THE THREAD!!!

[Dixie]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Dixie

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I don't want to queer the deal, but aren't you gonna miss the wee one something fierce? [:(]

Yes [:(] However, the RAF seem quite keen for me to go and I don't get a huge amount of say in the matter. Unless I persuade them that I will somehow be a burden to them (beyond my usual) then I'm going. I won't be the first and I won't be the last in this situation. My Dad used to be away for 5-6 months at a time when I was a wee un, that was part of his job. I suspect Simon has done many months away from his tribe as well.

Yeah, I know. Goes with the territory and all. Still...ugh.

It goes with the territory, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. In common with most of the RAF, I would have loved to do a det a few years back but it wasn't my turn and I didn't have much experience. Now I've got the experience but I've picked up a family along the way. Grin and bear it, four months can go quickly even if the actual days crawl by. It's said that there are two options for the Falklands get fit (at the gym) or get fat (at the bar). Seeing as I don't drink that leaves one option...[:D] The problem there is that I get easily bored at the gym.

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

Good morning!


Leo "Apollo11"

[Apollo11]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I received some very sad news today from Des' wife. He lost his fight against his cancer and passed away in hospital on June 7th.

I'll miss you, old buddy. Rest in peace.

Text follows:
Hi all,

Hi Chickenboy
This is mrs divepac
this is the only way that i can currently work out in getting in contact with you.
I'm really sorry to let you know this way, but divepac(aka des wallace) passed away on the 7th june in the local hospital. His cancer got the better of him. He had his head with him right to the end and was not in any pain as he slipped away from me. He did not suffer at all. All I am trying to remember now is he is at peace and not in any pain or discomfort. Anyway I'm really sorry to let you find out this way. Please pass this info onto your fellow game players inwhich he most enjoyed playing.

Oh Des... [:(][:(][:(]

Rest in peace dear Thread brother... we will all sorely miss you...


Leo "Apollo11"

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

This from press.nz.co:

WALLACE, Desmond James - Of Wanaka, passed away at Dunstan Hospital, Clyde, on June 7, 2013, aged 54. Dearly loved partner of Joanne Sands, cherished father of Daniel, and his partner Rhi, loved brother and brother-in-law of Robyn and Dave, Barry and Mary Anne, and Deborah, best mate of Peter, Kathy, and the late Sides, and beloved master of Dixie, Zach and Macy. A memorial Service for Des will be held at Wanaka Districts Club, 45 Plantation Road, Wanaka on Tuesday June 11, at 2.00 p.m. Donations to the Wanaka Cancer Society may be left at the service. Messages to 97 Plantation Road, Wanaka 9305.
Lovingly cared for by:
Affinity Funerals
Central Otago & Lakes District F.D.A.N.Z

Unfortunately he didn't cheat the death the 2nd time around... [:(]

Fair winds Des!


Leo "Apollo11"

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: Dixie

ORIGINAL: Apollo11

ORIGINAL: Dixie

Found out today that I'm heading to the Falklands next year for four months.

[X(]

Martin, what time of year (i.e. what season down there)?

BTW, servicing tankers for the Eurofighters?


Leo "Apollo11"

If I go in March it'll be autumn there. Which means the week will start with wind, rain, fog, sunshine, snow and then lunch. I have to be ready to move in November though, in case the guy who is meant to be going can't. In that case it'll be summer down there, which means wind, snow, rain, fog, sunshine. If it goes to plan I'll maybe see the flight tests post winter maintenance before I go, then I'll be back in time to enjoy the last month and a bit of the display circuit.

The season doesn't make a massive amount of difference really. It's always windy and the wind mostly comes from the Antarctic. I've been before and saw one tree in my two weeks there! It's a bit like the Scottish Highlands or Dartmoor with less trees but more landmines.


In terms of my job, if I read the assignment order properly... I'm working VASS (Visiting Aircraft Support Section) which mainly involves dealing with the non-local aircraft like the airbridge or visitors from other places. I think I'm attached to 1312 Flight but I don't have any qualifications on the C-130 and the VC-10 should be retired by then, in any case my VC-10 quals will have expired (finally!). Of course, I might have got it wrong and I might actually be expected to do some Herc work, but as the assignment says VASS I expect not.

