Early biography
Born in Greymouth New Zealand in March 1949. Grew up in Kaiata. Early pre-school childhood was interesting. Lots of adventures with steam trains while my father was assistant stationmaster at the local rail station. We lived directly opposite in a small railway cottage. After we moved away when just over four years of age, I then attended primary school at Kaiata until almost thirteen years of age. Education continued at the Greymouth (Technical)High School between 1962 and 1964. Acheived School Certificate in four subjects which was the 'biggie' for academic acheivement at that time. Because my parents could not really afford further education at the time I was guided into the workforce. First work was a grocery assistant which was interesting but not much of a career path for one with big ambitions. Tried out an electrical apprenticeship in Christchurch but was given the sack when I askeD for the 2/6 a week bicycle allowance which according to the apprentice agreement of the time I was entitled to. Moving on I secure a truck drivers assistant fob for Farmers Co-op and doubled my income shifting whiteware and pianos. My driver was a big fella, which was fortunate as all I had to do was steer the trolley or dolly instead of doing the real heavy lifting. Due to an accident when I lost my younger brother I returned home to fill the gap. My new job was in plumbing and electrical wholesale which was good until I found a better paying job planting trees. At the end of the season my friend Keith and I ended up with a timber factory job in Ruatapu. We negotiated a good contract inside our normal hours which allowed us to earn quite a bit of extra money. Would have annoyed some of our fellow workers if they knew about our extra income so it was well kept as a secret. Eventually In early 1968 I moved to Haast for a job in the bush. Hourly rate was minimal but isolation allowances and bonuses for dangerous work in the tall timber meant a substantial income was made in a very short time. Avoiding too much drinking and gambling (not that we had too much time for it) was the key to saving. Unfortunately what one wage earner could not avoid with our earnings was the Tax man. Single Men on our weekly income , cost us 43% of our gross income every week. Eventually after six months of hard work in the wet and dangerous enviroment I was ready to travel. Having a major interest in shortwave radio, and making a large number of friends (over five years) in many of those radio stations overseas. Friendship even extended in the amateur radio community where one Howard Hughes took more than a passing interest in what I was getting up to in my travels. This meant it would be very hard to be lonely while travelling far away from home in New Zealand and with doors that were always open. There were a number of unusual meetings and events I became invoved with. My original departure date from New Zealand for my first journey was set to be October 28th 1968 when I was to left for a trip to the UK and Europe via the US of A. It was to be the start of my first real adventure on an interesting journey to create just a little bit of history for myself and the world. What more could a single nineteen year old male want at that time? Peace love happiness and a good time, yes I think I acheived all that, and with a little mystery thrown in. Story telling stuff for the future. I have a lot to share, with regard my travel experiences. That will be some time in the years ahead. Updated 25.05.2013 ...... FRM