Babes boats Bangkok trips 2001, the frenetic travel continued. Two trips to Thailand & one world trip including Spain, Venezuela, Cuba & Los Angeles. This is not part of my travel blog it’s just a photographic record of the people who crossed my path in 2001.
Rita & Vanessa on the Broadwater.
Babes boats Bangkok & living on the Gold Coast which ensured you spent many days on the beautiful Broadwater. Rita was from Shanghai & Vanessa was a Gold Coast local.
Most other boats were bigger than mine.
Like most places in the world, someone always has a bigger boat. 🙂 This particular one is owned by Billionaire Bob Ell.
Skye Edwards from Launceston
Skye was a beautiful girl from Launceston who was visiting the Gold Coast, I was lucky enough to take her out a couple of times.
Ross Kennedy & Jim Bell.
Jim Bell rented a room in my home for 17 years, that’s what I call a long time tenant. 🙂 Rossco is a good friend and a long suffering St Kilda fan.
Keiko visits from Japan.
I met Keiko on the internet so when she came to the Gold Coast for a business conference naturally I took her boating on the Broadwater. There is something special about babes boats sunshine & living like a king on the Gold Coast.
Keiko & her workmates
A chopper ride over the Gold Coast.
Dinner at Main Beach with Keiko & her workmates
Main Beach was a Gold Coast hotspot, now in 2016 it has faded somewhat.
A weekend in Sydney at Pothole’s place.
It’s 2018 & Pothole& I live in the same building in Pattaya Thailand.
Swedish backpackers at the Oaks Hotel
I met a couple of Swedish backpackers at the airport and bought them back to Pothole’s home, we ended up at the Oaks hotel in Neutral Bay.
Lars, Rick & Derry.
Rick the guy in the middle has been a friend since the 70s, he was a Sydney solicitor who for as long as I have known him has pretended to be some sort of secret agent, I like to call him 003 & 1/4, not half the man James Bond was. 🙂 He played the role quite well including fitting out his Porsche with a police radio, umbrella guns in easy reach and a switch to release an oil slick to foil any bad guys who were pursuing him. The thing that amazes me is how such an intelligent guy can live out such a fantasy. His most recent episode was finding a obscure European title, he now calls himself “Count” and has hyphenated his name. Words fail me, then again whatever floats your boat. 🙂
Vanessa Teo
Vanessa worked in the U.S. for many years before returning to Australia, I think her mother was English & her father was Chinese & was a high court judge in Port Moresby.
Ponzi scheme
Loading cargo onto the only flight a failed company called Cargo Jet managed to get into the air. My involvement was a very expensive exercise as I’ll briefly explain. Graham Cash was a Gold Coast accountant I had known for 14 years & regarded as a friend. He put together a air cargo company which failed miserably, he also conducted a clever Ponzi scheme which cost me around $100,000 in capital over a period of 4 years. It’s not as bad as it seems as I did receive around $85,000 in interest during that time, many others lost far more than I did from this mongrel of a con artist.
My lovely mother Iris Herd.
Sadly passes away in 2007, will never be forgotten.
Thanks for visiting my Babes boats Bangkok photo blog.
Travel plus danger in 2010, first the travel, I’ll talk about the danger later. Travel included Thailand, Cambodia & Europe plus two visits to Sydney.
Some English & Italian visitors were guests in my Gold Coast home. Bill & Joan from Wiltshire met up with me in Thailand in January & we flew to Australia in February, this was their first trip “down under”. We drove down the east coast to Sydney before they returned to the U.K.
This is not a travel blog just a personal photo collection from 2010.
Bill is the brother of my friend Alan Austin who is a guest of Her Majesty, Bill & I met when I first visited Alan in 2007. Joan was an Olympic runner who competed in the 200 meters at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Bill was a Para Military man who served time in Ireland & many other countries.
Alan finally regained his freedom late 2018 after 11 years in the slammer.
One hour south of the Gold Coast is Byron Bay the most easterly point of Australia.
My beach & Jetty
I sold my boat last year so I was able to rent my jetty to moor a houseboat.
Cold beer on the houseboat
You too can have a body like this if you abuse it. 🙂
Roberta, Mikie & Alice from Italy
I did a house swap with this lovely Italian family, I stayed in their ski chalet in northern Italy in July & they came to my home in August.
Roberta loved the pelicans at Labrador.
Roberta was the Italian champion kite surfer, in fact if I remember correctly she was ranked 4th or 5th in the world.
Lovely Alice from Italy
Is this a cute little gal or what?
Charis seafood in Labrador
Wonderful seafood market on the Gold Coast. I moved to Thailand in October 2011 and apart from some friends & family the fresh Aussie seafood is the thing I miss most.
Roberta, Mikie & Alice from Italy
Playing on the beach in front of my home.
Fresh prawns & avocado
While on the subject of fresh Aussie prawns, there is no better sandwich in the world than prawns & avocado on fresh white bread.
Dinner with Deb & Jodie
Planning our trip to Italy & the French Riviera in July at the Garlic Clove restaurant.
Melbourne Cup at Surfers Paradise
The track is adjacent to my home.
Tania Zaetta at the Melbourne Cup
Tania was a well know celebrity, I think she may have been in a couple of TV shows & a Bollywood movie.
Melbourne Cup at Surfers Paradise
A little eye candy at the track, talk about travel and danger, well I would love to travel with her & accept whatever danger that may bring. 🙂
Dressed to the nines & feeling no pain
It is always great entertainment watching the crowd at the end of the day, some find walking rather difficult. 🙂
Travel plus danger in 2010 “Dueling baseball bats”
I spoke earlier of travel and danger, well here is the danger. It was May 2010 and I had only returned from Asia 48 hours ago & was still a little jet lagged. It would have been far safer staying in Bangkok or Cambodia than my home on the Gold coast, as I was the victim of a violent home invasion & robbery at 1 am in the morning. I took a very solid hit from a lunatic with a baseball bat, but luckily was not badly hurt, I managed to fight the bastard off, & when I finally got through to 000 5 cop cars turned up within about 7 minutes. It may well have been the most terrifying experience of my life. There was an 18 year old girl renting a room in my house so when I heard some strange noises in the early hours of the morning I thought it was just her banging drawers etc. Then a loud male voice from outside my bedroom door said “GIVE ME YOUR MONEY AND YOUR JEWELRY OR I WILL SHOOT YOU” I jumped out of bed, put on a pair of shorts, grabbed a baseball bat from my wardrobe and opened my bedroom door, I was only halfway through the door when this wild man rushed me swinging his own baseball bat straight at my head. It all happened so fast, and bear in mind I was half asleep, luckily I came awake fairly quickly and held my bat at a 45 degree angle in front of my head, the bat took the main force of the blow. His bat bounced off and caught me on top of my right shoulder which made my whole arm briefly go numb. Needing to gain a little time & to get the feeling back in my arm I slammed and locked my bedroom door & called 000, (I also hit my house alarm button and the bloody thing did not work) as soon as I reported to the police I knew I had to go back out and front the bastard again because I could hear the young girl sobbing in her bedroom, my biggest worry was that he was not alone. Luck was with me, the coward had bolted with only Alison’s old laptop, her new iPhone and $15 cash. On the same night he robbed at least 2 other places near my house, mine was the only one that included violence. Across the water a couple were asleep on the lounge downstairs while the intruders went through their upstairs bedrooms, one of which contained 3 children under 6 years old. I have absolutely no doubt had I not been able to block the vicious blow aimed at my head I would more than likely have wound in hospital or the morgue.
Theme from Rocky - James Last Orchestra feat. Derek Watkins
Two of my brothers Warren & Ian, Warren’s wife Kerry & family friend Chris Lockwood.
Warren & Ian with our Uncle Allan.
