Cambrian's Caretaker

About 45 minutes drive up the valley from where I live, is a small community known as Cambrians. It is named after somewhere in Wales. Many years ago it had a hotel with a Welsh name. These days it has a few residents, and even more holiday homes. Recently, the school building which used to be there was returned, and put back on it's original sight.
One of the assets the village has is Bob ldeBerry. He has been living there for some years, knows everyone, misses nothing, and has a refreshing outlook on life, one that can only be nurtured by staying out of the rush of life in the big smoke. He lives on his own, mostly, but never seems to be alone, as all sorts of people call and see him. He makes excellent home brew, but I am sure this is not the reason he has so many visitors. He sure can tell a story or two.
He is pictured above, leaning on the doorway of his mud brick house.
To find out more about Bob, simply click on 'Cambrian Common Forrest Blog' on the right hand side of my screen.

Natalie Anderson

This is the first photo I have posted on here that has been scanned from a film.
I took this photo, according to the film packet, on the 31st January, 1989.
I very much remember the day. It was hot, and very sunny, and very bright. We started at the Bride's parents house on Canal Road, on the Taieri Plain. The wedding itself was in the small Presbyterian Church at Outram. It was still hot when we came out, and was still hot later at the reception. It was a very happy wedding, with both families getting on well. I remember the Bride's younger sisters getting quite hysterical at the dancing antics of their new Brother in Law. I remember a group of males in one corner (self included) belting out the words to "Hey Jude". I do not remember one cross word for the whole day, though memory of the later stages of the night become hazy for some reason. But I think it was such a good wedding because of the qualities of the very young couple involved. Natalie and Murray were loved by everyone.
I could go on and give you the story between then and now, but I wont.
Natalie Anderson was killed about two weeks ago in a motor bike accident. About 1800 people turned out to her funeral, the biggest in the history of this town. During the tributes, it became obvious that this Bride had never stopped being the cheerful, caring and helpful person she was when this photo was taken. But we all knew that.
Our family, and many others, will miss her smile on the sideline, at work, on the way to the Post Office, and at her home.