Monday, July 20, 2015

2015 reunion

With our last guests departing today, this year reunion is now completed and life around here is slowly returning to normal.

As with past reunions it was great to catch up with old friends, some we haven't seen in about 30 years.  Since 2003, when we first discovered that many of us lived in and around Ottawa and Montreal working in the Aerospace industries or working for the government, we have been actively seeking each others and organizing 4 reunions.

It is always a pleasure to catch up with each others and reminisce about our time and "adventures" together at Canadian Forces Base Greenwood in the mid 70s
It still seems like yesterday... :-)
Unfortunately, some of us have passed away since we found each others, so we decided to not wait another 5 years for the next one, possibly near Quebec city in 2 years.

 People started arriving Friday afternoon and we all joined each others at the Top Hat tavern, the only tavern in those days were we spent many youthful times.

Jacques with his Top Hat survivor shirt :-) 


After supper we all gathered at my place for a camp fire to share good company, tall stories and drinks :-)

Some of my left over pieces from last projects going up in smoke.

Saturday, we started the day early at the Wing museum. 

Some of the gang in front of the Mighty Argus, the aircraft we worked on in our days.  Hummm dating myself here...:-)

Ginette was a Photo Technician in the military.

Rheal posing for his wife near the ANTAC 
(Air Navigation & Tactical Control system) he worked on in those days.

The museum staff opened the back room were I worked 
restoring some of the aircraft exhibits.


Next it was off to Wolfville to take the Magic Winery bus and tour some of the region wineries. Traditionally the Annapolis Valley fertile lands was agricultural in nature, mostly known for its apple industries, but since the past 10 years or so, there has been quite a vibrant wine industry taking hold.

Awaiting our double decker bus.

All aboard the magic bus...

Marcel and his wife Katherine sampling the wine, at l'Acadie vineyard.

Touring the vineyard at Pete Luckett vineyard.

The famous Red telephone booth at Pete Luckett vineyard,
 where you can call anywhere in North America toll free.


 After a long day touring the region, we gathered at the Restaurant Pasta Jack in Middleton for a well deserved supper. Great food, great atmosphere, we were treated royally by our hosts, Rob and Bee. Could not say enough nice things about them, they went above and beyond to accommodate us. Thank you!


Sorry for the poor quality of some of the pictures, 
there was some wine involved :-)

I haven't seen Lisa and Raymond in over 30 years

After a long nite we closed the place and went to bed.
The next day, Sunday, we held a departure Brunch at our place, where we said our good byes and decided to not wait another 5 years for the next reunion.


Some had to go back to work in Quebec or New Brunswick the next day, so had to depart early, two couples stayed with us until supper.

Rheal and Carole were staying in our yard with their camper.

All too soon it was all over and everyone left filled with new memories and renewed friendship bonds. We are ALL eagerly awaiting our next reunion.

It was a lot of fun and cannot wait for the next one.

Bob, tired but happy to have catch-up with many old friends.







4 comments:

  1. Looks like a good time was had by all.

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  2. Bob,

    Folks that fly have a connection that most do not, not sure if it is because of the loss of so many or just the unique experience of seeing the world. Whatever, it is good to get together and tell "there I waz, one burning and one turning" stories into the wee hours.

    Good on you for hosting.

    ken

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Ken
    Very true, I went on to have a long career, but never forgot my early years.
    And yes more than one tall stories were told over a few cold beverages -)

    ReplyDelete