Allan Herd our uncle was without a doubt the toughest bravest Herd that ever lived. We travelled to Port Macquarie to present him with a family history photo book I had just finished. His 2nd World War experiences were absolutely remarkable. My brush with violence as I previously described is almost embarrassing compared to the horror he experienced. The title of this post Travel and danger fits Allan to a tee, I have never heard of anyone who was exposed to as much danger as this brave man.
Well into his 90s Allan was as sharp as a tack.
Allan had a terrific sense of humor, describing the English soldiers on the Burma railway he remarked “those pommies had no stamina, they started dying within a week”. Please note I mean no offence to the thousands of brave British soldiers, this was just a comment from an old Aussie warrior.
Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.
The fabulous Surfers Paradise skyline.
Alan Kendall from Sydney on his catamaran
Alan is a nice guy who loves his sailing.
From the Sea wall on the Gold Coast
A fascinating view of the high rise buildings.
Bondi Beach with Joan Baptiste
I travelled to Sydney in February with Bill & Joan, check out the photos on this post.
Chinese food and a few drinks with my good mate Lloydy.
Melbas on the park
lloyd’s 2nd office and my favourite bar. On July 10 2019 Melbas celebrated it’s 38th anniversary, I was lucky enough to be on the coast at the time. Check out THIS LINK.
Peter Hesky & his children
Another friend of around 33 years, Peter is almost a recluse in Sydney these days with his Labradors, sadly I never hear from him any more.
Ettalong Central coast of NSW
Driving up the NSW coast to Port Macquarie I travelled through Ettalong for a dose of nostalgia. As kids we used to always spend our annual holidays here and Booker Bay.
Celebrating Xmas at the Shitterer’s house.
In 2013 Les Scheffer & his wife Robyn placed me on their blacklist after many years of being friends. Now in 2018 I must admit my life is better without them in it. 🙂
Thanks for visiting my Travel plus danger in 2010 photo blog.
This is not a travel blog, it is part of my personal photo history.
Pattaya flesh eating fish
Pattaya flesh eating fish seemed to be the focus on my two visits to Thailand in 2010, the first trip was mid January to meet Bill Austin & Joan Baptiste, my friends from England who were on their way to Australia for the first time.
The Cherry Bar has been my favorite Thai beer bars since 2003.
Beer bars LK Metro.
One of the good Thai beer bars in busy LK Metro in Pattaya. Greg Johnstone (2nd from left) has been a friend of mine for 25 years, we both lived on the Gold Coast in Australia.
Cheers dears
Greg does enjoy a drink with the girls, just being a good boss I guess. 🙂
Ah! life in Pattaya, someone has to do it. 🙂
As you can see, I really love living in Pattaya. LK Metro has many good bars & restaurants. Across the road from Billabong is i-Rovers another good sports bar. Billabong also has good cheap hotel rooms if you want to be in the middle of all the action. Book through AGODA for excellent rates. Low cost rooms are also available at i-rovers.
While on the subject of fun in Patttaya, here I am squeezed between two lovely ladies at the Atlantic one of the best Thai beer bars in 2nd rd.
When can I start having fun?
Out of control at the Jasmine beer bar in Soi 3.
Alan Kendall & a hot babe.
Alan is an Aussie who seems to fit right in to the Pattaya scene.
The golfers like the Atlantic Bar
Back in 2010 the golfers used to gather at the Atlantic bar Friday nights to drink beer and exaggerate about their amazing shots on the course that day. A very nice bunch of guys from all over the world, sadly they have now found a new venue for their after golf drinks.
Enjoying a beer at Gulliver’s with Alan Kendall
Gulliver’s is an excellent sports bar about 100 meters from y condo.
Pattaya flesh eating fish, Tony Murphy
Apart from the Thai beer bars the latest fad in Pattaya and other parts of the world is “Flesh-Eating Fish“ Performing ‘Pedicures’“, here is my friend Tony trying it out. I notice in the U.S. the process costs $45, in Pattaya it’s only $7.
When I was in Thailand 2010 little did I realize I would be living on the 20th floor ofMarkland Condo from October 2011 until now in April 2016.
Soi 4 foot massage
One of the great benefits of visiting or living in Thailand are the fabulous foot massages. The lady with the lovely smile is still working in this same parlour now in 2014.
The magnificent Mantra
My favourite restaurant in the whole world. The Sunday brunch is the best buffet I have ever had, everything from Alaskan crab, French oysters, NZ lamb, Japanese sushi, etc etc. There are seven different kitchens to choose from. Sadly the Amari Hotel made a stupid decision to close this magnificent restaurant in 2018.
The fabulous Mantra restaurant, Amari hotel in Pattaya Thailand.
I have been visiting the Thai beer bars & go go clubs at the infamous Nana Plaza since 1996 and have seen many changes. Back then there was about 10% LadyBoys, in 2010 that had risen to 25% now in 2014 there seems to be 50%.
The Beergarden near Walking St Pattaya
A very good venue for low cost food with a million dollar view. Lots of TV screens that seem to play music videos from the 80s.
Ice on the left with her friend Na.
I met Ice a couple of years ago when she was dancing at Nana Plaza, a very sweet lady indeed.
This is Pang (number 59) from the Honey Pot.
Another sweet lady who worked at the Honey Pot in Soi 2. Sadly both her and the Honey Pot have disappeared.
My brother Warren at the Cherry Bar.
My brother visits Pattaya every year, in February we discovered a new beach side village near Rayong called Mae Pim, check out my photo blog here.
Sunday brunch at the Mantra.
Another great lunch at the Mantra with a bunch of friends is September 2010.
Beautiful girl in Soi 3.
Now in 2016 there does not seem to be as many attractive girls in the bars around North Pattaya as there used to be.
Gorgeous girl in Jasmine bar Soi 3.
Half the bars in Soi 3 have closed and now A1 hotel is building across the road so in the next year or so I think most will be closed.
Gang of four
Trevor Loersch, Phil Avalon, David Herd & Alan Kendall.
Warren, the boys & the Muslim girls
Now in March 2016 I am sad to say our great friend Lenny is very ill battling cancer. Keep up the good fight Lenny.
Sad to say Lenny lost the battle, RIP my friend.
Dinner in Soi 6, Ray, Lenny Warren & David
The Queen Victoria hotel in Soi 6 serves very good food at a reasonable price.
Melbourne danger drama romance in the mid 70s, it turned out to be a period of change & exceptional drama. I transferred from Adelaide to Melbourne with Sanyo, in 1973, lived there 2 years & met many new & interesting people, got engaged to a beautiful lady and narrowly escaped an attempt on my life.
Please note this is not part of my travel blog, it is my online photo album.
When an underworld gangster threatens your life it certainly gets your attention, but it couldn’t have been further from my mind as I turned my red E-type Jaguar into my street at 11pm on Saturday September 27 1975. My best friend Wolf Wottke and I had been at the piano bar at the Old Melbourne Hotel since 2pm discussing my predicament and trying to work out if the threat was real or imagined. That nine hour drinking session included my other best friend “Jim Beam” who in later years was replaced by “Jack Daniels”.
Not much gets past me, so the question was answered fairly quickly when I saw the three fire engines and two police cars parked outside of my smoldering home at 10 Wood St North Melbourne.
My first thought was “the house next door has had a fire”, my second thought was “Houston, we have a problem.”
My worst fears were confirmed when a detective opened the door of the Jag and I fell out onto the road, he looked down at me and asked “are you Mr Herd”?
“I certainly am” I slurred, and he said “well I have some bad news for you; there has been a fire in your home”.
So how did it get to this? Well it all started three years ago when I met a beautiful dizzy blonde at a party in Avalon in Sydney, my story about this meeting was told in another post, more details about how and why my house was firebombed can be found here.
Looking back all those years ago I could have lived without the Melbourne drama & focused more on the romance. 🙂
I had only lived in my lovely sandstone home at Lochwinoch Ave Torrens Park in Adelaide for seven months in 1973 when Ross Radford my boss at Sanyo Office Machines decided to transfer me to Melbourne as his State Manager. In many ways I was sad to leave Adelaide and all the friends I had made but it was a promotion with more money and prestige so how could I refuse?
