You don't really think about it I suppose when your a working person having to put steam on the table for a Family, but shortly after you retire it hits you quite suddenly. Having to work for a living, for yourself or some other gave you order, direction and discipline. Monday was the beginning of your week and Sunday gave you a day of rest as the good lord intended. The next day was another Monday and so the cycle continues, until one day Monday doesn't matter any more and every day is Sunday
My last job was as a prison officer and I did that for 25 years. I also worked a regular shift pattern. Earlies - 5.5hrs. Lates - 8hrs and the dreaded "A SHIFT" which was 14hrs. Bloody long day in a prison I can tell you. Not only that, but I could, and did, make out my diary for the entire year and barring accident, sickness or damage control (Hah) I knew when I was working, when I wasn't and when I was on holiday. Now I am on holiday every day and its not what I thought it would be. I have lost my order direction and daily discipline. I need a job heheheheheheh
So there I was on this particular Sunday afternoon. We had had lunch, a dip in the pool with grandson and waiting for another day to begin when the cell phone rang. "What are you doing"? Not a lot. "I have a space, fancy a flip in my Thunderbird"? I'll be there in eight minutes, baie dankie
Murphy's law, the battery was flat so the great man himself (Pilot) has to swing the prop. I held the joystick lightly and the brake tightly. With the prop going in the direction it should do, the brake was released and away we went. I had waited three years for this moment and all was as I expected it to be. Slowly rolling along at low revs waiting for the oil pressure guage to do its job and listining to the mutterings through the headset we made our way to take off point. The revs went up as well as my adrenalin and we motored down the runway and lifted off
In 1963 I flew my first solo in a Glider and have never forgotton the moment of awe and exhilaration that came upon me when I realised that I was free. I felt the same this day. We flew towards the Phalaborwa mining complex and onward too the Oliphants river. We saw Elephant, Hippo, Buffalow and the two legged species in abundance enjoying what we were enjoying but at ground level. We saw a fabulous sunset and I saw the Town where I now live spread out before me like one of those model villages that are common in the UK tourist towns. I even found a spot to go fishing that I didn't know about, but my pilot did
WILLIE van der WALT baie baie dankie. I waited a long time for that moment and I appreciate your kindness in giving this old f@rt an evening too remember. The take off, the flight itself and the landing was perfection in every way, shame about the exhaust pipe and you did right thing by landing. Oh by the way Willie. Sorry for lightly holding the joystick on my side, couldn't resist it. Nearest thing I will ever get now to flying again. One regret was not taking my camera, but there you go. Thanks Willie, thank you very very much for the day
Have a good weekend everyone, luck to you all
Alles van die beste
