??Tis a sad day today as a once and always healthy licensed surveyor is spending the day cleaning out his Ford Ranger with the diesel motor only clocking up a tad under 62.5K kms ??.. With numerous 1,800 k round trips up to Coober Pedy in the stark, remote north west of SOZ. While my wife is assisting me stack my trusty and faithful survey gear away in the shed at our retreat she has
a;llowerd me tosneak insid to writemy
allowed me to sneak inside to write my piece that as you can read. These days is now not straightforward to write or type as Mr P is kicking in with clumsy fingers not keeping up with my speedy brain. However on the bright side I am now slowing down and using two fingers to minimise typos. .But still have corrections that then take an age to correct spelling and word spacing.
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On this day as I was pulling out the gear and odd bits and pieces past memories came flooding back. Washed out by drenching rain and torrents of water rushing under foot yet a k away at the official weather recording station zero rainfall was recorded at Coober Pedy. Today stacking the faithful, robust orange canvas bags used in the field as hand bags to carry those small items used in surveying. Like the tape measure (used to measure offsets), the modern two piece pegs (where a plastic white peg top was driven into a metal shaft), a short handle heavy hammer, countless GI nails, rolls of colourful plastic marker tape, etc, etc . All of my orange canvas carry bags sporting US surveying equipment suppliers that were picked up at numerous US survey conferences that I attended, where I made so many RADU friends thanks to the POB surveying chat board that preceded FB. Resulting in countless indelible memories of generous hospitality and unique experiences Too numerous to recount .With those who participated already knowing our unforgettable forged bond through surveying, be it across the ocean on distant shores or here in OZ.
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This November would have seen half a century of field surveying after I graduated. With 41.5 years as a Licensed Surveyor and also working for myself as a LS.
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Having in 1998 had a 12 month stint as Director of the inaugural 1989 Variety Club fundraising Bash in SOZ to ensure that it became a reality. But not ever in my wildest dreams ever expecting SOZ Bash number 32 to be taking off in 2020, having raised countless $ millions (like 40 plus) over the years for children who have special needs.
Well good bye Mr Field Work and please know that I shall miss you dearly.
Well at least when I wake up in the morning and can see my toes pointing skywards, I know that it is time to get up and face those daily challenges that Mr P has in store.....
Richard Abbott
Licensed surveyor
Bless you, Sir, for reminding us of the need to savor what we have when we have it.
While this was a sad day for you Richard, you also have much to be proud of.?ÿ I know you will face the daily challenges that Mr. P has in store with grit, tenacity and grace.
God bless, RADU
Sir,?ÿ
I have never met you but you are a true inspiration to all of the younger generations only entering the mid-points of our careers. I remember this article and it was truly an inspiration..."seize more than the moment" which you clearly have done. God Bless.
https://www.pobonline.com/articles/97778-solo-notes-surveyor-goes-the-distance-down-under
N10,000, E7,000, Z100.00
PLS - IL, MO, AR, KS, MN, KY
Well good bye Mr Field Work and please know that I shall miss you dearly.
Well at least when I wake up in the morning and can see my toes pointing skywards, I know that it is time to get up
Beautiful.
Richard,?ÿ out of the field and into early retirement with 40 plus years of good memories is more than most us can account for.?ÿ My Client and good friend met Mr P some 5 years ago and still stops by for lunch most every month, helped in part by those chemical bio-engineers.?ÿ He is an inspiration.?ÿ Keep posting and don't worry about spelling.?ÿ We are surveyors and can decipher intent more than most.?ÿ?ÿ
I was out and about the other day and pulled into the post office and had just put the truck into park when I looked up and saw a man laying face down on the pavement, crutches askew. Ran over and asked if he needed a hand. Both of his legs were withered and useless for anything but a third leg to get around on those crutches. "No-no. I fall all the time", he laughed, and slowly pulled himself off the ground with the crutches. "You know you really have only two choices", "lay there, or get up".?ÿ Told him my preference is to lay there for a while, you know, wallow about a bit of self pity and maybe run a self diagnostic for any broken parts. We both got a good laugh, but I was the one walking away more than a little grateful for the moment and reminder.
Do hope we see more of your posts down the road RADU.?ÿ Cheers!
Willy?ÿ
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Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.