You will laugh at the prices in those days, I paid $24,000 and sold it 7 months for $31,000. I also remember buying new cars for my sales reps, Holdens were $3,200 and my salary was $6,000 per year.
I still consider the two years I spent in Adelaide from 1972 were perhaps the most fun I have ever had in my entire life. 🙂 Arriving in Melbourne drama & romance were the last thing I expected, then again I guess the romance was not a surprise but the drama was.
Same house 40 years later in 2014
The house had not changed in all those years, seeing it certainly brought back some wonderful memories.
Lexton Grove Windsor
One of my lovely Adelaide girlfriends Jan Seegars came to visit me in Melbourne. I was renting a house in 15 Lexton Grove Windsor, just off Dandenong road & two blocks from Orrong Rd.
Here is Jan 50 years later in 2014.
Still looking very good. 🙂
Here we both are October 2014
We crossed paths again in Dromana in Victoria in October 2014 & shared lots of laughs about the great times we had in the 70s.
Lovely Lee Gregory.
I mentioned romance in my opening paragraph, and here is my most serious attempt at it. I met Lee in Adelaide and was thrilled to find she had moved to Melbourne. After a very short period when became engaged, after what seemed an even shorter period it came to an abrupt end. Her ex boyfriend from Adelaide was always lurking in the background and his influence won the prize, c’est la vie. 🙂
Lee & Baxter
Fiancée number 2, it would take 10 years before fiancée number 3 would appear.
Lee & I in Singapore in 1974
We went out for 2 months before being engaged for 3 months, in that time we had a terrific holiday in Singapore & Bali.
Melbourne Cup 1975
John Lawless & Ray Dodd at the Melbourne cup in 1975. Ray has owned the Keilor Hotelsince he acquired it from his father in 1974.
George Dodd established the first school in Keilor, several years later Mathew Goudie opened a school in the Keilor Hotel. Mathew was a Scottish baker fro Ayr who had previously run a bakers shop in Bourke St. Mathew purchased the Keilor Hotel in 1862 for the sum of 1000 pounds, it had been built in 1849, succeeding a timber building erected in 1842 by the Hunter brothers. Georges son, John, married Mathews daughter, Mary, they had five children and established a farm called Brimbank (because the house was on the brim of the river bank). Today the areas of Keilor and Sunshire are the City of Brimbank.
After Mathew passed away another of his daughters, Jane, ran the Hotel to 1907 when the family decided to lease the Hotel out. Tough times followed with World war 1 and the Great Depression, John & Mary’s son Harry could remember collecting the money from the leasee and picking up 1 keg of beer from Bouverie St in his fathers horse drawn wagon, the keg could last 2 weeks before they had to make another delivery.
Post World War 2 prosperity returned to Keilor and to the only surviving hotel in the area (there were a dozen during the Gold Rush). Now the older generations of the Dodd and Goudie families had passed away, Harry preferred to remain a market gardener and it wasn’t until 1974 that Harry’s son Ray leased the Hotel from the family.
Melbourne Cup 1975, check the haircut. 🙂
After all it is nearly 40 years ago.
Think Big won the cup that year for the 2nd time in a row, think big was obviously also what the guy above was thinking when he combed his hair.
Melbourne Danger Drama Romance Xmas 1975
Angella Savic, Hank Wottke (RIP), Di Parkinson & Trevor Beach (RIP) in Adelaide.
Parko looking fabulous
What a knockout. 🙂
Beechworth Victoria 1975
An absolute classic photo, check out the bell bottom jeans and my beautiful E-Type Jaguar. Di Parkinson, Phil Parkinson, Paula, Wolf Wottke & Angella Savic.
Beechworth Victoria 1975
A red E-Type & a great looking chick, what more could a fellow want? A haircut maybe. 🙂
Dianne Parkinson, great lady but a little bit crazy.
She was a terrific looking girl, totally crazy and a lot of fun. There is no doubt that no other woman in my life caused me more drama than Di. From the moment we met in 1971 and for the next 5 or 6 years she at times turned my world upside down. 🙂
Max was my service manager at Sanyo
Max also worked for MacDougalls LTD when I was transferred to Melbourne from Sydney in 1969, he worked for me when I returned to Melbourne with Sanyo in 1974. Looking back my Melbourne drama was one of the most dangerous events in my life, however apart than that, life in Melbourne was very good to me. I had a great job earning good money, a nice car and some interesting friends.
Melbourne Danger Drama Romance
Not quite Melbourne, in fact it happened in Adelaide. The Photo below was taken in Melbourne, now 40 years later in October 2014 I paid a visit to John in an Adelaide jail where he has spent the last 24 years.
John, Rosalyn & I
Taken at my home at 15 Lexton Grove Armidale, what do you think about my classy shirt? This photo was taken 40 years ago in Melbourne in 1974. John Farquhar & Roslyn were friends of mine, John received the 2nd longest sentence in South Australia’s history, 3 weeks ago I paid him a visit in the Adelaide prison where he has resided for the last 24 years. Believe me when I say he looks nothing like he does in this photo, I guess I don’t either. I have no idea what happened to Roslyn. John was very good company, polite and interesting. However he had a wild streak and a total disregard for the law. He was also clever enough to have a solicitor for a girlfriend, her name is Natalie Dunford. She bought my E-Type Jag in 1979 & still owns it today.This may sound strange but in the 70s he was a very nice guy, but sadly an habitual criminal. Here is one very funny story I recall, he used his own white E-Type Jag as a getaway car after pulling a robbery. With the cops in pursuit he is firing bullets at them from the car. Now in Adelaide in 1974 there were only about 6 E-Type Jaguars in the city, John’s, my red one, my best friend’s green one an 3 others. Naturally the police tracked him down in no time at all.
I have just found out an old friend passed away in August 2016, one of Melbourne’s great characters, on many occasions I did enjoy “an ale with the Whale”.
Greetings from Thailand
It’s 2023 and I have been living in Thailand for 12 years. I was planning to return to Oz in 2024 & find a little bolthole somewhere on the NSW coast close to the beach or Chevron Island on the Gold Coast. However recent trips to Australia have changed my opinion, I think I’m in Thailand for the long haul. Thanks for visiting my Melbourne Danger Drama Romance photo blog.
Birthdays weddings funerals in 2007, plus another hectic year of travel resulted in one of the best years for me in this century. Even though my beautiful mother passed away it was a relief for myself and my family as she had deteriorated to an almost vegetable state due to advanced dementia.
On January 3rd in Sydney was Peter Hesky’s 60th birthday, we had lunch at the very upmarket Doyle’s restaurant at the Rocks.
Peter Hesky, David Herd & Richard Blair.
I have known Peter for 30 years so I was glad to be at his 60th, these days in 2014 he seems to have turned into an eccentric recluse, he does not keep in contact with me anymore but I hear from some of his fiends he is doing ok and enjoying his life.
Richard is an interesting fellow and a successful businessman, yet in 2004 in Koh Samui I gave him the nickname “Mr Stingy” so I guess that explains his character. I often daydream about winning lotto, I would be traveling the world first class instead of cattle class. 🙂
One thing with Stingy however, he does enjoy life with his long lunches at Bar Reggio in Sydney and visiting Thailand 5 or 6 times a year & to his credit he is a very successful businessman.
Peter Hobbs, Joyce Weir & Steven Bates.
Three more old friends were at the celebration, I have known the guys since the early 80s & Joyce since 1972 in Adelaide. In fact I stayed at Steve’s home in Singapore only 2 weeks ago in June 2014.
Ken Shelly, Steve Bates & I at Bar Reggio.
Bar Reggio is a very well known restaurant in Crown St Darlinghurst in Sydney, good low cost Italian food, and bring your own wine.
