Where is everybody today anyway?

Well, I've got to page 17 - but forgotten the first dozen. It's the medicine - haven't taken it yet.

Brief rundown

The day I was born was Elvis's second birthday and on my tenth birthday David Bowie was born.

So an auspicious day all round - Jacques Anquetil, Shirley Bassey and Stephen Hawkinge also share this day with me. The greatest in entertainment, sport and brilliant minds.

Why did I miss out?

Anyway - survived WWII after being bombed out in 1940 - was last pupil accepted into a Grammar School in 1944 aged 7 (RA Butler's education act then brought in the 11+ exam) so was youngest boy in the school for three years. Meant that every master knew me and watched my progress closely. So I had to progress to Uni., where I graduated with civil engineering degree.

Did National Service (those were the days) - at induction was asked what I could do - construction - can't have that, that's for regulars only. What does your father do? Manufactures TV sets. OK, we'll put you down for Air Radar Fitter. I hate electronics. Don't argue.

So I wound up looking after radar on an air-sea rescue helicopter squadron.

That was end of the fifties.

Can't remember the sixties.

Got a job with an Irish construction company at the start of the seventies, 'coz my daughter was born and I thought I'd better sober up. Had been married to my first wife since 1967 (Spanish lady). Mid-seventies had an offer to work in Iran. Went with wife and daughter.

Left when the Shah left.

Moved to Saudi, but without daughter, who had had enough of the ex-pat life. The Iranian revolution affected her much more than my wife So she (daughter) went in convent boarding school. Worked for a Swedish/German Joint Venture.

After Saudi moved to Libya with the Swedes. Stayed there for the whole of the eighties - divorced Spanish wife, married Polish wife.

After Libya came Hong Kong, Saudi again, Indonesia, Nigeria, Bristol, Saudi again, Libya again, Hong Kong again, Vietnam, Saudi again, Suvarnabhumi, Singapore and now I'm back in Saudi.

First visited Thailand in the seventies - Bangkok and Pattaya - Tahitian Queen had just opened. Can't remeber much else about it, but that does stick in my mind.

Second wife stayed in UK while I was travelling - she had good Polish medical qualifications that were not accepted in England, so she went back to Uni. and requalified in English requirements - and said she learnt more from it.

We drifted apart due to separation and divorced amicably at the end of the nineties.

I had already had a couple of return visits to Phuket under my belt and during and after the divorce made a lot more visits, with good diving. I had also been diving regularly in the Red Sea, so it suited me to do liveaboards to the Similans.

But age was catching up with me, so relocated my vacation time to Pattaya in the early part of this millenium. Met my third (and current) wife there - now have two kids and a fairly nice house.

But am still having to work for a living, although would dearly like to retire in this decade!

Oh, and played rugby for more than fifty years, wherever I have been stationed.

Edited July 30, 200718 yr by Humphrey Bear

Interesting story Humph! Sounds like you've been around and done a lot. Your life experiences will stand you in good sted in Bedders.

Interesting story Humph! Sounds like you've been around and done a lot. Your life experiences will stand you in good sted in Bedders.

My life experience is that I jump from one disaster to the next - in up to the neck every time.

Yes - I see what you mean

Good Stuff, Mr Bear.

Moss

Nice one Humphrey.

Ah, I like you already...

Multi-cultural ex-wives

Lots of cool places (I also spent a bit of time in Iran, Indonesia, North Africa and Thailand back in the 70's)

But most important, you're a diver! (no sniggers from the inmates)

Welcome, Hump Free!

Ah, I like you already...

Multi-cultural ex-wives

Lots of cool places (I also spent a bit of time in Iran, Indonesia, North Africa and Thailand back in the 70's)

But most important, you're a diver! (no sniggers from the inmates)

Welcome, Hump Free!

Thanks, everyone.

It would be better to say was a diver I think. Having turned 70 I tend to run out of puff more easily than 5 or 10 years ago.

where-s the last word thread gone?

Fark, last word! I just discovered this biatch column....

Yes, I immediately took a liking to Mr Bear while reading his story. What a lovely person!

Can I beat him up now?

Yes, I immediately took a liking to Mr Bear while reading his story. What a lovely person!

Can I beat him up now?

