Friends — Good, true friends are rare indeed

"I got friends all over this country
I got friends in other countries too
I got friends I haven't met yet
I got friends I never knew
I got lovers whose eyes
I've only seen at a glance
I got strangers for great grandchildren
I got strangers for ancestors"
        — Ani DiFranco "Willing to Fight"

If we are truly fortunate we accumulate many friends over the years. And, these days, with social media, it's much easier to stay in touch with them.

I consider myself blessed that I'm still in touch with friends from my primary and high school days in Whyalla, South Australia. Plus, others across Australia and worldwide who I've been fortunate to know as work colleagues, and even more who I've shared my many interests with over the years.

As always, some stand out more than others.

Mick Gardiner

I met Mick just a few days after I moved to live at Glenaroua. Mick is now retired and with partner Norwin, and very into rock n' roll dancing. He is a member of the Seymour Rock n' Roll Club and has a collection of four old jukeboxes. Mick is also into custom cars, trucks and machinery. He previously worked as an interstate truck driver, and is widely known as the creator of the multiple award winning "Seattle Star" Kenworth highway truck.

Mick and Norwin.

John Lawler

I met John when I joined the Victorian Sub-Aqua Group (VSAG) in mid 2006. John is a life member of VSAG and he graceously took me under his wing, teaching me most of what I know about scuba diving in Melbourne and Victoria.

John Lawler in command of "Miles Ahead".