Nick & Sharron
My friends Nick & Sharron stayed in my home for several months, they looked after it while I was in Brazil for 2 months from December. They often visit Thailand and will be here again July 21st 2014.
A couple of critters around my home.
A couple of these guys swim past many times each day.
Unexpected visitor looking into my office.
These stingrays often cruise up and down my beach, and this cheeky little lizard was peeking in my office window.
Talking about wild animals
Her name is Danny, a very wild lady, I’m not sure what chemical substance she was sampling this night, but whatever is was it certainly worked its magic. For once I’m going to say no more on the subject. 🙂
The Beast on Chevron Island.
I can’t recall what the promotion on Chevron Island was all about but I do remember the gorgeous girls that were helping with the task.
Very cute indeed
All I can say is…………….
Craig aka “Sudzi” & gorgeous Chrissy.
Sudzi has worked in most of the popular Surfers Paradise bars & restaurants for year, he is also quite a talented photographer. He currently works at Waxy’s Irish Pub in Surfers Paradise. Chrissy also works in hospitality, last time I saw her she was at “Shuck” in Main Beach.
Drinks at Melbas
For many years Melbas in Surfers Paradise was our local drinking hole, here I am with Noel Smith, David Robertson & Greg Craig. Noel & Greg were great friends for many years & sadly Noel passed away around 2010.
Tammy Brazel has her 40th Birthday
Happy birthday Tammy.
Tammy & Cate on Tammy’s 40th.
Another one of the seven birthdays on Chevron Island for Tammy’s birthday, last month we were relaxing onKoh Samui.
On a sadder note
Simon Markby, sadly passed in July 2012, RIP. Originally from Melbourne before moving to the Gold Coast, Simon was a guy who loved life, expensive cars & boats, not that there is anything wrong with that. 🙂
Asuka from Osaka
Asuka was a lovely Japanese girl staying in my home, she lives in Osaka and we sometimes stay in contact through Facebook
Phil Thomson’s new toy
My great mate Phil splashed out on a terrific cruiser to park outside his Runaway Bay home. Sadly the excitement soon wore off & he sold it a year later. 🙂
Drinks at the Rowers
The Rowers was only a 4 minute walk from my home, very convenient indeed. 🙂
How do you like this number plate?
Trying very hard to be noticed.
This is one great looking car.
Great looking car owned by Ken Lowry.
Sadly Ken passed away in 2017 after a short illness.
But this one is better
Aston Martin Vanquish owned by one of my friends Lloyd Ross.
At Labrador looking south to Surfers Paradise.
Looking south towards Southport.
I got caught didn’t I?
I was atMelbas having drinks with friends and this lovely girl was there on her “Hens” night before getting married. She said buy me a drink please David, so I did & it cost me $50. 🙁
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Another of the seven birthdays Les Scheffer’s 60th
Les Scheffer, Juergen Ulitzer & I at Les’s 60th. Sadly Les passed away in March 2020.
How quickly things can change
I couldn’t resist showing this photo from Les’s 60th birthday, the three on the left including me are all on Les’s black list for various social infractions. One of my many bad habits is rattling peoples cages, Les & his wife Robyn did not react well to my last effort. 🙂
Another birthday for my good friend Ross Kennedy.
We are at Riviera Trattoria Sorrento
I lost 7 kilo before leaving for Brazil
Trim, taut, terrific, if I say so myself. 🙂
Three lovely Japanese girls having lunch at my home.
Megumi on the left has been a friend since since 1988 when she rented a room in my home at Sorrento. Asuka is in the center and the gorgeous girl on the right was a golf pro at a local course.
200 meters to the middle of the lake.
I asked her to hit 5 or 6 balls into the lake and she certainly had a smooth swing.
My lovely niece Elyssa
Elyssa was single & fancy free in 2007, now in 2014 she is the proud mother of a gorgeous little girl called Isabel.
Bye bye my beautiful Benz.
After 17 wonderful years I have sold my beautiful yellow canary to a nice lady in outback Queensland. She is a dentist in a mining town and I’m sure she will turn many heads when she drives down the main St in this wonderful car. This was my first step in downsizing my treasured possessions with a view of moving to Thailand. Little did I realize because of the GFC it would be four years before I could move to Thailand.
One of the Seven birthdays Smokey Shitterer’s 55th
Average age 55 at Robyn’s birthday. 🙂
Grahame LaRoche & his bride Sheena
Grahame LaRoche aka “BIff” decided to tie the knot again, if I remember correctly the marriage only lasted a year or so. 🙂
“Biff” a colorful character to say the least
Grahame LaRoche aka “The Biff”, how did he get that name you may well ask? In his younger days he used to travel around the countryside with the Jimmy Sharman boxing troupe. They visit country towns set up tents and offer to fight all the local lads for a cash prize. Biff was a light heavyweight and legend tells us that he was never beaten. He is a lovely bloke and I’m very glad to have known him for many years. In fact he was on of the main characters on my boat on NYE 1981 when we were peppered by falling skyrockets.
Another Xmas lunch at Melbas.
The yearly tradition continues with a group of guys mainly from Melbourne gathering for a Xmas lunch at Melbas restaurant.
Noodles, Chocolates & Rocket, aka the verbal battering ram.
These three reprobates have been drinking buddies for many years in Surfers Paradise. Chocs is famous for never buying anyone a drink, Rocket is known a “the verbal battering ram” & Noodles is famous for just being Noodles. 🙂
With John Sinclair & Ian Pettifer in Chinatown Sydney.
In March 2009 sadly Ian passed away after a long battle with cancer, he was a gentleman.
Drinks on Chevron Island for my birthday on July 7.
One of the seven birthday rolls around, here I am with Greg Craig, Les Scheffer, Dave Hosket & Nigel Treliving celebrating mine.
Time to paint my roof.
My original roof color had faded somewhat so it was time for a paint job.
My beautiful home looks brand new now.
I designed and built my beautiful waterfront home in Surfers Paradise. I moved in July 1st 1990 and sold it 21 years later in October 2011 and moved to Thailand.
Alan Jones of course was 2 times world Formula 1 world champion. While the American Dave Hosket was a shocking sycophant. 🙂 Dave did have a claim to fame however, for a number of years he was Bob Dylan’s back up drummer on tour.
My families saddest day
My beautiful mother passed away in 2007, although it was terribly sad, it was really a relief for myself and my family, she had deteriorated to an almost vegetable state due to advanced dementia. It’s a terrible sickness, however the family suffer much more than the patient as they are oblivious to everything around them. The worst thing for me was seeing this wonderful lady as a shadow of the beautiful woman and wonderful Mother I knew and loved all my life. RIP Mum.
1943 with Mum & Dad
Iris & Arthur Herd, RIP.
What a wonderful World
Ok, that’s all for my Birthdays weddings funerals photo blog, many thanks for dropping by.
David Herd unforgettable year 2003, not sure how I survived, it was one of the busiest & best years for travel, & at home on the Gold Coast, that I have ever experienced. I went toVietnam twice in January & April, Thailand in April & July, then around the world in November starting in Chile, then on to Rio De Janeiroin Brazil, Barcelona & Bangkok on the way home to Australia.
In August I took 3 lovely Japanese girls on a 7,000 kilometer road trip through the Outback to Uluru, stopping at Broken Hill & Coober Pedy then on the way home we went to Airlie Beach& Hervey Bay to see the whales.
This is not a travel blog just a personal photo collection from 2003.
Lovely Japanese girls + Vannessa
Most of these lovely girls were students, I took 3 of them on a 7,000 kilometre road trip through the Outback and to Uluru. My friend Vannessa Teo is the lovely lady on the right.
The girls loved my Mercedes.
I had a couple of Japanese girls staying in my home, they loved my yellow Mercedes & here they are after I had taken them & their friends for a Yum Cha.
