Anton_Cloche

Wow, a 'Birthday' treat for us? Thanks for this terrific chapter. Lots of 'insider' details, including Camilo groping for information in the dark (or his double entendre ? in the Cathedral: “I’m surprised.” Camilo grinned. “I figured you’d want to kneel .. like most tourists do".) 😉 Dr. Jay really is turning out to be Northman 2.0 with yet another diatribe: "What is it with you and monopolizing Cuban officials?" ... "I wanted to sit next to our host, but you butted in and took my seat." Dr. Jay is going to have his ass handed to him soon. As for those referring to you as "old" and even "ancient", can we see them swing a leg over a Hog and kick start it? A famed comedian said on his (80?) birthday (standing next to two young beauties) "You're only as old as you feel. Take 2 of these (pointing at them) and you'll feel better in the morning." Feliz Compleaños Carlos 🎂.

If you're in a boat off Cuba, are you "The Old Man and the Sea"?

Friday before my (and your Carlos) 🐂birthdays, and Ceej and Ozzie show up (just not at the door ☹️). Anyway, a delightful gift nonetheless. And for your intrepid duo: Bienvenidos a Cuba CJ y Owen. Disfruta del auténtico cubano cigarros y ron. Solo ten cuidado. Así que el Dr. Jay es pariente de 'Northman'?

Hmm? Interesting chapter with the boys settled into new school routine and Mateo becoming friends with Swiss Artise cousins - Martyn and Jonah, with Mateo even teaching them some Nepalese. That comes in handy to warn the boys when a 'group' apparently tried to seize them when leaving school. Why go after 8 and 12 year old brothers whose parents work for the Australian Government? Or is the boy's father more than just a 'regular' DFAT employee at the 'High Commission' (embassy) abroad? Many nations use 'Attaches' as more than just consular staff. A 'Commercial Attache' might have other areas of expertise, especially when posted in certain countries (say next door to China?). Does this explain father's 'awareness' of a school administrator who is also 'Army Reservist, Captain Anthony Lang, DIO (Defense Intelligence Organization)', who refers to Dad as 'Sir'? The boys seem to have been trained to "Noho haumaru" (Maori for "Stay Safe" can also suggest 'prepare or protect', from attack). Which would include a situational awareness to use the AirCon ductwork as an escape route (and know it would support their weight?). Definitely looking forward to next chapter!

Thank you for another wonderful chapter. Double-decker bus/RV with new mural created by indigenous peoples will attract even more attention than before. Now a tourist attraction on its own. Langley and Ryley are certainly getting a lot of education while on the road, but an opportunity to attend school classes with local and indigenous children will certainly benefit them long term.

"We interrupt this for an important message from ..." Consulate Boy? If Travelling Vets was all about equine stock, I'd be tempted to say something about "changing horses in midstream", but it's not, so this just a rest break? Or have Flying Doctors (Vets) become a Circus? 😉 😉 👉🏼 👉🏼 Or perhaps better to channel my inner Oliver and say: *sometimes 'humour' is just a 6-letter, 11 point Scrabble word.

A wonderful chapter Quokka. Lots of adventures along the way back home, most of it good save for an obviously targeted theft attempt (for drugs?). The only people who would have known about drugs in the trailer (for livestock) would have been at Glenormiston Station. Silent alarm on trailer is one thing, but I would have added motion-activated 45W (10,000 lumens) LED lights that turn moonlight into daylight. Gravel roads wreck havoc on RV/Bus tires and depending on size they cost $500 or more each. Good that Jex and Marcus planned in advance for spares (although not easy to remove and replace). Travelling Vets reputation is preceding them, and farmers are asking for their services. The stop at Barrow Creek11 is a history lesson for everyone, most especially the boys. With only the historical Telegraph Office, Station Roadhouse and a population of just 11 people, it is literally a tiny speck on the map. Thankfully the Barrow Creek Hotel and Roadhouse, "Home of Bullshit and Beer", offers a Caravan Park with powered sites, fuels, tyres & towing. http://exploringaustralia.com.au/showplace/stuart/853/barrow-creek

First off, I hope you are feeling better Andre and fully recuperated from your illness. And now back to the story. Oh My Goodness Andre, with almost every chapter, you create wonderful mental images of outstanding meals. I think I gain 5 kilos with every chapter! (As well as recipe inspiration). This chapter introduces us to more features of Belle Catherine and Lady Janice, but also how family, friends and guests react to the yachts. Cam, Elizabeth, Jamie Jnr and Fiona surprised everyone, especially their Dads when they gave a special 'Welcome Aboard' greeting to Gabriel and Lucas. The dolphins greeting the boat as she sailed along, and looking up and 'squealing' to the children as they lay on the trampoline between the hulls looking down was amazing! I look forward both to the continuation of this voyage, and the next when Ryan and Andrew's very good friends Dan and Joan Kinley fly in for a week onboard Lady Janice. Thank you yet again!

