"The EHS 69er"
Editorial
The Quarterly Newsletter for the 1969 Matriculation Class of Elizabeth High School
Issue No 3, September 2016
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------No 1 - "Who am I"? -Solution
If you didn't figure out who was our first classmate
identity, here is the solution.
In this third issue, hopefully you will find a mixture
of interesting and informative articles about our
past and future, which have been featured in
random order. One highlight of this issue is a
submission by Rob Knight, the Principal of
Playford International College, who presents an
optimistic outlook for the future of our old school
under its new banner. Again I would like to thank
all those who have contributed to the compilation
of this newsletter, especially Rob Knight and
Nicole Bayliss, plus Geoff Hudson with his trip
report. Your contributions help to make this class
newsletter far more varied and interesting, with a
much broader range of memories.
In 1969 my name was Carolyn Peta Maudslay. As a
Sagittarius, I was the oldest of four children born
to Jean and Harry Maudslay in Leeds. My father
was one of many English engineers brought out
for the Woomera Rocket Program in the 1950s.
He later worked at WRE (Salisbury) and we lived in
Elizabeth Grove. All four children were educated
at Elizabeth High School (EHS).
I was an avid reader and loved my science
subjects. In 1968 both Chris Jeremy and I
produced the first ever all student production of a
play by Shakespeare. Although not athletic, I did
enjoy archery and later competed in State
Championships. As an intellectual, in 1968 I was
the only girl in the winning 4B1 team, that had
competed in the Thursday afternoon Leaving
Debating Club. We had a great group of talent.
The Missing "Siren of Song"
In Issue No 2, the names of seven "Sirens of Song"
were listed in accordance to the 1968 yearbook.
However, a closer look at the photo below, shows
that there were in fact eight singers. So who was
the unnamed "Siren" who missed out on having
her name listed in the Yearbook - she was Pamela
Roberts.
Pam Roberts, now Pam Lambert, is on the far right
of the photo above and had unfortunately been
cut off in the previous photo used in Issue No 2.
The 4B1 Debating Team -L to R (rear) John Cooper, Jonathon
Roberts, Tony Cant, (front) Robert Lock, Carolyn Maudslay,
Gordon McPherson.
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In the 1969 Yearbook, the caption under my
Prefect photo stated "He followed me home
daddy, can I keep him". An uncanny reference to
how Terry and I first became an item, one late
afternoon walking home together after school
across Ridley Reserve. After EHS I graduated from
Adelaide Uni with a BSc in Microbiology and
started work at the Adelaide Children's Hospital.
Whilst living in England in 1982, I visited Porton
Downs Military Centre to observe research on
Lassa Fever and Legionnaire's Disease. On my
return to Australia, I worked for two years as a
Senior Medical Scientist at Woden Valley Hospital
in Canberra , before a move to Townsville, where I
worked at James Cook University. It was then back
to Melbourne. However, before starting work at
St Vincent's Hospital in 1987, I went to Hong Kong
and Thailand for a long holiday with my mother.
After which I went into hospital, where I passed
away due to post-surgical complications. I was
returned to Adelaide and now rest at Enfield Lawn
Cemetery, joined later by my parents.
After a year I moved to Canberra and worked at
the National Biological Standards Laboratory
(NBSL) until I married my "Scorpio" at Duntroon
Chapel, two days after his graduation. We started
married life in Melbourne, where I gained work at
the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit (MDU) at
Melbourne University. During this time I studied a
Grad Diploma in Computer Technology at RMIT,
whilst undertaking the task of computerising
MDU's medical records. I also wrote a regular
scientific feature in the Australian Society of
Microbiologist's quarterly journal called "Off the
Beaton Track".
Where is Jenny Blake??
Over this last quarter, I have had a number of
classmates ask after Jenny Blake. It appears that
after going into teaching in SA, she seems to have
completely dropped off the radar. Does anybody
know anything? Did she marry? Move interstate
on a teacher exchanges? - like Sue Hall (WA) and
Heino von Minden (TAS). Surely with the number
of classmates that went into teaching, somebody
must know something!! If so, please let me know
with a quick email, so that we can try to track her
down - dead or alive!