It'll be windy and isolated. But it's not sandy, I don't need to take a gun and I'm looking forward to seeing the local wildlife and some battlefield tours. As a nice bonus there are no medals for the Falklands, which means that no-one is trying to shoot me or blow me up, so one advantage over Afghanistan. I also hate hot climates but quite like the cold.

RGR Martin!

Post some nice battlefield tour pictures for us when you get there...

BTW, I have:
The Falklands War, 1982 by Martin Middlebrook

http://www.amazon.com/Falklands-Penguin ... 59&sr=1-15

IMHO one of the best book on the subject...



Leo "Apoll11"

[Apollo11]

Hi all,

I know that Des posted picture of him hiking recently (I think here in "THE THREAD!!!") but I was unable to find it...

Does anyone remember this?


Leo "Apollo11"

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Apollo11

Hi all,

I know that Des posted picture of him hiking recently (I think here in "THE THREAD!!!") but I was unable to find it...

Does anyone remember this?


Leo "Apollo11"

Good morning, Leo.

Yes, I remember a few pictures of Des posted here, including the one you speak of. It was circa 1.5 months ago, IIRC.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Dixie
Seeing as I don't drink that leaves one option...[:D]

Dixie, Dixie, Dixie...haven't you considered that this may be God's way of telling you that you need to start drinking? Keep your options open, man! [;)]

[obvert]

ORIGINAL: Dixie

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Dixie




Yes [:(] However, the RAF seem quite keen for me to go and I don't get a huge amount of say in the matter. Unless I persuade them that I will somehow be a burden to them (beyond my usual) then I'm going. I won't be the first and I won't be the last in this situation. My Dad used to be away for 5-6 months at a time when I was a wee un, that was part of his job. I suspect Simon has done many months away from his tribe as well.

Yeah, I know. Goes with the territory and all. Still...ugh.

It goes with the territory, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. In common with most of the RAF, I would have loved to do a det a few years back but it wasn't my turn and I didn't have much experience. Now I've got the experience but I've picked up a family along the way. Grin and bear it, four months can go quickly even if the actual days crawl by. It's said that there are two options for the Falklands get fit (at the gym) or get fat (at the bar). Seeing as I don't drink that leaves one option...[:D] The problem there is that I get easily bored at the gym.

Me too. I jut started using my iPad to load up BBC shows and movies, and I watch these now while on the bike or elliptical. Keeps me going a while longer at least. [:)]

[Chickenboy]

Minnesota Science Museum has a travelling exhibit with Mayan artifacts on display. Taking the kids to check out some ye olde historical artifacts. Cuz that's what 9 YO boys and 6 YO girls are *really* into-shards of pottery and stone tablets. [:D] Dernit-we'll cram some Kulture into their gullet if it's the last thing we ever do.

Hopefully, they'll minimize the heart-carving-out-throwing-body-into-a-volcano bit.

[Dixie]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Dixie
Seeing as I don't drink that leaves one option...[:D]

Dixie, Dixie, Dixie...haven't you considered that this may be God's way of telling you that you need to start drinking? Keep your options open, man! [;)]

I did not consider this. For the simple reason that the last time I visited, the beer was not cheap and the carpet in the bar was sticky. Very, very sticky.

[Dixie]

I tried to get some more pictures from the cockpit of a MkXIX Spitfire yesterday as it was being towed back to our hangar. Unfortunately the tractor driver had his foot down and the suspension on a Spitfire is pretty much non existent so instead I got a load of blurry shots [:D]

[Dixie]

At least yesterday was not a total write off, I'm now authorised for 66.6% of the BBMF flight servicing tasks (Chipmunk, Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster Airframe) which will hopefully result in more trips away this summer. Perhaps I should play the detachment card and ask for more 'cos I'll miss the start of next season?

[sprior]

ORIGINAL: Dixie

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I don't want to queer the deal, but aren't you gonna miss the wee one something fierce? [:(]

Yes [:(] However, the RAF seem quite keen for me to go and I don't get a huge amount of say in the matter. Unless I persuade them that I will somehow be a burden to them (beyond my usual) then I'm going. I won't be the first and I won't be the last in this situation. My Dad used to be away for 5-6 months at a time when I was a wee un, that was part of his job. I suspect Simon has done many months away from his tribe as well.

