered in real snow.  Something that I from the Southern Hemisphere could only imagine until experienced.

A near frozen river, with the reflection of winter.  It can only be described in the immortal words of Darryl Kerrigan from the dish.  “How’s the Serenity!!”

In a landscape like this it is impossible in my view to be stressed.  The serene peace and tranquility of the land around you gives a sense of inner peace that I have not found anywhere else I have visited or lived.

The reflective beauty of the architecture and country on the slow moving river, makes you forget how cold it actually is.  You are in a bubble of peace that makes you forget the world around you.

Of course you have to be dressed right, it is after all Minus 3.  However, the quiet of the snow falling and the muffled silence it gives is only broken by the occasional train beating its way across the snow covered countryside of  Yorkshire England.  I found I didn’t even notice the short days and the long nights.  It just seemed normal. We were there for just over two weeks, from London to Edinburgh, rain, snow, sleet, sunshine (minimal) and the feeling of calm remained because there was always a scene like this to make you realize that no matter what has happened in our lives, the sun will always come up on the East and go down in the West.

Of course, if you want warmth, there is always a small Pacific Island.  Choose one, but stay away from the tourist belt, get out with the locals, and you will soon find that our problems are 1st World problems and mean diddly squat really.

I remember being on a VFT from Paris to London on our first trip in 2016.  We were under the English Channel doing approximately 250 km/h and a lady seated 3 seats behind us summoned the Attendant and asked why there was little to no internet service.  We were under the English Channel…  I almost said something, but my good lady advised against such a statement.  Probably just as well.  But once again 1st World Problem…

The only other place that will take me to serenity.  Put me on any Golf Course anywhere and I will be calm and forget all the issues that the world may confront me with.

The birds singing, the wind in the trees, other golfers swearing at wayward shots.  All the time forgetting that we created the wayward shot.  We talk about mindfulness, calming places, somewhere to escape and regroup.  Welcome to mine….  The only time I am not happy is when there is snow on it.  Back to Para 1.

I am told that my desire to return to England and Scotland (maybe permanently) is due to the holiday euphoria that I experienced.  However, of all the places I have visited, particularly in the last 2 years, the calmness I have experienced is second to none.  Even taking nearly 2 hours to clear customs at Heathrow didn’t bother me.

I will be back and I will go back in Winter if I have to.  It feels natural to be in the UK at Winter, just like all the TV shows we watch.  It feels nostalgic but right.

Travel the world guys, it’s small now and accessible.  Find your Winter in UK place.

Yooungy

I trust everyone had an enjoyable and safe Christmas period, survived the Boxing Day Sales, and is now preparing for 2019.  Some make New Years resolutions (lose weight, give up smoking – I support this one, become more approachable to everyone etc, etc)..  I can’t do them.  I change throughout the year.  Last year, my resolution was to get my Golf Handicap down to around 10.  I started at 20, got to 14, but lost a lot of time due to wet weather, work, travel etc.  Did I fail, no!!  I am well on my way and am satisfied with what I achieved.  I still have my health and my family and that means more.  My good lady wife is healthier than she has been for probably 10 years, lost a lot of weight, looks incredible (always does mind you), and we helped her get there.  Change of priorities  and success.  That means more than a Resolution made at midnight 31 December after 1 or 3 too many sherbets.

There is one I have made to myself this year.  I have always wanted to write a book about my memories, something to leave behind.  Not necessarily a best seller, just a collection of stories from my busy life that I have had so far.  I started this blog to do that but have wandered off track.  Each edition of this so far will be a chapter, but I will expand on it a bit.  Some old colleagues will remember certain parts, and may even help me remember other events that have a story attached.  That is the only commitment I will make to myself this year.

Money has been hard to come by lately so after 3 overseas trips last year (2018), including Tassie, I will be stuck here in Aus for the year and will have heaps of time to expand on a few stories.  I feel a bit like Max Walker whose books were just collections of memories.  I hope I can make people laugh and smile like his books did.

CHRISTMAS –  Never been a big fan, but enjoyed the occasional celebration.  It’s really enjoyable during the years of innocence of a young child, but I suppose as a defence family, we didn’t have a lot of times with family at this special time of year.  We certainly had our Defence family and in my later years we started Orphans Christmas..  This was open to anyone who was by themselves or a young family who had no relatives nearby.  WA was so isolated for a few of us that it could be depressing.  During my second time in the Service, I tried to stop that.  We have made some lifelong friends out of it, as the tradition grew to becoming a progressive eat-fest with breakfast at one house, lunch at another, dinner at another, then back to clean up  the next day and maybe have a swim or spa.  One memorable Christmas was the first of these progressive feasts.  We ended up with about 6 or 7 families and singles congregating around a barbeque and spa.  Started at 8 in the morning ensuring the kids knew that Santa had been with a quick present opening at home, then group Santa.  Little kids had a blast, bigger kids had a laugh, then something to eat.