Born in 1952
Of the 103 classmates who have a date of birth
recorded on the Master Class List, the majority
were born in 1952. The year of birth breakdown is
as follows:
1950 - 2
1952 - 55
Carolyn testing another salami
1951 - 32
1953 - 14
In 1952 it was the "Year of the Dragon" for the
Chinese calendar. Other notable events were:
In 1981 I was part of a team at MDU that
investigated salami food poisoning outbreaks in
Victoria and NSW, which saw major media
coverage. Supplies to SA and NT had not been
affected. The MDU team had also been involved
with the health screening of many hundreds of
Vietnamese refugees taken by Australia.
- Elizabeth II became Queen of England after the
death of King George VI and coronated in 1953,
- Finland hosted the Olympic Games,
- Britain developed an atomic bomb, detonating
two at Maralinga in 1953,
- First atomic submarine, Nautilus, is launched,
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- The second year Australians fight in Korean War,
- First mechanical heart used in cardiac surgery.
John Cooper
Martyn Currie
John Eyre
Linden Fairclough (Head)
John Graf
Michael Irwin
Gordon McIntyre
Stewart Ogston
Fred Thompson (Deputy)
No 2 "Who am I?"
Now you have had a taste for "sussing" out the
identity of a fellow classmate, here is the second
in the series. Good Luck!
I was born in Germany and migrated with my
parents when I was two and a half years old. After
some years in the Royal Park/Seaton suburbs, we
settled in Elizabeth. I completed Grade 6 and 7 at
the Elizabeth Vale Primary School and I entered
EHS in 1965. I was placed in 1B3 and studied
French, as well as woodworking. My passion was
to speak English as good as or better than the
local boys. Madame (Mousala) Morell saw me as a
promising student of French, which I enjoyed, but
my focus was more on doing well in English. I was
lucky to have had Lola Brown as my English and
Class teacher in 1969, when I was also a Prefect.
The "Girls" Prefects - (25)
Jennifer Blake
Rosemary Camp
Anne Davy
Anthea Featherstone
Lois Haska
Priscilla Hunt
Annette Jansen
Barbara Lange
Susan Male
Carolyn Maudslay
Alison McNeil
Bernadette Nickels
Jessica Pellen
Susan Pinnock
Pamela Roberts
Helen Rogers
Anne Roselt
Janet Rowe
Christina Shepherd
Dianne Soult
Christina Stanojevic (Head)
Elizabeth Streich
Anne Stokes (Deputy)
Penelope Tunstall
Linda Wright
The Last Prefects
The 1969 Yearbook shows photos and names for
24 boys and 25 girls. However, I think the ratio
should have been 25 & 25. So although the names
of four female Prefects (not photographed) were
listed, did the editorial staff miss out on the name
of another male Prefect from the yearbook?. Can
anybody help? The names shown above in bold
print belong to those we have not yet located. At
this stage, the boys are doing better than the girls,
with 4 and 8 respectively, listed still as MIA.
Each year EHS had appointed 50 Matriculation
(Yr12) students to undertake the duties of
Prefects and their blazers were accordingly
marked with a stripe around both lower sleeves
and across the pocket. They were also given a
small rectangular blue "Prefect" badge to wear.
After all these years, many classmates may not
recall that 1969 was in fact the last year that EHS
had Prefects. A fact that was not missed by those
of us who repeated in 1970. As we made the most
of being able to slip out the gates at lunchtimes
and no longer sneaking out via the shelter shed.
