Friends Old and New

It never ceases to amaze me how the Internet can bring the past into the present.

I've had a few exciting Internet surprises in the last couple of weeks.

First I googled my brother's name, just for fun. He passed away in 1984 after a brief battle with cancer, so to be able to find something on the 'net about him, 25 years later, was quite remarkable. He was a scout troup leader for many years, but, being the shy, retiring type, he never really told us too much about his scouting life. I discovered through the 'net that he actually started this particular scout troup -- we never knew that. I also found out that they have presented a trophy in his name every year since he died. I was so pleased and proud. Here are a couple of photos of him that I had never seen before:

This is him loading his dinghy on top of his car, back in the '80s, as the scouts were getting ready for their summer camp.

Here he is eating with some of the boys.

He passed away only months after these photos were taken.

Then I heard from 'Maggie' -- a playmate of mine from 55 years ago!

She used to live on Flamborough Head, in Yorkshire, U.K. where I lived with my family for many years.

She just recently came across this photo posted on my sister's blog, and left a comment with her email address, so we have been corresponding -- how exciting!

This is me and Maggie sitting on the edge of the cliffs

Finally, my sister just 'met up' on line with 'Nicky', at her blog

Nicky has recently moved to Flamborough Head, all the way from New Zealand, and she is posting some beautiful photos that are making me and my sister Homesick for Flamborough all over again!

So these Flamborough photos are for Nicky and for Maggie:

This is me and my cousin, Pete, taken at Little Thornwick Bay, Flamborough Head

also 55 years ago. It still looks pretty much the same -- although Pete and I don't!

This is the very spot where our house used to be, right at the edge of the golf course where my dad was the manager, and right at the edge of the cliff. It had to be demolished because of the danger of eroding cliffs

You can find a different view of the location over at my sister's other blog

And this is me, sitting on the water tank, outside our house --

again, 55 years ago!

So, for all the negative aspects of the Internet, I am pleased to be able to post the results of what have turned out to be a few positive experiences for me -- reliving old memories, and making and reviving friendships.