Hopefully Isla will stay inland as speeds and rains decrease from Cat5 to current Cat2 over WA. Hopefully Cyclone season ends in 2 weeks. Be safe. 🤞🏼🙏🏼 FYI - friend power drilled four 8m long X 20mm diameter steel augers into ground adjacent to concrete & rebar pad Motorcoach sits on. Loops roadtrain heavy duty tie-down straps over top of RV and bolts to eyehooks on top of augers. When cinched No movement at all during Cat5 winds.

Oh oh. Trouble amongst the cattle. Red Tick Fever also called 'Red Water' Fever as blood in the urine changes its colour to red, which is what Marcus observed. It is spread by tick bites and can be spread easily to other livestock, horses and farm animals including dogs and can spread to humans. The cost of a tick fever outbreak can be substantial. Tick fever kills cattle. In Queensland, on average, about 5% of at-risk animals die during an outbreak. All cattle should receive an Anti-Tick vaccine yearly. Because it is not 100% effective, many ranchers do not agree with expense of vaccines, which results in infection spread. Humans bitten by ticks will develop a rash or crusting around the bite but most bites go unnoticed. That is why whether camping, walking among brush or in contact with animals, humans should wear boots or have pants tucked into stockings and check for ticks and learn how to remove them safely. https://images.app.goo.gl/EHS274TgJ6Pn1PNv6 A tick head embedded in skin will spread virus causing fever, headache, muscle soreness, swollen lymph nodes, and possibly encephalitis or water on and swelling of brain. Many affected patients can be bed-ridden for months. https://images.app.goo.gl/ohyomBPWrjetk7Ww9

Truly hopes this finds you well. FYI Y'all. As an editor (and writer in other genres, fiction and non-fiction), I frequently remind and advise authors, especially in Fiction where they mostly use aliases aka 'nom de plume', to utilize three important items: 1. Create / use a 'storyboard' or layout that outlines plot, characters, number of chapters and books, and where you want the story to finish. 2. Appoint a Literary Trustee - a legal literary 'Power of Attorney' to look after your works and see them completed in the event you are unable to. Sir Ian Fleming comes to mind, as do J.K. Rowling, Charles M. Schultz etc. When I say "unable to ... complete" I don't necessarily mean 'death', as majority of people don't even write a will. Perhaps your 'family' discovers and disapproves of your writing (especially in the LGBTQ2 genres) and try to stop you from completing stories WHICH ARE YOUR LEGACY! 3. Establish Contact By date with publishers, friends, etc in the event your book(s), stories suddenly stop without being completed. Whether you realize it or not, readers do care. To @FSELL, @Bndmetland too many other GA contributors, I truly hopes this finds you alive and well, and JUST dealing with a mental block, or a misplaced 'muse' and hope you will reboot soon. We miss you and care about you.

Truly hopes this finds you well. FYI Y'all. As an editor (and writer in other genres, fiction and non-fiction), I frequently remind and advise authors, especially in Fiction where they mostly use aliases aka 'nom de plume', to utilize three important items: 1. Create / use a 'storyboard' or layout that outlines plot, characters, number of chapters and books, and where you want the story to finish. 2. Appoint a Literary Trustee - a legal literary 'Power of Attorney' to look after your works and see them completed in the event you are unable to. Sir Ian Fleming comes to mind, as do J.K. Rowling, Charles M. Schultz etc. When I say "unable to ... complete" I don't necessarily mean 'death', as majority of people don't even write a will. Perhaps your 'family' discovers and disapproves of your writing (especially in the LGBTQ2 genres) and try to stop you from completing stories WHICH ARE YOUR LEGACY! 3. Establish 'Contact By' date with publishers, friends, etc in the event your book(s), stories suddenly stop without being completed. Whether you realize it or not, readers so care. To @Bndmetl, @FSELL, and too many other GA contributors, I truly hopes this finds you alive and well, and JUST dealing with a mental block, or a misplaced 'muse' and you well reboot soon. We miss you and care about you.