Having had two jobs disestablished under me, due
to policy changes by higher authority, I thought it
was appropriate to therefore review who were
those students selected by EHS staff to be
Prefects in 1969. They were:
Those Recently Found
We have now located 94 classmates. The 11
names listed below have either been added to the
Master Class List or had contact details recently
updated:
1. Heino von Minden - (found by Terry Beaton)
2. Stewart Ogston - (updated by John Berry & TB)
3. Catherine Botchen - (updated by TB)
4. Phillip Callahan - (found by John Cooper)
5. Christina (Stanojevic) Emblem - (updated by TB)
6. Anne (Roselt) Miers - (found by Anthea F & TB)
7. Pam (Quinlivan) Economos -(found by Anthea F)
The "Boys" (Prefects) - (24)
Clive Arnold
John Berry
Anthony Cant
Sandy Crawford
Stephen Davis
John McFadyen
Chris Geisler
Leslie Hall
Robert Lock
Richard Morriss
Graeme Rance
Mark Tuckwell.
Terry Beaton
Eddy Bruce
Michael Coad
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8 R. Sarah (Camp) Olijnyk - (updated by TB)
9. Robin (Camp) Thomas - (updated by TB)
10. Jean Pierre Kerry - (updated by TB)
11. John Lovell (Teacher) - (updated by TB)
students will have access to a superb new learning
environment.
Student enrolments have now increased by more
than 200 over the past 18 months and we expect
overall enrolments to be around 1000 by the start
of the 2017 school year. These students are now
supported by 120 teachers and ancillary support
staff. We have stopped the drift of students away
from Elizabeth and we are attracting new
students from outside of our school zone.
Pleasingly, our new curriculum initiatives and
changes to teaching and learning are having a
dramatic impact on student achievement. Year 12
results are showing significant improvement,
student attendance rates are once again
approaching 90% and a school wide approach to
building Positive Education as a foundation of
school culture, is changing the landscape of our
school.
Those Found To Be Deceased
Advice has been received to confirm that the
following former EHS teachers from 1969 have
deceased some years ago:
1. Mr R.A.B Dinning,
2. Mr E.C. Frick,
3. Madame (Mousala) Morell,
4. Mr Vic Pellen
Message from Playford International College
by Rob Knight, Principal
Greetings members of the Matriculation Class of
1969. It was wonderful having many of you attend
the 55th Anniversary celebrations at the school
earlier in the year. It is a very exciting time for
your old school and indeed, the Elizabeth
community. From 2016, your former school is
now known as Playford International College.
Whilst this may be a sad change for some of you,
it is an important step forward for our current and
future students. This new identity recognises the
amalgamation of four local schools over the past
50 years and is symbolic and much as it is,
purposeful. The past two decades have been
challenging for our school and community and
with this new identity, come a raft of new
priorities designed to return our school to
greatness.
Within 5 years, Playford International College will
be the leading secondary school of Northern
Adelaide. Our students will thrive as they
undertake meaningful employment and tertiary
education upon graduation from school. A
genuine return a sense of community will return
to the Elizabeth area and as the Playford City
Council transforms Elizabeth City, Playford
International College will have the eyes of the
world wanting to study our revolutionary
approach to learning in the 21st century.
More Notable Events From 1969
- The Vietnam War was being beamed into our
lounges and the "Skyhooks" hit "Horror Movies The 6.30 News" was getting frequent airplay,
- Johnny Famechon won World Featherweight
Title in London,
- Opening of the musical "Hair" in Sydney, with
controversial 20 second nudity scene,
- The Arbitration Commission in Melbourne
adopted the principle of equal pay for women.
- The Southern Aurora Express crashes into a
goods train near Violet Town (Victoria) killing at
least 10 and injuring 50.
$11m is to be spent on redeveloping many
facilities within the school over the next 18
months. Amongst these improvements are a new
Creative Arts Centre, Visual Arts Centre, Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Centre
(STEM), High Performance and Physical Training
Centre, Special Education Centre, Reception,
Administration and Student Services Centre and a
redeveloped Home Economics Centre.
Complimented by new landscaping, our staff and
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was a unique event in this school's history. Totally
dependent on student initiative, the original idea
for the production came from the students, with
set design and erection, lighting, costumes, makeup, tickets and publicity under student control.
The cast consisted of fourth year students.
A Remarkable Group - Married Couples
From my recollections, 10 students from 1969
became couples and later married. They were:
(1) Terry Beaton and Carolyn Maudslay,
(2) Fred Thompson and Anne Stokes,
(3) John Eyer and Helen Rogers,
(4) Graeme Rance and Bernadette Nichels.
