Sunday, January 09, 2005

Party time

Nearing the end of the somewhat lengthy holiday period. In an effort to stretch it out as long as possible we have been pretty much partying over the past few days. Friday saw us at what was pretty much an extended family gathering down by the harbour and a jolly night was had by all. Seen peops that I haven't saw for that long that their accent has changed! We were entertained by two four year olds and much taken by the newborn. I drank lots and lots including some blended whisky and some very good malt.

Saturday night we went to a 60th birthday party for one of thewife's theatrical chums. A jolly good time was had too. There were only a few from her group, but one occasional member, who I haven't seen for a while was there with partner. Life and soul of many parties, multi-talented, a colourful history and a wonderful gent who's life has been touched with both great joy and tragedy. His jokes are crap, but his stories more than make up for that. He and partner have retired now and spend as much of their time as possible in a caravan in Portugal. Coming home for Christmas and the like. Both look well on it and look considerably more relaxed than they have for a long long time. An active trade unionist he spent a while on many a blacklist for having organised on big sites. Having to move around small firms for work, he eventually ended up working for a firm that I started with as an apprentice electrician - I lasted a year - or should I say the firm lasted a year after I started with them! He didn't stay long, long enough to qualify for a house in the area and to get a better paid job elsewhere.

I didn't meet him until much later when his kids joined our Woodie group and he and his wife got involved in a parent's fundraising group. They were great years, his kids were popular enthusiastic members who stayed in our group for a long time and made many long-standing friendships. When I think about the groups that we have run over time, the many hundreds possibly thousands of youngsters who have been members, I think the group at that time were the ones who were the definitive Irvine Woodies. They are the one's who have weaved a connecting strand over almost thirty years, in some cases their children still come along today.

On that nostalgic note, I shall swot up for tonight's quiz and the return to normalacy which is salaried labour in the morning. Just can't wait.

posted by timesnewroman at 5:50 PM  

0 comments