Bitter Sweet Symphony

Well, what a fortnight it's been.

Pauline's dad's funeral was very sad, but, as far as funerals go, went perfectly. It was a beautiful day. The service was superbly attended, tributes were read and performed by family members and Reverend Glover's eulogy was made all the more special by the fact that he knew Dan personally. It was a fitting tribute to a special man. He would have been so proud.

Dan's bereavement aside, the rest of our time here has been a blur of reunions and a roller coaster of emotions. We've seen Rhyl in glorious sunshine, in the middle of it's massive, much needed face lift. The town, after wallowing on the canvas for an age, is on it's way up at last.

We've been away for a little over ten months. That's the longest I've ever been away from Rhyl, doubling my previous best of five months. There have been times when it's seemed like we'd been gone for two years, but as I stepped into the Esplanade Club on my return, it felt like I'd been away for just a couple of weeks.

Catching up with friends and family cannot be described easily. Euphoria would be the closest I could get to explaining my feelings as I continued, day after day, to be reunited with people I hold dear.

It's been a hectic period too. I've felt the pressure of trying to get around to seeing people and doing things that I had planned to do. It hasn't been like any other holiday I've ever experienced.

We've also received some tragic news from Australia whilst we've been here. One of my oldest friends Steve O'Rourke, who lives in Adelaide, has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. The doctors have told him he's got the worst strain of the disease and his life expectancy isn't very long.

Steve and I are the same age. We served, and laughed through, a big portion of our army careers together. He is one of the funniest people I've ever met and we have shared some great times in Germany, the USA and in Britain. We joined at around same time and left on the exact same day. In fact we travelled home together the day we left, Steve dropped me and my gear off at Rhyl before he headed home to Oldham.

I remember the journey well, two young blokes set free from the military with their lives in front of them, full of excitement and hope as they headed into 'Civvy Street'.

Steve, Jen and their daughters emigrated to Adelaide almost three years ago and their move was a big factor in us taking the plunge and leaving these shores too. They have both provided Pauline and I with help, support and advice since our Australian adventure began.

As we embark on our gruelling journey from Rhyl to Wodonga, early tomorrow morning, I'll be thinking of my old mate. However down I may be feeling about leaving the comforting bosom of friends and family once again, it will be nothing in comparison to what Steve and Jen are going through right now.

It's a bitter sweet symphony this life.