Cats have played a big part in my life. I have never purchased one. Our children usually brought them home or left them behind when they traveled.           Cats in New Zealand and in Asia seem to have different personalities. The Asian cats move faster and are not so fussy eaters. In New Zealand, they…

It’s hard for people today to visualize the hardships that backcountry farmers endured during the depression years. Many worked from daylight to dusk, seven days a week only to walk off their farms destitute.          After the initial bush burns, there was a steady decline in soil fertility followed by an influx of weeds, and…

One day an official-looking letter arrived addressed to Geoffrey Moss, Cane Collector. People have called me unusual names at times but Cane collector was a new designation.          When I opened it up I found an embossed invitation to attend a function put on by the Hon. Josiah Beeman, the United States Ambassador to New…

For many years, for many reasons, I spent much time traveling the South Island of New Zealand staying in country pubs. They weren’t comfortable but they were homely. If you arrived late after the cook had gone home you were invariably told to go into the kitchen and make yourself a meal.         At one…

Bangladesh 1985/86         This country had a serious set back right from the start. During  December 1971 the departing Pakistan troops rounded up many  intellectuals and leaders and shot them, setting the country back more than a generation.          Most of the country is a huge delta formed by two large rivers,  the Ganges and…

        Flying into Dhaka in Bangladesh from Bangkok was a nightmare. I flew in on ten different missions.          One of the reasons I stayed at the Sheraton Hotel was they had a room at the airport set aside for visitors to shelter in from the milling mob of touts. A cold drink was provided…

Our daughter was living in Perth, Western Australia.  We made so many visits I’ve lost count of the number of times we went to this charming city.          When visiting Australia I frequently got asked to look at farms when people learn I had been a Farm Advisor.          On one visit I was asked…

Wadestown was one of Wellington’s first suburbs. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. It’s located on the Western side of the city up a steep hill – about one to two km from the business district and Parliament.          It takes its name from John Wade. He arrived in Wellington on the vessel ‘Integrity’…

         The day Dr Joe and I arrived in Colombo from Manila I phoned the President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Union, as I was their New Zealand Liaison Officer. My task was to send them New Zealand rugby coaching materials.          Kavan Rambukwelle said,  “I will call for you in one hour.  We have…

When you fly into a strange city it’s very helpful if your suitcase arrives at the same time.  In Singapore when your case is missing you get an immediate payout to buy some clothes and toilet gear and your suitcase is delivered to your hotel as soon as it arrives.        My suitcase was missing…