(5) Sue Male and Les Hall.
These various aspects of the play, to which the
students devoted their creative abilities, merged
to form a final result which clearly showed what
students can do if given the opportunity.
(If I have left anybody else out, please forgive me and
let me know, so the records can be corrected).
The play, set in Scotland in the 11th Century deals
with the downfall and eventual damnation of a
noble general by his ruthless ambition, which also
brings about the gradual breakdown of the moral
fibre of his society. The production of the play was
abbreviated in form, with many of the shorter
scenes acted in tableaux, whilst narrator, Christina
Stanojevic, gave short summaries of these scenes
to maintain the continuity of the play.
Interestingly, all those listed above were Prefects.
So I guess all those old "gate duties" at lunchtimes
brought a number of people together. Some forty
six years later, only two of these couples are still
together ,due to varying circumstances. They are
Frederick and Annika Stokes-Thompson and John
and Helen Eyre.
Bob Blunden is another 69er who later married
another fellow EHS student, Eileen Bigg (1970),
and are still together after marrying back in about
1974. In this day and age, those with over 40
years of marriage have achieved a remarkable
milestone and on behalf of the Class, I would like
to wish them all the best for many more years of
happiness together.
Macbeth was played by Robert Lock, who had the
difficult task of showing the progressive moral
degeneration of this character. As the play
developed, he acquired the authority that
stemmed from Macbeth's deepening
commitment to evil, strengthening the imperious
tone of his voice and attaining a significant
violence of expression and gesture.
Anne Stokes played Lady Macbeth, the goad to
Macbeth's ambition, a difficult role for a young
actress to play. She showed mature restraint,
subtle variation in tone, and control of expression,
while in the sleepwalking scene she held the
audience by the wildness of her eyes and the
agonized wringing of her hands.
The witches, played by Lesley Hiole, Ann
Wolfendale and Alison McNeil, were the
embodiment of external evil in the play. As well as
for their appearance they were remarkable for
their continuous sinuosity of movement and high,
cackling laughter.
Catching up with the Stokes-Thompsons in Gawler after the
55th Reunion in Feb 2016
Unique Event In School's History
by a Special Writer (in 1968)- courtesy of Mrs Lola Brown
The Leaving classes production of Shakespeare's
"Macbeth", presented by EHS late in September,
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Tony Moore as Banquo acted with serenity as a
foil to Macbeth's wild anger and loss of control.
The porter, John McFadyen, introducing a note of
humour into the play in his scene, was a fine
character study.
It is also proposed that the Christmas in July
luncheon be the major reunion activity. Whilst
additional optional activities will be developed for
those with time and interest, like:
- a visit to the old school to check on the proposed
developments in Rob Knight's article and possible
morning tea with staff along with an opportunity
to meet with Year 12 students in the new
gymnasium.
Heino von Minden was the regal King Duncan; the
lords were portrayed sincerely by John Cooper,
Gordon McPherson, Tony Cant, Stewart Roper,
Clive Arnold, Laurence Jepp, Geoff Hudson, Jon
Roberts, David Burnett and Ian Preston. Lady
Macbeth's gentlewoman was Penelope Tunstall
and Peter Clarke played the grave doctor. Colin
George played Mac Duff, the instrument by which
evil was finally overthrown.
Remembering Michelle Ratcliffe (Class 1968)
During the recent reunion with Linden Fairclough,
he passed on the sad news of Michelle Ratcliffe's
tragic death. You may remember that in the
article in Issue No 2 "Recollections of "A Working
Girl's Secret", Frederick wrote how Michelle
Ratcliffe had played the lead female role as Purity
White in that 1968 EHS production. Linden
recalled that Michelle was a lovely girl, who had
so much potential. It seems that she had been a
innocent passenger in a parked car, which was
ploughed into by a speeding drunk driver and
later died in hospital, as a result of her injuries.