A very happy group Friends family students
Harley is looking like a stunned mullet, the other guy is Jack, an Aussie who I met in Vietnam in January.
My beautiful home
I lived here from 1990 to 2011 & loved every minute.
David Herd unforgettable year
I enjoyed these beautiful sunsets for 21 wonderful years living in my beautiful home on the Gold Coast in Australia.
My beautiful Mercedes
I owned this lovely car for 17 years, I reluctantly sold it in 2007 when I was starting to downsize with a view of moving to Thailand.
Duranbah Beach Tweed Heads
Duranbah Beach (NSW, also called Flagstaff Beach) is the most northern beach in NSW. The 500 m long beach faces east and is located between the northern 400 m long entrance wall of the Tweed River mouth and the 30 m high black basalt slopes of Point Danger, which marks the Queensland-NSW border.
Lunch with friends Ross & Mariana Kennedy
Lunch at Omeros Brothers restaurant with good friends Ross & Mariana at the Marina Mirage.
Chevron Renaissance in Surfers Paradise
One of my favourite people watching locations.
Getting ready for out road trip.
My 3 Japanese friends Yukako, Noriko & Megumi who came on the Outback road trip. Did I mention life 2003 was frantic? Well our 7000 km journey in 2 weeks certainly was. 🙂
life 2003 celebrating my 60th birthday
My 60th birthday with John Sinclair, Bruce Donachie, Ross Kennedy & Phil Thomson.
Owned by Billionaire Bob Ell.
It would cost me a years wages (if I had a job) to fill it up with diesel.
Tony Murphy’s houseboat
My friend Tony Murphy lived on his houseboat here in Surfers Paradise and previously in Townsville.
Coffee on Chevron Island with Ross Kennedy.
I rarely miss a day going to Chevron Island for coffee, breakfast, lunch or dinner. 🙂
David Herd unforgettable year with some sweet Japanese girls
On the left is Sayuri with her friend and Ziggy in the background. Sayuri stayed at my home for several months while studying English.
Sonia & I went out together for a while, we met in Toowoomba where she was going to university, then hooked up last year in Beijing. She moved to Sydney and found a husband. 🙂
I was at the Sydney Cricket Ground to watch my beloved Sydney Swan play Australian Football. Luckily my friend Peter Hesky had a private box which makes the game more enjoyable.
Pothole, Apple and Sue
John Martin aka Pothole, Apple and Sue in Sydney for the weekend.
Sue, Apple Pothole & his sister Anne.
Strange how things turn out, it is 2016 and Pothole live in the same building in Pattaya Thailand.
Apple was the best Thai cook I have ever seen.
Finally after the love affair finished with Pothole Apple wound up married to an ex cop in London. She was with him at Buckingham Palace when he received an award from the Queen, not bad for a girl from Nana Plaza. 🙂
Visiting my brother Bryan
Bryan built a lovely home at Cobbity which is near Camden west of Sydney.
My friend Gavin with his gorgeous girlfriend Andrea. Have a look at my 2005 Paris post where I spent some time with Gavin and and Cheryl Kernot who was a well known Australian politician.
Dave was the manager at Melbas and Kerry was the receptionist. Dave was the son of the owner Paul Allen who sadly passed away in July or August 2011. Melbaswas the premier restaurant & nightclub on the Gold Coast since 1981. It was also my local drinking hole, the memories I have from there are unforgettable.
Xmas day lunch at home for David Herd unforgettable year.
David Herd unforgettable year 2003 was frantic with Friends family students I was happy to spend Xmas day alone with my best friend Ziggy (my Doberman) enjoying my beautiful home that I built in 1990. I ate magnificent seafoodand washed it down with my favourite white wine from Margaret River in W.A. a Salitage unwooded Chardonnay, life does not get much better than this. It was great having a quiet day to reflect on my wild & frantic year.
Thanks for visiting my David Herd unforgettable year photo blog.
I’ll leave it to Glenn Frey to tell you how I feel right now.
This photos defines 1991, this post is part of my personal online photo albums, as opposed to my FiveStarVagabond travel blog.
Surfers Paradise life 1991
Surfers Paradiselife 1991 was as good as it gets, a new house, a nice car, a good job and a gorgeous girlfriend, a kiwi named Karen Greenwood. Karen was the main interest in my life for over a year. The relationship could safely be described as reasonably volatile. 🙂 It took me 2 or 3 more relationships over the next 4 or 5 years before I finally realised I was just not good at them. Consequently here I am happily alone 37 years later living in Thailand.
Above is one of my all time favourite photos, one of the many dinners parties at my new home at 106 Upton St Bundall, Surfers Paradise. My great buddy Harley Bradstreetused to love dressing up in his military gear, the other guy on the left was Harley’s gay flatmate. If Harley wore his Military gear he would do the same. The girls from the left were Leanne Sanderson, Mary Simpson, Kandice Aldington& Nicola Botica.
Kandice & Nicola wash the dishes.
These two lovely girls were always a great asset to any dinner party, an example of Surfers Paradise life 1991.
Another night another party with the usual suspects.
And the beat goes on, I think Kandice was feeling no pain on this particular evening. 🙂
Kandice was feeling no pain at all.
As I said before, another night another party with the usual suspects.
Here is another great kitchen shot. 🙂
I think Jill is about to cook breakfast, or pour us another drink perhaps. 🙂
New fence at 106 Upton St
I moved into my new home July 1st 1990 but my huge fence was not built until early 1991.
Harly & Madison guarding the house
Before I had the fence I needed an armed guard to keep my screaming fans at bay. 🙂 OK, I am joking, it is only my old buddy Harley dressing up again.
Roger Williams surrounded by special forces.
On the right is my old friend Harley Bradstreet who loved dressing up in his military outfit, he had a gay flatmate the guy on the left. This particular night they came to my home for dinner & you could have knocked me over with a feather when the flatmate was also dressed in military fashion. 🙂
Old friend Ian Rich
Ian was from Newport in Sydney, we met around 1968.
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Claudia Scrupin & Tony Murphy
Another old friend is Tony Murphy who I see regularly when he visits Thailand, plus I often stay at his home on the Gold Coast when I am there every 18 months or so.
Robyn Aylwood & Tony Murphy at Palm Meadows.
Robyn was a lovely lady who was the PR girl at Gold Coast international hotel, she moved to Melbourne Married & sadly passed away October 2010, RIP. Strangely enough her husband David Austin also passed away shortly after in July 2011.
A rose between two thorns
I don’t think so, two lovely ladies Kim English & Sharon Lee at Mariners Cove.
Dianne Bryce & Larry Wilson.
Larry was a terrific humour, he is the on coin coined the phrase about our mutual friend Harley Bradstreet “ANYONE CAN HAVE A BAD DECADE”. I often told people “if you need a good solicitor on the Gold Coast avoid Larry.” (only joking) Dianne was a fun lady who I took out a few times in the previous year or two. Ah Surfers Paradise life 1991 was very good indeed.
Two more old friends
I used to have regular drinks at the Avenue in Orchard Avenue with Len Jones & David Robertson. This was Surfers Paradise life 1991 and the Avenue is still there now in 2018 but it moved across the road.
Porsche, what Porsche? I can’t see a Porsche.
Two lovey ladies posing outside my home. Sharon Lee is on the right, I forget her girlfriend’s name.
I had such a good year with Karen however I have no allusions why she stuck around for so long. She was surviving on a pension raising a young child so money was very tight. The week before we met her car gave up the ghost which obviously curtailed her ability to get around. Along comes the white knight, aka David Herd who just happened to have a spare car which he generously provided as her much needed transport. During our time together each time there was a major disagreement I would repossess the vehicle & poor Karen was grounded. Upon making up the car would be returned and things would be back to normal, so folks therein lies the major reason this super hot babe stuck around for so long. 🙂
Xmas day in Auckland
We spent Xmas & New Year in Auckland with Karen’s parents, towards the end of the holiday we were desperate for some time away from each other.