Been there, done that. On a surface ship it's not so bad because you get all the jollies. On boats you get a 40 word grumblygram every week but at least the wife knows there's zero chance of you bringing some exotic disease with you.

Dixie - if you fly across the equator do you still get a crossing the line certificate?

[Dixie]

ORIGINAL: sprior

ORIGINAL: Dixie

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I don't want to queer the deal, but aren't you gonna miss the wee one something fierce? [:(]

Yes [:(] However, the RAF seem quite keen for me to go and I don't get a huge amount of say in the matter. Unless I persuade them that I will somehow be a burden to them (beyond my usual) then I'm going. I won't be the first and I won't be the last in this situation. My Dad used to be away for 5-6 months at a time when I was a wee un, that was part of his job. I suspect Simon has done many months away from his tribe as well.

Been there, done that. On a surface ship it's not so bad because you get all the jollies. On boats you get a 40 word grumblygram every week but at least the wife knows there's zero chance of you bringing some exotic disease with you.

Dixie - if you fly across the equator do you still get a crossing the line certificate?

Didn't get one last time, so I assume not.

[Symon]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
This from press.nz.co:

WALLACE, Desmond James - Of Wanaka, passed away at Dunstan Hospital, Clyde, on June 7, 2013, aged 54. Dearly loved partner of Joanne Sands, cherished father of Daniel, and his partner Rhi, loved brother and brother-in-law of Robyn and Dave, Barry and Mary Anne, and Deborah, best mate of Peter, Kathy, and the late Sides, and beloved master of Dixie, Zach and Macy. A memorial Service for Des will be held at Wanaka Districts Club, 45 Plantation Road, Wanaka on Tuesday June 11, at 2.00 p.m. Donations to the Wanaka Cancer Society may be left at the service. Messages to 97 Plantation Road, Wanaka 9305.
Lovingly cared for by:
Affinity Funerals
Central Otago & Lakes District F.D.A.N.Z

I have lost a friend. In his son, I may have gained a friend.

So long as Des lives in out hearts and minds, he will remain ... Des.

Went out and bought the ingredients for serious margaritas. If I must drink to the passing of a friend, it will be done righteously and well.

God Bless and keep, Desmond Wallace.

May the road rise up to meet you;
May the wind be always at your back;
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
May the rains fall soft upon your body until we meet again;
and until then,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

[PaxMondo]

ORIGINAL: Symon

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy
This from press.nz.co:

WALLACE, Desmond James - Of Wanaka, passed away at Dunstan Hospital, Clyde, on June 7, 2013, aged 54. Dearly loved partner of Joanne Sands, cherished father of Daniel, and his partner Rhi, loved brother and brother-in-law of Robyn and Dave, Barry and Mary Anne, and Deborah, best mate of Peter, Kathy, and the late Sides, and beloved master of Dixie, Zach and Macy. A memorial Service for Des will be held at Wanaka Districts Club, 45 Plantation Road, Wanaka on Tuesday June 11, at 2.00 p.m. Donations to the Wanaka Cancer Society may be left at the service. Messages to 97 Plantation Road, Wanaka 9305.
Lovingly cared for by:
Affinity Funerals
Central Otago & Lakes District F.D.A.N.Z

I have lost a friend. In his son, I may have gained a friend.

So long as Des lives in out hearts and minds, he will remain ... Des.

Went out and bought the ingredients for serious margaritas. If I must drink to the passing of a friend, it will be done righteously and well.

God Bless and keep, Desmond Wallace.

May the road rise up to meet you;
May the wind be always at your back;
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
May the rains fall soft upon your body until we meet again;
and until then,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Nice to know you are in contact with his family and the relationship lives on.

Please toast Des properly once for me ... I've got my little one today (Mrs. Pax has to work), so I can't do that properly.

I'm sure his son knows, but let him know that his Dad was all class. That's a good thing to emulate ...

[nashvillen]

ORIGINAL: DivePac88

Morning tithe... Just went for a walk in the park with my OT, and Dixie the Dog. Ours is the House on the left with the hedge, so you see I've covered a bit of ground. You can see the rain coming out-of the Alps, and up the Lake, and it is raining heavily now when I posting this.

For those looking for the picture of Des and his dog walking in the "Shire".

[nashvillen]

Also, since I got right up for family breakfast this morning.

[nashvillen]

And, lunch was after a five hour boy scout car wash fundraiser.