Lunch was another BBQ but at another house, this one with the spa.  Only a 6 man spa, but we got about 8 in there (cosy).  One gentleman who has his own postcode, made the water go over the edge when he got in and didn’t it go out when he needed another beer.  I think it was about then that we all got the true meaning of Christmas.  Not just the birth of Christ celebration, but the celebration of family and friends and good will to all.  A truly remarkable day that made your face ache with the amount of laughing we did, and none of the family anguish that can come with the day.

I’ve always had a tough time at Christmas, but now look forward to the opening hour of the Boxing Day Test.   I have been in front of a TV for most of the last years at 10.30 in the AM to watch with 80,000 others the anticipation that comes with this contest.  Always worth it, and the family is happy because, after the first couple of overs I am ready to do whatever they want.  The only thing I ask my family to do is not put the tree up before December and to have it down by the end of New Years Day.  I don’t want to take the old into the New…

#AstonMartin

#Titleist

#FraserSuites

Going to try the Hash tags again.  See how we go.

I hope to get some travel in this year.  Got seriously itch feet.  Don’t want to work anymore, want to see the world a bit more.  For some of the older members of the audience how does this trip grab you? By older I mean those that still want to travel, not go Glamping or Night Clubbing “every” night and are definitely not into Andre Rieu…

A trip that starts with a hop to Hong Kong, 2 days (maybe 3), then into Paris for a couple of days there.  Catch the Euro to London (3 days) off to York (1 full day), Edinburgh (2 days), up the East Coast by rail, across the mountain to Loch Ness, down the East Coast to Glasgow (5 days in Scotland after Edinburgh), then train back to London via the East Coast, Liverpool etc.

Done my sums and this could be done for about $6500/person and the only thing left to buy is food.  3 weeks away and some of the best tourist sites and country we will ever see.  This is just an opener to travel through UK an Europe, and for those who have never experienced Very Fast Trains, this is an eye opener.

Well that’s a thousand words, more than enough for anyone to handle from me.  I will start work on the book in January, but still drop one of these from time to time and as memories come back.  This helps tremendously with my Parky’s Memory recall and the depression which a lot of us suffer from at times.  I hope I can put a smile on peoples faces when they remember their own stories because of what I have written.

That is all for now, be kind to each other, pass the word about the Blog if you think some may get a chuckle out of it, or they need to see that they are not the only ones who are dealing with the inner demons.  Together, we can beat anything.  That is what got my shipmates through the Gulf Trips that we experienced as well as those other minor skirmishes.  In signing off, hug your closest, put the phones away for a day and spend time with your family and closest at this time of year.  Let’s start 19 with a smile….

Go Roosters in 19

See Ya – Youngy

I didn’t think the years could get any faster, but they seem too.  The Footy season came and went and I don’t know if I saw a game.  Winter came and went, don’t remember the ski season, and now the bushfires have started.  Must be Summer.

I suppose I have to be a little bit non-plussed about the speed this year.  I have seen a lot of the world and got to tick off a few items from the bucket list.  Started off with Snow falling on my head for the first time as we were having a white Christmas in England, specifically Yorkshire..

Like a caged 6 year old I was, and with views like this why wouldn’t you.  It got better and as anyone who looks at Jaynet Photos on Facebook will know, this truly is a most amazing part of the world.

Funnily enough too, whilst doing these blogs I have been hearing about Twitter and Instagram Influencers.  How does that work??  I’m going to try something.  Periodically I will add a hashtag item in the story and see if I can get any contact.  Things like;

#astonmartin

#TagHeuer

#Titleist

You never know until you try !!

Anyway, after a week of chasing Viking stories and just enjoying the unique history that is available in Yorkshire, we ventured back to Scotland and Edinburgh this time.  4 hours of daylight, 2 hours of dusk and the rest dark.  Just amazing.  We stayed on the Royal Mile, running from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Castle (the Queens official Residence in Edinburgh) and were just amazed  at how vibrant the city was.  For that time of year, when it threatens to snow or rain every day and it was cold (-3 to 7 daily), the place was jumping.  Had a great time, went back onto a ship for the first time in a while and it felt like old home week. The Royal Yacht Britannia seemed to be fitted out with the fittings I was used to on HMA Swan and Derwent.  Even the bunks.  A few people looked at me strange as I was telling the good lady wife how we used to get in and out of bed.  For the first time in my married life, however, I listened intently to my suffering wife and wore the clothes she said I should wear, and I was never cold one minute whilst away.  Admittedly it took a while to get dressed and it was touch and go a couple of times going for a piddle, but I was warm….

