Living in a fairly rural part of Tasmania means that I don't get to see my neighbours very often, although I had spoken to the elderly English couple who live "across the road" a few times over the years. They migrated to Australia many years ago, then moved to Tassie sometime after. The land around me had just been ploughed up and planted with opium poppies, so there was not much space to land my R/C planes that I fly regularly with my sons. So I wandered over to ask them if they would mind if I flew in their front paddock for a few months until the crop was harvested. My land is covered with trees etc, which eat R/C planes for breakfast, and their block had been cleared in the past for when they used to own horses. They were more than happy to let us fly anytime, but asked it was OK to let them know so they could watch!
It turns out that Bob was ex RAF, until he was injured and had to retire. He spent time on Meteors and Vampires in the late 40's to 50's, and his wife Barbara, was a young girl during the Battle of Britain. Having both a model Spitfire and Vampire, I bought them over and showed them and then have flown them regularly while they watch from their lounge room window. Barbara in particular talked about watching the Spitfires and Hurricanes take off over their roof, the burning planes, and captured German airmen who parachuted into a nearby field. She said her mother always yelled at her to get back into the shelter, as she would always want to sneak outside and watch what was happening in the sky above. They are both in their eighties, but recall those days as clear as yesterday. There was the occasional "bloody Germans" dropped in conversation, but time seems to have erased any animosity towards them, even though they had family and friend killed in the Blitz. She held the Spitfire in her hands, and said that it was the one plane that everyone knew instantly, as they were so recognisable in the air.
I did not feel comfortable in asking too many questions, but I can't help think that before too long, all those memories and experiences will go with the passing of those elderly people without most of us ever knowing about them.
It turns out that Bob was ex RAF, until he was injured and had to retire. He spent time on Meteors and Vampires in the late 40's to 50's, and his wife Barbara, was a young girl during the Battle of Britain. Having both a model Spitfire and Vampire, I bought them over and showed them and then have flown them regularly while they watch from their lounge room window. Barbara in particular talked about watching the Spitfires and Hurricanes take off over their roof, the burning planes, and captured German airmen who parachuted into a nearby field. She said her mother always yelled at her to get back into the shelter, as she would always want to sneak outside and watch what was happening in the sky above. They are both in their eighties, but recall those days as clear as yesterday. There was the occasional "bloody Germans" dropped in conversation, but time seems to have erased any animosity towards them, even though they had family and friend killed in the Blitz. She held the Spitfire in her hands, and said that it was the one plane that everyone knew instantly, as they were so recognisable in the air.
I did not feel comfortable in asking too many questions, but I can't help think that before too long, all those memories and experiences will go with the passing of those elderly people without most of us ever knowing about them.
