Today is of course Christmas Eve and Babs and myself wish you all the very best for the Holiday Season
Because of the date, I have told a story from a time long ago.
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It was at this time, back in 1985 that I got a call from the UK to say my Mother was quite ill, and might not last long.
At that time, we were living in Kelowna – The date was December 14th and the Christmas rush was in full swing. However, I was able to book a flight, arriving in Birmingham, where my elder brother picked me up, for the drive to the small village of Whittington where Mum was staying with my other brother and his wife.
For the next week, I stayed by my Mother’s bedside day and night hoping this visit by her youngest son, may somehow help. – Then one night we heard carol singers outside the house, and we opened the window so that Mum could hear – this was an unbelievable moment, and she began to smile, being Welsh Mum loved to sing and had often been a Carol singer herself.
With Mum improving, I was able to book a return flight to Canada not easy, with the timing being close to Christmas.- Things were very chaotic and I could only get a reserved seat to Vancouver on Air Canada and would then need to fly PWA to Kelowna.
Well ! the West coast was all fogged in at this time which added to the problem, but I did arrive in Vancouver on Christmas Eve, only to get told I was on standby to Kelowna and my number was #32 !!!! Not what I wanted to hear. (Although #32 is Stevie Bakers racing number)
As I was sitting in the departure lounge, feeling very dejected and worn out from lack of sleep – I noticed the Flight Crew walking through and recognized the Captain as an old Trials riding buddy – Dave Crerrar, – I had not seen Dave for some time, but quickly pushed my way through the crowd and said Hello!! – “Hi Dave he said” – you on this one?” – “Well I would sure like to be “- I replied and explained my problem. – “Oh ! you can sit up front with us, he said – ( I could hardly believe my luck) – Dave then got the OK from security, and I followed them onto the Boeing 737 – strapping myself into the jump seat behind Dave the pilot.
With head phones on – I listened as Dave talked to the Control Tower – he was told a 747 was going out ahead of us and that should blow away some of the fog !! – After some delay, we were allowed to taxi out and lined up on the runway dimly lit by the lights through the fog. – Then it was a big roar and full power for take off – zooming up above into the clear night sky – after a few minutes Dave’s voice came into my ear phones — “So do I get a clean for that Dave?” – Well! I’m sure glad you didn’t get a “Five”- I said – And that is how I was able to get home on Christmas Eve 1985.
– A true story and a miracle of Christmas. –
FOOTNOTE. – Hard to believe that was 40 years ago. – I also sold Dave Crerrar a Gas Gas trials bike, at a later date, but lost touch with him, although he was living in Vernon at that time.
Mum recovered and lived until the age of 93 – she died in 2003 that is the last time I was in the UK to attend her funeral.
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Answer to the last quiz – Jon Luc Nictou – most of our regular bloggers got it
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