Dear Friends,
Four and multiples thereof have always been my favourite numbers- and this year I turned 84!
I guess I have to admit I’m getting old! However, I enjoy robust good health and am thankful to God for that. I still suffer from a highly unpredictable bowel, as the only ongoing medical impediment from my brush with bowel cancer now over twelve years ago.
I am blessed with so many good friends, many of very long standing. If “nostalgia” is a disease I have plenty of it and I love it.
I finally completed the audio version of my autobiography and must say I am very pleased with the quality of the sound, thanks to son Mike setting me up with a proper studio, microphone etc. This is now available on a number of platforms including Spotify, Google, and Apple.
Pastoral Pursuits – Audiobook
Early in the year I suggested to my Canadian second cousin – Ted Osborn, of similar vintage with a strong academic and practical agricultural background, that we should make reciprocal visits to each other in our respective spring periods.
Before that happened I went to the Youngs at Sallywood for Easter.
Adventure and Nostalgia- An Extended Easter 2025
In mid May I headed for Canada. For a quick skim including photographs.
Canada Trip – May/June 2025
At the end of October Ted flew to Australia. His arrival coincided with the funeral of Gail’s brother Barry. I was pleased when my whole family joined me at Trangie. Barry was suffering from severe dementia and his death was a release. Small country towns are just great places. He had been wonderfully cared for by people who knew him and 250 people turned up for his funeral. I wouldn’t be surprised if the wake is still going!
Meanwhile we left Ted in the care of the Australian Club in Sydney before setting out on a carefully planned itinerary, best illustrated by Mike’s map.
https://www.mikeboyd.co/maps/david-ted-trip-map/
In brief, our first trip was up the mountains to Walcha for three days with the Young family at Sallywood, with whom the Canadians have enjoyed a relationship since Ted’ s parents were introduced to them by us in the 1970’s. Then on to my friends Pete and Maree Savage at Warwick before three days at my unit at Mooloolaba, including a very jovial lunch at my favourite Sunshine Coast restaurant, the “Loose Goose” at Twin Waters, with what I call my Mooloolaba gang. Then back down the coast to home with an overnight at Coffs Harbour.
The second trip with Ted was “southabout” to Mike at Burradoo then an overnight stay at Berrembed, a beautiful property on the banks of the Murrumbidgee, hosted by former Clyde Managers Tony and Michelle McManus. Then out to long term friends, Peter and Anne Laird on the highly productive Mount View on the Willandra Creek north/west of Hillston.
Then to Gail’s nephew Mark and Sarah Dugan at Trangie. Harvest in full swing. Whilst there we visited Burrima Farm, dubbed “Propaganda Farm” by the Marsh Graziers. A very well presented (two kilometers of board walks), a rather out of the way example of real marsh country.
The latter part of the year has been dominated by cricket. A very well performing Australian team having already won the first three Ashes Tests in Perth,Brisbane and Adelaide. I have been to them all!
Between the Brisbane and Adelaide Tests, Mike and I made a brief visit to Sallywood (again!) to attend a big party the Youngs were throwing for the district. It was a masterpiece of organisation and I thoroughly enjoyed myself re-acquainting with many I had hardly seen since Gail and I left Walcha in 1974-over 50 years ago. More nostalgia!
I have been horrified by the behaviour of the Australian Government and the growth of anti-sematism with the horrendous events at Bondi beach last week.
Enough!
This epistle carries my very best wishes, to all my friends for a very happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2026.
David Boyd's Blog 