My friend died this morning, in Auckland Hospital.
Born in Newcastle, England, he was a considerable athlete in his youth, cycling all over Britain and, with his pal Tom, running overland all the way to New Zealand. All the way!
OK, just the dry parts!
Here both of them fell for NZ girls and settled down. Jack, as he was usually called, loved his music, 'three cords and the truth' mouth harp, and only last month was planning to make a banjo guitar (he liked the sound but couldn't be bothered to learn banjo chords at 87.)
He had a stroke last Friday morning, and was taken to hospital protesting that he was OK, where he probably had another one which immobilised him except for his right hand.
His last communication was written, eyes closed, ' A cup of tea or I'm going home.'       Chris Marden.