BAZflyer: Reunion

An eclectic collection of friends is one of life’s greatest gifts and the Bazflyers are deeply privileged to chart their life through such precious relationships. They have friends who have given wisdom. Friends who have provided help in a time of need. Friends who have unconditionally applied their strength.

The following phrase comes too easily to mind which probably means it’s not an original conception. “True friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable.”

Few things are more comfortable, more enjoyable, than being among true friends. At times it can be like a party for introverts. Discussion is optional. There is not a single moment of awkwardness. Even the sounds of silence between friends is beautiful.

Therefore, how satisfying it was for Bazflyer1 to spent yesterday in the casual company of friendships forged fifty-five years ago. It was no coincidence that Round the World 2019 and the principal Australian stop-over was scheduled to coincide with a reunion. A reunion of guys, now all septuagenarians, who at the dawning of 1964 came together for the first time at the Royal Australian Air Force Base of Wagga Wagga. Young teenage boys from every corner of Australia, along with half-a-handful of New Zealanders, all destined to spend two and a half years together learning trade skills and communal military life.

For the most part 55 years of one’s life slips by far to fast but fortunately friendships are seemingly immune to time. Have you ever noticed that when friends convene after a very long absence the interval of separation is bridged in a moment of time and the friendship of old instantly resumes....once again.

Reminiscing among familiar jet aircraft that were once the frontline of Australian built military hardware.

Built under license in Australian the Canberra MK-20 saw operational service with the RAAF in Malaya and Vietnam.