missing shipmate and Capt Kong

[happy daze john in oz]

Yes, met him and Ann just the once.
Some character with a great number of tales to tell.
Told me the name Cpt Kong came from his grandson so he kept it.

[Doc Vernon]

Well Lads just another short update on Capt Kong.
I managed to get him on the Blower last Night, Anne answered the Phone, sadly the Sound was not of the best , and of course with my Hearing also not of the finest any longer made it rather difficult to undestand all that was being said , both ways!
Any way as we know Capt has not been at all good for a long time now, he told me its been now (2 Years) since the onset of his illness and ailments, which is a long time !
He as has been told to me by James, not being able to see very well now either , the reason for jhime not posting on site, as he cannot Write correctly! What a terrible shame for one that was always so fit, agile and Strong!
He has also told me he has had Broken Leg, Arm and very bad Hip Trouble, think he is still having to use a Wheelchair! Besides that he has other ailments but wont go into it all.
By what i could understand i think that poor Anne also has now just lost her Sister ?? and he says he is going up to Nottingham with hs Brother for the Funeral early next Week, but hope i have this correct!
So Lads you see the news is not good at all, and i am wondering now how long all this will carry on??
Capt said that when they return from Nottingham, he will try and Anne to send me an Email, or try and get her on the site to post something ??
Will see what transpires, if i get an Email i will let you know here!
That all for now Folks
Take Care ALL.
Cheers

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Vernon.
Thanks for the update. We are all getting on a bit, looks like I will need a bit of luck to get my driving license next month, hopefully I can fiddle the eye test, have a good DR, but if not it will be taxis or son and daughter. 64 years without a ticket is not a bad one to retire on.
Des

[Doc Vernon]

Good luck Des, i know a wee bit about all that now, next Year i have to have my Physical Driving Test , plus my regular Medical, which should not be much of a problem, as with my Cataract Surgery 18Months ago my sight is a lot better now, only wear Glasses for close reading and on the Puter. However as you also would know one can go without that Physican Driving Test if you want to Opt for a Restricted Licence, and i am thinking possibly on those lines!?? As i now mostly only use the Car for short distances, here and to Katoomba etc mainly for shopping.
If i need to go a bit father afield i can as you mention always use the Train or Bus, and its only $2.50 all day! Wonderful!
I ahve also just recently now and then started to Shop my Groceries online and Delivered which i find is good, only certain Items that i would not order online , i go now and then to pick up.
Cheers

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Vernon.
I voluntarily moved onto a restricted license last year I can only drive 10 kilometers which is around Cooma but I still have to pass a health check no problem, a driving test again no problem but last week failed my eyesight test with the DR much as he tried, unfortunately my mate the optometrist,has gone back to South Africa so it's going to be hit or miss. the annoying part is I can see ok to drive, I think I have a little anxiety problem when being tested, had it since school.
Des

[j.sabourn]

It’s worse when the legs go, have to then still get to the bus and off and on. Can just about manage once a week on the village shopping bus which picks up and drops off at the door. Then with the aid of shopping trolley get around shops. When that gets too much the shopping centre loans out gophers free I have just found out if you register with them, I originally thought you had to pay so never bothered , so is an option in 10 years time or so, looking on the bright side. JS

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi John.
That is our problem, my wife has gone in the back legs, she has nothing behind her kneecaps and insists on using a stick instead of her wheely.
Des

[j.sabourn]

I sent my crutches walking frame and all other aids back to hospital some time ago Des. Have fallen 5 times since then so have bought my own walking stick hopefully not to break anymore ribs or more critical bones. Plus of course I have my double seater Gopher which I now look on as my Porsche. One has to acclimatise as fast as possible. Cheers to you both when you both have these problems it’s like the blind leading the blind at times, still the other saying when there are two of you it is a trouble halved, so take care both of you. JS.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi John.
Falling is an occupational problem as one gets older, I wear shoes that have a ribbed soles and if I happen to drag my foot sideways I go flying, no good getting smooth soles as I then go sliding LoL
Des

[happy daze john in oz]

Here in Victoria we have no such restrictions, even blind people can drive if they wish.

So far still good, had new lenses put in my reading and distance for driving glasses.
But I do about 25,000klm a year, Terri my wife has a bad knee from a crook op on it a few years back, waiting to go into hospital to have it fixed.

As a result I do 99% of the driving, she can manage down the road to shops but that is about all.