VANCOUVER to VANCOUVER ISLAND

Vancouver is a beautiful city. One of the most beautiful cities in the world in my opinion. So, it was quite sad to read about the riots and vandalism after the Vancouver Canucks were defeated in the Stanley Cup recently. I have photos of boarded-up windows still, smashed windows yet to be repaired and examples of the outpouring of emotion by way of messages of apology and love for the city. I've chosen not to post them. I prefer to remember the beauty rather than the damage. It's still great to be back in Vancouver.

From there, we ferried to Vancouver Island; a trip which took 1:40 hrs in a comfortable large vehicle-carrying ferry. Brother Bill lives here in lovely Nanaimo and it was good to catch up with him once again.
In fact, there are four Keasts now on the island! Is this a record? Could be. Margaret from Sydney is with Bill, Fay and I having a great time. The 3 visiting Keasts are here to help Bill celebrate a "special" birthday. Of course he won't tell us the actual figures... but I've been doing the sums! In the meantime, we're having a beaut tourist wander round the island.
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I note that the weather for today is as follows: Maximum temps in the following places:
Sydney - 16, Narrabri - 15, Cudmirrah - 15, Pooncarie - 13, Cairns 26 and Nanaimo - 18 (and cloudy!) Still great to be here. Even if their summer is comparable with our winter ... well, not really.... but close.

VAN TURNS 125

Fay and I departed Seattle and headed for Vancouver (Van) on Sunday. Bus cost about $60 each for the 4 hr trip. Pleased to report that Fay (about the same young age as Mario Biasutti) has finally come of age and I am able to get a discount for her!

GOOD NEWS ABOUT VAN:

• Teachers are taking action - they want 10 days paid leave for death of any friend or relative ("paid bereavement leave").
• Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Will & Kate) have been touring PEI, Quebec and now NWT. They even had a go at dragon boating - Beth Robbo at Sussex will be pleased.
• "Vancouver is clearly a pricey place to live. Beauty comes at a price." Jack Jedwab. [In today's THE PROVINCE.] Quebec reported to be more livable.
  
• Cyclists are supposed to wear helmets... but they are slack, police don't enforce and cyclists and pedestrians are being bowled over (and killed!)
  
• Vandals and rioters caused 4 to 5 million bucks worth of damages here in Van. Shop windows smashed everywhere, and windows boarded up still. Quite disgusting. Very frightening. Glad I wasn't here then. Just cause they lost a hockey game! (Photo shows just some of the "sorry notes" all over the place.)
  
• You can buy a new Chev Silverado pickup for $20,000 CAN. (Even cheaper in the States!)
  

Other than that, we love Van. Today we're due to ferry across to Van Island - a 1:40 hr trip. Will be good to catch up with brother Bill (WWTC 1960-61).
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Report on Smarty in Nowra, he's busy playing bowls and fishing, but due to have more chemo treatment shortly which will have crook side effects.
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Party at Marion's on this weekend. Neat. Missing will be Forsythes, Keasts, Smarts, Curetons, Helen Smith, Team Lucas as far as my info is concerned. Have a good one guys!!! We'll be home on 17 July.

JIMMY SMART

It mightn't be the most flattering photo of Jim and Jan Smart, but then the news isn't too flattering either. (Graeme & Suzi O'Brien in the background.) Photo was taken at the Lake Macquarie Muster in March this year.

From Jan a few days ago: News from here re Jim is not good .Cancer is in most bones. He is in a lot of pain. Pain killers make him very sleepy. His type of cancer is very aggressive. He is still having MRI scans and talks with Oncologists, Radiotherapists etc which means trips to Sydney each time and no time for me to check emails.

Their daughter Emily was down from Qld last week and did the driving to Sydney and round about. Fay and I are staying with Smarts' daughter Jen and family in Seattle before heading further on our North American road trip. Jen and her 4 year old twins are heading back to Oz this Friday. Thought you'd like an update.

Good news: Our son Jeremy and his wife Julia have produced a boy - JACK HOWARD KEAST. Rob Hughes married them last year on 20 March. That is now our 4th grandson - still a way behind Bernie and Janice!!

Keasts due home 17 July.