Apparently, this tragic event occurred in the early
1970s. Some of you may remember it. Another
promising young life lost uselessly. Vale Michelle
The play produced by 4th year students Carolyn
Maudslay and Chris Jeremy, who were also the
source of the initial impetus to present it. The
students expressed thanks to high school teachers
Miss Dawson for assistance with make-up, Mr
Barnard for technical advice and interest in the
production and Mrs Brown for textual advice and
help.
The cast wishes to thank the headmaster, Mr
Booker, for his support while the play was being
prepared and for permission to use school
premises.
Career Choices
Day Of Week -For The 50th Reunion.
In addition to the previously named 17 classmates
who chose a career in education, John Quirke,
Catherine Botchen and Anne Roselt (now Anni
Miers) are also added to the list. Sue Pinnock has
advised that contrary to my previous claim, she
never was a Principal. Instead she was the Head of
Science (over many years) and the Indigenous
Student Coordinator (over the last 3 years of her
employment). Sue retired at the end of last year
after 41 years, with 24 of them spent at
Pembrooke School. She is loving retirement.
Although it is still three years away, I would like to
raise the issue of what day of the week the 50th
"Christmas in July" luncheon reunion should be
held. By 2019 most classmates thinking of
attending, should possibly be retired. As such, it is
appropriate for consideration to be given for
those who need to travel from interstate. Also
many are grandparents, who may have family
sporting commitments on weekends. It is
therefore proposed that the reunion luncheon be
held midweek on Wednesday afternoon. This will
allow interstate classmates to travel after any
weekend commitments and return before the
next weekend.
At least four of those who took up a teaching
career, went interstate. Two at least on 12 month
teaching exchanges, which have led to permanent
roots in those states. I have previously referred to,
6
Sue Hall, who moved to WA and Heino von
Minden who did an exchange to Tasmania. In
addition, we have Anne Roselt and Marc Ortlieb,
who both at sometime in their teaching career
moved to Victoria
Murray James has confirmed that Glen Campbell
did enter the RAAF. Whilst Michael Brace has
advised that he also spent some of his working life
working for Defence, as a public servant. Whilst
Helen (Rogers) Eyre is another who chose a career
in medical science and is currently working at the
Adelaide Women's & Children Hospital.
Digby back in 1969
Then after failing the slightly critical subject of
Physics in my final year (fair go, "I was only 19”), I
repeated Physics the following year and popped
out with a degree and promptly got a job as a
Chemist anyway!
Most know of John Quirke's later political career,
yet he initially started his working life teaching.
From 1973 to 1986 he taught history at the new
Craigmore High School, teaching some of the
younger siblings of fellow EHS classmates. He
recalls teaching a younger Hudson and an Ortlieb
amongst others. He then spent some time at
Elizabeth TAFE, on a part-time basis before
moving to Concordia College.
The job was in the petroleum industry and Caltex
kindly funded further study in Chemistry at Uni
and re-evaluated my Physics degree to Chemistry.
So I could then become classified as an Industrial
Chemist. However, I later morphed into Quality
Management, which became my preferred career
path, and still is, although I am semi-retired now.
His political career started when he took a job in
1986 as a speech writer for an ALP senator, which
he did until his election as the "Member for
Playford" in 1989 and held that seat until 1997.
From 1992 to 1993, John had to deal with the
scandals of the State Bank and SGIC, as the Chair
of the Economic & Finance Committee (Public
Accounts). As the Shadow Treasurer from 1993
until 1997, he was still having to deal with the
fallout. Then John moved into the Federal Senate
until 2000. His political days have now generally
ended, except for occasional fundraisers and
people seeking advice.
Digby in 2016
A Snapshot of My Career Choice - by Digby Shaw
I moved to Sydney in 1974 to get a job, met Janet
and we were married in 1978. We moved to
Brisbane in 1980 to afford a house, had twins (girl
and boy) on IVF in 1990. That same year I
undertook a Grad Dip in Computing Science
(which was the first time I ever scored an HD and
ended up with a few of them). Nowadays I
My career started at SAIT doing Applied Chemistry
because Mr Blanksby inspired me. However, when
I accidentally failed the slightly critical subject of
Chemistry itself, I switched to Applied Physics. It
was easy to switch and I wanted to make Mr
Olijnyk proud.