We had one full day in London before we left and made the most of it.  Trafalgar Square, Picadilly Circus, Burbury, Lego Land, St Pauls Cathedral, Lost, Paddington hunting at Paddington Station, we saw a lot.  Even had time to buy a set of golf clubs.  #Ping

We had decided to defrost in Dubai.  Mission achieved.  Won’t go back in a hurry

Later in the year I have been to Barnbougle in Tassie and  then at the end of the winter, my first overseas Golf trip.  China, Hainan Island and Mission Hills resort.  Wow, way more luxury than we paid for and the unfortunate side of it all, I have the Travel Bug again.  Golf trips are good, this one was believe it or not, too much.  7 rounds in 7 days.  Got the love back now, but 3 days and then a break would be better.

#AstonMartin

Enough of that.  Next year I will get back to why I started doing this.  Old memories into print and I have promised myself I will write a book.  These blogs will start as chapters and I will expand on them.  My Medical team believe I am stabilising with all my ailments, work is steady, so time to focus on one thing for a while.  Not flitter from one passion to another.  My golf will remain constant (Lost nearly 7 strokes off my handicap this year), my commitment to family time will remain as possible as it can with Work commitments, but in my spare time (haha), I want to do an electronic book, photos, the whole hog.  Every time I walk in the Sports Lounge / Quarterdeck, there is something new.  Facebook groups help as well.  I have lots of memories and they shouldn’t be forgotten.

To one and all, Merry Christmas, Safe New Year, May your god look after you and please pass this address onto others as some of what I say may help others.  It has in the past.

Roosters in 19

Youngy

Just a couple of photos of the magic that is Hong Kong and China Golf

I recently had the pleasure of having a holiday that ticked off one of my bucket list items.  I travelled to Hong Kong then off to Hainan Island, SW from Hong Kong, an hours flight and a 40 minute bus trip later, we pulled into Mission Hills Hainan Golf Resort.  A 5 star resort complete with Spa’s, Volcanic pools, Shops, Restaurants and 7 Golf courses.

What an experience.  The bed was so big that my wife Adelle and I had to communicate by text message.  Met by our butler (Yes a butler) who was our co-ordinator for the visit, and not a thing happened without her ensuring that it flowed well.  A 26 year old local, who speaks fluent Mandarin, Cantonese and English as well as not bad in a few more.  Could not help but de-stress and relax.  It was just a surreal environment to be in.

The real reason for writing is to highlight how much we as Australians are appreciated overseas when we treat people correctly.  The Buffoon element will always travel and create disharmony and havoc, but we can still have fun, drink too much, sing songs and be appreciated, so long as we keep ourselves and our travel mates respectful of others.  We are so well appreciated that offers of reduced pricing, extra discounts, and certain things for nothing are frequently offered.

I was so surprised at the poor way and disrespect that was shown by fellow countrymen to the workers at this resort.  They were looked at as 2nd class citizens and spoken to with disdain and contempt.  Most staff faces lit up when we walked in from Breakfast to the bar for a nightcap.  We were a little louder than the other groups, but said please and thankyou and had a joke with everyone.  This treatment was also observed at offsite restaurants, the airport and on the Golf Course.  Now I know that some people take the game a little more serious than others, but berating a caddy that earns $80/month for supposedly providing the wrong club etc is absurd.  There is a reason we are on that course and not playing the tour.

Of course the worst thing about Great Holidays is coming back to home.  The reality that the money to pay for the next one maybe a long time in coming and that you can only earn so much.  Prices going up all the time for the critical stuff you need.  Health Insurance, Electricity, Gas, Car costs etc.

I’ve come to the result of the Epiphany that has been brewing for some time.  I am sick of trying.  Trying to achieve anything is just getting too hard.  Getting ahead financially, so much closer to retirement, having to fight defence still to accept they f#%^*ed me up, physically and emotionally and the effects that has on personal and professional relationships.  I shouldn’t be checking my bank balance constantly to make Peter pay Paul, living with a condition that stops me from working or living a full life.  I should be winding down not up.  You know 21 years serving your country, spending over 16 years of that away from family at sea on a warship should be enough.  I don’t mind working but after that commitment I should be Living to work, not working to Live.  The life of a military man/woman is a little different to other occupations.