Jex and Marcus to the rescue! Although they decided to not put a 'wrap' on the bus to advertise their services (lest they be targeted by thieves looking for drugs), the uniqueness of the double-decker bus & trailer combo attracts visitors anyway, like a different kind of 'road train'. They should put a photo of bus+trailer on back of business cards along with slogan "Vets on the Go" (tm) or "Vets 2 Go" (the latter name could work well to promote business on both Twitter ( 🐦 a natural connection) and Instagram using same @Vets2Go 'name'.

The contract with the Rodeo organizers for 10 months of Vet services and "all expenses" will be enforceable, which is why Jex, Marcus, Jex's mum as owner of the Stations etc., have lawyers (if not on retainer than most certainly available via phone, fax and internet). Plus, Jex's ADF (military) connections will be of assistance in getting full compensation, reimbursement for the RV / Motorcoach & mobile clinic. Time to rope and hog-tie the Rodeo owners. In the meantime, Jex, Marcus and the boys have more bonding time.

Hope this finds you well. Apologize in advance for length of comment. With a dreary, icy 'Spring' up here under 'Northern' skies, I try to get a bit of warmth from re-reading this* story. And I note that a few things are still missing. In the last two chapters, (and this one), you mentioned: "This is not the end... totally. There is an epilogue to come, it's written, and almost ready for editing, so soon, so soon I can taste it. Here's a preview. ******** Epilogue 5 Years Later." The editor in me wants to ask "How is that coming"? He also reminded me of three previous occasions where in both 'End Notes' and replies to comments you mention (as in this one to me Nov. 9, 2021): On 11/9/2021 at 4:54 PM, FSELL said: "Hi @Anton_Cloche thanks so much for your feedback, ... i have a few spin off story’s drafted, focused on characters within the main story where Jamie is in the background pretty much. Hope your enjoy the next Instalment. Have a fantastic day I reread November Falls with Ember that you co-authored with @Bndmetl but note it is still on long-term "hold". I (along with countless others) am still waiting for more upcoming well written stories by your. BTW: I frequently mention to, and advise authors, (wearing my editor's cap) to utilize tools like 'storyboards' and drafts, so that in the event something untoward happens (relationship breakup, 'disclosure', Nom De Plume exposed etc), their wonderful stories can continue under a Literary Trustee the author named and legally puts in place. (and yes NO ONE like to think about that things happening, like poor John RIP). Take care. 🫂 Tony B (aka Anton) Mum Kate is nagging me. 😉

Jex was correct in thinking "I planned to spend as much time as possible helping Julia and the boys to settle into their new home, which I knew would take a while due to the dramatic change in climate for them". Although Jex has some "education options" for Julia and the boys to consider, boarding school has to be taken off the table, at least for the first year. 'Radio School' is one option, however being in a small town (versus more remote location), might there be a close 'day school'?

“How many acres of Cattle Station farm does your family own?” Julia asked me, and I heard Marcus chuckling, and I smiled. “A little over 4.78 million acres, spread out over seven stations in total,” I replied, “Did you say 4.78 million? Is that even possible to own that much land?” Julia asked sounding very shocked. By comparison about 1/11th of the size of the island of Great Britain (England + Scotland + Wales combined), or larger than the 4.3 million acres in Northern Ireland. Just imagine the looks on the boys faces as they try to work out the math in their heads. More decisions before the next and last chapter of 'this current book' of the continuing DV saga. BREAKING NEWS ... Author pulls April's Fools Joke and scares readers, worse than a biplane pilot cutting the engine and asking about parachutes! IMHO, 🤞🏼it ain't over yet. Julia and the boys have to get settled. The boys have to be adopted (although some courts tend to prefer cousins become 'wards' under guardianship of blood relatives), so there's a possible fight for J & M. Jex has to teach the boys to fly. So much left to do Preston / @quokka. We'll patiently (?) wait for the next chapterS installment. But in the meantime, there are 'Lords a leaping', one with new 4 new sons of his own to catch up with, splitting their time between the Isle of Man, and Fordell. Hmm?

