Summer Times, November 2004 - Old Scarborians

typical, its facilities include two bowlingmachines, two cradles and indoornets.As for the physical consequences ofplaying the game in one’s dotage, Ifound the best part of a day in the fieldleft me tired and with aching thighsfor a day or two, even though I had todo very little running in the game Iplayed. Sprinting is difficult, becauserunning on your toes depends on goodbalance, which deteriorates with age.Catching is quite unpleasant for nolonger supple old hands, and if youhave to look upwards while you runyou will probably fall flat on yourback, because of the balance problem.And if you get hit, the resultingbruises are quite spectacular.But don’t let all this put you off reopeningone of those closed doors.Take Dylan Thomas’s advice.‘Do not go gentle into that good nightOld age should burn and rage at closeof day;Rage, rage against the dying of thelight’I really enjoyed the nets and the onegame I played, and it is very rewardingto be part of a team again. And, ifyou think balance might be a problem,make a habit of standing on one legwhile you shave and clean your teeth.I promise it works. And perhaps withthe smell of new mown grass nextApril …41REUNION IN W.A.By John Mann (1950-56)During the earlymonths of this year agroup of Old Scarboriansand their wives,many of who are ex‐S.G.H.S. met either byplan or by accident inWestern Australia. Theintrepid travellers were David andJennie Groombridge, Mick and JoJohnson, John and Val Brinkler, Kenand Maggie Short, Mick and BabsCammish and John and Anne Mann.Scarborough must have been deserted!John and Val Brinkler had spentChristmas and New Year with theirfamily in Melbourne and had travelledto Perth via Ayers Rock. There theymet up with the Johnsons and theGroombridges, spending two weekson the coast before the Groombridgesleft for New Zealand. The Johnsonsand Brinklers then travelled down toMargaret River, staying in a housebelonging to a friend of Jennie Collins(Palfreman) and known affectionatelyas Pete the Greek. Whilst out shoppingone day Jennie Collins bumped intothe Shorts and Cammishes who hadrecently arrived in the area. Thechance meeting was followed up witha surprise barbecue that evening, all 10people attending being from Scarborough.Subsequently, the Johnsons andthe Brinklers returned to Perth to staywith yet another Old Scab, TrevorReeve.The intrepid Shorts had bought a car