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freelance tutor high school maths (been doing
that for around 15 years), with anything from 1624 kids every year. I also have my own business
providing clients with Quality System Solutions.
I have also become a writer, despite failing English
at school! When I told Lola that at the recent
reunion, she was delighted.
Catching Up With Linden (with Linden's input)
On a rare sunny July morning in wintery
Melbourne, Sheila and I ventured off to catch up
with former classmate, Linden Fairclough, after 46
years. The welcome was both genuinely warm and
our visit appreciated, despite Linden's busy
workload. We had both changed over time and I
didn't seem to be as tall as Linden remembered,
with those skinny legs that seemed to go on
forever, as he recalled. Linden was then surprised
to be told that I am now 3 inches tall than I was in
1969, due to latent growth stimulated by the
physical demand of Army life and its abundant
cooking. Yet with glasses in hand, it soon felt just
like yesterday, as we sat and reminisced about the
old days as EHS, with Linden as Head Prefect and
doing gate duty at lunchtime. Back in those days,
students had to stay at school the whole day!
How things have changed!
Terry and Linden keeping their heads warm in Ballarat.
Linden attended the Adelaide Teachers College for
2 years before completing an external Arts
degree. Circumstances then led him into a
different career path and he completed a Law
degree and practiced law for approximately 20
years . He subsequently became involved in
property development and associated business
activities.
In 2012 Linden moved to country Victoria to assist
a friend with a new business venture. This "tree
change" allowed him to do two things he loved,
country living and helping others. He started
another company involved in the distribution of
gourmet food and now runs a growing business;
whilst restoring a former prominent farm house in
an outer suburb of Ballarat. So much for
retirement!. He has also retained his love as a
collector of fine wine and classic cars.
You may also remember that Linden came from
Whyalla, after having been recruited by Central
Districts (CDFC) in about 1967. He left his family
and boarded with the Russell family, whilst he
attended EHS and played under aged footy for
CDFC. At that time, Mr Norm Russell was the
President of CDFC and a Pharmacist in Elizabeth
South. His son Ken Russell matriculated from EHS
in 1968. One of Linden's neighbours back then
was fellow classmate, John Benzie, who not only
played for CDFC, but also later married one of
Norm Russell's daughters, Susan. Linden made the
first team and played league competition as a
ruckman, until a bad landing stuffed his knee and
ended his playing career in 1971. However he
remained involved as an administrator and served
as the Vice Chairman of CDFC. He also sat on the
Board of the SANFL and was one of the inaugural
Commissioners of the SA Football Commission,
which launched SA into the AFL Competition.
After a most delightful afternoon exchanging past
lives, Sheila and I headed back down the hill to the
warmth, to face the peak afternoon traffic of
Melbourne. lt is hoped that one day we can return
the same hospitality to Linden, when he next
ventures to the Shire of Nillumbik to checkout my
classic 1984 Alfa Sud Ti 1.5.
Whoever wrote the catch phrases in the 1969
Yearbook, under the Prefects photos, had
incredible insight. For Linden they wrote, "A
martyr for a cause". A caption that even Linden
acknowledged that afternoon, as being uncanny
and prophetic.
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Cycling in Europe - by Geoff Hudson
As we grow older, even the fittest of us begins to realise that high-impact sports, such as running,
place substantial demands on our ageing bones. To avoid injury and prolong mobility we move to
gentler pastimes – such as swimming or cycling.
About 7 years ago, I purchased a bike and took up recreational cycling. Stuck in a frustrating contract
at work, I dreamt of “life on the road” and one day as I listened to different department heads
bickering for the umpteenth time, I decided to just do it. I booked a plane ticket to London and spent
the next 4 weeks preparing myself and my bike for travel.
