Family Album Part 2

Three more from the wonderful Ray Henning, giving us glimpses into moments we wouldn't otherwise see.

He's written on the back of this one: Hay Making. Sunday 6 December 1959. 

Dad, Uncle Doug and Grandpa. And what would have been a beloved dog, out the front. 

Have you ever hefted a bail of hay? They're really not light at all. First week in December. Hot. A Sunday. Rest day for bankers. If it rains on your hay after you've cut it, before you get it into the hayshed, it can, and frequently does, self combust. Not ideal. So you make hay while the sun shines, you know?

Grandpa. Same day (photo is dated). Same shirt. Pretty happy looking. Perhaps he quite liked Ray Henning because really why would you look so cheerfully at a dude wandering around with a camera, not sweating and not heaving bails? 

I love this photo of Grandpa. 

I never got to meet him. His big heart gave out before I was born. 

So we pore over photos of him, trying to piece together the bits people remember, the stories Dad tells, the farm he left behind, trying to find him. 

He look so much like Dad, without a beard. Therefore he must have been excellent.

Cool old tree, huh?

It's still there:

Garages and chook shed come and go, trees remain. 

Ever planted a tree for posterity? 

Mine are in Brisbane. Maybe I should plant one in Sydney. What about you?

xxx