Clary's Travel Digression

Walter, you should send me a copy of that photo you have of yourself in naval uniform, you look so cute, the ladies will be all atwitter . . .

Oh my stars!

See, i to'ja . . .


Back to the doggie pic i love best . . .

Yes, Set really is a

Like thunder, an' lightening
The way you love me is frightening
I better knock . . .

On wood . . .

IS that actually you, Walter?

Well, yes, I must admit :
"Seaman Walter Hinteler, 4th Instruction Bataillion, 4th company, 8th platoon"

What a serious youth you were. Very penetrating eyes! Did you have to do some sort of national service or were you in the navy as a young thing?

National service - I answered honestly, when they asked me, what I would do, when someone raped/abused my sister, parents, grandmother

18 month - which were actually 24 months, because I had another half year, until my university courses started.

And then "they" decided that the German navy was nothing without me: I was a member of the "alarm reserve" for ten years. (Instead of waiting for alarms, however, I went there every year ..... when my unit was going abroad or having an interesting manoever )

The photo was the officially for the ID-card: they first and only time, the white 'plate' looked as it was though to look like :wink:

Well Walter, I hope it helps me to recognise you when we meet in a fortnight's time! But you at least will be able to recognize me, this is actually me sitting at my computer 2 days ago, amazing technology, isn't it?

Clary! So that's you? Nice to see you at last!

Hey, what's this about meeting in 2 weeks? Oh, wouldn't I love to come! Bloody tyranny of distance ... Not fair!

That was a long stretch in the navy, Walter! I'll bet you can tell a few stories!

Hi Clary! Nice to SEE you! You look lots younger than I expected -- what's with that? Glad you're smiling and I expect you'll all have a great time at the next a2k London get-together.


("Bloody tyranny of distance"? Exactly, MsOlga!)

Well Piffka, bear in mind I was lit from the side, at night, and it's kind of blurry. Wrinkles well hidden, grey roots too. Danon5 tried to 'clean up' the av, in other words lighten it, but I looked bleached and older so I prefer the soft and flattering warm lighting! You know my age....

LOL... lit from the side... at night... yadayada... Haha! Yes, I do know your age, that's why I'm so impressed. Note, I recognized but didn't say that Walter's photo makes him look very young, too.

LOL, I can't think it will help me recognise him at the London meet!

BTW we have the funeral Friday; relatives have gathered from far and near and so far are remarkably civil to one another. Simon's sisters are talking again after about 10 years' silence...

Funeral Friday, eh? Glad to know that his sisters are talking... but after 10 years? Yikes!

Well, at least something good has come from this besides his freeing himself from his demons. Poor Simon, I've thought about him a lot. That's one of those "there but for Grace go I" situations. You never know how things will turn out. Good luck with the funeral, I hope all goes well.

Thanks for your wishes - I feel a sort of drained inability to do anything, but I suppose I will probably rise to the occasion; I usually do.

I think Walter had better wear the sailor suit, because I don't think you will recognise him from the picture- unless he shaves his moustache, that is.

Pity I won't have the chance to try now.
What about a meet of Pete, Gautam, Steve, me, McT some time? If we are all in England it shouldn't be too hard to arrange.

Since I'm rather quick (just one hour flight) in London (actually: close too :wink: ) ....