In the Bay of Islands
A gorgeous lady who smoked like a burning brake drum. 🙂
Happy times in Port Douglas
A nice trip to Port Douglas & Airlie Beach, little did we know (well I didn’t) there was only a week or so left in our volatile relationship. 🙂
Whitehaven Beach Whitsundays
Is that the definition of sexy or what?
Perhaps one of the sexiest girlfriends I ever had
I took this photo 5 minutes after making love to this sexy lady.
This will amaze you…..
This was taken 26 years later in March 2017, she still looks fantastic.
Alan Pearson in Airlie Beach
I have known Alan for nearly 20 years, we knocked around in the same group when I lived in Adelaide in the 70s.
Mum & Dad’s 50th wedding anniversary.
My wonderful Mum & Dad celebrated their 50th with close friends at my brother Bryan’s Home in Leppington south west ofSydney.
Roberta at the Gold Coast Indy.
Roberta Aitchison in her sexy Meter Maid outfit at the Gold Coast Indy. Shortly after she took over the Meter Maid company and still runs it today. Another example of my Surfers Paradise life 1991′
Surfers Paradise life 1991 & here is Harley laying it on thick,
Yes ladies, I am a well known chick magnet.
Susan Hutton & her niece
Susan was a friend from Brisbane who would come to the coast and spend the weekend with me.
Another great photo to finish which shows Surfers Paradise life 1991
Surfers Paradise life 1991 as you can see was fantastic mainly due to some very interesting people.
Life was just one big party in the 90s, thanks for visiting my post.
My favourite song from 1991.
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Please note, this is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s part of my personal history, check it out if you wish.
Gold Coast 1995 life was good, & in fact all through the 90s, my home at 106 Upton St Bundall was “party central”, 1995 was no different, I was working for the NRMA as a Financial Planner and enjoying life to the max, this post shows many of the people who made it another memorable year.
I love this photo
My old friend Harley Bradstreet on theGold Coast 1995 telling one of his long winded stories that used to bore everyone to tears. He had a million stories but they were all about himself, the look on Kerry’s face is priceless. The other guy is Barry Madden who worked for the NRMA in Newcastle, it is now 2014 and we are still in touch often on Facebook.
Grahame Kinsela & Harley Bradstreet.
Harley was & still is a terrific guy, he now lives in Perth and collects & restores old Jaguars. Grahame was also an old friend of mine from the northern beaches area of Sydney.
In those days Harley seemed to stumble from one disaster to another, a mutual friend of ours Larry Wilson, a Gold Coast solicitor, coined the phrase referring to Harley, “anyone can have a bad decade”. This seemed to describe Harley to a tee. 🙂
November 2016 & I saw saw the sad news on Facebook that Grahame had passed away, RIP my old buddy.
My new jetty Gold Coast 1995
I remember this photo so well. My Doberman Ziggy is taking his first look at my new jetty, he was a very confused dog for the next hour or two.
This is what the jetty was designed for.
Drinks, drinks & more drinks, my jetty turned into the main party area for my house. On the left is Jim Bell, he rented a room in my home for 15 years, that’s what I call a long time tenant. Michael Gray aka “the Doc” was a local Radiologist & a well know collector of beautiful women. Finally on the right is John Hunjadi, a partner in several Gold Coast nightclubs, including ” “Cocktails & Dreams”, The Party”, & “The Bourbon Bar”.
Good buddy Phil Thompson.
Still one of my best friends today Phil was a handy guy to have at my Sunday BBQs.
My gorgeous girlfriend of the year was…..
Carolyn Clarkwas & still is a gorgeous girl, we were an item for about a year and a half in 1994 & 1995. Twenty years later and I’m glad to say we still keep in touch.
What do you think of these little puppies?
I gotta say I think they are gorgeous. 🙂
A weekend in Sydney
Carolyn & I flew to Sydney for a weekend, I caught up with my good friend Paul Slaughter, 2nd from left. The guy on the left was an actor from “The Bill” Tony O’Callaghan.
Great shot of the Gold Coast girls in Sydney.
On the left is Marie Stephens beside Carolyn Clark, far right is Kandice Aldington withMichaela standing at the back. It was a good weekend
My favourite song from 1995
The Oaks Hotel
Old friends meet for drinks at our favourite pub. Derek Pugh and Ian Rich,Paul Slaughter in the foreground with his sister on the left and girlfriend Clode on the right.
Drinks at my home before dinner.
I was always entertaining people in my home in Upton St Gold Coast 1995, after the year 2000 I started to entertain less & less due to my frenetic overseas travel. Wendy is 2nd from the right, sadly she passed away in 2017, RIP.
Beautiful Argentinian girl
Surely one of the most beautiful girls that ever visited my home, sadly I can’t even remember her name.
Photo bombed
Greg Johnston aka Greg Bin Laden looking like a middle east terrorist photo bombed me with the Argentinian Princess.
A gorgeous girl from Rio.
This is Andrea from Rio, my good friend Andre (RIP) bought her to Australia for a holiday.
Brazil on the left & Argentina on the right
Why does imported fruit always seem so much more exotic? 🙂
Time for some local talent
This is Jade, only on the Gold Coast would you go out like this. Please click on Google + to help my page ranking.
Fun on the Broadwater
Much of the Gold Coast 1995 life revolved around the water, many people like myself lived on the waterfront with our boat tied up to our jetty. The guy in the yellow shirt was a good friend of mine from Melbourne Ross Ansell, & as you can clearly see they seem to be enjoying themselves.
I was having fun as well
Here I am with Pascale & Rene, both gorgeous ladies.
Another party on the jetty
And the beat goes on at Gold Coast 1995, yet another party on the jetty, the guy on the left with his arm around Kandice was John Merryman from Sydney. We knew each other from the old days at Eliza’s in Double Bay in the 70s. The guy in the middle is John Gombos beside my sexy hairdresser Dianne in the red top. On the far right is Ziggy, same name as my Doberman.
Sadly Ziggy passed away around 2018, RIP.
So many girls in 1995 & such little time. 🙂
Thanks for visiting my Gold Coast 1995 photo blog.
Please note, this is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s part of my personal history.
Adelaide 1972 exciting life for me, it seemed all the planets were perfectly in line to produce perhaps two of the best years of my life.
Planet one, I was 29 years old and in my prime.
Planet two, I was sent there by Sanyo Office Equipment to be State manager on a Sydney wage package, which was around 50% better than an equivalent Adelaide salary.
Planet three, there was an excess number of gorgeous single women waiting to be swept off their feet, and most motivated talented young Adelaide businessmen had headed to the Eastern capital cities to work, because that’s where all the head offices were with most of the top work opportunities.
Mid 70s in Adelaide
All my planets were aligned in Adelaide 1972
So here I was, the new boy in town with loads of money, motivation and truck loads of confidence. It was a similar situation to my arrival in Melbourne four years earlier except I felt decades wiser and totally bulletproof.
I remember the drive from Sydney in my blue MGB, flashing along the highway with the number one tune at the time playing over and over, American Pie by Don McLean. In some way the lyrics seemed to me to symbolize a new beginning, I was excited by the thought of new horizons to conquer, new people to meet and of course new ladies to pursue.
A long, long time ago… I can still remember how that music used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And maybe, they’d be happy for a while.
Anzac Highway Plympton
The first thing I did was rent a luxury Penthouse on Anzac Highway Plymton in the most prestigious residential building in Adelaide, it was known as “the Spanish Flats” and before too long I turned my apartment into “Party Central”.
The only Adelaide people I knew were Joyce Weir and Vera Lukic, two fun girls I had met a couple of months before while they were holidaying in Sydney. They were both very social out and about types who happily introduced me to many of “the right’ people, party animals like myself.