That first trip was a huge learning experience – with only a vague understanding of where I was
headed and how I would get there - I arrived in Heathrow with bike, tent, sleeping bag and minimal
clothes and tools. Travelling to Belgium on the Eurostar was pretty straightforward and I arrived in
Liege late that day. Life was tougher back then – few places with WiFi, paper maps, less awareness
of sites, like booking.com, that now make life so much easier. In spite of this, I travelled to Cologne
with ease, headed down the Rhine to Basel, through Switzerland and into France and then travelling
down the Loire until my time ran out (I had to meet friends at Semaine Federale – the annual French
get together for cyclists).
The Brenner Pass cycle path is like this for almost
360 km – from Brenner down into Northern Italy
A campsite along Lago de Garda
You get to see the standard stuff too!
Slovenia – the prettiest country I’ve ever been to
I was hooked! Cycling in Europe is incredibly safer than riding in Australia and the facilities for
cyclists are amazing. On that first trip, I camped a lot – paying 2-8 Euros per night to camp or 10-15
Euros for bed and breakfast in a youth hostel. As you cycle through tiny country towns, you see
things that aren’t seen by those that go to the cities and commute from one place to another by
train or autobahn.
In subsequent years, I’ve ridden in other parts of Europe:
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
From Frankfurt to Budapest – an easy ride along the Main River and the Main-Danube
Canal. Joining the Danube near Passau, the track runs through Vienna, Bratislava (Slovakia)
all the way to Southern Hungary.

From Innsbruck to Rome – take a local train from Innsbruck to Brenner (the road is narrow
and has no cycle path), the most amazing cycle track starts just outside Brenner and runs
down into Northern Italy. Other cyclists I met headed down into historic Trento and then
took another train up into the Dolomites and then cycled downhill again into the Po Valley
and Venice. Safe cycling all the way to La Spezia (to see Cinque Terre) and then down the
Ligurian Coast into Rome.

North from Rome –Rome has history – but it’s pretty grubby! Cities in Italy seem to get
prettier and more elegant as you go North, my favourites being Siena, Padova and Trieste.

Slovenia – amazing scenery, horse-riding and caving (the Lippizaner Stallions come from
here). Some care is required - it’s not flat.

Vienna to Prague – the Greenways Bike route runs all the way from Vienna to Prague –
providing 9-10 days of wonderful riding for the touring cyclist

Prague to Dresden – an easy 3-5 day ride for the novice cyclist. Prague is remarkable and the
little towns along the Elbe are delightful – and offer good food and low cost accommodation.
Dresden was flattened during the war and sadly – decided to modernise rather than restore
its historic buildings.

Belgium – their National Bike Network (their NBN) criss-crosses the country and is well
signposted. Visit famous battlefields, stay in historic towns, eat wonderful food and drink the
finest beers in Europe.

Luxembourg – the city is stunning – and there’s an extensive network of cycle paths. The
year we went, many of these were underwater due to widespread flooding.

France – Everywhere in France is great for cyclists! I’ve just finished EuroVelo #1 which runs
for 1200 km down the Atlantic Coast of France – from Roscoff in the North to Hendaye in the
South. Absolutely glorious – canal paths, historic buildings, great cafes along the way and no
shortage of reasonably priced accommodation.

Spain – not for the faint hearted. The Camino de Santiago has steep climbs no matter which
route you choose….but then, a pilgrimage is not supposed to be too easy. A low-cost holiday
– with hostel accommodation costing 5 Euros per night and pilgrim dinner for 2-3 Euros.
Don’t be put off by the length of any of these – in all cases, there are smaller sections one can do
and in every case you can decide how far you want to ride each day. In France, I had little trouble
riding 100 km per day. In Spain, the heat was the main determinant – so I rose at 5am and rode until
midday each day….and then found accommodation, shower and beer in roughly that order.
If anyone was interested in doing something like this, I’d be happy to provide advice/assistance. Just
get in touch via email at [email protected]
In the next issue, we will re-visit the photo from the 1994 reunion, shown in the last issue.
Wishing you all good health, safe times and longevity of life. Next issue out in December.
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