Will 'accidentally leaked' or 'Soup du jour' "new virus" only affect those 'in the right'? 🥣 Carlos, you're in good company with Tom Clancy, according to latest 'Top 10' Lists released by GA: 👍🏼 and it didn't take 'Executive Orders.' Top 10 Most Read Thriller/Suspense 2020-2023 😱 Circumnavigation by C James CDMX by Carlos Hazday Touch: A survival story. by Rhythminthemind Shadow Effect by kbois Let the Music Play by C James My Only Escape by Comicality The Long Way by DomLuka GFD 12: Blood Ties by Comicality Changing Lanes by C James Tales of the Underground: Blinded by Aceinthehole Did GA throw down a challenge? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Orders#/media/File%3AExecutiveorders.jpg

As this fantastic CJverse 'novella' closes, the promise of more is held out, like a shining beacon. (too much hyperbole?) But as current DC Mayor Muriel Bowser just began her current 4-year term in Jan. 2023, we have to wait for the Green initiatives of CJ. Can't wait to read opening chapter of 'District' (or?).

Everything is possible, as the precedent for a POTUS to later be appointed to SCOTUS, was set a century ago. Three previous sitting 'Associate Justices' were nominated by Presidents (of the day) and became 'Chief Justice'. Technically they are not 'promoted'. FYI, William Howard Taft was 27th U.S. President (1909-1913) and later became tenth Chief Justice of SCOTUS (1921-1930), the only person to have served in both of these offices. In his day, Taft was often referred to as "the elephant in the room" not for his GOP affiliation but for his "presense". At over 300 lbs, he had a special "4-man" bathtub put in the White House.

Another very interesting chapter! Previously unknown family connections come though for Ryley and Langley, giving them new parents / cousins in Jex and Marcus; and perhaps most importantly, not losing their GrandMum Julia who decides to also move to WA to stay close to the boys and meet her estranged cousins, nieces and nephews. If only I had as much luck picking winning lotto tickets, as in guessing direction stories are going.

Wow! Actually, I'm not that surprised at Jex's connections to UK relatives, as large numbers of UK people emigrated to Australia (and other countries in the Commonwealth) for centuries, but more so after WW-I & II. (As did one side of my family). A few important things come out of Jex and Marcus meeting with the Appleton family lawyer. First, when Ms. Parks told Jex and Marcus :"Mrs Appleton, the boy’s grandmother is too old and does not have the finances to take care of two growing boys", she did not have all the facts. We learned her late son Tom, a successful lawyer, not only had life insurance, but had set up 'Trusts' to ensure there was sufficient funds to care for his mother for life (housing, pension, monthly income etc), and for his son's, including college, monthly income and investments following his death. 2nd, Jex learns Grandmother Auggie and Julia Appleton are first cousins (once removed?), making Julia's grandsons Ryley 11 and Langley 9, 3rd cousins or grandnephews to Jex's mum? (you need a map to figure out family ties). The family connection will make adoption of the boys easier and faster from a legal standpoint. It will make emigration to Australia easier, and make it easy for Julia Appleton ("elderly" but not frail or an invalid) to also move to Australia so she is not 1/2 a world away from Ryley and Langley. Despite living her whole life in UK and having friends there, I don't think she wants to be separated from the boys. IMHO, moving Julia a long with the boys would be the prudent and compassionate thing for Jex and Marcus to do (not to mention something his mum would insist on). Good things about to happen for ALL the Appleton's?

Wow! Actually, I'm not that surprised at Jex's connections to UK relatives, as large numbers of UK people emigrated to Australia (and other countries in the Commonwealth) for centuries, but more so after WW-I & II. (As did one side of my family). So a few things important come out of Jex and Marcus meeting with the Appleton family lawyer. First, when Ms. Parks told Jex and Marcus: "Mrs Appleton, the boy’s grandmother is too old and does not have the finances to take care of two growing boys", she did not have all the facts. We learned her late son Tom, a successful lawyer, not only had life insurance, but had set up 'Trusts' to ensure there was sufficient funds to care for his mother, and his son's following his death. 2nd, Jex learns his mum and Julia Appleton are 1st first cousins (once removed?), making Julia's grandsons Ryley and Langley grandnephews to Jex's mum. (you need a map to figure out family ties). The family connection will make adoption of the boys easier and faster from a legal standing. It will make emigration to Australia easier, and also make it easy for Julia Appleton ("elderly" but not an invalid) to also move to Australia so she is not 1/2 a world away from Ryley and Langley. Despite living her whole life in UK and having friends there, I don't think she wants to be separated from the boys. IMHO, that would be the prudent and compassionate thing for Jex and Marcus to do (not to mention something his mother would insist on). Good things about to happen for ALL the Appleton's?

Oh great, I got assigned 'homework'? But I was being good in class. 😉 (I stand corrected )

At least it isn't a 'pivotal' role, like being trapped inside a revolving door. 😄