Another early contact was Charlie Bradley, and neighbour on the ground floor, a good style of a guy who like myself dedicated most of his spare time pursuing the fairer sex. The following year Charlie banned everyone from using that name and insisted on being referred to as Charles, obviously much more refined.
Vera Lukic & Joyce Weir
Two great ladies, sadly Vera passed away around 2012, Joyce lives in Sydney and I still often see on Facebook.
Drinks with friends at Plympton
My circle of friends started to swell exponentially due to these early contacts, and soon ten minutes on the phone was all it took to arrange the next party at my Penthouse. Along came a host of new friends, Wolf Wottke, Graham & John Farquhar, Mike Poulter, Dave Brooker, Dick Wilkins, Ronny Walsh from Broken Hill, Steve Rado, Jan Seagars, Dianne Butson and many others, but more about them later.
Steve was my flatmate in the Penthouse and was I think often quite shocked by the constant shenanigans. A great guy who now in 2015 lives on the Sunshine coast I think. We stay in touch on Facebook, this photo was from 1979 in Sydney.
How time flies when you are having fun, 41 years have past between the previous 2 photos.
This shot was actually in 1975
Taken at Dick Wilkins home in 1975, I thought it was worth including as all the people were close friends when I lived in Adelaide. Angella Savic, Hank Wottke, Di Parkinson & Trevor Beech.
Richard (Dick) Wilkins Adelaide 1972 life
Dick Wilkins was a terrific guy who lived one kilometre away on Cross road Edwardstown, probably the only guy I knew who threw more parties than I, (a lot more) so between the two of us it was nonstop hedonistic heaven.
Angella Savic & Wolf Wottke
Wolf became my best friend while I was living in Adelaide 1972, he eventually left Adelaide and moved into my apartment in Sydney around 1983. Angella also moved to Sydney and became a Qantas hostess, a job I believe she still does to this day. Wolf & Angie were an item for a few years then he hooked up with Jenny, another Greek girl in Sydney. They are still together today.
My favourite Adelaide girl Adelaide 1972 amazing life
Di Butson was a beautiful girl with a lovely nature, if I ever should have married a lady it would have been Di. However at that time of my life in Adelaide 1972 I was just too wild & committed to being single to change my status. Over the years however I sometimes think of Di & how different my life could have been.
Perhaps Glenn Frey can help me here
Dianne’s 21st birthday
Di was one of the nicest ladies I ever knew, I often wonder how life turned out for her.
Did I mention Di was a dancer?
Di was also a teacher with Arthur Murray dance studio in Adelaide.
Jan Seagars & Baxter
Here are three of my favourite memories from when I lived in Adelaide 1972, Jan Seagars, Baxter my red Doberman & my wonderful E-Type Jaguar. Baxter & the Jag came with me to Melbourne in 1974 then on to Sydney in 1976, sadly Jan did not. 🙂
My apartment block and the ones on either side became our own self contained fun park; I could write a book just based on the events that took place there. Six or seven of my friends all ended up living in the complex. One great looking 18 year old was living in the block next door, her name was Jan Seagars and her boyfriend was a well known Norwood football player named Des Flavel.
Jan & I had a nice arrangement going, Des would leave for work at 8 am, and if my bedroom blind was open 50%, it would mean I was alone and she was welcome to visit. Which she did on many occasions, this gave me just enough time for a “quickie” before opening the Sanyo office in Grote St at 9am. Jan had recently won the title of Miss South Australian Beach Girl and at 18 years of age was as close to perfect as a girl could get.
Here is Jan 40 years later in October 2014
Here we are at my friends Droama vineyard 40 years later. Now known as Jan Klain she is still the life of the party.
Check out the red outfit, what was I thinking?
Here I am at Darwin airport with Arch Wilkey & the Ansett hosties from my flight. On the right is Sue, Leah is in the middle & I forget the name of the blonde on the left. Arch was a well know footballer with North Adelaide. Now you can laugh all you want at my crazy red outfit, but I soon got rid of it as you will see in the next photo taken a couple of hours later. 🙂
R.I.P Arch
North Adelaide premiership player Arch Wilkey died on the 29 th September 2007 at the age of 61 after a long battle with an inoperable brain tumour. Arch played 73 games for North Adelaide between 1966 and 1974 and was a member of the 1971 premiership side. He was a mercurial footballer who epitomised the North Adelaide style of the late 1960s.
North were renowned as a high marking, long kicking side full of brilliant players and Arch fitted the mould perfectly. It is contended that Arch was the first player to make the number 23 as famous as it is today – being followed by the likes of Michael Jordan, Dermott Brereton, Shane Warne, David Wildy and Andrew McLeod. No doubt each was inspired by Arch’s brilliance as an athlete and chose to wear “his” number.
In his early career he played mainly at half forward but when Mike Patterson came to the club Arch played more as a defender. Injury curtailed his career. He missed the complete 1972 season with a knee injury, and after playing in the 1973 preliminary final missed the Grand Final with injury.
He retired in 1974 and moved to Darwin to live. As much as Arch was remembered as a brilliant player, he was also known as a wonderful and happy character. Soon after he moved to Darwin, Cyclone Tracey hit. When asked what it was like, Arch replied that it was almost as scary as playing Port at Alberton.
On the way to Manton Dam
Adelaide 1972 exciting life with Leah & Sue
Manton Dam 70 Kms south of Darwin
Leah & Sue at Manton dam
Lets see more of Leah 🙂
Those were the days my friend we thought they would never end.
Bob (Fatty) Francis
Another old friend of mine was well know DJ Bob Francis, he retired in 2013 after 57 years in Radio. This photo was from 1997, sadly I just received the news in November 2016 that Bob has passed away peacefully in his sleep, RIP old mate.
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Please note, this is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s part of my personal history, check it out if you wish.
Sydney 1982 flying high enjoying life, was a very good year for me, as were many others. I intend to publish posts on the years I remember most vividly, & there have been quite a few. The header shows the view I had from my apartment at 112 Wrights Rd Drummoyne in Sydney, where I lived from 1979 to 1984. With my white Mercedes Sports in the garage, my Bertram 25 moored out front, plus my very own liquor store in Sydenham, some good friends and a string of beautiful girlfriends, life was very close to perfect.
The boat
I had the perfect mooring right outside my apartment, we had so much fun on Sydney harbor visiting all the great beaches & restaurants.
The car
My beautiful Mercedes Sports was the ultimate chick magnet.
The babes
As I said earlier, my life was as close to perfect as you could get.
Lets begin on New Years Eve 1981
One of the best NYEs of my life, we overloaded my boat with 16 people and headed off to a seafood restaurant at “the Spit” for dinner before heading to the Opera House for the incredible fireworks. My girlfriend for the night was the gorgeous one in the middle, very unusual that I can’t remember her name.
New Year’s Eve 1981, the Great Escape.
It was like we were caught in a Beirut bomb zone with huge sky rockets peppering the overloaded boat, causing some of my friends to dive overboard in the middle of the harbor to escape the carnage.
Let’s backtrack to the start of our adventure, it was NYE 1981 and 15 of my friends boarded my Bertram 25 and headed for a seafood restaurant near the “Spit bridge” on Middle Harbor in Sydney. Onboard were some of my best friends, Wolf Wottke, Harley Bradstreet, George McEwan & Graham “Biff” LaRoche from Melbourne and 6 or 7 gorgeous girls. My boat was licensed to carry around 10 or 12 people however it was New Year’s Eve so who really cared?
We moored on the edge of the sand at the rear of the restaurant and at 8.30 pm sat down and ordered a feast. Here is where things started to go wrong, we hadn’t factored in the NYE crowd and the food was very slow to arrive, in fact it was after 11 pm by the time the waiter started to serve our meal. By then we were well along the road to intoxication as we had started drinking late afternoon at my apartment in Drummoyne.