Misguided to like people over the Internet - everyone I work with goes in fear and trembling.

But then I have buildings to complete on time - bridges to build before the next floods - so on. So popularity is not a high priority - except with the finance guys.

Haven't been beaten up for a long time - does this involve leather and whips? And high-heeled long black boots? Hoods, masks and thongs?

Ah, humph reveals his true colours!!! But yes humph, it does. Jet's like that, I have scars to prove it!

Haven't been beaten up for a long time - does this involve leather and whips? And high-heeled long black boots? Hoods, masks and thongs?

Haven't been beaten up for a long time - does this involve leather and whips? And high-heeled long black boots? Hoods, masks and thongs?

This is a photo of sonndman after he farted in his wet suit!

Thanx for spilling the beans.

You're welcome!

Yes, I immediately took a liking to Mr Bear while reading his story. What a lovely person!

Can I beat him up now?

Misguided to like people over the Internet - everyone I work with goes in fear and trembling.

But then I have buildings to complete on time - bridges to build before the next floods - so on. So popularity is not a high priority - except with the finance guys.

Haven't been beaten up for a long time - does this involve leather and whips? And high-heeled long black boots? Hoods, masks and thongs?

70 years old and still going strong!

And I ain't talking about the " buildings to complete on time - bridges to build before the next floods - so on." of course, but rather, the latter part of that post!

I wanna be like Mr. Bear when I grow up.

Takes more choke to start the engine these days.

Takes more choke to start the engine these days.

...and it takes longer to warm up, and runs a little lumpy! But hey, at least it's still going strong!

You can tell I'm a classic car owner...

Takes more choke to start the engine these days.

...and it takes longer to warm up, and runs a little lumpy! But hey, at least it's still going strong!

It's not rusty with bits falling off as well is it

Takes more choke to start the engine these days.

...and it takes longer to warm up, and runs a little lumpy! But hey, at least it's still going strong!

It's not rusty with bits falling off as well is it

And copious amounts of duct tape...

Takes more choke to start the engine these days.

...and it takes longer to warm up, and runs a little lumpy! But hey, at least it's still going strong!

It's not rusty with bits falling off as well is it

And copious amounts of duct tape...

An oil change usually helps along with a set of new spark plugs.

Takes more choke to start the engine these days.

...and it takes longer to warm up, and runs a little lumpy! But hey, at least it's still going strong!

It's not rusty with bits falling off as well is it

And copious amounts of duct tape...

An oil change usually helps along with a set of new spark plugs.

Is Viagra a kind of spark plug

Takes more choke to start the engine these days.

...and it takes longer to warm up, and runs a little lumpy! But hey, at least it's still going strong!

It's not rusty with bits falling off as well is it

And copious amounts of duct tape...

An oil change usually helps along with a set of new spark plugs.

Is Viagra a kind of spark plug

No. Its a fuel performance booster. A pacemaker aids more reliable ignition. The real spark comes from nylon bushes moving in fluid rythm around chrome guide poles.

This has now got weird!

I thought it was good.

Yours,

this post has been edited by: I ain't gonna b young furever!: 2007-07-30 20:55

this post has been edited by: I'm crap at formatting 2007-07-30 20:56

Edited August 1, 200718 yr by kayo

Takes more choke to start the engine these days.

...and it takes longer to warm up, and runs a little lumpy! But hey, at least it's still going strong!

It's not rusty with bits falling off as well is it

And copious amounts of duct tape...

An oil change usually helps along with a set of new spark plugs.

Is Viagra a kind of spark plug

No - it's more like the reinforcing bars in concrete.

Took half a tab once - don't know the strength - and was unable to relax for over four hours.

Never again! Heart rate went up, as did other things.

Never again! Heart rate went up, as did other things.

It shouldn't have that effect, the active ingredient in that pill is a blood vessel opener, you may get a slight temporary headache from increased blood-flow to your brain and a slightly longer ache a few feet lower down for an extended temporary period, but it shouldn't increase your heart rate...... it's also, contrary to myth, good for your blood pressure, unless yours is either quite low, or you are already taking medication for a high one.

Oooooooooo Thaddy, you little devil. Too much personal knowledge......................

Oooooooooo Thaddy, you little devil. Too much personal knowledge......................

Hey ...... I read a lot ......