Travel Tips

I am a 60 year old man,in a loving relationship with my partner,Declan.We have been together nearly 10 years and he is my great support. When we met, I was still a performer and leading a fairly typical "Show-Business" lifestyle.
My stroke occured unexpectedly and I was paralyzed for about a week all down my left hand side.He looked after me all the time and really helped me to recover.
It is a common story that when you are told that you have only a short time to live, your whole attitude to life undergoes a complete transformation.During that period, and all through my recovery, Irethought my entire existance.Everything in my life became extremely important and every moment ,very precious.
When I was well enough to realize that I wasn't going to die just then,I knew I had to make a different lifestyle for myself.
I am very fortunate to live in a country that has not known war or massive disaster on its shores.People here still have a strong faith that you can do anything you want to,it is entirely your call.
I looked around and thought of what I could do.Bearing in mind my whole life had been in Theatre I knew I had to do something in that area of expertise.
So , with the help of my dear freind and neighbour, Megan,She was my vocal coach for nearly 40 years, we put together a production company to do Caberet Opera.We used young singers and between us we put all of our combined theatrical experience into this , training them inbmovement, music, and acting.
The show ran very successfully for 7 years ,7nights a week.
Declan was able to use his expertise in bookkeeping to make sure we didn't lose money.
Today, some of those singers have gone on to good carees all over the world.There is something very satifying in that.
I also started being a counsellor for people with terminal diseases and still have clients to whom I am a sounding board for their hopes and fears.I dont advise ,just listen, and hopefully am able to answer a few questions about survival in these extreme moments of a life.
There is no doubt in my mind,that the stroke has turned me into a much more centered person who is able to look and understand others points of view without judging.
I think I like the man I have become in this period of my life and hope that the next years ,however long, will be as good as the passed ones have been.Slaintje,Lachaim.Cheers

We have just come back from a week end at Langunyah. It is the middle of our winter here.We actually had our winter solstice while we were there. This year we actually had snow. Now I know for younorthern hemisphere people, that is not unusual, but for us in "the Land of Oz"snow is something we get excited about.
At least we had some rain as well and after two years with none that was exciting as well. I could watch the Kangaroos, Wallabies, Wombats etc just standing in it and enjoying every moment.
We had great big log fires in the house, mulled wine, and good food. I know I am very lucky to be able to have the use of all these things during my time here ,but I can never stop being amazed at the beauty and adaptability of nature in her glory.
We have just installed solar power very recently, and are still getting used to it. Certainly one can easily feel a difference in our living standard at Langunyah.
We had some house guests with us and they really loved it there. It is soo beautiful.

When we take people to Langunyah,they always love the spaciousness and freedom of the area.
There is some thing about the Australian Bush that is very special. It is no wonder that our early convict settlers elected to stay here and carve out a new life after they had "done their time"
To look out at mountains and hills and wonder if any human has ever climbed those wide expanses, makes one realize exactly how small an animal man is in comparison with the wonders of nature.
The native animals, the wild rivers, all combine to make a paradise for me.I just love being able to bring people here and to share it all with them

Just a few memories.of life on the stage, ist 1950
I was 5 when I started. A Follies show. All naked ladies with enormous headdresses who were not allowed to move. I was a child star singing a song called Rainbow on the River. 1964. In the chorus of Die Fledermaus. 2nd act ball room scene. Guess who got one foot on the revolving stage and one off it. The revolve came round all the chorus had fallen over . 1968. Turandot.. shoved into a part with no rehearsal ,leading Turandot on for her big aria,act 2. Didn't move because no one told me to. She had to start 'In Questa Reggia" from the wings.
1971. Madam Butterfly, under the stars in outback OZ. no stage, no music accompianment, no lighting. Aeroplanes with headlights, a full moon, and desert stars. an accapella performance. quite wonderful.
1977. Falling down the stairs brwaking my spine. chorus girls set and all on top of me during a matinee. Oh well the show must go on.
More memories later.