A FEW OLD WAGGA-ITES

Beth and Barry Robbo (1962-63)

Grahame Keast (1962-64), Fay [Bailey] Keast 1963-64, Irene Reid and Dave Reid (1959-60).

Jan [Ferguson] Smart (1963-64), Jim Smart (1963-64).
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All photos taken in Cudmirrah, down the south coast.

LAKE MACQUARIE MUSTER II

As well as the gang from yesterday's group photo, there's also: Barry & Beth Robbo, Col Doherty, Lynn Ludwig, Greg and Dot Ponchard and Dave and Lyn Giles. This shot was taken just before we went our separate ways following the cruise. Thanks for taking the photo Julie.

Eating was certainly high on the agenda. We did well. Thanks for those Rossmore eggs Wrights.

Nola and Dino did well to feed the troops for brekky on 2 of the mornings.... or was that three?

Lauren, Janice and Bernie enjoying a moment.

This is the million dollar view from Forsythe balcony. Not bad eh?

David and Lyn relaxing on the top deck at Marks Pt Rd.

Lyn, Suzi, Lauren, Janice, Bernie and Helen. Yeah, it was pretty funny! Even Marion laughed!

Good to have Mavis and Ethel join us for a bit of action. It was a sailors' hornpipe like you've never seen it before. (Don't ask me to explain.)

Thanks Bill, Sue, Luke and Laura. They were the staff on board WANGI QUEEN for our Lake Macquarie cruise. Just excellent. Man, the food was unreal. Thanks team.

The Thai Tucker was great last night as well. Think there's Thai and vino for those who wanna bat on at Forsythes' tonight. Sorry we can't be there as well.

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More photos to come.....

LAKE MACQUARIE MUSTER

Back: Bernie, Helen S, Ann McK, Suzi, Jim, Tom, Russ, Dino, Gra Wright

Sitting: Sue, Janice, Jan Ferg Smart, Marion, Janet Wr, Lauren Warf, Fay, Nola Fors, Gerd King, Julianne H, Rob

Lying: Jock, Gra O'Brien, Gra Keast

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Nothing wrong with the collambience here mate! Great! Missing from these few photos.... Col Doherty & Julie, Dave Baker and Leonie, Ponchard & missus and maybe Dave and Lyn Giles (if they make it tonight.)
Marian always looks great especially when she's tucking into a bit of ice cream. Tops.

Graeme & Suzi O'Brien from Bulga which is just up the road.... that's why they were a bit late!

Helen Smith and Janice Fitzpatrick have a natter.

Gerd, Rob Hughes and Sue (Upton) King.

The Lake Macquarie area turned out to be an ideal spot for a gathering. We also did a bit of bushwalking!!!

Janet and Graham Wright in front of Tom McKibbin.

After a beaut dinner at Nola and Dino's on Fri night, we returned to the scene of the crime for brekky on Sat morning. Thanks for the Rossmore googs Wrighty!

Saturday's bus trip took us all over the area, parts of Newcastle etc. Running commentary and all.

Tonight we head to a Thai Restaurant and then brekky at a marina place tomorrow morning before we head off on a cruise. How good is that?

Check it out later and we'll give you an update.

Also present but not pictured.... Smarts, Robertsons, Warfields, Keasts, Jock Grant and who knows... maybe I've missed somebody out! Please help me.

Thanks Nola and Dino for organising a beaut gathering.

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APOLOGIES received from Di Groenewegen and Elaine Hardy.

61-62 BASH at FORSTER

About 55 people gathered at Forster (are gathering)! Thanks Mick McGrath and Terry Dwyer. Most folk went to college in 1961-62, but there are some ring-ins! I was in 1st year when most of these folk were 2nd years. Of course my wife (Fay Bailey Keast) being a younger woman, didn't graduate till 1964.

Ross Eggleton (Heather behind him) is a famous golfer, but I can remember playing cricket with him in Orange back in 1968-69 against the likes of Steve Bernard etc!

Adel and Adrian.
Noel Cox, Pettsy and Joan re-enact Titanic, with some alterations. Noel and Jeanette were in Merritt, BC back in 1969-70.

Adrian Hurley chats with that famous golfer. Adrian coached the Aussie basketball team back in the 90s.... maybe earlier and even a bit later. He spent some time in Eugene, Oregon, which is where Fay and I bought 2 tandem bikes!!!