I saw today that I can get free methadone if I was a Heroine addict, but I have to fight and prove that I may have seen some things that others haven’t and shouldn’t and may have some lingering effects.  It is just wrong and our local members will reply to us in Political speak but nothing changes.  Now we find out that the equipment and resources we used to train to put out fires, may have been Carcinogenic and some of the lingering after effects for Trainers is possibly Cancer, Leukemia and Parkinsons.

Sorry guys, bit down because I’m just tired of fighting the man.  I make this place a better place with my work, hopefully making people a bit safer in an Emergency.  I now speak at Parkinsons seminars of various sizes on not giving up just because we have a chronic condition.  I’m too stubborn to just give up, but……………

What concerns me most is that after Nov 11 this year, we veterans may just be forgotten.

Still in the last three years or so, I have had a couple of oversea holidays and done some reno’s around the house.  The passing of a relative contributed, but my argument remains the same.  A polly gets a large number of benefits when they leave Public Life.  I ask for one thing – Parity.

Until next time, take care.  How good are those roosters.

How often have we heard someone say that.  I was given that opportunity with my second stint in the Navy.  It dawned on me towards the end of my first stint that I may  have wasted a few opportunities to see the exotic places that I got to visit.  This became apparent when one of the Junior members of the crew introduced me to his parents on return from a longer deployment.  When quizzed by  his parents on what he thought of places like Japan, Hong Kong Singapore, he always started with “Great Pub”.  I had been to some of these locations many times before, and didn’t even think that as a “senior” member, I should educate and mentor the younger ones in the experiences offered by these foreign countries.  Luckily enough I was given the opportunity of Hindsight and with the assistance of another matured sailor, we created Youngy and Baz’s tragical Tours.

Because of the number of times we had visited various Exotic ports, we didn’t need to spend as much time ashore as we had previously.  Ships have become much more comfortable than when I first went to sea and so it was easier to stay onboard and catch up on stuff rather than sometimes go out and explore.  Tours had become expensive and were really touristy, so licenced venues with entertainment were appealing from early in the day to relieve boredom.  Baz and I worked to amend this.

First tour that I remember was in Manila Philippines.  We were there for about 4 days and the usual tours were offered to known tourist spots via Tourist oriented Markets.  Basically there and back and see what the tour guide wanted you to see.  Not for Baz and me.  First night in recon.  An Expat bar just off Rizal Park in the main Entertainment district of Manila.  The Owner was from Newcastle I think and the place called the Angry Ram or similar.  A couple of sherbets and a some talking and we had a Jeepney for the day.

It didn’t take much to gather 10 intrepid adventurers to join us for a day for what turned out to be $25 for everything except food and Beer top-up.  The owner of the Bar, lets call him Trevor, provided the driver, two of his female staff and two large eskys full of San Miguel.  The girls proved invaluable as Interpreters, Security, Tourist Guides and as it turned out Champion Surfers.  We had a couple of guys bring their boards and a couple of breaks were found.

We travelled all day through the back roads of the Manila area, through jungle, up and down hills, along the coast and in and out of small villages.  Most villages we stopped for toilet breaks, beer top up and spend some money on local produce or garments.  By the time we got back, we offloaded at the pub and had a meal and a laugh and unlike other ports, were home asleep by 10 having had a wonderful day.

Clayton (Baz) and I continued to do this throughout the 6 month deployment.  We had tours in Singpaore, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea.  In Japan we organised 3 overall.  The cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki being the prime intentions.  We only ever used Public transport and had a great deal of fun trying to interpret Japanese into English.  We got to see the Emperor of Japan come back from an Overseas trip and witness the local people standing 10 deep on both sides of the road for as far as the eye could see to welcome him home.  Imagine that for one of our Leaders.  NOT !!

Hokkaido in Japan also saw us go to Sapporo and be offered a try of Crab meat that was on sale for $150/kg.  And not just a morsel. a whole pincer of this crab that’s body was as big as your two hands together.  Massive from very deep in the ocean.

Our tours started slowly, 3 or 4 at first just joined us to see where the two Old Dogs were going.  By the end of the trip we would have between 20 – 30 with us.  Believe me the troops still partied, but we had at least filled their daylight hours and shown the countries they were visiting from sober eyes and where possible with the assistance of locals to give some more insight about the local culture that they wanted you to see.

