When I was seventeen and resident in a student hostel we were invited to give blood. At that age it required parental consent. I was a conformist. I got the consent first and missed that initial rush. Donation, once done, did however turn out to be habit forming. It qualified as “A Good Thing”. Various […]
There was a certain amount of anticipation in the press about the stuttering date 9/9/99, and one could have even included the century 9/9/999, or made it a German denial to an offer of any date “Nein! Nein! Nein! Nein! Nein!” As far as I am concerned it all started with 3/3/33. At that time, […]
Reminiscences by Donald Lang What is the earliest event of your life that you can distinctly remember, and assign an approximate date? The subject can be a useful conversation starter, or stopper, with a new acquaintance. Over a string of occasions numerous events from my own life have surfaced, unsorted. Placing them on a time […]
Kings College Glee Club 1946 -50, by Donald Lang A few weeks short of 13, and still with a few vocabulary challenges, I went to a meeting to discuss the proposed production. When a couple of roles were outlined, I remarked a lot more loudly than I would have dared even a month later, “ […]
Reminiscence by his brother Donald Lang In 1931, when Ian was born, the shooting season opened on his birthday. The “lads” who worked for Dad on the farm made a miniature bow and arrow for the new baby.. This they presented to Mum for Ian’s later use,. Dad for quite some time referred, or spoke, […]
Born 3/3/1933. Died 14/5/2019 (video of funeral service is here) Born at Langs beach 3-3-33, which number he loved. The family had a farm there right on the beach which ran sheep and cattle, with a house cow. He was the youngest of six children, Margaret (who died in infancy), Hector, Anne, Mary, Ian […]
Cheltenham Aug 20th 1950 Dear Donald, We have just spent four days in Oxford, & could have done with four more. However we hope to go back later in the year. Our Cousin Gilbert Wiblin a lad about my age (Aunt Fanny is 73), took us over many of the colleges, beautiful buildings many of […]
664A Mt Eden Rd 23.12.57 Dear Donald, Thank you for your Christmas message. We enjoyed it & Elizabeth says it is the best card we received. More to it, if you know what I mean. Hope you enjoyed your flight(Week in Sydney, tramping in Snowy, on to start PhD at ANU) & didn’t have any […]
1958 Dear Donald, I expect Myra has told you “all the news that’s fit to write”, as the N.Y.Times says. It was nice to get your letter and hear about your work and all those interesting people you are meeting, but I am glad you have Rabbie Dyer to have a Pie-Island chat with sometimes. […]
Langs’, Waipu 24th Feb, 1958 Dear Donald, We were pleased to hear from you, at least , Elsie & I were, & Annie will be – she is still abroad; in Whangarei this time, minding Ian’s household while he and Gwen are on a holiday jaunt via Napier, Wellington& then I dunno where. Hugh & […]