I remember turning 16 on a very hot day late August. It was Summer Holidays, and this was our last hurrah before high school started up again in September. Roshelle was barely 2 yrs old, and Tim was on his way! Big changes are happening in our family and I am very excited to be a big sister!

All of my favorite friends were invited to my birthday party - after all, it was a big deal turning 16! Uncle Roger happened to be visiting, too. We girls climbed in the various cars and the adults took us and a pic-nic to Pakenham to the Falls near the Five Span Masonry Bridge (c 1903) at the Pakenham Falls where we went swimming, sliding down some gentle, smooth, flat stone, pushed along by the rushing river water and having the time of our lives going down the natural and gently sloping "slide" again and again, revelling in it! Fearless. Not a care in the world.

We were having so much fun, and I remember looking up at the bank, and there he was, Uncle Rog on the ridge! This area is notoriously hard to photograph, dangerous even, and there he was! I was grateful that he was capturing our innocent bliss and my 16th in photos. We were still children really, but I remember that. I wonder if there are any photos of that day somewhere? I don't remember seeing any.

Also, he had the patience of a saint, teaching me how to drive the family Lada, a lime green, Russian stick shift! I did get my licence.

*Pictures*

One picture is the fabulous Five Span Bridge near Pakenham built by Scottish masons and the other is a Green Lada (not ours, but one i found that was similar). 

May you rest in blissful peace Uncle Roger. My condolences to my family who also miss you very much.