A Tribute Birthday Trip...

This was a post my son did.... it's his birthday today (my son's) and this was his birthday trip. Happy Birthday Adam and what a wonderful tribute!!!

My uncle, Ronald Neeld, passed away of esophageal cancer just over 2 years ago. One of the things that he really wanted to do, but never had the chance, was to take The Ghan across Australia. This year, for my birthday, I am honoring his legacy by going on this adventure in his honor and taking his favorite hat along for the ride.

For those who knew him, Ronnie had a unique sense of humor, so I'll share an email he sent me about The Ghan shortly after I moved to Australia. Hopefully, it brings a smile and a reminder of a gentle soul gone too soon:

"Adam,

As you know, I like railway journeys. Yesterday evening, I turned on the tube and happened to see the start of a documentary on a PBS station, WLAE broadcast channel 32 in NOLA. This documentary was about The Ghan, a train that goes from Adelaide up through Alice Springs, and terminates in Darwin.

During an extended layover in Alice Springs, the narrator took a side trip under the guidance of a grizzled veteran of the bush, an Australian (westerner, not an aborigine) who was born in the area. He gave the narrator some advice on how to tell if bush tucker is safe to eat.

Listen up while yer old Uncle Ronnie imparts this vital information to you. For example, suppose you pluck a berry out in the bush. First, rub it on the most tender part of your skin, which is the skin in your armpit. If the skin does not sting, or develop a rash or hives, then put it in your mouth. If nothing happens, spit it out and feed it to your pet dingo. If the dingo does not die, then the bush tucker is safe to eat! Heed these words well, me lad, for they may save your life sometime if you are ever forced to subsist on bush tucker!

You know I’m always looking out for you.

Uncle Ron"