Becoming a more mature person doesn’t mean becoming boring. Yes we don’t and can’t play up like we used to, but the things that we did enjoy in the past can still be enjoyable today.  One of the worst things we can start a statement with is “In my Day”.  In those immortal words of Gunny Sergeant Highway in Heartbreak Ridge, Improvise Adapt and Overcome.  We have to look at things through the eyes of those we are trying to stimulate and amend our delivery and memories so they understand.  Otherwise history will be lost.  Remember Sunday drives??   Not want we really want to do anymore as there is too much traffic (around her anyway), make it to an enjoyable way to get there.  Left Right works, or turn after every VW.

In short, Travel and see this world as it gets smaller.  Leave your Attitude at Customs, respect where you are and the country’s customs and if you enjoyed the place, let everyone else know.

I’ve enjoyed writing this one, enjoy the world and Go Chooks,

Youngy

As I get older in life and become more philosophical, I have discovered the one thing that any of us can talk about to at least start a conversation.  Sport.  We have our favourite teams in Ball sports, or we just don’t follow one.  Either way, if asked a question about sport, we can develop a conversation from it.  Some of those among us are possibly more passionate than others.  My good lady wife is such an example.  We can be having dinner, shopping or just watching the news, and the very mention of the Bulldogs (AFL) or Storm (NRL) will stop the conversation dead in its tracks.  Currently it is the Tour de France.  Hundreds of very fit men riding through the incredible scenery that is France in Lycra, trying to be the first to Paris.  I must admit, I watch about 10 minutes of it for the three months that it seems to go on for.  I am astounded at the speed, skill and endurance but it doesn’t do much for me.

My game used to be Hockey, but I just seemed to walk away from it and concentrate on my Golf.  I became reasonably good at golf, but miss Hockey.  My good friend Alan just came back from Barcelona as an Umpire in the World Seniors Championships.  I congratulated him on his selection with a large amount of jealousy, but a great sense of pride that I knew him and that we used to work together years ago.  We also used to watch The Blues Brothers, drink a carton of beer and eat 2 family pizzas every saturday night.  Two cigarettes and a stubby of VB at half time used to be the norm during the hockey season to boot.

It’s funny really the ex-Navy community.  Those that you served with remain acquaintances for life.  Some become firm friends, others you catch up with on ANZAC Day, others you don’t see for years, but the reunion remains the same.  You catch up from where you left off.  You unfortunately slip into Navy Slang and the stories get better each year.  The wives and partners roll their eyes, laugh with embarrassment and watch to make sure you don’t make too much of a goose of yourself.  But strangely enough, they are confident in the fact that you have found your comfort zone for a while.  Most of us long-termers do struggle with a lot of outside life.  We survive, get frustrated and angry and wish everyone thought the same as we do.  Contact counselling should sometimes be encouraged!!

Back to Sport.  This is a tough time of year for lovers of sport and sleep.  You either have one or the other.  We suddenly become experts in our chosen fields, we understand the terms Peleton, Touchdown, Albatross, Deuce etc.  Never used again in everyday language, but for about 12 weeks in the depths of Winter.  It gives us a chance to develop new games to consolidate our viewing pleasure, or to plan our next European holiday.  One good game I heard of was to complement the Tour de France.  Find out what region of France they are driving through, and drink wine from that region whilst watching.  For me that would make it bearable.

Sport used to be the highlight of my early deployments overseas, and at times back in Australia.  I have been fortunate enough to play Golf on some of the best courses Asia has to offer in Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Japan etc.  Played Hocked from the lush Artificial Turf in Malaysia and Singapore to the Dusty bowls that are used in India and Indonesia.

The upside is the mateship that comes from playing or being involved in Sport.  My enjoyment of turning up to a golf course anywhere on Gods Great Earth is matched by the fact that in most situations, you have to spend 4 hours with people you may have never met or in a field that you have no knowledge.  I spend my Saturdays with a GP, a Dairy Farmer and a Mortgage Broker.  An eclectic group.

We have to use this kind of situation to help us assimilate and fit in to a Civilian life and sport provides us a platform to learn what makes the long haired dope smoking hippies tick.  But we must never lose where we came from.  We must never lose what makes us the person we are and that no-one can take away from us the experience and knowledge that we gained during our service.  Sometimes its tough, no one understands and we just retire to our quiet spot.  When it gets like that, walk around the house, silent and look at the family that have stood beside you.  They understand, we may not accept what they are trying to tell us.  Accept their comments, translate it into military speak, accept and then give them all a big hug.  Go and get everyone a McFlurry, without asking and get on with life.

We are supported.  Go Chooks, til later.