As the Sydney fireworks were due to start at midnight we decided to pack up most of the food and head for the Sydney Opera house to watch the spectacular event.
We faced our second problem re-boarding the boat as the tide had come in and the boat was now floating 30 meters from the shore. Our only option was to wade out carrying the boxed up food in water almost up to our backside. The good news was our nice view of the girls hiking up their skirts waist high, which endorses the phrase that every cloud has a silver lining.
Now “Biff” was a huge man as the name implies, & Harley was almost a midget, sometimes we would cruelly refer to him as an ariel photograph of as human being. So with Harley clutching a cardboard box filled with oysters “Biff” tucked him under his arm and carried him towards the boat.
I’m not sure why “Biff” dropped him, when only 2 meters from the boat, perhaps Harley wriggled or maybe “Biff” was feeling the effects of too many beers. Anyhow Harley briefly disappeared underwater along with the box of precious oysters, which I’m please to say we did recover.
Harley was our own human disaster area, if something was going to go wrong he was usually at the center of things, in fact it was Harley who coined the memorable phrase “anyone can have a bad decade”.
By the time we all got on board it was around 11.30 pm and is was a good 30 minute journey to the Opera House so I gave the boat full throttle and sped toward the Harbour Bridge.
We arrived in record time about 11.55 and I was weaving through the 1500 or so boats like a drunken sailor, which of course I was, searching for a spot to anchor that was not too close to any of the hundreds of spectator craft. Hallelujah, what seemed to be a minor miracle unfolded before my eyes. A clear circle of water right in the middle of all the boats, so naturally I gave out a cheer and dropped the anchor just as the first fireworks explosion sounded right above us.
Elation quickly turned to fear as huge smoking wooden rods started raining down upon us. As I said at the start It was like we were caught in a Beirut bomb zone with huge sky rockets peppering the overloaded boat causing some of my friends, in particular Harley, to dive overboard in the middle of the harbor to escape the carnage. In the middle of the mayhem & panic it suddenly occurred to me we were smack bang in the middle of the fireworks “drop zone” which the water police had cleared in readiness for the show before retreating out of danger themselves.
I sprang into action like a drunken super hero and pulled up the anchor in record time, then fled the danger zone. No mean feat as my boat lacked an electric winch, so I had to manually pull the damn thing up by hand while standing on the bow.
We moored safely out of harm’s way and assessed the damage, naturally Harley was the most wounded, soaking wet with minor burns on his arm, plus a few small cuts from the smashed champagne bottle he was holding when hit by the first rocket.
Well we settled down and watched the rest of the fireworks reliving the experience that would be told many times over in the coming years, our own personal “great escape”.
Later we motored along the Parramatta River to Habberfield to drop off some passengers, and finally returned “drunk as skunks” to Drummoyne at dawn. Later that day George, Biff & I on impulse flew to the Gold Coastto continue our New Year celebrations.
The fabulous Opera House
One of the world’s great buildings.
New Years Eve 1982, the party continues…..
It seems 1982 was one continual never-ending party, here I am NYE in Sydney 1982 with Steve Bates, Helen Burke & Robyn Underwood.
Doyles restaurant & the Watson’s Bay hotel
Three or four times a week my boat & I would head for Doyles restaurant & the Watson’s Bay hotel at Watson’s Bay. This was our favourite destination for long drunken lunches.
Sydney 1982 flying high enjoying life with Helen Burke.
Helen & I spent most of 1982 together after bumping into each other (having not been in contact for several years) at Melbas nightclub in Surfers Paradise on the evening of January the 1st, the night after my epic “great escape” on Sydney Harbour.
I caught up with Helen again in 2014 at her home in Dromanawhere she produces excellent wine.
Grahame aka “Biff”, Kitty & Helen Burke.
January 1982 and the party continued on the Gold Coast. The new sexy girl in the photo was “Kitty” a totally uninhibited Dutch girl who I knew from Sydney, but that’s another story. 🙂
Kitty
Without a doubt one of the sexiest most uninhibited women I have ever known.
I rest my case
Biff is in heaven as you can see from the look on his face. 🙂
Lunch at Coolangatta
This was at Oscars on the beach with Graham La Roche and crazy Polly, I forget the other guys name.
A very difficult achievement
Here is Kitty, Di & Helen helping me achieve one of those very important difficult goals that I set myself during my younger years. Three ladies that I have bonked in one photo, that’s kind of like winning 3 Olympic gold medals, made more difficult when each of the three knew about the other two, priceless. 🙂
Kitty & her two sisters.
Three happy beautiful Dutch girls.
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Good friends at my home in Drummoyne Sydney 1982
Here is Graham LaRoche, George McEwan & Kitty’s two beautiful Dutch sisters in Sydney 1982.
Sydney 1982 flying high enjoying life with Helen & Teresa
Helen Burke from Melbourne & Teresa Hamilton-Smith from Adelaide, oh oh! How can I not include the lovely Kitty? Make that my three favourite girls. 🙂
Well ladies, I have an idea
Say no more. 🙂
OK, check out these beautiful girls in Sydney 1982
Sandy & Teresa Beautiful Jenny
The perfect day on the harbour with a boatload of beautiful ladies, Sydney 1982 flying high.
Here is a short video I took on NYE 2012 of the view from my condo at Drummoyne.
Home sweet home 1979 to 1985.
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David Herd & Vin Deveroux in Los Angeles.
My friend Vinny picked me up at the airport in a Roller, then we headed straight to La Cage de Folles to meet Christeen Rudas a friend from Australia.
Christine Rudas
Christine was a hostess at La Cage de Folles.
Gorgeous Blonde at La Cage de Folles
Apparently she was in a show called Hee Haw, the closest match I can find is Gunilla Hutton, the age would be about right but I’m not sure if that is really who she is.
La piece de resistance
So here is my 15 minutes of fame I guess, lucky enough to meet Liberace and get a photo with him.
For many years Ian ran a tennis ranch in Los Angeles, in fact I think he still does in 2016.
We stopped in Hawaii on the way home
I went to L.A. for 2 months with Steve Bates then Helen joined us for the final 4 weeks. We drove to Vegas, Mount Mammoth, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and down the coat to L.A. Helen & I also flew down to Puerto Vallarta for a few days.
Every time I hear this song I’m transported back to the Californian coast
April 1982, guess where I am?
We drove from Vegas to SFC.
Dinner at Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf SFC.
Helen was never considered shy and introverted. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thinking about my life in 1982 with all the babes, boats, gold chains & big hair, reminds me of another of my favourite songs from that year. Do yourself a favour & let Bertie take you back.
Bertie Higgins - "Key Largo" (Official Music Video)
Madison & Emma Aboud
Emma was the daughter of my ex girlfriend Carol Aboud, here she is with my wonderful German Shepherd Madison.
Don Morris was CEO at Mojo Advertising
Don was another good friend from Sydney 1982, we did a lot of boating together & drank a few cold beers.
Captain Peter (Hollywood) Hobbs & Liz De Crossan
One thing I can say about Peter in Sydney 1982 he could always attract the good looking ladies. I’m probably being unkind, Liz as you can see was extremely beautiful.
Jenny Dale, another lovely lady
I was lucky enough to have a little fling with this gorgeous lady.
Yolande, the Macleans girl
Even in a poor quality photo she is still beautiful.
Check out the video.
Denny Collins & Peter Hesky
Two good friends for the 70s & 80s.
Good friend Denny Collins, RIP.
Denny was a great fellow, he sadly passed away after a long illness about 4 years ago.
Valli Kemp, beautiful big eyes.
Valli was quite a well known Sydney model in those days.
Sydney 1982 flying high
On the left is Wolfgang who was my best friend through the 70s and early 80s.
Can life get any better than this?
I really doubt if there has been a better stage in my life than Sydney 1982 flying high enjoying life.
As you can see Sydney 1982 was really a non stop party, those were the days my friend we thought they would never end. 🙂
